Abstract: In ultrasonic echo testing to detect flaws in manufactured articles, raw materials and such it is desirable to maintain a predetermined spacing and relative orientation of the ultrasonic transducer and the surface of the tested article. Thus, automatic scanning of the article by repetitively translating the transducer across its surface is difficult or impossible if the article surface is anything other than flat. Herein, a plurality of satellite transducers are mounted with and around a primary transducer on a motor-adjustable articulated transducer head in ultrasonic test equipment so as to receive part of the main beam echo and thereby produce respective distance signals, which signals are used by control apparatus to control the transducer head adjustment motor and thereby regulate the primary transducer position relative to the tested article.

Abstract: A method and device for ultrasonically inspecting the corner region formed by the joining of a pair of cylindrical conduits is disclosed. Ultrasonic sound beams (62) are transmitted beneath inner surface (12) of the first conduit at an oblique angle resulting in a shallow refracted sound path (74) through the solid corner region (84). Sound energy (76) reflected by the presence of a radially oriented crack (67) within the desired zone of interest (66) passes (80) out of the solid (84) for detection. A device having an ultrasonic transmitter (44) and a directional receiver (60) is disclosed carrying out the inspection method according to the present invention.

Abstract: In an improved method for determining the position of a measuring sensor or probe (1), such as a probe for ultrasonic examination of an object (2), use is made of at least two mutually crossing bars (3a, 3b, 3c) of electrically conducting material in constant sliding, electrical contact with each other. At least one bar (3a) is kept fixed in relation to the object (2) to be examined, and at least one bar (3b, 3c) is kept fixed in relation to the probe (1). By measuring the electrical voltage drops in the bars, the positions of the crossing points (4ab, 4ac) between these bars and thereby the actual position of the probe in relation to a reference system (x, y) on the surface of the object are determined. By using at least three bars, it is possible to determine the position coordinates (x, y) as well as the angular direction (v) of a freely movable probe in relation to objects to be examined having plane, cylindrical or double-curved surfaces.

Abstract: The lip of the inner radius of a nozzle mounted through the wall of a nuclear reactor vessel is sandwiched between a transmitter and receiver of ultrasonic sound. The transmitter scans the internal surface of the nozzle lip while maintained a constant average distance from a receiver scanning the nozzle surface on the reactor vessel side of the lip. The two surfaces intersecting to form the inner radius vary in angle as the surfaces are scanned by the transmitter and receiver. Linkage is shown between the transmitter/receiver and the boom with which they are caused to sweep the lip to simultaneously accommodate the saddle shape of the inner radius and the varying angle between the lip surfaces.

Abstract: A movably mounted element (1) is stabilized with respect to a desired path according to one component of movement. The element is mounted with complete freedom of movement along that component of movement which takes part in the formation of the actual path and to maintain or return the movable member (1) to the predetermined path, for example, maintaining a spray manifold parallel to the ground. With the aid of a jack (10) there is exerted, between the movable member and its support point or points (3) and as a function of the position of the movable member with respect to the desired path, one or more forces whose magnitude is independent of the position of the movable member with respect to the points of support. The invention is applicable to movable members having plural degrees of movement in rotation and/or translation and particularly for the stabilization of a spray manifold.

