Method and installation for execution of a local UT examination

Independent of the grammatical term usage, individuals with male, female or other gender identities are included within the term.

The invention concerns a method as well as a system for a UT examination of an object which is conducted locally and which can be supported by a remote system.

Test objects like components of a machine might comprise irregularities like voids, scratches, cracks, or material failures. Such irregularities, which might be caused during manufacturing of the object, due to uncareful treatment, or due to regular wear and tear, might be located in the object close to the object's surface or somewhere deep within the object. In any case, the presence of such an irregularity might lead to damage or failure of the component and to breakdown of the machine. As a consequence, examination of components w.r.t. the presence of irregularities is performed after their manufacturing, during service or maintenance phases, and/or at any other suitable time. This is especially applicable for components which are prone to such irregularities, which are safety critical or quality critical for the machine, and/or which are generally important for the machine's operation.

For such a testing purpose for determining an irregularity in a component, a variety of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods is known, one of them called ultrasonic testing (UT) , being based on coupling of an ultrasound signal into the component. For example, the UT method might foresee to move an ultrasonic transducer across the component's surface in two dimensions. During such movement, a transmitter section of the transducer generates one or preferably several ultrasound signals UIMP(i) and couples them into the component. The component has one or more reflectors, e.g. regular boundaries or walls and, possibly, one or more irregularities IRR, which reflect the incoming ultrasound impulse UIMP(i) to form an ultrasound echo UECHO(i) corresponding to the originating impulse UIMP(i) . The one or more echoes UECHO(i) are detected by an ultrasound receiver section of the transducer and processed by an evaluation unit to generate an ultrasound image or similar.

Conventional UT methods are reliable and fast, but spatial resolution as well as precision of localization and identification of irregularities are limited. A UT method based on the Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique (SAFT) promises improved spatial resolution, localization, and identification of irregularities as well as better signal-to- noise ratios. The SAFT approach applies the working principle of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems which measure and process signals according to different positions of the radar transducer so that an extended virtual, synthetic aperture is created, resulting in an improved spatial resolution. Further background of UT methods and especially of the SAFT approach can be found in PCT/EP2022/050792 and in PCT/EP2021/087288 as well as in EP2932256B1, EP2898322B1, and DE102013211616A1.

However, conventional UT methods and SAFT, which can be subsumed under the expression "UT examination" since both describe examinations based on ultrasound testing, have in common that ultrasound signals UIMP(i) , e.g. impulses, are transmitted into the component and the ultrasound echoes UECHO(i) corresponding to the signals UIMP(i) are detected, while the transducer is moved across the surface of the component .

Automatic ultrasonic inspection foresees to utilize an automatic, e.g. robotic, drive system which moves the transducer across the component according to a given scanning plan so that reproducible sets of data are generated which can be analyzed automatically or can be stored for later analysis . However, the scanning plan has to be adapted to the component ' s outer form which requires ef forts by experts , resulting in considerable costs . An alternative solution might foresee a sensor system which scans the component ' s outer form and automatically calculates a scanning plan . Again, considerable costs for such a system and corresponding software is expectable . Nevertheless , it might be ef ficient to implement such a system especially in case the number of equally formed components to be inspected is high . However, in case the number is low or in case the complexity of the component does not allow for automated inspection, manual inspection is advisable . Furthermore , automated inspection according to a scanning plan does not allow to spontaneously intensi fy examination of a region suspicious for comprising an irregularity . Again, manual inspection would be a promising alternative .

In manual ultrasonic inspection scenarios , the ultrasound transducer is manually moved across the component to be inspected by a human operator of the UT system . Manual inspection is , therewith, a suitable solution in cases in which only few components and/or components with complex outer form are to be inspected, e . g . in field service or corresponding production facilities . Also , it allows for arbitrary movements across the component since given, unflexible scanning plans are not applicable .

However, manual inspection requires that the evaluation and analysis of data collected during the UT examination happens essentially during the examination . With manually positioned ultrasonic transducers it is challenging to correlate the acquired data with the corresponding position of the transducer on the component and as the recorded data from the probe may show flaws but also reflections of the ultrasound by a wanted feature in the component , i . e . the irregularity, an of fline or later evaluation and analysis is hardly feasible . Therefore , the operator has to be suf ficiently trained and experienced to do the analysis of recorded data at inspection time itsel f . Furthermore , in cases in which the decision, whether an indication in the recorded data represents a critical irregularity or only a negligible feature , cannot be done by the operator alone , an experienced skilled person, e . g . an engineer, has to be available to provide expertise . All this requires highly skilled personnel with experience with the equipment as well as with the component , which places severe restriction on the availability of personnel and, therewith, on the availability of the UT examination itsel f and which means correspondingly high operational costs . Field inspections are usually scheduled with operators with basic training together with experienced engineers on site at the same time . This might require a high amount of traveling which can be di f ficult to schedule regarding travel restrictions due to custom and export regulation as well as health and safety concerns . Again, operational costs would be considerable .

