Patent · US Expired

Ultrasonic probe for the remote inspection of nuclear reactor vessel nozzles

US4643029A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
5References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 27, 1983
Grant dateFeb 17, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 27, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E30/30
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An ultrasonic probe for the weld inspection of nuclear reactor vessel nozzles is constructed from a plurality of segments interconnected by means of a flexible joint and protected by bumpers of various shapes. The probe is capable of successfully operating in an underwater and radioactive environment under remote control while maintaining a high degree of control over the placement and movement of the included transducer assembly for performing contact type testing. The transducer assembly, which includes an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver, is mounted within an ultrasonic sensor body which permits insertion of the probe within a nozzle of a reactor vessel while maintaining direct surface to surface contact with the nozzle for weld area examination by contact type testing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.