Westinghouse Electric Corporation

William G Clark, Jr

Warren R Junker

Michael J Metala

Robert E Shannon

Lee W Burtner

William A Byers

Francis X Gradich

Bruce W Bevilacqua

Rajender K Sadhir

George E Rudd

Thomas E Arzenti

Robert P Vestovich

Harold P Johnson

John J Herald

Kenneth C Radford

Ian L Wilson

Richard J Jacko

Peter K Liaw

Rajender Kumar Sadhir

James A Begley

A method of magnetically fabricating a particle filled polymer having improved mechanical, electrical, or thermal surface characteristics. Finely divided ferrite particles are first mixed into a hardenable, liquid polymeric material. Next, the particles are magnetically oriented within the material along a selected pattern characterized by a gradient of increasing particle density toward a surface of the material. The polymeric material is then cured into a hardened state in order to affix the pattern of particles therein. The particles may be coated with a hardening material, such as diamond, and attracted to the surface of the material in order to impart desired wear and erosion resistance to the resulting composite. Alternatively, the particles may be coated with a electrically or thermally conducting material, such as silver, and magnetically pulled into intimate contact with one another to impart a high level of electrical or thermal conductivity to the resulting composite. The large particulate surface area provided by the magnetically obtained particle contact allows high levels of electrical or thermal conductivity to be obtained with the mixing of only small amounts of particulate matter to the polymer.

Method of magnetically forming a particle filled polymer having enhanced

An electromagnetic tagging system is provided for remotely detecting and locating polymeric and other non-conductive structures situated behind barriers, such as underground plastic pipes or containers. The system comprises a fluctuating magnetic field source, a pattern of tags embedded in discrete regions of the wall of the polymeric structure, each tag including an amorphous magnetic metal target for generating a Barkhausen response when exposed to the fluctuating magnetic field source, and a portable detection circuit movable along the ground or other control surface for remotely detecting the Barkhausen response. The amorphous magnetic material in each tag is preferably in the form of a plurality of elongated particles having aspect ratios of at least 3 to 1 and arranged end-to-end. The pattern that the tags are arranged in provide information concerning the identity, orientation, or extent of the structure, and the portable detection circuit is capable of detecting at least two of the tags simultaneously as it is moved over the surface of the ground so that the patterns of the tags may be easily determined.

Amorphous metal tagging system for underground structures including

A process for removing paint by high pressure waterjet blasting of painted surfaces wherein the waterjet comprises a ferrofluid or other liquid containing tiny magnetic particles suspended therein. The particles may be in colloidal suspension or be suspended by agitation and are preferably polymer coated. The liquid-magnetic particle mixture lends itself to electromagnetic process control, run-off maintenance and waste processing capabilities. Thereby, the process can employ process control and waste remediation options.

Pressurized ferrofluid paint removal system using an electromagnet and

A nondestructive method for determining the amount of deformation induced in a material by a compressive force is provided that includes the steps of uniformly dispersing a quantity of a particulate tagging substance in the material whose presence and distribution is detectable by a form of radiant energy, applying a compressive to the material, and then determining the extent to which the material is compressively deformed by transmitting the appropriate radiant energy through the material to determine changes in the density and distribution of the particulate tagging substance. The method may advantageously be applied to determine the extent to which a granular material such as asphalt concrete has been compacted over a roadbed, as well as to determine strain and wear patterns in gaskets formed from elastic materials.

Method for determining the relative amount of deformation induced in a

A robotic sampling device (32) for cutting part of a tube wall (12) for sampling, containing a cutting head (36), a retrieval assembly (38) and a drive mechanism (40), is used to cut a window or hole (60) in the tube wall (12) and retrieve the tube wall sample (56), where the sample can be mounted onto a separate tube for testing the physical properties of the cut wall portion, and where a video probe (62) and the like can be passed through the window (60) to monitor conditions near the support plates (14) and tube sheets (16).

