Abstract: An improved process for performing ultrasonic sensing and inspections wherein a cold-spray technique is used to kinetically bond powdered material to a substrate and then an EMAT sensor is magnetically attached to the coating. In use the ultrasound will transfer from the magnetostrictive layer into the substrate more effectively than any glued coating without concerns for long term degradation.

Abstract: A method of nondestructively providing a volumetric examination of a bolt through a recess in the bolt head where the recess may have a varying or unknown surface geometry. The method first performs a phased array ultrasonic scan of the bolt's socket surface geometry. The results of the first scan are employed to set the focal laws of a second scan to perform the volumetric examination.

Abstract: An article made by applying a burnable poison onto the cladding of a nuclear fuel rod, which involves providing a nuclear fuel rod and at least one application device, rotating the nuclear fuel rod, optionally removing one or more oxides and/or surface deposits on the outer surface of the nuclear fuel rod by spraying an abrasive material onto the nuclear fuel rod via the application device while adjusting the position of the application device in relation to the nuclear fuel rod, and applying burnable poison particles onto the outer surface of the nuclear fuel rod by spraying the burnable poison onto the nuclear fuel rod via the application device while adjusting the position of the application device in relation to the nuclear fuel rod, where the burnable poison particles are applied at a velocity sufficient to cause adhesion to the outer surface of the cladding.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for conducting an ultrasonic, nondestructive evaluation and inspection of a pipe using Lamb-type wave transducers to detect the presence of defects, flaws, discontinuities and the like. The transducers are positioned within the interior space of the pipe. Two transducers are positioned facing each other such that the ultrasonic beam emitted from each of the transducers is directed toward the other transducer and the portion of pipe to be inspected. The coverage of the transducers is verified and the results are processed using a combination of a cross correlation filter and a signal processing tool.

Abstract: A method of examining a steam generator heat exchange tube from the outside surface employing ultrasonic nondestructive inspection techniques. An ultrasonic transducer contacts the outside surface of the tube and transmits a pseudo helical Lamb wave into the wall of the tube chosen to have a mode that does not significantly interact with water in the tube. The reflected waves are then analyzed for changes in modes to identify defects in the wall of the tube.

Abstract: An article made by applying a burnable poison onto the cladding of a nuclear fuel rod, which involves providing a nuclear fuel rod and at least one application device, rotating the nuclear fuel rod, optionally removing one or more oxides and/or surface deposits on the outer surface of the nuclear fuel rod by spraying an abrasive material onto the nuclear fuel rod via the application device while adjusting the position of the application device in relation to the nuclear fuel rod, and applying burnable poison particles onto the outer surface of the nuclear fuel rod by spraying the burnable poison onto the nuclear fuel rod via the application device while adjusting the position of the application device in relation to the nuclear fuel rod, where the burnable poison particles are applied at a velocity sufficient to cause adhesion to the outer surface of the cladding.

Abstract: A method for applying a burnable poison onto the cladding of a nuclear fuel rod (2) which comprises, providing a nuclear fuel rod (2) and at least one application device (8), rotating the nuclear fuel rod, optionally removing one or more oxides and/or surface deposits on the outer surface of the nuclear fuel rod (2) by spraying an abrasive material onto the nuclear fuel rod via the application device (8) while adjusting the position of the application device in relation to the nuclear fuel rod (2), and applying burnable poison particles (33) onto the outer surface (6) of the nuclear fuel rod (2) by spraying the burnable poison onto the nuclear fuel rod via the application device while adjusting the position of the application device (8) in relation to the nuclear fuel rod, where the burnable poison particles are applied at a velocity sufficient to cause adhesion to the outer surface (6) of the cladding.

Abstract: A method of examining a steam generator heat exchange tube from the outside surface employing ultrasonic nondestructive inspection techniques. An ultrasonic transducer contacts the outside surface of the tube and transmits a pseudo helical Lamb wave into the wall of the tube chosen to have a mode that does not significantly interact with water in the tube. The reflected waves are then analyzed for changes in modes to identify defects in the wall of the tube.

Abstract: A method of examining a steam generator heat exchange tube from the outside surface employing ultrasonic nondestructive inspection techniques. An ultrasonic transducer contacts the outside surface of the tube and transmits a pseudo helical Lamb wave into the wall of the tube chosen to have a mode that does not significantly interact with water in the tube. The reflected waves are then analyzed for changes in modes to identify defects in the wall of the tube.

