Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Richard S Wengewicz

Clarence D John, Jr

A tube inspection station includes a receptacle having walls defining a cavity for holding energy coupling liquid and receiving an object to be inspected in the liquid. At least one wall of the receptacle has a longitudinal bore defined and extending therein from an opening at the top thereof above the cavity and a transverse bore extending through the wall. The transverse bore intersects with the longitudinal bore and opens at both interior and exterior surfaces of the wall. The station also includes a transducer for measuring a parameter of the object, and a mounting assembly removably mounted in the longitudinal and transverse bores of the wall and removably mounting the transducer in the transverse bore such that the first end of the transducer communicates with the cavity and a second end of the transducer communicates with the exterior of the receptacle. A transverse cylindrical recess defined in the wall intersects the transverse and longitudinal bores and mounts a cylindrical bearing having a central opening for receiving an holding the transducer. An adjustable set screw in the longitudinal bore engages and holds the bearing in a stationary position.

Ultrasonic tube inspection station for a rapid changeover multi-diameter

An ultrasonic tube inspection system is capable of rapid changeover for inspecting tubes of different diameters for flaws of different orientations. The inspection system includes a serial arrangement of multiple separate inspection stations and a plurality of tube inspecting transducer assemblies supported at each inspection station in a predetermined configuration corresponding to the diameter size of the particular tube to be inspected at the respective inspection station without the need for readjustment. The multiple separate inspection stations includes one separate tube dimension inspection station for inspecting tubes irrespective of their different predetermined diameter sizes and a plurality of separate tube flaw inspection stations each for inspecting tubes of a given one of the different predetermined diameter sizes for flaws of different orientations so as to permit rapid changeover from one flaw inspection station to another so that the flaw inspection station will be matched to the diameter size of the tube to be inspected next.

Rapid changeover ultrasonic tube inspection system for inspecting tubes

A tube inspection station includes a receptacle having walls defining a cavity for holding energy coupling liquid and receiving an object to be inspected in the liquid. At least one wall of the receptacle has a longitudinal bore defined and extending therein from an opening at the top thereof above the cavity and a transverse bore extending through the wall. The transverse bore intersects with the longitudinal bore and opens at both interior and exterior surfaces of the wall. The station also includes a transducer operable for sending waves of energy from its first end into the cavity toward the object and receiving echos of energy at the first end from the object for measuring a parameter of the object. Also, the transducer is operable for transmitting input and output signals at its second end. Further, the station includes a mounting assembly removably mounted in the longitudinal and transverse bores of the wall and removably mounting the transducer in the transverse bore such that the first end of the transducer communciates with the cavity and the second end of the transducer communicates with the exterior of the receptacle.

Ultrasonic tube inspection station for a rapid changeover multidiameter

An ultrasonic tube inspection system capable of rapid changeover for inspecting tubes of different diameter sizes includes a serial arrangement of multiple separate inspection stations. One inspection station is used to inspect for tube dimensions irrespective of the tube diameter size. The other inspection stations are used to inspect for flaws and are employed for different ones of the tube diameter sizes to be inspected. A set of ultrasonic transducer assemblies is supported at each inspection station. The transducer assemblies at the flaw inspection stations are in proper orientations corresponding to the diameter sizes of the particular tubes to be inspected at the respective inspection stations without the need for readjustment. The inspection stations contain quantities of liquid for coupling ultrasonic energy between the ultrasonic transducer assemblies and the tube passing through the inspection stations. Liquid level control stations are disposed at opposite ends of the serial arrangement of inspection stations and are connected in flow communication with the inspection stations for controlling liquid level in the inspection stations. Tube drive are disposed adjacent the liquid level control stations and are operable to drive the tubes through the control and inspection stations such that the tubes are aligned along a common centerline irrespective of which tube diameter size is being inspected.

Rapid changeover multi-diameter ultrasonic tube inspection system

A tube inspection station includes a receptacle having walls defining a cavity for holding energy coupling liquid and receiving an object to be inspected in the liquid. At least one wall of the receptacle has a longitudinal bore defined and extending therein from an opening at the top thereof above the cavity and a transverse bore extending through the wall. The transverse bore intersects with the longitudinal bore and opens at both interior and exterior surfaces of the wall. The station also includes a transducer operable for sending waves of energy from its first end into the cavity toward the object and receiving echos of energy at the first end from the object for measuring a parameter of the object. Also, the transducer is operable for transmitting input and output signals at its second end. Further, the station includes a mounting assembly removably mounted in the longitudinal and transverse bores of the wall and removably mounting the transducer in the transverse bore such that the first end of the transducer communicates with the cavity and the second end of the transducer communicates with the exterior of the receptacle.

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Murrysville, PA, United States of America

Richard S Wengewicz