Therefore , a solution is required which allows execution of an UT examination of an obj ect to determine an irregularity of the obj ect and which overcomes the drawbacks introduced above .

This is solved by the method suggested in claim 1 and by the system as per claim 10 . Dependent claims introduce advantageous embodiments .

A method is proposed herewith for execution of a local UT examination of an obj ect according to applicable measurement parameters with a first local UT system to determine an irregularity IRR within the obj ect . During the UT examination, a plurality of ultrasound signals UIMP ( i ) is transmitted into the obj ect by an ultrasound transmitter and representations REPS of a plurality of ultrasound echoes UECHO ( i ) received by an ultrasound receiver and corresponding to the signals UIMP ( i ) are acquired . The representations REPS of the ultrasound echoes UECHO ( i ) might be the echoes UECHO(i) themselves, i.e. the respective signals measured with the ultrasound receiver, or they might be further processed data, e.g. the respective A-scans, B-scans, or sector scans etc. corresponding to those echoes UECHO(i) or even one or more 2D images calculated from such scans.

Especially, imaging data IMADAT comprising at least the representations REPS and/or actual measurement parameters of the UT examination are provided from the first local UT system to a first remote system. The first remote system utilizes the provided representations REPS to generate instructions for continuing the UT examination and provides the generated instructions to the first local UT system. The first local UT system receives the instructions and the UT examination is continued at the first local UT system according to the instructions from the first remote system.

The "determination" of the potential irregularity includes, in the simplest embodiment, the mere determination whether an irregularity is present or not. In a more complex embodiment, the determination of the irregularity might include a categorization of the irregularity w.r.t. its type, e.g. a void, a crack, a scratch, a material failure etc. and/or a determination of the irregularity's size.

Preferably, the UT examination applies a SAFT approach to generate the representations REPS.

The execution of the UT examination includes adjustment of measurement parameters during the UT examination and/or guidance of the transducer along a given or an arbitrary path across a surface of the object, preferably manually. The instructions might include new, adjusted measurement parameters, wherein the first local UT system continues the UT examination upon receipt of the instructions with the adjusted measurement parameters as the applicable measurement parameters. Additionally or alternatively, the instructions might include movement suggestions to be executed with the transducer across the surface of the obj ect , wherein the local UT system continues the UT examination by guiding the transducer across the surface of the obj ect according to the movement suggestions .

Preferably, a network of a first group GRP_L of one or more local UT systems and a second group GRP_R of one or more remote systems is established, preferably before execution of the UT examination . The first group GRP_L might comprise at least the first local UT system, wherein di f ferent UT systems of the first group can be located at di f ferent locations . The second group GRP_R might comprise at least the first remote system, wherein di f ferent remote systems of the second group can be located at di f ferent locations . Moreover, the systems of both groups might also be located at di f ferent locations . For example , a first UT system of the first group might act as a remote system for a second UT system of the first group . Communication including at least the provisioning of imaging data IMADAT and including the provisioning of instructions is executed via the network .

Establishing the network of systems of the first GRP_L and second group GRP_R means that the UT systems of the first group GRP_L and the remote systems of the second group GRP_R are connected to the network so that at least any one of the local UT systems can be connected via the network to any one of the remote systems so that any kind of data can be transmitted across such a connection .

During or, preferably, before the execution of the UT examination a connection architecture is established in three steps .

In a step of discovering and selecting, respectively, a particular local UT system from the first group GRP_L is discovered or selected, respectively, to be the first local UT system and a particular remote system from the second group GRP_R is discovered or selected, respectively, to be the first remote system .

In a step of establishing a data trans fer channel , such data trans fer channel is established between such first local UT system, i . e . the discovered particular local UT system, and such first remote system, i . e . the discovered particular remote system, as discovered and selected, respectively, in the step of discovering . The data trans fer channel is used for providing the imaging data IMADAT from the first local UT system to first remote system .

In a step of establishing a control channel , such control channel is established between such first local UT system ( 200 ’ ) and such first remote system ( 500 ’ ) as discovered and selected, respectively, in the step of discovering . The control channel is used for providing the instructions from such first remote system to such first local UT system .

