Measuring and testing – Vibration – By mechanical waves
Patent
1989-06-23
1990-09-11
Chapman, John
Measuring and testing
Vibration
By mechanical waves
73623, 324226, G01N 2900
Patent
active
049552350
ABSTRACT:
Both an apparatus and a method for simultaneously inspecting the walls of a tube with both ultrasonic and eddy current probes is disclosed herein. The apparatus generally comprises a cylindrical housing assembly insertable within the tube to be inspected, and a probe carrier rotatably mounted within and helically movable with respect to the housing. The probe carrier holds three ultrasonic probes for transmitting ultrasonic beams which are directly oriented radially, chordally, and axially with resepect to the longitudinal axis of the tube, as well as an eddy current probe for simultaneously inspecting the walls of the tube with electromagnetic lines of flux. The apparatus further includes a helical drive train formed from a lead screw assembly having a motor means, a drive shaft, and a drive sleeve for imparting a helical scanning motion to the probe carrier with respect to the housing. The interior of the drive sleeve is slidably engaged to the shaft which is in turn coupled to the output of the motor, while the outside of the drive sleeve is threadedly engaged to the interior of the housing. The probe carrier is in turn coupled to the drive sleeve. In the method of the invention, the data generated by the three eddy current probes is correlated with the data generated by the eddy current probe for each specific section of the tube, and displayed simultaneously to the system operator. The resulting complementary display of both ultrasonic and eddy current probe information allows the system operator to accurately determine the size, shape and nature of any flaws which may be present in the walls of the tube.
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Article published in Nuclear Plant Safety, "NDE Technology Development for Steam Generator Tubing Inspection" by Todd A. Richards and S. W. Glass, 09/11/87.
Arzenti Thomas E.
Bevilacqua Bruce W.
Burtner Lee W.
Clark, Jr. William G.
Johnson Harold P.
Arana Louis M.
Chapman John
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
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