An ultrasound transducer is translatable for scanning along a body surface by having the transducer mounted at the free end of an articulated arm which is moved in a single nominally vertical plane during a scan. The arm is pivotally connected at one end to a head which is turnable at least about a vertical axis so the arm can be directed in other single planes. The head is mounted on a horizontally and transversely movable arm which is on a longitudinally movable carriage. Potentiometers produce analog signals which allow a microprocessor to determine the difference between the location of the transducer axis and the vertical axis about which the arm swings into different planes. When isocentric rotation is desired, the user locates the transducer over the isocentric point on the body and provides a command signal which, through a servo motor system, causes the transverse arm and longitudinal carriage to move until the vertical head axis is aligned with the transducer. When the arm is swung again, it will positively move in a plane which crosses the isocenter.
Seals in an automotive body are inspected for leaks by sensing ultrasonic energy passing through a seal. Either of an ultrasonic emitter or detector is scanned along a seal outside the body by a robot and the other is inside the body. The emitter operates at frequencies of 65 to 80 kHz and repetitively sweeps through a range of 6 kHz. The body may be either open or closed.
A method and apparatus for ultrasonically testing sheet material comprising rotating at least one ultrasonic sensor, mounted on a rotatable test head, about an axis of rotation substantially normal to the plane of the sheet material as it moves therepast.
In operation, the device is lowered with paired lines attached to both housing lugs but suspended under tension only from one line to one lug so that the streamline housing is vertically disposed. With the housing vertically disposed during lowering, obstacles can be avoided such as the guide rod for the steam separator and dryer as well as the feedwater and core spray spargers. When lowered to the vicinity of the ledge and cover plate to be inspected, the slack line is fished around any obstacle and thereafter placed under tension. The streamline housing is then lowered using both lines in a horizontal position so as to expose downwardly the pedestal and rubber foot. Lowering is completed with remote camera assistance. Sample sweeps with the ultrasound transducer of spaced apart sections of the cover plate weld are used for precise centering of the pedestal and rubber base with respect to the center of the cover plate. Repeatedly logging a longitudinal excursion of the ultrasound detector with indexed rotation of the housing permits scanning entirely around the weld of the cover plate. This enables remote ultrasound survey of the weld of the cover plate for stress corrosion cracking.
An inspection system, in an exemplary embodiment, includes at least two base members spaced apart from each other, a support arm mounted to each base member, a linear track extending between and supported by the support arms, and a transport member coupled to the linear track. The transport member is movable along the linear track. The system further includes a transducer support arm pivotably coupled to the transport member, and a transducer assembly coupled to the transducer support arm.
Reactor pressure vessel inspection apparatus which permits the non-destructive testing of the vessel lower head, shell and top flange taper areas without equipment modification. The inspection apparatus includes an articulated joint assembly which permits a transducer support arm to be rotated about three intersecting axes, the three axes defining two pair of transverse axes.