In a first embodiment of the step of discovering, those remote systems of the second group GRP_R which are available for establishing the network, i . e . for connection to the network, announce their availability . One or more local UT systems of the first group GRP_L for which instructions from one or more remote systems of the second group GRP_R are required sends a corresponding support request into the network . The support request signals a demand of the first local UT system for technical support and preferably comprises connection criteria and preferably announces availability of the local UT system for establishing the network . Consequently, this particular local UT system is subsequently discovered and selected, respectively, to be the first local UT system . An available remote system of the second group GRP_R which matches the connection criteria replies the support request and is therefore subsequently discovered and selected, respectively, to be the first remote system . Connection criteria can be , for example , required computing power, availability, e . g . expected duration of support , expertise available at the remote system, e . g . regarding certain types of UT examination and/or regarding certain obj ects to be inspected, etc . In short , the connection criteria shall ef fect a sorting out of remote systems which are not suitable for providing the required support of the UT examination at the local UT system and, at the same time , it shall ef fect that the best quali fied remote system is selected from the remaining, suitable systems .

In a second embodiment of the step of discovering, those remote systems of the second group GRP_R which are available for establishing the network, i . e . for connection to the network, register in a central registry of the network and possibly deregister again in case they are not available any more . A local UT system of the first group GRP_L for which instructions from one or more remote systems of the second group GRP_R are required sends a corresponding support request to the central registry . The support request signals a demand of the first local UT system for technical support and preferably comprises connection criteria and preferably announces availability of the local UT system for establishing the network . Consequently, this particular local UT system is subsequently discovered and selected, respectively, to be the first local UT system . At least one of the remote systems registered in the central registry which matches the connection criteria is selected and is therefore subsequently discovered and selected, respectively, to be the first remote system .

Preferably, imaging data IMADAT comprising at least the representations REPS and/or actual measurement parameters , possibly adj usted and applied measurement parameters , are communicated by the first local UT system via the network to those remote systems of the second group GRP_R which are available for establishing the network . In that way, such imaging data IMADAT are available at a plurality of remote systems so that a corresponding plurality of experts might analyze and discuss the imaging data .

At least one server-based central unit is implemented in the network, e . g . with a respective conventional computer based server device and/or in the cloud, wherein, in the step of establishing the data trans fer channel , the server-based central unit is configured to relay the imaging data IMADAT from the first local UT system to the first remote system ( , as discovered and selected, respectively, in the step of discovering, and/or in the step of establishing the control channel , the server-based central unit is configured to relay the instructions from the first remote system to the first local UT system, as discovered and selected, respectively, in the step of discovering .

Thus , the server-based central unit can be configured to enable bi-directional communication . Otherwise , it is imaginable , that two separate server-based central units are implemented in the network, wherein one of the relays the imaging data IMADAT to the first remote system and the other one relays the instructions to the first local UT system .

An installation for execution of a local UT examination of an obj ect to determine an irregularity IRR within the obj ect , comprises a first local UT system for execution of the local UT examination and a first remote system for generating the instructions for continuing the UT examination . The first local UT system has a local control system for controlling the execution of the UT examination according to applicable measurement parameters , wherein the local control system is configured to execute the method described above . The first local UT system and the first remote system are connected to each other via a network to enable exchange of the imaging data IMADAT generated by the first local UT system and of the instructions generated by the first remote system . Especially, the first local UT system alone , i . e . without requiring or having to involve any component of the first remote system, is configured and comprehensively equipped to conduct the UT examination including measurement as well as evaluation of the representations REPS , both according to the applicable measurement parameters . Thus , the first local UT system includes in its control system at least a control unit for controlling the transducer, an evaluation unit for processing and evaluating the representations REPS , and a monitor for displaying results from the processing and evaluating of the representations REPS by the evaluation unit . Optionally, the transducer itsel f might be considered to be a part of the first local UT system . Thus , the local UT system is a full- featured, independent system which is equipped and configured to execute an UT examination without having to involve any feature , service , or component of the remote system .

Moreover, the first local UT system might be configured and operated to execute the UT examination according to the SAFT approach . A means for determining the position of the transducer during the UT examination might be included .

The network, being a component of the installation, comprises at least one server-based central unit , e . g . a respective conventional computer based server device and/or in the cloud . The central unit is configured to relay the imaging data IMADAT from the first local UT system to the first remote system and/or to relay the instructions from the first remote system to the first local UT system .

The network is established from a first group GRP_L of one or more local UT systems and a second group GRP_R of one or more remote systems , preferably before execution of the UT examination . The first group GRP_L comprises at least the first local UT system, wherein di f ferent UT systems of the first group are located at di f ferent locations , and the second group GRP_R comprises at least the first remote system, wherein di f ferent remote systems of the second group are located at di f ferent locations . Therein, the network is configured to enable communication including at least the provisioning of imaging data IMADAT and including the provisioning of instructions .

The installation includes an ultrasound transmitter for generating the ultrasound signals UIMP ( i ) and an ultrasound receiver for measuring the ultrasound echoes UECHO ( i ) . Preferably, the transmitter and the receiver are combined in a j oint housing, forming an ultrasound transducer . Therein, the transmitter and/or the receiver and especially the transducer as a whole are a handheld device . Being a handheld device means for the UT examination, during which the device is moved across the surface of the obj ect , that the movement is performed manually, but not by a machine .

