Ultrasonic profilometry system for control rod wear

Patent · Tue Nov 19 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5418577

Hancock, J W; Kelly, M J; Latham, W M; Stinnett, C E

This patent describes an apparatus for scanning the outer profile of control rods. It comprises a module support positioned at a fixed location with respect to a control rod to be scanned, a transducer drive tube mounted for rotation about the axis of a control rod for receiving a control rod therein, a transducer holder connected to the transducer drive tube carrying ultrasonic transducer means facing an interior of the transducer drive tube, for sending an ultrasonic beam to and receiving ultrasonic echo energy from the surface of the control rod, the holder having at least one part for carrying the ultrasonic transducer means which is mounted for limited radial movement with respect to the transducer drive tube; rotation means, mounted to the module support and engaged with the transducer drive tube for rotating the transducer drive tube and the ultrasonic transducer means around the axis of the control rod; and translation means for translating the control rod with respect to the ultrasonic transducer means, in a direction parallel to the axis of the control rod, for scanning the surface of the control rod along a helical path.

• Assignee: The Babcock and Wilcox Co., New Orleans, LA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5066452; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-384358
• OSTI ID: 5418577
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 24 Jul 1989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
42 ENGINEERING
CONTROL ELEMENTS
ULTRASONIC TESTING
WEAR
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ACOUSTIC TESTING
MATERIALS TESTING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
REACTOR COMPONENTS
SOUND WAVES
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220400* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Control Systems
420500 - Engineering- Materials Testing