Abstract: A sector scanner which compensates for fluid leakage from the sealed transducer cavity includes a bladder in the cavity which is vented to the outside atmosphere whereby the bladder expands to compensate for the loss of fluid and a differential pressure between the cavity and the outside atmosphere is avoided. Alternatively, a fluid filled bladder is provided outside of the cavity and a port in the bladder is in fluid communication with the sealed cavity whereby fluid lost from the cavity is replaced by the fluid filled bladder. The bladder can be expandible with the fluid therein being under pressure.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes an acoustical mirror that deflects an ultrasound beam generated by an ultrasound crystal toward an object under examination. The probe includes a thin flat motor whose rotor is controlled by a control system. The control system creates commutating signals that are applied to stator coils of the motor. An error signal that is related to the difference between the actual and desired positions of the object rotated by the motor is applied to the commutating signals to alter their amplitude or polarity to change the torque developed by the motor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for maintaining parallel relationship between the working face of a sound transducer and a planar surface of a workpiece or object under examination by the transducer, and for measuring and adjusting the thickness of a layer of liquid located between the transducer and object. A calibrating method and circuit is also associated with the transducer. Included is the step of placing the working face of the transducer in a position that is adjacent to but spaced from a front planar surface of the object, and providing the layer of liquid between the two. The transducer is then energized such that sound energy is directed into and reflected from the object after passing through the layer of liquid, the sound energy reflected from the object being received at the working face of the transducer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic scanning transducer for use in an ultrasonic scanning system that examines an object by directing a series of ultrasonic waves into the object, receiving electrical signals related to the echoes generated by the ultrasonic waves when they strike acoustical interfaces within the object, and displaying the information borne by the electrical signals relating to the nature and location of acoustical interfaces within the object. The ultrasonic scanning transducer includes transducer elements secured to a permanent magnet mounted for rotational movement within the housing of the transducer and a stator assembly for rotating the transducers and magnet continuously in a single direction. The stator assembly receives a periodic signal having a zero average value and creates therefrom a unidirectionally rotating magnetic field which exerts a force on and rotates the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A tool for manipulating an ultrasonic inspection transducer is actuated to move the transducer over the surface of an irregular weld body. The weld body disclosed, joins the nozzle of a reactor vessel to its vessel, the irregularity of the weld body defined by the intersection of the two cylinders. The transducer is moved over the surface of the weld body and actuated to scan through a predetermined angle in relation to the changing aspect of the geometry of the weld body by a cam mounted at the pivoting center of the tool.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer probe for testing workpieces exhibiting compound surfaces includes a molded plastic body which precisely fits to the shape of such workpiece surfaces. Moreover, the body includes, as an integral part thereof, an indexing portion for accurately locating the transducer probe in relation to a predetermined workpiece test area to cause the transducer element embedded in the molded body to transmit ultrasonic energy in the predetermined test area. The transducer probe is secured to a manipulator for remote operation.

Abstract: A rotary ultrasonic testing apparatus includes an annular stator; an annular rotor mounted on the stator for rotation about a workpiece to be tested as it is moved through the stator and rotor; and an ultrasonic probe assembly mounted for rotation with the rotor, said probe assembly comprising a cranked arm pivotally mounted at the crank thereof upon a bearing pin having an axis parallel to the axis of the rotor, the cranked arm carrying towards one end an adjustable counterweight and at the other end an ultrasonic probe block and guide shoe for facing to the surface of the workpiece, said bearing pin being adjustable in position relative to the rotor axis, spring means for limiting movement of the arm about the bearing pin, and water supply means connected to the probe pad.

Abstract: The material tester has three mutually perpendicular directions of motion and a rotary motion about an upright axis. Ultrasonic search units are mounted for motion on or about these axes and are connected to control the speeds along several of the axes and about the vertical axis as well as to produce a signal showing the properties of the material to be tested. The search units are controlled by the motion along the several axes and about an upright axis to follow a contour.

Abstract: Apparatus for ultrasonically inspecting material radially bounding a circular bore into which the apparatus is insertable. The apparatus includes a central housing adapted to lie along the bore's longitudinal axis, three support arms which are engageable with the bounding wall of the bore and are circumferentially equally spaced about the central housing, linkage arms joining the support arms and the central housing for maintaining a predetermined relative configuration between the support arms and the bore wall, a transducer carrier which protrudes radially inside the support arms' engageable surfaces and is supported by each support arm, an ultrasonic transducer carried in each ultrasonic transducer carrier, means for biasing the transducers radially outward relative to their associated transducer carrier, and a pneumatically actuated cylinder which rotates the linkage arms and displaces the support arms radially outward into engagement with the bore wall.

Abstract: A reactor vessel in-service inspection assembly (17) having an improved positioning device (80) for properly and repeatedly locating the inspection transducers (75) of the assembly within a hollow portion of the reactor vessel cavity. An acoustic transducer of the positioning device of this invention is affixed to the positioning arm (40) of the inspection transducers (75). The positioning transducer is operable to generate and simultaneously, radially direct acoustic signals around the circumference of the hollow portion of the vessel cavity and receive the signals reflected off of the cavity walls at a location within the hollow cavity. Means are provided for monitoring the received signals as a function of time. The in-service inspection assembly transducer positioning arm is arranged to automatically move in response to the monitored difference in the time of reception of the received signals to locate the positioning transducer at a preestablished location within the hollow portion of the reactor cavity.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In an ultrasound imaging system employing a moving or oscillating transducer, actual transducer position is detected periodically, rather than continuously. A magnet is caused to oscillate with the transducer, and periodic alignment of the magnet with a fixedly mounted Hall effect switch provides synchronization data for sonic pulse generation, pulse-echo receipt, and image assembly and display.