On a high level , an essential advantage of the described approach is its simple set-up : Server-side or cloud-based software consists only of a simple broker, e . g . based on an MQTT protocol , eliminating the need to develop a speci fic software to run on the server . This allows for simple deployment on public clouds or private server infrastructure . The connection allows the remote operator to operate the instrument as closely as possible which allows for ef ficient and accurate remote analysis of an inspection . This eliminates the need for an experienced operator to be on-site and inspections can be done using more easily available local personnel .

It is to be understood that the elements and features recited in the appended claims may be combined in di f ferent ways to produce new claims that likewise fall within the scope of the present invention . Thus , whereas the dependent claims appended below depend from speci fic independent or dependent claims , it is to be understood that these dependent claims can, alternatively, be made to depend in the alternative from any preceding or following claim, whether independent or dependent , and that such new combinations are to be understood as forming a part of the present speci fication .

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following, possible embodiments of the dif ferent aspects of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures . Like components in di fferent figures might be characteri zed by the same reference sign . In case a component has been described in the context of a first figure and it is shown in a second figure as well , an additional , repeated description will not be provided, but it can be assumed that the features of the respective component explained in the context of the first figure are applicable in the context of the second figure as well .

The obj ects as well as further advantages of the present embodiments will become more apparent and readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments , taken in conj unction with the accompanying figure in which :

FIG 1 shows an installation for inspection of an obj ect ,

FIG 2 shows a connection architecture, FIG 3 shows a network of local UT systems and remote systems .

The following explanations of the inventive approach concretely but exemplarily builds an application of the SAFT method . However, it should be clear that the inventive idea as formulated in the claims is generally applicable for systems applying ultrasound for testing purposes , i . e . both for conventional UT methods and for SAFT based methods . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG 1 shows exemplarily and in a simplified manner an obj ect

OBJ comprising an irregularity IRR . For example , the

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91 ) ISA/EP irregularity IRR might be a defect of a certain type, e.g. a crack, a scratch, a void, or a material failure etc., which might have been caused during manufacturing of the object OBJ, due to uncareful treatment, or due to regular wear and tear .

Moreover, FIG 1 shows a system 200 for ultrasonic inspection and testing, respectively, of the object OBJ for determining the irregularity IRR in a UT examination. In the following it is exemplarily assumed that the UT system 200 is embodied and configured as a SAFT system 200, the operating mode of which might correspond to the modes suggested in PCT/EP2022/050792 and in PCT/EP2021/087288 as well as in EP2932256B1, EP2898322B1, or DEI 02013211616A1. However, the invention proposed herein is not limited to SAFT based systems, but it can also be applied with conventional UT systems, not applying the SAFT approach.

An ultrasound transducer 210 of the SAFT system 200 comprises a transmitter section 210T for generating and transmitting ultrasound signals UIMP(i) , e.g. ultrasound impulses UIMP(i) , into the object OBJ as well as a receiver section 210R for receiving ultrasound echoes UECHO(i) . However, receiver and transmitter might also be separated. Therein, i=l,2,... counts the ultrasound signals UIMP(i) transmitted by the transducer 210. Typically, each received echo UECHO(i) consists of a plurality of individual echoes which are caused by a plurality of reflections of the transmitted ultrasound signal UIMP(i) at various reflectors of the object OBJ, e.g. at its boundaries, walls, internal structures, or at the irregularity IRR. In other words, a signal UIMP(i) transmitted into the object OBJ is reflected at one or more reflectors of the object OBJ, resulting in a respective number of individual echoes which form the ultrasound echo UECHO(i) . In the following, such an ultrasound echo UECHO(i) caused by the signal UIMP(i) and its reflections, respectively, is called "corresponding" to the signal UIMP (i) . Just for example, the ultrasound transducer 210 might be embodied as a phased array transducer.

A control system 220 of the SAFT system 200 comprises a control unit 221 which is configured to control the transducer 210 and its transmitter section 210T, respectively, via a wired or wireless data connection 225 such that it generates and transmits desired ultrasound signals UIMP(i) for the UT examination with the system 200. For that purpose, the computer based control unit 221 executes a corresponding primary control software. For the UT examination, certain measurement parameters are set by an operator of the SAFT system 200 at the control system 220 and the control unit 221, respectively. For example, such measurement parameters might be the angle of incidence of the ultrasound signals UIMP(i) , the pulse repetition rate, the measurement area, amplification, etc. Especially, the amplification is a crucial parameter: In case being too low, the measurement results possibly don't show sufficient details required for a reliable analysis. In case the amplification is too high, overflow and distortion might occur .