Abstract: A method for applying a burnable poison onto the cladding of a nuclear fuel rod (2) which comprises, providing a nuclear fuel rod (2) and at least one application device (8), rotating the nuclear fuel rod, optionally removing one or more oxides and/or surface deposits on the outer surface of the nuclear fuel rod (2) by spraying an abrasive material onto the nuclear fuel rod via the application device (8) while adjusting the position of the application device in relation to the nuclear fuel rod (2), and applying burnable poison particles (33) onto the outer surface (6) of the nuclear fuel rod (2) by spraying the burnable poison onto the nuclear fuel rod via the application device while adjusting the position of the application device (8) in relation to the nuclear fuel rod, where the burnable poison particles are applied at a velocity sufficient to cause adhesion to the outer surface (6) of the cladding.

Abstract: A probe inspects steam generator tubing for defects. The probe includes a transducer which generates a localized ultrasonic Lamb wave. The ultrasonic wave is transferred to the tubing by a coupling medium, such as water, that physically couples the transducer and the tubing. Defects in the tubing reflect the ultrasonic wave to the probe which detects the reflections. The results are then used to determine the length and depth of such defects as cracks, pitting, and thinning. The localized ultrasonic wave performs an inspection sensitive enough to detect ligaments between crack segments. This allows highly accurate predictions of tubing integrity and rupture strength.

Abstract: An eddy current imaging system includes an eddy current sensing coil positioned proximate a workpiece for scanning the workpiece to produce a signal indicative of the integrity of the workpiece for regions in an x,y array of data. Such a signal may be a complex impedance signal representative of the amplitude and/or the phase of the signal. Two data processing techniques are disclosed for enhancing the display of a flay in the workpiece. The first includes the step of calculating a spatial derivative of the amplitude and/or phase indicative signal from the coil and providing an image of the spatial derivative to produce a C scan of the spatial derivative. The second includes the steps of determining the regions of maximum ascent and/or descent of the signal for regions in the scan and calculating an impedance plane trajectory from the data array of path points for displaying a reconstructed optimum signal independent of path pattern.

Abstract: The sealed shell of a nuclear steam generator is penetrated through a fluid lock by an elongated assembly including an axial fiber optic cable. Fluid pressure chambers within the assembly are selectively pressured to control the movement of the fiber optic head in visual inspection within the shell. Liquid is selectively introduced into the chambers to control buoyancy of the assembly.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmitter (10) and at least two ultrasonic receivers (12, 16) are mounted on a carrier (18) which traverses the surface (22) of a solid material (24). The sound beam (30) from the transmitter (10) passes beneath the surface (22) and enters a zone of interest disposed about a point (36) located a fixed distance (40) beneath the surface (22). Reflected sound beams (42, 46) emanating from flaws (54, 58, 60) located within the zone of interest are detected by the receivers (12, 16). The orientation and positioning of the transmitter (10) and the receivers (12, 16) for maximizing the detection and differentiation of the detected flaws (54, 58, 60) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor (16) is affixed to a piece of rotatable equipment (10). The sensor has a rolling member (26) freely moveable within a cage member (18). In operation, the rolling member (26) contacts electrically conductive surfaces (28,30) disposed about the interior of the cage member. By determining which particular pair of surfaces are currently in contact with the rolling member, the orientation of the cage member with respect to the horizontal is known. The preferred embodiment utilizes a resistor network (34) and an electrical measuring device (48) for making this determination.

Abstract: A method of effecting an examination by eddy current means (24) of the surface of a coated component (58) for cracks having at least a preset minimal dimension. The subject method can be used to detect such cracks in the surface of metal components (58) that are coated or covered with a nonmetallic material. Further, through the use of the subject method such cracks are detectable without necessitating the removal of the nonmetallic coating or covering from the surface of the metal component (58). The subject method encompasses the steps of establishing calibration readings for cracks of the desired dimension utilizing the eddy current means (24) with which the desired surface examination of the given component (58) is to be effected, performing a preexamination validation of the operativeness of the eddy current means (24), and conducting with the eddy current means (24) the surface examination of the given metal component (58) that is coated or covered with a nonmetallic material.