Weld failure detection

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:863844

Pennell, William E ^[1]

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1. Unity Township, Westmoreland County, PA

Method and apparatus for detecting failure in a welded connection, particrly applicable to not readily accessible welds such as those joining components within the reactor vessel of a nuclear reactor system. A preselected tag gas is sealed within a chamber which extends through selected portions of the base metal and weld deposit. In the event of a failure, such as development of a crack extending from the chamber to an outer surface, the tag gas is released. The environment about the welded area is directed to an analyzer which, in the event of presence of the tag gas, evidences the failure. A trigger gas can be included with the tag gas to actuate the analyzer.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-15-2395
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4259152
• OSTI ID: 863844
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

weld
failure
detection
method
apparatus
detecting
welded
connection
particrly
applicable
readily
accessible
welds
joining
components
reactor
vessel
nuclear
preselected
tag
gas
sealed
chamber
extends
selected
portions
base
metal
deposit
event
crack
extending
outer
surface
released
environment
directed
analyzer
presence
evidences
trigger
included
actuate
detection method
reactor vessel
nuclear reactor
outer surface
base metal
tag gas
selected portion
selected portions
readily accessible
failure detection
weld deposit
accessible welds
/376/976/