FIELD: physics.
SUBSTANCE: ultrasonic head (2) subjects a structural component (B) to ultrasonic signals from different measurement points (MP). Ultrasonic echo signals reflected from a point (P) within the structural component (B) to be inspected back to the measurement points (MP) are received by the same or other ultrasonic head (2); and with a signal processing unit (4) which, based on the direction of the sound action between the corresponding measurement point (MP) and the point (P) to be inspected, evaluates the received echo signals to determine orientation of the defect. Depending on the recorded signal transmission time between the moment of transmitting the ultrasonic signal and the moment of receiving the ultrasonic echo signal reflected by the defect for each measurement point (MP), the distance (d) between the measurement point (MP) and the point (P) to be inspected is determined and the ultrasonic echo signals of the point (P) to be inspected, received with time shift at different measurement points (MP), are in-phase summed up for evaluation thereof.
EFFECT: highly reliable determination of the direction of a defect within a mechanical structural component.
25 cl, 2 dwg
