Ultrasonic probe system for the bore-side inspection of tubes and welds therein

US4037465A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration · US

Inventors

• K. Von Cook · Clinton, US
• Dan W. Koerner · Clinton, US
• Robert A. Cunningham · Halls, US
• Horace T. Murrin · Alcoa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 19, 1976
• Grant date: Jul 26, 1977
• Expiry date: Nov 19, 1996

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N29/265
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A probe system is provided for the bore-side inspection of tube-to-header welds and the like for small diameter tubes. The probe head of the system includes an ultrasonic transmitter-receiver transducer, a separate ultrasonic receiver, a reflector associated with the transducer to properly orient the ultrasonic signal with respect to a tube wall, a baffle to isolate the receiver from the transducer, and means for maintaining the probe head against the tube wall under investigation. Since the probe head must rotate to inspect along a helical path, special ultrasonic signal connections are employed. Through the use of the probe, flaws at either the inner or outer surfaces may be detected.