For the UT examination, the transducer 210 is moved across the surface 101 of the object OBJ. The movement of the transducer 210 can be achieved by a respective machine, e.g. a robot, or it can be performed manually by a human operator. During movement, the ultrasound signals UIMP(i) are transmitted into the object OBJ and the corresponding ultrasound echoes UECHO(i) are measured and processed as described above. The invention proposed herein is applicable both for manual and automated transducer 210 movement, but its beneficial impact is highest for manual movement for the reasons introduced in the preamble.

The echoes UECHO(i) measured during the UT examination by the transducer 210 and its receiver section 201R, respectively, are provided to an evaluation unit 222 of the control system 220, e.g. via the data connection 225. The evaluation unit 222 is configured to process the received echoes UECHO(i) to generate corresponding 2D images or other evaluations of the measured signals UECHO(i) , e.g. according to the SAFT approach. In case of SAFT measurements, the evaluation unit 222 also receives and processes positions of the transducer 210 during the UT measurement which might be determined with a position determination unit 230 of the SAFT system 200. However, this is not an essential aspect in the invention addressed herein. For example, the ultrasound echoes UECHO(i) might first be processed to determine so called A-scans, which represent the amplitudes of the echoes UECHO(i) over time, and/or two-dimensional B-scans, which are calculated from the A-scans. In any case, both the echoes UECHO(i) themselves, the A-scans, the B-scans, as well as sector scans and also other imaginable data sets calculated from the echoes UECHO(i) , e.g. 2D images, can be understood as "representations" REPS of the echoes UECHO(i) . The same is applicable for non-SAFT UT examinations, i.e. non-SAFT UT examinations also provide such representations REPS.

Thus, in any case, i.e. either based on the SAFT approach or based on a conventional UT approach, the UT examination provides data REPS which in some way, e.g. as A-scans, B- scans, sector scans, 2D images, or series of 2D images etc., represent the measured ultrasound echoes UECHO(i) . In the simplest case, the representations REPS might be the echoes UECHO(i) themselves and in a more sophisticated case the representations REPS might be 2D images calculated from a plurality of echoes UECHO(i) , e.g. based on the SAFT approach .

For example, results of the processing by the evaluation unit 222, i.e. based on or resulting in the representations REPS, might be displayed on a monitor 240 of the SAFT system 200, e.g. as a 2D image or a series of 2D images, preferably in real-time during the ongoing UT examination. Additionally, information about an ongoing UT measurement can be shown on the monitor 240, i.e. respective actual measurement parameters .

In a typical scenario of an UT examination as proposed herein, a first operator of the UT system 200 and of the transducer 210, respectively, sets the required measurement parameters at the control unit 221. The control unit 221 controls the transducer 210 according to measurement parameters. Scanning of the object OBJ to determine the irregularity IRR includes that the first operator moves the transducer 210 across the surface 101 of the object OBJ while ultrasound signals UIMP(i) are generated according to the measurement parameters and corresponding echoes UECHO(i) are measured by the transducer 210.

During the UT examination, results are displayed in real time on the monitor 240, e.g. in the form of a time series of 2D images. As outlined above, the reliable interpretation and analysis of the results is difficult and requires highly trained expert personnel which might not always be available at the location of the UT system 200 during a particular UT examination .

Therefore, the UT system 200 proposed herein is accessible from a remote system 500 including a remote monitor 510, a remote control unit 520, and a remote communication unit 530, e.g. an audio and/or video system. In contrast to the "local" system 200 with respective local components 210, 220, 230, 240, the remote system 500 might be located anywhere, e.g. in a room in the same building as the local UT system 200 itself or even somewhere far-off, e.g. in a different country. For that purpose, the remote system 500 is connected to the control system 220 via a connection 255 which can be a wired or, at least section-wise, a wireless connection and which extends across or through a network 300. Thus, the network 300 can be considered as a part of the connection 255. The network 300 can be, for example, LAN based, cloud based, internet based, or it can be any other connection suitable for trans fer of data DATA between the local UT system 200 and the remote system 500 .

Preferably, the remote monitor 510 shows the same image or series of images and/or additional information as the local monitor 240 , as indicated in FIG 1 by means of the visuali zation vIRR of the irregularity IRR of the obj ect OBJ . However, the second operator might arbitrarily select the information to be shown on the remote monitor 510 , e . g . images representing earlier points in time and/or other perspectives as far as available as well as the actual measurement parameters etc . By default , it might be assumed that both monitors 240 , 510 show the same information .

The remote control unit 520 , being a secondary control unit for the UT system 200 , might be configured similarly to the primary, local control unit 221 to control the execution of the UT examination at the local UT system 200 . However, in its simplest embodiment , the remote control unit 520 is configured to only provide adj usted measurement parameters to the local UT system 200 and its local control unit 221 , respectively, so that the local control unit 221 can apply the adj usted measurement parameters in the ongoing UT examination . In a more sophisticated embodiment , the remote control unit 520 is configured to directly control the local UT system 200 , i . e . the remote control unit 520 at least temporarily assumes the function of the local control unit 221 .

