Alstom Technology Limited

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC

General Electric Technology Gmbh

Jacques Brignac

Robert Lucas

George Rowland

Roland Richard Moser

Glenn G Hart, Jr

Christopher Daniel Curl

Bruce A P Farver

Jay M Baldwin

Bruce Farver

Gerald Hendrix

Larry D Kidd

Bruce Ap Farver

Reginald Harrison

Glenn Hart

An ultrasonic testing probe operable to perform an ultrasonic inspection on a workpiece, the workpiece having an interior region. The testing probe comprises a support; an ultrasonic testing element that is structured to generate an ultrasonic output that is directed toward the workpiece and to receive an ultrasonic input from the workpiece that is responsive to the ultrasonic output, the ultrasonic testing element being movably situated on the support; a motor apparatus structured to be electrically connected with a control apparatus, the motor apparatus comprising a motor that is connected with the ultrasonic testing element and is structured to rotate the ultrasonic testing element with respect to the support; and a bladder that is structured to be movable between an initial state and an expanded state, the expanded bladder structured to be engaged with the workpiece within the interior region and to center the support in the interior region.

Ultrasonic testing probe, couplant delivery system, and ultrasonic testing apparatus

An ultrasonic testing apparatus structured to perform an ultrasonic inspection on a workpiece. The ultrasonic testing apparatus comprises an ultrasonic testing probe structured to generate an ultrasonic output directed toward the workpiece and to receive an ultrasonic input from the workpiece that is responsive to the output; a couplant delivery system comprising a couplant supply, the couplant delivery system further comprising an actuator which, when operated, is structured to apply from the couplant supply an amount of a couplant to at least one of the workpiece and the ultrasonic testing probe; and a control apparatus electrically connected with the ultrasonic testing probe and with the couplant delivery system, the control apparatus being structured to receive the ultrasonic input and being further structured to operate the actuator. A couplant delivery system that is operable with an ultrasonic testing apparatus that is structured to perform an ultrasonic inspection on a workpiece.

An apparatus for performing ultrasonic evaluation of a portion of a pipe includes a frame assembly and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors disposed in the frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a frame which is structured to cooperatively engage an outer surface of the pipe. The frame has a curved surface which is curved about an axis which, when the frame is engaged with the pipe, generally coincides with the central longitudinal axis of the pipe. The curved surface is generally defined by a radius which is generally equal to an outer radius of the pipe. The plurality of ultrasonic sensors are disposed in the frame assembly a fixed distance from the curved surface.

Apparatus and method for improved corrosion thinning detection

An apparatus for determining the integrity of a tube is provided. The apparatus includes: a body having an extension mechanism and configured to be inserted into the tube; and a flexible eddy current sensor including a flexible housing coupled to the body via the extension mechanism, and one or more coils disposed in the flexible housing. The flexible housing is selectively extendable via the extension mechanism between a first position and a second position. The one or more coils are farther away from the body when the flexible housing is in the second position than when the flexible housing is in the first position. The one or more coils electrically couple with an interior surface of the tube when the flexible housing is in the second position, and the flexible eddy current sensor is operative to selectively induce electrical currents within the tube via the one or more coils.

Apparatus and method for determining the integrity of a tube

Disclosed herein is a scanning device for performing ultrasonic nondestructive testing of a tube, comprising a housing; the housing having bottom surface that is concavely curved with cavities to accommodate a waveguide assembly and an encoder assembly; where the waveguide assembly comprises a waveguide and a probe that are in communication with one another; the waveguide having at least one surface that is contoured to match an outer surface of the tube; where the waveguide facilitates the transmission of ultrasonic signals into the tube generated by the probe; and where the encoder assembly comprises a spring loaded wheel that contacts the tube; and where the encoder assembly provides a signal indicative of a location of the probe relative to a position on the tube as the scanning device is moved in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the tube.

