Ihi Southwest Technologies, Inc.

Skyler Olsen

Benjamin J Lgosz-Sinclair

Benjamin J Lagosz-Sinclair

A device is provided to inspect welds in nozzles located in water within a containment vessel of a nuclear power plant. A computer connected to the device controls movement by use of thrusters located along a main rail while buoyancy packs regulate the depth. After the device is navigated to a weld needing inspection, feet extend radially outward from the main rail to secure the device in the nozzle. Then transducer clusters are moved along the main rail to be radially inside the weld to be inspected. Thereafter, the transducer clusters are extended radially outward and rotated adjacent to the weld while simultaneously emitting test signals and receiving reflected signals to indicate the condition of the weld.

Nozzle inspection tool for nuclear power plants

An apparatus and method for maintaining contact between a pod of transducers and an inner surface of a reactor pressure vessel filled with water of a nuclear power plant is described. An underwater carriage carries the pod of transducers each of which is independently movable and are constantly urged against the surface of the vessel during inspection. Each transducer is independently pivotable about two axes. Each transducer emits and receives signals to detect any flaws of potential problems in the reactor pressure vessel.

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Skyler Olsen