Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Steven Allen Kenefick

Robert Jeffery Lowery

Stanley Maurice Walker

Adam Roy Caban

Gary L Henry

Ultrasonic scan data is displayed within a display ( ) and is arranged in a plurality of two and three-dimensional colored displays ( ). A C-scan display ( ) is a composite plot of a region of interest using color to designate echo amplitude. The composite plot ( ) is time-gated to limit the range of depths of data presented and thereby limit the plot to a thin section such as a surface. Surface breaking discontinuities ( ) are visible as highly colored echoes within this C-scan display ( ). Within C-scan display ( ), once a discontinuity such as a reflector is detected, additional gates ( ) may be set which permit other specialized displays such as D-scan ( ) and B-scan ( ) windows to portray the discontinuities. The D-scan plots index direction ( ) against time ( ), and readily displays circumferential reflectors ( ) therein, while also enabling rapid estimation of the depth ( ) of these reflectors. A B-scan plot ( ) which enables fine profilming of reflectors may be a single pane taken at a single axial location determined by an index cursor ( ), or may alternatively be a composite plot. Various modifications to the basic system are disclosed that further enhance the utility of the display ( ).

Method for sizing surface breaking discontinuities with ultrasonic imaging

An apparatus for ultrasonically examining a weld in a nuclear steam supply system includes an elongated guide rod for positioning within a pipe of the nuclear steam supply system. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned at an end of the elongated guide rod. A collapsible shoe encloses the ultrasonic transducer. The collapsible shoe includes a biasing mechanism to allow the collapsible shoe to pass through the pipe while the pipe is at a first circumference and while the pipe is at a second circumference. The collapsible shoe continuously contacts the pipe to establish ultrasonic coupling for the ultrasonic transducer.

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Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Steven Allen Kenefick