Method for determining boiler tube cold side cracking and article for accomplishing the same

A visual inspection system [] includes a remote end [] that is moved through a conduit [] with a flexible pushrod []. The remote end [] having at least one carriage assembly [] with encoders [] indicating a distance traveled within the conduit []. The visual inspection device [] has a longitudinal camera [] to identify view down the length of the conduit [], but also has at least one transverse camera [] adapted to visually inspect an inside surface [] of the conduit []. Also, the transverse camera [] may be used to inspect other conduits that connect to conduit [

Remote visual inspection system

An inspection scanner [] is described that has a low profile construction designed to fit into tight spaces and inspect structures [] such as weld joints []. Wheel frame assemblies [] carry a probe holder assembly [] with an ultrasonic (US) array [] that emits US beams through the structure [] and receives reflected sound waves. The probe holder assembly [] extends and US beam is angled away to inspect in tight locations. The wheel frame assemblies [] roll on wheels [] that drive an encoder []. Encoder [] provides the specific locations for the received sound waves with respect to the weld. The locations and received sound waves are used to reconstruct a signal showing imperfections inside of structure []. The wheels [] may be magnetic to hold it to the structure [] being inspected. A brake system [] may be employed to hold the inspection scanner [] at a given location.

Low profile ultrasound inspection scanner

An ultrasonic probe carrier includes a base, a first side arm having a first end thereof attached to the base and a second end thereof extending outwardly from the base on one side of a tube, and a second side arm having a first end thereof attached to the base and a second end thereof extending outwardly from the base on an opposite side of the tube, at least a portion of the first and second side arms being biased towards each other to removably secure the carrier around at least a portion of a circumference of the tube. An ultrasonic probe is attached to the base, and the carrier and ultrasonic probe are rotatable around the tube to scan at least one of: the circumference of the tube and a weld disposed around the circumference of the tube.

Ultrasonic inspection probe carrier system for performing non-destructive testing

A portable, self-contained scanner device for metallurgical, nondestructive testing is provided. The portable, self-contained scanner device includes a chassis having wheels extending beneath a lower surface thereof, a nondestructive testing probe detachably fixed to the chassis, and a computer processor device coupled to the chassis. The computer processor device includes applications executable by the computer processor device for performing the metallurgical, nondestructive testing on a test subject. The scanner device also includes a display device that displays images in response to the metallurgical, nondestructive testing. The chassis, computer processor device, and display device move along the test subject as a single unit.

Portable scanner device for metallurgical, nondestructive testing

A rail section weld inspection device [] is described for inspecting a rail [] for internal defects []. A central ultrasonic (US) probe [] transmits at least one US beam [B] through the rail [] and receiving a reflected signal. At least one angled US probe [] transmits at least one US beam [A-A] through the rail [] at an oblique angle at least partially covering the same region as the central probe []. An encoder identifies the location of the US probes [] and [] along the rail [] and pairs the locations of the probes with the signals received. The Calculation device [] receives the signals from the US probes and uses their different views to create an image of the flaws within the rail [

Rail section weld inspection scanner

A scanner device for performing nondestructive testing of a tube includes an ultrasonic probe, a waveguide (wedge) secured relative to the probe, and an encoder secured relative to the probe. The waveguide has a surface contoured in relation to a radius of a tube to be inspected, and the encoder provides a signal indicative of a location of the probe relative to the tube as the probe, waveguide, and encoder are moved in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the tube. In one example, the tube is part of a waterwall, and the surface of the waveguide extends substantially from a web on one side of the tube to a web on the opposite side of the tube. The waveguide may be removably secured relative to the probe such that the waveguide can be replaced with a waveguide having a different surface contour in relation to a different radius of a different tube to be inspected.

Portable ultrasonic scanner device for nondestructive testing

A centering apparatus for internal nondestructive testing of a tube to be inspected includes an elongated shaft member coupled to an inspection probe; a plurality of fingers, pivotally attached at a first end thereof to a mounting surface affixed to the shaft member, the plurality of fingers circumferentially surrounding the shaft member; and an expansion mechanism, disposed between the plurality of fingers and the shaft member, the expansion mechanism configured to selectively and outwardly extend a second end of the plurality of fingers with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft member, so as to bring the second end of the plurality of fingers into contact with an inner surface of the tube to be inspected, thereby centering the inspection probe within the tube.

Growing community of inventors

Simsbury, CT, United States of America

Jacques Brignac