Combustion Engineering, Inc.

Lawrence J Edwards

Timothy H Wentzell

John P Lareau

A method and apparatus for inspecting the profile of the inner wall of a conduit, such as a heat exchanger in a steam generator by a probe body that includes eddy current sensing coils. The number of eddy current sensing coils is increased for more completely sensing the conduit surface without a corresponding increase in coaxial cables by the use of a bank switch which switches respective banks of coils to existing conduits.

Method for detecting flaws in a steam generator tube using a flexible

A probe (10) for scanning the interior of a curved conduit (28) has a carrier (12) with a rotatable portion (12b). Sensor means (18) are secured to the rotatable portion (12b) and are aligned with respect to the curvature of the conduit by means of an elongated flat strip (20), secured to the rotatable portion (12b) and extending longitudinally therefrom. Driving means (14) is provided to urge the probe (10) longitudinally through the conduit (28).

Self-orienting conduit probe

A support framework has casters which enable it to be moved into position for receiving the studs of nuclear reactor vessels so the studs may be cleaned and inspected. A housing on the framework isolates the stud while it is cleaned to control the radioactive debris removed from the stud surfaces. Brushes for the internal bore and external surface of the stud are mounted for simultaneously moving over the stud surfaces. Eddy current and ultrasonic inspection devices are substituted for the brushes and the internal and external surfaces simultaneously inspected while an encoder connected to both the inspection devices and stud manifest the location of any detected flaws.

Apparatus for cleaning and inspecting closure studs of a nuclear reactor

A method of effecting an examination by eddy current means (24) of the surface of a coated component (58) for cracks having at least a preset minimal dimension. The subject method can be used to detect such cracks in the surface of metal components (58) that are coated or covered with a nonmetallic material. Further, through the use of the subject method such cracks are detectable without necessitating the removal of the nonmetallic coating or covering from the surface of the metal component (58). The subject method encompasses the steps of establishing calibration readings for cracks of the desired dimension utilizing the eddy current means (24) with which the desired surface examination of the given component (58) is to be effected, performing a preexamination validation of the operativeness of the eddy current means (24), and conducting with the eddy current means (24) the surface examination of the given metal component (58) that is coated or covered with a nonmetallic material.

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Suffield, CT, United States of America

Lawrence J Edwards