Defect Detection Algorithm for Wing Skin with Stiffener Based on Phased-Array Ultrasonic Imaging

In response to the real-time imaging detection requirements of structural defects in the R region of rib-stiffened wing skin, a defect detection algorithm based on phased-array ultrasonic imaging for wing skin with stiffener is proposed. We select the full-matrix–full-focusing algorithm with the best imaging quality as the prototype for the required detection algorithm. To address the problem of poor real-time performance of the algorithm, a sparsity-based full-focusing algorithm with symmetry redundancy imaging mode is proposed. To address noise artifacts, an adaptive beamforming method and an equal-acoustic-path echo dynamic removal scheme are proposed to adaptively suppress noise artifacts. Finally, within 0.5 s of imaging time, the algorithm achieves a detection sensitivity of 1 mm and a resolution of 0.5 mm within a single-frame imaging range of 30 mm × 30 mm. The defect detection algorithm proposed in this paper combines phased-array ultrasonic technology and post-processing imaging technology to improve the real-time performance and noise artifact suppression of ultrasound imaging algorithms based on engineering applications. Compared with traditional single-element ultrasonic detection technology, phased-array detection technology based on post-processing algorithms has better defect detection and imaging characterization performance and is suitable for R-region structural detection scenarios.