Eddy current measurement of tube element spacing

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:871510

Latham, Wayne Meredith ^[1]; Hancock, Jimmy Wade ^[2]; Grut, Jayne Marie ^[3]

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1. Forest, VA
2. Lynchburg, VA
3. Madison Heights, VA

A method of electromagnetically measuring the distance between adjacent tube elements in a heat exchanger. A cylindrical, high magnetic permeability ferrite slug is placed in the tube adjacent the spacing to be measured. A bobbin or annular coil type probe operated in the absolute mode is inserted into a second tube adjacent the spacing to be measured. From prior calibrations on the response of the eddy current coil, the signals from the coil, when sensing the presence of the ferrite slug, are used to determine the spacing between the tubes.

• Research Organization: BABCOCK & WILCOX CO
• DOE Contract Number: AC11-95PN38196
• Assignee: McDermott Technology, Inc. (New Orleans, LA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5744952
• OSTI ID: 871510
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

eddy
current
measurement
tube
element
spacing
method
electromagnetically
measuring
distance
adjacent
elements
heat
exchanger
cylindrical
magnetic
permeability
ferrite
slug
placed
measured
bobbin
annular
coil
type
probe
operated
absolute
mode
inserted
prior
calibrations
response
signals
sensing
presence
determine
tubes
current measurement
magnetic permeability
tube adjacent
eddy current
heat exchange
heat exchanger
adjacent tube
current coil
element spacing
tube element
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