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High speed radiation scanning technique for simultaneously determining the pitch and eccentricity of an encased oil

Patent ·
OSTI ID:862732
A method of determining the pitch and eccentricity of the winding of a coil unit is provided. It specifically relates to nondestructively examining completely encased heating coils used to simulate the heat generated from fuel rods in reactor studies. The method comprises (1) the use of an x-ray transmission technique through the axial centerline of the coil unit after the winding of the coil unit has been completely encased, (2) the use of a radiation detection instrument to monitor the transmitted radiation, and (3) the use of recording instrumentation calibrated as a function of the distance between windings. A change in the pitch of the winding is detected by a general increase or decrease in the distance between recorded peaks of the transmitted radiation. Eccentricity is detected by a consistent variation in distance between peaks occuring in alternate pairs.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
US 3999067
OSTI ID:
862732
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English