Method and apparatus for measuring surface contour on parts with elevated temperatures

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:868011

Horvath, Mark S ^[1]; Nance, Roy A ^[2]; Cohen, George H ^[3]; Fodor, George ^[3]

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1. Canton, MI
2. McMurray, PA
3. Pittsburgh, PA

The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for measuring the surface contour of a test piece, such as the bow of a radioactive fuel rod, which is completely immersed in water. The invention utilizes ultrasonic technology and is capable of measuring surface contours of test pieces which are at a higher temperature than the surrounding water. The presence of a test piece at a higher temperature adversely affects the distance measurements by causing thermal variations in the water near the surface of the test piece. The contour measurements depend upon a constant temperature of the water in the path of the ultrasonic wave to provide a constant acoustical velocity (the measurement is made by the time of flight measurement for an ultrasonic wave). Therefore, any variations of water temperature near the surface will introduce errors degrading the measurement. The present invention overcomes these problems by assuring that the supply of water through which the ultrasonic waves travel is at a predetermined and constant temperature.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC11-76PN00014
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5054321
• OSTI ID: 868011
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
apparatus
measuring
surface
contour
elevated
temperatures
directed
piece
bow
radioactive
fuel
rod
completely
immersed
water
utilizes
ultrasonic
technology
capable
contours
pieces
temperature
surrounding
presence
adversely
affects
distance
measurements
causing
thermal
variations
near
depend
constant
path
wave
provide
acoustical
velocity
measurement
time
flight
introduce
errors
degrading
overcomes
assuring
supply
waves
travel
predetermined
water temperature
ultrasonic wave
constant temperature
elevated temperatures
elevated temperature
fuel rod
ultrasonic waves
surface contour
measuring surface
adversely affect
radioactive fuel
surrounding water
acoustical velocity
temperature near
distance measurement
active fuel
distance measurements
/73/