Abstract: There is described a process for automatically adjusting the angle of inclination and the focus distance of ultrasonic heads in reference to the test piece in devices for the non-destructive testing of work pieces, especially tubes, using a computer where both the adjustment of the angle and the distance are adjusted and examined in each case by two angular transmitters operating mechanically independent from one another and absolutely coded for use by program of the computer. There is also described an apparatus for carrying out the process.

Abstract: An articulated arm having first and second pairs of parallel spaced apart pivotable linkages associated with a tire casing holding fixture for moving an array of ultrasonic transmitting transducers to and from a location exterior to the tire casing and a location between the two sidewalls of the tire casing with the faces of the transducers being a predetermined spaced distance from the interior surface of the tread bearing portion of the casing. Only a single piston/cylinder type actuator linked to the arm is required to achieve the desired movement and positioning of the transducer array.

Abstract: Device for the inspection of a weld joint between a tubular stub and a wall, whereby a test probe is carrying out a rotational as well as a translational movement with respect to the stub, so that the probe is moved substantially parallel to the plane of the weld joint and the angle under which the weld joint is scanned remains substantially the same irrespective of the angle between the axis of the tubular stub and the wall.

Abstract: A laterally movable ultrasound transducer, comprising the sensor of a rail fault detection device, is automatically centered on the rail as the detection device moves along the rail. The sensor includes a pair of ultrasound receiving transducers positioned to either side of a transducer which generates and receives ultrasonic energy. Signals provided by the receiving transducers are compared and any difference therebetween employed to control the lateral position of the sensor with respect to the rail.

Abstract: A system for ultrasonically testing the material of a turbine rotor includes a drive unit for axially indexing and angularly orienting a plurality of crystal transducers through the bore of the turbine rotor under test; an ultrasonic tester for electronically activating the crystal transducers as they are indexed through the rotor bore to transmit ultrasonic signals which are propagated through the rotor material and for receiving the back reflected echo signals corresponding to the ultrasonic transmissions; and a programmed electronic controller electrically interfaced to the drive unit and ultrasonic tester for adaptively coordinating the operation thereof in a selected one of a plurality of control modes to observe generated anomaly indications and measured test data parameters from the drive unit and ultrasonic tester which are used to determine the size and location of a detected potential imperfection in the rotor material and to adaptively control the drive unit in accordance with a function based on t

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of material flaw characteristics. The NDE system, after being trained on previously-acquired experimental data, is given an assigned NDE task by the inspector and/or remote observer. This task is requested via a small keyboard on the system control unit or remotely. The system then issues detailed commands to stepping motors in its transducer-positioning mechanism (scanner) and to logic circuits in the ultrasonic (UT) pulser/receiver to establish the sequence of transducer (probe) translation and orientation changes and the frequency, pulse-width, and pulse repetition interval used to energize the probe. Shaft-position encoders in the scanning mechanism are used to insure faithful following of the commanded position/orientation sequence.

Abstract: In a test system carrier for non-destructive testing of a workpiece, a test head holder including means for moving a test head of the test system carrier and means for pressing the test head against a surface of the workpiece, the test head pressing means including a compressed air cylinder having a piston, a gimballed support body coupled to the piston for supporting the test head, the piston being actuatable to press the test head substantially perpendicularly against the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: Test system carrier for ultrasonic testing of pressure vessels, the carrier being supported at the end of a telescopic tube for executing stroke and rotary motions in or about the axis of a nozzle, the telescopic tube being adjustably mounted on the central mast of a central-mast manipulator so as to be adjustable in elevation and rotatable about the axis of the central mast as well as about its own axis includes, in combination, an inner-periphery test-head carrier displaceable along the axis of a nozzle and radially thereto for ultrasonically testing seams formed in the nozzle and seams between pipe connections and the nozzle as well as zones adjacent thereto; a tiltable lever, test head means carried by the lever, the lever being movable so as to bring the test head means into contact with surfaces at the end of the nozzle, the corner of the nozzle and the inner periphery of the nozzle and movable in test tracks within the entire respective peripheral angle nozzle thereof; the pivot axis of the lever being

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for use in inspecting drill pipe or like tubular members being tripped into or out of a well borehole comprises a plurality of ultrasonic wheel-type search units arranged on a frame which defines a vertical passage for the tubular member. The search units are symmetrically disposed around the tubular member and are urged into sonic coupling with the member by means of pneumatic cylinders each having an extendible and retractable member for radially moving its respective search unit in a horizontal plane. The search unit assembly includes a number of stabilizer guide wheels for engaging the surface of the tubular member. The pneumatic cylinder is associated with a self-relieving pressure regulator for maintaining the search wheel contact with the tubular member at a constant pressure. A method of inspecting a string of pipe during a tripping operation is also provided.