Rotary union for use with ultrasonic thickness measuring probe

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:868462

Nachbar, Henry D ^[1]

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1. Schenectady, NY

A rotary union for rotatably supporting an ultrasonic probe operable to nondestructively measure the thickness of steam generator tubes to determine the amount of corrosion experienced by the tubes includes a stationary body having a bore therethrough and an outlet drain, and a fitting rotatably mounted within the upper end of the body. The fitting has a bore aligned with the bore of the body. An electrical cable positioned within a water supply tube in an annular arrangement passes through the bore of the body and the bore of the fitting. This annular arrangement, in turn, is positioned within a connector element which extends outwardly from the fitting bore and is connected to the ultrasonic probe. An elastomeric lower bushing seals the annular arrangement to the lower end of the rotary union body and an elastomeric upper bushing seals the connector element to the fitting to permit the connector element and the ultrasonic probe connected thereto to rotate with the fitting relative to the body. The lower and upper bushings permit water to be passed through the annular arrangement and into the ultrasonic probe and thereafter discharged between the annular arrangement and the connector element to the outlet drain of the rotary union body.

• Research Organization: Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL), Niskayuna, NY (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC12-76SN00052
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5146786
• OSTI ID: 868462
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

rotary
union
ultrasonic
thickness
measuring
probe
rotatably
supporting
operable
nondestructively
measure
steam
generator
tubes
determine
amount
corrosion
experienced
stationary
bore
therethrough
outlet
drain
fitting
mounted
upper
aligned
electrical
cable
positioned
water
supply
tube
annular
arrangement
passes
connector
element
extends
outwardly
connected
elastomeric
bushing
seals
permit
thereto
rotate
relative
bushings
passed
thereafter
discharged
rotatably supporting
supply tube
connected thereto
rotary union
measuring probe
bore therethrough
rotatably mounted
steam generator
water supply
electrical cable
ultrasonic probe
ultrasonic thickness
extends outwardly
thickness measuring
extends outward
generator tube
probe connected
corrosion experienced
/73/