Nuclear reactor vessel inspection system and method with remote transducer positioning
US5214616A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 25, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The inspection head component of a manipulator employed in the inspection of the interior surface of a nuclear reactor vessel is aligned to an optimum orientation when positioned at a local surface to be inspected. This alignment is carried out by generating ranging information with respect to the local surface using ranging ultrasonic transducers positioned upon the inspection head. The propagation interval of the acoustic signal emitted by these ranging transducers is timed and quantified to develop orientation error signals. Such development is carried out in conjunction with known values for the local surface being inspected and in conjunction with a sequence of data collection at the position. The inspection head is pivotally mounted upon the manipulator so as to be movable about at least two axes by inspection head positioning assemblies which may be provided, for example, as stepper-motors and associated translational movement components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.