Remotely operated diagnostic tube sampling device and method of sampling

Both a system and method are provided for remotely heating a polymeric material to a selected temperature. The system generally comprises particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed throughout the polymeric material to form a composite, wherein the particulate material has a Curie temperature that corresponds to the selected heating temperature, and a source of microwave energy for remotely applying a beam of microwave energy to the polymeric composite material. Preferably, the particulate ferromagnetic material comprises only about 2 percent of the total composite by weight. The polymeric material may be compliant, thermosettable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed therein may advantageously be above the curing temperature of the polymer, such that the beam from the source of microwave energy may be used to remotely join surfaces or construct joints in composite structures. Alternatively, the polymeric material may be a meltable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material may be chosen to be above the temperature of fusion of the polymer to create a polymeric composite which is magnetically separable from other polymers within a solid waste facility, and which may be melted down for recycling purposes. In a variation of this embodiment, a heat actuatable degradation chemical may be dispersed through the polymeric material along with the ferro-magnetic material to create a plastic composite which is selectively degradable-by the remote application of microwave energy.

System and method for remotely heating a polymeric material to a

Both a system and a method are provided which allows an eddy current probe to accurately determine both the proximity and dimensions of non-conductive structures which are normally invisible to such probes. The system comprises a portable target medium that is movable into a known position with respect to the non-conductive structure, and that includes a conductive material that couples strongly with a fluctuating magnetic field, and a movable eddy current probe that emanates a fluctuating magnetic field and which generates a signal indicative of the magnitude of the interaction between the field and the portable target medium from which the distance between the two may be computed. The system may be used to determine the proximity of non-conductive structures such as plastic pipes that have been buried under ground, as well as the dimensions of such non-conductive structures. When the system is applied to measure the dimensions of such a structure, the portable target medium assumes a form that is flexibly conformable to one of the walls of the structure and which is placed in abutting relationship thereto. The eddy current probe is then scanned against an opposing wall of the structure, whereby the width of the structure may be computed by measuring the strength of the interaction between the probe and the medium. In addition to measuring the dimensions of non-conductive structures, the system may be used to measure the dimensions of non-magnetic structures when the target medium includes a strongly magnetic material.

System and method using portable wall engaging ferromagnetic particle

A nondestructive method for determining the thickness of a non-electrically conductive material is provided that comprises the steps of uniformly dispersing a quantity of a ferromagnetic particulate tagging substance in the material whose presence and distribution is detectable by a form of radiant energy, such as the high-frequency electromagnetic field emanated from an eddy current probe, and then calibrating the output of the eddy current probe with a sample material having a known thickness that has been tagged with the same tagging substance at the same density. The thickness of the material is then determined by comparing the amplitude of electromagnetic coupling with the material with that obtained with the sample. The method may advantageously be applied to determine the thickness of a granular material such as asphalt concrete over a roadbed, as well as the strain and wear patterns in gaskets formed from elastic materials.

Method for determining the thickness of a material by means of a radiant

Both a system and method are provided for remotely heating a polymeric material to a selected temperature. The system generally comprises particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed throughout the polymeric material to form a composite, wherein the particulate material has a Curie temperature that corresponds to the selected heating temperature, and a source of microwave energy for remotely applying a beam of microwave energy to the polymeric composite material. Preferably, the particulate ferromagnetic material comprises only about 2 percent of the total composite by weight. The polymeric material may be compliant, thermosettable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed therein may advantageously be above the curing temperature of the polymer, such that the beam from the source of microwave energy may be used to remotely join surfaces or construct joints in composite structures. Alternatively, the polymeric material may be a meltable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material may be chosen to be above the temperature of fusion of the polymer to create a polymeric composite which is magnetically separable from other polymers within a solid waste facility, and which may be melted down for recycling purposes. In a variation of this embodiment, a heat actuatable degradation chemical may be dispersed through the polymeric material along with the ferromagnetic material to create a plastic composite which is selectively degradable by the remote application of microwave energy.

