Patents by Inventor Hirotoshi Matsumoto

Hirotoshi Matsumoto has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8783111
    Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic testing probe and an ultrasonic testing apparatus capable of reducing the time required for flaw detection while maintaining the flaw-detection capability, irrespective of the shape of the inner surface of a tested object. A first probe (21) and a second probe (22) are provided, in each of which a plurality of oscillators that transmit ultrasonic waves to a tested object (T) and detect the ultrasonic waves reflected from the tested object (T) are arrayed. The first probe (21) is disposed closer to a flaw in the tested object (T) than the second probe (22) is. The first probe (21) generates longitudinal ultrasonic waves that propagate on an inner surface (T5) of the tested object (T) opposite to an outer surface (T2) thereof where the first probe (21) and the second probe (22) are disposed and transverse ultrasonic waves that propagate from the outer surface (T2) toward an inside of the tested object (T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Matsumoto, Masatsugu Shimizu, Kiyotaka Aoki, Shinichi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8786867
    Abstract: An inspection device and an inspection method for boiler furnace water wall tubes. The inspection device includes a scanner including columns placed upright and fixed by magnets onto the surfaces of multiple water wall tubes extending in the up-down direction on the inner wall surfaces of the boiler furnace, a support frame fixed to the columns to support a displacement sensor producing laser light to be irradiated onto the surface of a water wall tube, and a moving mechanism for moving the displacement sensor in the axial direction of the water wall tube relative to the support frame. A signal processing unit calculates the amount of reduced wall thickness of the water wall tube from a difference between the cross-sectional surface shape of the water wall tube based on a signal from the displacement sensor and a reference shape without reduction in wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Matsumoto, Keiji Ida, Hideaki Murata, Kai Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120118064
    Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic testing probe and an ultrasonic testing apparatus capable of reducing the time required for flaw detection while maintaining the flaw-detection capability, irrespective of the shape of the inner surface of a tested object. A first probe (21) and a second probe (22) are provided, in each of which a plurality of oscillators that transmit ultrasonic waves to a tested object (T) and detect the ultrasonic waves reflected from the tested object (T) are arrayed. The first probe (21) is disposed closer to a flaw in the tested object (T) than the second probe (22) is. The first probe (21) generates longitudinal ultrasonic waves that propagate on an inner surface (T5) of the tested object (T) opposite to an outer surface (T2) thereof where the first probe (21) and the second probe (22) are disposed and transverse ultrasonic waves that propagate from the outer surface (T2) toward an inside of the tested object (T).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Matsumoto, Masatsugu Shimizu, Kiyotaka Aoki, Shinichi Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20110279828
    Abstract: There are provided an inspection device and an inspection method for boiler furnace water wall tubes, which can inspect reduced wall thickness conditions of multiple water wall tubes, extending in an up-down direction along inner wall surfaces of a boiler furnace and arranged adjacent to each other, accurately and efficiently over a wide range based on surface shapes of the water wall tubes measured by a laser displacement sensor. A scanner 14 including columns 20 placed upright and fixed by magnets onto the surfaces of multiple water wall tubes 4 extending the up-down direction on the inner wall surfaces of the boiler furnace, a support frame 28 fixed to the columns 20 to support a displacement sensor 12 producing laser light to be irradiated onto the surface of a water wall tube 4, and a moving mechanism 31 for moving the displacement sensor 12 in the axial direction of the water wall tube 4 relative to the support frame 28.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Matsumoto, Keiji Ida, Hideaki Murata, Kai Zhang
  • Patent number: 7852073
    Abstract: Sensor assemblies and methods are described that facilitate the use of a long-range torsional guided-wave inspection system for inspecting pipes, tubes, or other longitudinal cylindrical structures, with a partial excitation and detection around the pipe circumference. The sensor assemblies comprise a plate-type magnetostrictive sensor probe positioned beneath a compressible/expandable bladder and an inverted U-shaped frame that retain and position the sensor probe against the external wall of the pipe under inspection. Preferably, a magnetostrictive strip is positioned in direct contact with the pipe wall over which the plate magnetostrictive sensor probe is positioned. The probe is preferably curved to match the curvature of the external surface of the pipe. A pad may be positioned between the probe and the magnetostrictive strip to improve compliance with irregular pipe surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Hegeon Kwun, Hirotoshi Matsumoto, James F. Crane
  • Publication number: 20090021253
    Abstract: Methods and devices for inspecting waterwall tubes for the detection of fire side damage over a long length of the tube are described. The system of the invention uses a magnetostrictive strip and a flat coil-type plate magnetostrictive sensor (MsS) that are held in place on the waterwall using a specially designed frame and an electromagnetic circuit. The magnetostrictive strip and plate type MsS are positioned against a tube in the waterwall using an elastomeric pad or a fluid filled bladder to achieve close contact and good mechanical coupling between the magnetostrictive strip and the tube surface. When current activated, the electromagnet holds the entire assembly in place and provides a DC bias magnetic field required for plate magnetostrictive sensor probe operation. Long-range guided-waves are pulsed into the tube and reflected signals are detected within the same sensor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Hegeon KWUN, Hirotoshi Matsumoto, James F. Crane
  • Patent number: 7474092
    Abstract: Methods and devices for inspecting waterwall tubes for the detection of fire side damage over a long length of the tube are described. The system of the invention uses a magnetostrictive strip and a flat coil-type plate magnetostrictive sensor (MsS) that are held in place on the waterwall using a specially designed frame and an electromagnetic circuit. The magnetostrictive strip and plate type MsS are positioned against a tube in the waterwall using an elastomeric pad or a fluid filled bladder to achieve close contact and good mechanical coupling between the magnetostrictive strip and the tube surface. When current activated, the electromagnet holds the entire assembly in place and provides a DC bias magnetic field required for plate magnetostrictive sensor probe operation. Long-range guided-waves are pulsed into the tube and reflected signals are detected within the same sensor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Hegeon Kwun, Hirotoshi Matsumoto, James F. Crane
  • Publication number: 20080315872
    Abstract: Sensor assemblies and methods are described that facilitate the use of a long-range torsional guided-wave inspection system for inspecting pipes, tubes, or other longitudinal cylindrical structures, with a partial excitation and detection around the pipe circumference. The sensor assemblies comprise a plate-type magnetostrictive sensor probe positioned beneath a compressible/expandable bladder and an inverted U-shaped frame that retain and position the sensor probe against the external wall of the pipe under inspection. Preferably, a magnetostrictive strip is positioned in direct contact with the pipe wall over which the plate magnetostrictive sensor probe is positioned. The probe is preferably curved to match the curvature of the external surface of the pipe. A pad may be positioned between the probe and the magnetostrictive strip to improve compliance with irregular pipe surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Hegeon Kwun, Hirotoshi Matsumoto, James F. Crane