Automated robotic equipment for ultrasonic inspection of pressurizer heater wells

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:868697

Nachbar, Henry D ^[1]; DeRossi, Raymond S ^[2]; Mullins, Lawrence E ^[3]

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1. Ballston Lake, NY
2. Amsterdam, NY
3. Middle Grove, NY

A robotic device for remotely inspecting pressurizer heater wells is provided which has the advantages of quickly, precisely, and reliably acquiring data at reasonable cost while also reducing radiation exposure of an operator. The device comprises a prober assembly including a probe which enters a heater well, gathers data regarding the condition of the heater well and transmits a signal carrying that data; a mounting device for mounting the probe assembly at the opening of the heater well so that the probe can enter the heater well; a first motor mounted on the mounting device for providing movement of the probe assembly in an axial direction; and a second motor mounted on the mounting device for providing rotation of the probe assembly. This arrangement enables full inspection of the heater well to be carried out.

• 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 5194215
• OSTI ID: 868697
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

automated
robotic
equipment
ultrasonic
inspection
pressurizer
heater
device
remotely
inspecting
provided
advantages
quickly
precisely
reliably
acquiring
data
reasonable
cost
reducing
radiation
exposure
operator
comprises
prober
assembly
including
probe
enters
gathers
regarding
condition
transmits
signal
carrying
mounting
enter
motor
mounted
providing
movement
axial
direction
rotation
arrangement
enables
carried
mounting device
probe assembly
ultrasonic inspection
device comprises
assembly including
axial direction
radiation exposure
reducing radiation
data regarding
motor mount
pressurizer heater
acquiring data
/376/73/165/414/