Non-Destructive Testing Radiography (Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology – PAUT)

Background:
Current non-destructive inspection (NDI) processes call for x-ray as the only approved means to inspect weld repairs on a variety of structures. Radiographic Weld Inspection, TP-278, requires radiographic technology (RT) as the only method for volumetric inspection of critical piping, pressure vessel and machinery welds. These inspections are a consumer of ship availability during repair and overhaul periods impacted by crew size, disruption of other work (impact on schedule), speed of inspection and radiological safety. Currently five (5) to 30 man days are required for a single weld joint inspection (not including interpretation). Alternatives must be developed and piloted to show new processes and technologies can be effectively deployed across the maintenance enterprise.

Proposed Solution:
The Navy Shipyards are working towards a single Navy (NAVSEA) “project” for NDT on ships and submarines. Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology (UT) is a promising potential replacement for many radiographic requirements. In instances where UT is not an option, digitization of RT is highly desirable to reduce the impact to other maintenance operations and provide a media for “reach-back” assistance from the SME while a ship is deployed overseas.

Approach:
Project objectives are:
1. Phased Array UT to include purchase of two (2) UT machines to include training, baseline defects for analysis, and proof-of-concept to include engineering, evaluation, metric development and collection, and other reports and studies as required.
2. Development of a NDI Support Tool for the “in-theater” Carrier in Japan. The Navy requires the ability to support NDI on the George Washington. Digitization of specific historical data and the means to provide portable, on-ship digital reach back to system matter experts (SMEs) is required.
3. Develop a digital media, secure data capture storage/retrieval and transmittable system for digital data collected from Phased Array UT and Digital X-Ray NDI technologies to allow reach-back from the ship in theater to the SME.