The AIS Rotorbore Inspection System is based on the Millennium multichannel UT data acquisition system. It provides seven UT data channels and one ET data channel.

Included is a high speed PC-based data acquisition computer (with A/D card and single channel eddy current card), and a high performance eight-channel UT instrument (AIS Megapulser). Each UT channel achieves 90 dB of dynamic range and has a sophisticated "no noise" DAC. The data system records full waveform UT A-scans from all data channels and displays these waveforms in real time allowing the operator to perform a cursory analysis and check the data quality as it is being acquired.

The AIS Rotorbore sytem has been EPRI (Charlotte, North Carolina) qualified by many inspection companies and utilities.

Data Acquisition: Real Time Display

Data analysis software is capable of displaying all the standard data display types, such as A-scan, B-scan, C-scan, D-scan, B'-scan, stacked A-scans, TOFD data, and more. The display software links all the display windows to provide powerful analysis tools. All positional information is corrected for the curvature of the rotor, and the B-scan is mapped in the circular shape of the rotor cross-section for accurate visual representation.

Data Analysis: Flaw Proximity Algorithm

AIS developed a software-- the Flaw Proximity Algorithm (FPA)--to analyze the rotorbore data offline (post data acquisition). This advanced signal processing algorithm uses unique waveform characteristics, such as target motion and signal to noise ratio, to automatically detect and link the targets of interest. These targets are then summarized in a separate file for input into a fracture mechanics analysis program.

On average, a 30-feet long rotor with a six-inch bore diameter can be examined in just under eight hours. These production rates allow for our customers to schedule their rotor inspections, complete the exam, and have the rotor released for other maintenance work.