The remote control unit 520 might comprise peripheral devices (not shown) , e . g . a keyboard and a computer mouse , for data input by the second operator . For example , the second operator might use the peripheral devices to enter the adj usted measurement parameters to be sent to the local control unit 221 . In any case , the remote control unit 520 executes a secondary control software which might correspond at least in parts to the primary control software executed on the local control unit 221 , especially in case of the more sophisticated embodiment of the remote control unit 520 . In case of the simplest embodiment of the remote control unit 520 , the secondary software would only have to allow entering of adj usted measurement parameters by the second operator and providing the entered adj usted measurement parameters to the local UT system 200 and its control unit 221 .

The remote communication unit 530 of the remote system 500 , to be used by the second operator, can be any kind of audio/video communication tool which allows the second operator to communicate with the first operator . Thus , it might be a smart phone or even a conventional telephone , but , deviating from the visuali zation in FIG 1 , it can also be a software module implemented in the computer based control units 520 , 221 which allows textual and/or audio-visual communication between the first and second operators .

In a sophisticated embodiment , the remote monitor 510 and the remote communication unit 530 might be combined into a j oint device , for example embodied as data glasses with a microphone for receiving voice input and a headphone or a loudspeaker for audio output or as a conventional smart device , e . g . a smartphone , a tablet , or a laptop computer with respective software tools . In the latter case , the smart device might also include the function of the remote control unit 510 so that the whole remote system 500 would be implemented in the smart device .

The UT system 200 comprises a communication unit 213 to be used by the first operator locally on the spot and during the UT examination for establishing communication with the remote communication unit 530 . This local communication unit 213 of the first operator might be identical to the remote communication unit 530 , e . g . both can be smart phones . However, modern systems allow communication between di f ferently embodied communication devices so that the communication units 213 , 530 might be of di f ferent kind .

In a typical UT examination, the first operator uses the transducer 210 to perform the UT examination of the obj ect OBJ, watches the results in real-time on the monitor 240 , and controls the movements of the transducer 210 according and responsive to the momentary situation observed on the monitor 240 . For example , assuming that the monitor 240 displays a real-time time series of 2D images calculated from the representations REPS and a series of echoes UECHO ( i ) , respectively, generated during movement of the transducer 210 across the surface 101 of the component 100 , it might happen that an irregularity IRR becomes visible on the monitor 240 at a first point tl in time , but blurs or even disappears again and is not visible any more at a second point t2>tl in time , after the transducer 210 has moved on across the surface 101 , guided by the first operator . The first operator will move the transducer 210 back to the position at which the irregularity IRR became visible . Also , the first operator might change the measurements parameters according and responsive to the momentary situation shown on the monitor 240 in real-time and during the UT examination . Thus , the execution of the UT examination includes adj ustment of measurement parameters during the UT examination and/or guidance of the transducer 210 along a given or an arbitrary path across the surface 101 of the obj ect OBJ .

However, real-time input or instructions from an expert might be required during the UT examination . In case such an expert is not locally available , the remote system 500 can be utili zed . The expert acts as the second operator introduced above and observes the remote monitor 510 during the UT examination being conducted at the local UT system 200 . Based on the observation and based on the expert ' s experience and knowledge , the second operator derives instructions for the first operator which are communicated via the communication units 213, 530. The instructions might include, for example, suggestions regarding the positioning and movement, respectively, of the transducer 210 as well as instructions regarding adjustment of the measurement parameters. In concrete and just for example, the second operator might see an unclear visualization vIRR of the irregularity IRR on the remote monitor 510 and instruct the first operator to move the transducer 210 forward o backward etc. and to change the angle of the transducer w.r.t. the surface 101 in order to create a better visualization vIRR. Also, the second operator might use his or her experience and expertise to provide a reliable analysis of the visualization vIRR of the irregularity IRR, e.g. a conclusion whether a critical irregularity is present and/or a conclusion about the type, size, and/or position of such an irregularity IRR.

Thus, the accessibility of the UT system 200 from a remote location allows a second operator of the UT system 200, who is not on-site, to involve in the real-time interpretation of measurement results, so that the second operator can give guidance regarding next steps in the UT measurement itself and/or provide high quality analysis of measurement data, e.g. w.r.t. an irregularity's properties like type, size, position, and/or criticality. Moreover, it would be possible for the remote, second operator to control the local UT system 200 via the remote control unit 520, e.g. by directly adjusting the measurement parameters and/or by providing adjusted measurement parameters to the control system 220 which then applies those adjusted measurement parameters with its control unit 221. Thus, these adjusted measurement parameters would be transmitted to the control unit 221 of the control system 220 via the connection 225 and the control unit 221 executes corresponding control of the transducer 210 responsive to the adjusted measurement parameters.

