Control rod guide tube inspection system
US5078955A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control road guide tube inspection system is provided which consists of a camera delivery tool which is lowered through the 2.3 inch diameter opening in the guide plates of the tube to position a camera over a selected hole in the guide plate to be inspected. The camera is an underwater CCTV camera, and the system further includes an image enhancement system which uses the video output from the camera to obtain quantitative data on the wear of the guide plates. An ultrasonic gauge to measure the distance from the camera to the guide plate being inspected is also provided on the delivery tool. Once the delivery tool is inserted into the central opening of the guide tube, two mechanisms are used to position the camera over the guide plate holes, including a foot element which is pivoted out of the confines of the housing tube, allowing the delivery tool to rest on the guide plate which is immediately below the guide plate to be inspected by the camera and a straight line motion linkage which moves the camera sideways out of the confines of the housing tube enabling the camera to look straight down at the holes formed in the guide plate. Because the guide plates are evenly spaced in…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.