Both a system and method are provided for remotely heating a polymeric material to a selected temperature. The system generally comprises particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed throughout the polymeric material to form a composite, wherein the particulate material has a Curie temperature that corresponds to the selected heating temperature, and a source of microwave energy for remotely applying a beam of microwave energy to the polymeric composite material. Preferably, the particulate ferromagnetic material comprises only about 2 percent of the total composite by weight. The polymeric material may be compliant, thermosettable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed therein may advantageously be above the curing temperature of the polymer, such that the beam from the source of microwave energy may be used to remotely join surfaces or construct joints in composite structures. Alternatively, the polymeric material may be a meltable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material may be chosen to be above the temperature of fusion of the polymer to create a polymeric composite which is magnetically separable from other polymers within a solid waste facility, and which may be melted down for recycling purposes. In a variation of this embodiment, a heat actuatable degradation chemical may be dispersed through the polymeric material along with the ferro-magnetic material to create a plastic composite which is selectively degradable by the remote application of microwave energy.

Both a system and a method are provided which allows an eddy current probe to accurately determine both the proximity and dimensions of non-conductive structures which are normally invisible to such probes. The system includes a portable target medium that is movable into a known position with respect to the non-conductive structure, and that includes a conductive material that couples strongly with a fluctuating magnetic field, and a movable eddy current probe that emanates a fluctuating magnetic field and which generates a signal indicative of the magnitude of the interaction between the field and the portable target medium from which the distance between the two may be computed. The system may be used to determine the proximity of non-conductive structures such as plastic pipes that have been buried under ground, as well as the dimensions of such non conductive structures.

System and method including a buried flexible sheet target impregnated

A device and method for guided testing of an object, and in particular, an internal structural component in an object, using non-destructive ultrasonic techniques is provided. A housing containing at least one ultrasonic transducer probe is adapted to be placed directly on the surface of the object to be tested. Eddy current probes are provided in the housing to guide the ultrasonic probe such that the ultrasonic energy will be directed at the appropriate internal structural design component of the object to be inspected. A microcomputer is then used to record the data obtained using ultrasonic signals and the position on the object using the information designed from the eddy current probes.

Apparatus and method for guided inspection of an object

A method and apparatus for securing or attaching a rotor blade with a turbine rotor cavity by disposing an expanding material between the blade root and the cavity walls. The expanding material comprises a naturally occurring mineral which expands to a great degree when exposed to elevated temperatures. The expanding material may be provided in the form of shims made directly from the expanding material or made from a composition of the expanding material and a binder such as a polymer or elastomer. Alternatively, the expanding material may be provided in the form of a liquid vehicle applied to surfaces of the cavity walls. The expanding material is located at specific positions within the cavity to urge certain surfaces of the blade root against certain surfaces of the cavity walls. In this manner, the blade can be forced into a tight fit and an aligned position, with respect to the rotor, upon expansion of the expanding material.

Temperature activated expanding mineral shim

Both a system and a method for determining the length of a discontinuity such as a crack or other fault in the interior wall of a steam generator heat exchanger tube is disclosed herein. The apparatus generally comprises an elongated probe assembly which includes a plurality of eddy current coils mutually separated at known distances with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis of the probe, and an eddy current coil actuating device for separately and independently actuating each of the coils to provide an adjustable electromagnetic sensing field. In the method of the invention, the probe assembly is positioned adjacent a discontinuity and then each eddy current coil, separated by a known distance, is independently actuated and its reading recorded to determine which of the coils actually detects the discontinuity. The length of the discontinuity may then be generally inferred from the known distances that separate the eddy current coils that detect the extremities of the crack or other discontinuity. A more specific sizing of the length of the crack is then obtained by actuating the eddy current coils that are located just outside the extremity-detecting coils at progressively lower frequencies until field of these outside coils finally couples with the extremities of the crack.

Multiple coil eddy current probe system and method for determining the

A diagnostic filter device for monitoring electrically conductive and semiconductive particles entrained by a fluid, composed of:

Growing community of inventors

Murrysville Boro, PA, United States of America

William G Clark, Jr