Thus, the second operator and the remote system 500, respectively, provide instructions and the UT examination is continued at the local UT system 200 according to the instructions . The instructions might include new, adj usted measurement parameters , wherein the local UT system continues the UT examination with the adj usted measurement parameters . Additionally or alternatively, the instructions might include movement suggestions to be executed with the transducer 210 across the surface 101 of the obj ect OBJ, wherein the local UT system 200 continues the UT examination by guiding the transducer 210 across the surface 101 of the obj ect OBJ according to the movement suggestions .

However, in order to establish the described real-time remote support of the local UT system 200 from the remote system 500 , a connection architecture 400 comprising a first 410 , a second 420 , and a third component 430 is used . The connection architecture 400 utili zes the connection 255 between the UT system 200 and the remote system 500 . A corresponding architecture 400 is shown in FIG 2 . The first component 410 is an announcement and discovery system 410 to enable the second operator to generate a data connection to the local control system 220 . The second component 420 is a data trans fer channel 420 for trans ferring the actual ultrasound data, i . e . the representations REPS , e . g . a series of 2D images , from the local system 200 to the remote system 500 . The third component 430 is a control channel 430 to enable the second operator to involve in the controlling of the measurement and the UT examination, respectively, e . g . by changing the measurement parameters , by changing view angles or depths , or by providing instructions regarding the movement of the transducer 210 .

The discovery of a particular UT system 200 , its control system 220 , and its transducer 210 , respectively, is the basis for providing the support of the local system 200 by the remote system 500 . Typically and shown in FIG 3 , a plurality of local UT systems 200 forming a first group GRP_L and a plurality of remote systems 500 forming a second group GRP_R might be available and connectable to each other via the network 300 , so that particular systems 200 ' , 500 ' , which shall be connected to each other so that the particular remote system 500' can support the particular local UT system 200' , have to discover each other. Actually, different systems 200, 500 of any one of the groups might be located anywhere, i.e. in the same building or -in the extreme caseeven in the same room, but also anywhere in the world, in the latter case utilizing the world-wide internet. The discovery is achieved with the announcement and discovery system 410. This can be based either on an announcement channel approach or on a central registry approach.

In a first embodiment, the announcement and discovery system 410 is based on the announcement channel approach. In a first version, any participant, i.e. any remote system 500 and any local system 200, would announce its availability via the announcement channel 410 and in the announcement and discovery system 410, respectively, and send out a support request to seek participating systems 200' , 500' on the same way 411. Any available participant matching certain connection criteria answer the support request and afterwards the connection 255 between local system 200 and remote system 500 can be established. Connection criteria can be, for example, required computing power, availability, e.g. expected duration of support, expertise available at the remote system 500, e.g. regarding certain types of UT examination and/or regarding certain objects to be inspected, etc. In short, the connection criteria shall effect a sorting out of remote systems which are not suitable for providing the required support of the UT examination at the local UT system 200' and, at the same time, it shall effect that the best qualified remote system 500' is selected from the remaining, suitable systems 500. In order to operate such an announcement channel 411, standard software packages and protocols are required. For example, a message broker, e.g. based on the MQTT protocol, is sufficient to operate the announcement channel 411. In a simpler, second version of the first embodiment of the announcement and discovery system 410 and in the step of discovering under the announcement channel approach, at least those remote systems of the second group GRP_R which are available for establishing the network 300 , i . e . which are available for connection to the network 300 , announce their availability via the announcement channel 410 . Deviating from the general procedure mentioned above , such "announcement" is not necessarily required for the support seeking local UT system 200 ' , but the local UT system 200 ' , for which instructions from one or more of the remote systems 500 is required, might simply send a corresponding support request with the connection criteria into the network 300 . Subsequently, an available remote system 500 ' which matches the connection criteria replies the support request and afterwards the connection 255 between local UT system 200 ' and remote system 500 ' is established .

However, the first version including the announcement of the local UT system 200 seeking support by a remote system 500 is beneficial in that this approach of both the remote systems 500 and the local UT systems 200 announcing their availability assures that the remote system 500 connects with the correct local UT system 200 .

In a second, alternative embodiment of the announcement and discovery system 410 , a central registry 310 might be operated where all participants 200 , 500 might register and deregister themselves . The central registry 310 might be implemented in the network 300 . In more detail , at least those remote systems 500 of the second group GRP_R which are available for establishing the network 300 , i . e . which are available for connection to the network 300 , register in the central registry 310 of the network 300 and deregister again in case they are not available any more . The local UT system 200 for which instructions from one or more remote systems 500 of the second group GRP_R are required sends a corresponding support request with connection criteria to the central registry 310 . Subsequently, a remote system of the second group GRP_R which is currently registered and which matches the connection criteria is selected and afterwards the connection 255 between local system 200 and remote system 500 is established .

However, in both embodiments of the announcement and discovery system 410 care has to be taken to scale the system 410 to a large number of participants . This can be reali zed by segmenting the participants 200 , 500 into groups which typically work together and place them on predesignated registries and brokers , respectively .

The core function of the whole system is sharing of ultrasound data measured in an UT examination by one of the UT systems 200 . This is achieved with the data trans fer channel 420 . After the announcement and discovery system 410 has completed the discovery process , the data trans fer channel 420 has to be established between the particular UT system 200 ' and the particular remote system 500 ' to trans fer the ultrasound data, e . g . the representations REPS , in realtime . Several protocols are suitable to establish a direct connection between particular systems 200 ' , 500 ' , wherein in some cases the local internet connectivity might place restrictions on the visibility of device on the network .

The most reliable way to connect is , therefore , using a server-based central unit 320 , for example implemented in the network 300 with a respective conventional computer based server device and/or in the cloud, to relay the ultrasound data including, for example , REPS to be routed between the particular systems 200 ' , 500 ' , as this way only outbound connections are required on the systems 200 ' , 500 ' or remote software which are typically easy to establish . The central unit 320 essentially acts as a relay which allows for standard software to be used . Such broker based systems not only act as an intermediate between 2 participants but multiple remote systems 500 can subscribe to the same data set from the same particular UT system 200 ' . In that case , the particular system 200 ' maintains a connection to the central unit 320 and the broker implemented thereon sends the ultrasound data to be transmitted to all remote systems 500 having subscribed . This keeps the strain on the local device low . Again, a MQTT protocol can be used to implement the solution .

As soon as the discovery is completed with the announcement and discovery system 410 and a data connection is established via the data trans fer channel 420 , the first , local operator can switch the transmission of the ultrasound data REPS on . Such data are displayed on the connected remote system' s 500 ' monitor 510 . Consequently, the first , local operator can then discuss the collected and transmitted ultrasound data via an additional audio or video channel between the communication units 213 , 530 with the second, remote operator .

Furthermore , it would be preferable i f the remote operator would be able to influence and adj ust the measurement parameters at the particular local UT system 200 ' . As UT equipment , especially comprising the transducer 210 itsel f , the control unit 220 , and possibly the evaluation unit 222 as well , typically allows for a very fine grained control of the settings and measurement parameters , a less experienced first , local operator might be overwhelmed by the options in the UT equipment . For the best possible support by the remote operator, he or she should be able to also control the measurement parameters directly via the control channel 430 , but not only by giving corresponding instructions concerning suggested movements of the transducer 210 to the first operator via the communication units 213 , 530 . Using a central broker 330 , for example again implemented in the network 300 with a respective conventional computer based server device and/or in the cloud, a two-way communication between the particular systems 200 ' , 500 ' is possible and the second, remote operator can therefore be enabled to change measurement parameters of the UT equipment of the local UT system 200 ' .

As some combinations of measurement parameters might not be possible , an interface of the secondary control software executed on the remote control unit 520 has to allow two-way communication to establish allowed settings : In case the second, remote operator changes measurement parameters , e . g . using the peripheral devices of the remote control unit 520 , the remote , secondary control software sends corresponding new changed measurement parameters to the local UT system 200 ' and its control unit 221 which adj usts its settings as close as possible to the new measurement parameters . The control unit 221 then sends out the adj usted measurement parameters back to the broker 330 which provides the adj usted measurement parameters to any listening remote system 500 and its remote control unit 520 , so that respective secondary control softwares can adj ust the measurement parameters in their own settings and memories of the remote control units 520 and the adj usted measurement parameters might also be shown on the remote monitors 510 to keep the remote operators informed . In this way, current configurations are always available in every listening remote system 500 . Even i f two or more remote systems 500 are connected to the local system 200 ' , the device sending back the actual measurement parameters allows every connected remote control software and control unit 520 , respectively, to show the current configuration and measurement parameters .

In case of the wireless UT system 200 using a mobile device as a monitor 240 for visuali zation, the remote software can even be an almost exact copy : As the mobile device typically runs on standard platform the same software can be used . E . g . , the software can be run in web browser which allow every device or computer equipped with a web browser to connect and have the same controls as the local operator . The monitors 240 , 510 might be conventional computer or laptop monitors . However, it is imaginable that measurement parameters and results like images etc . are displayed on monitors of mobile devices like mobile phones or tablets .

Preferably, the data connection 225 between the transducer 210 and the control system 220 is at least in parts a wireless connection .

While the present invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments , it should be understood that many changes and modi fications can be made to the described embodiments . It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in this description . Thus , the invention is not restricted to the above illustrated embodiments , but variations can be derived by a person skilled in the art without deviation from the scope of the invention .