Patents by Inventor Naoyuki Kono
Naoyuki Kono 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).
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Patent number: 8576974Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus for inspecting weld zones in a reactor pressure vessel, the inspection apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe 6 for emitting an ultrasonic wave; a probe holding unit 60 for holding the ultrasonic probe 6 such that a ultrasonic wave transmitting surface of the ultrasonic probe 6 is kept in direct contact with or at a constant distance from the outer surface of the reactor pressure vessel 1; a pressing unit 50 for pressing the probe holding unit 60 parallel to a central axis of a control rod drive housing 8 against the reactor pressure vessel; and a rotator 40 for rotating the probe holding unit 60 and the pressing unit 50 about the central axis of the control rod drive housing 8.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.Inventors: Motoyuki Nakamura, Yoshio Nonaka, Naoyuki Kono, Masahiro Miki, Satoshi Shinohara
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Publication number: 20130068026Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection method and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus are provided, in which bending of a propagation path of an inspection object in three dimensions is considered. The ultrasonic inspection method includes calculating the ultrasonic propagation path by using three-dimensional shape data of the inspection object and information relating to a position and a direction of an ultrasonic sensor, giving spatial coordinates along the calculated ultrasonic propagation path to each point of sound field intensity data of an ultrasonic wave received in time series by the ultrasonic sensor, and displaying ultrasonic inspection data obtained by using the sound field intensity data and the spatial coordinates.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: So Kitazawa, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
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Patent number: 8290720Abstract: An ultrasonic probe issues an ultrasonic wave to an object, receives a reflected wave from an object, and is provided with multiple piezoelectric elements. A three-dimensional display section displays three-dimensional flaw detection data superimposed on three-dimensional shape data of an object. The computer acquires a reflected ultrasonic wave signal from a reference object (reference). Based on the acquired signal, the computer corrects a reflected ultrasonic wave signal acquired from another object having the same material and shape as the reference. The computer allows the three-dimensional display section to display three-dimensional flaw detection data generated from a reflected ultrasonic wave signal resulting from a difference between a reference and an object.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: So Kitazawa, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
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Patent number: 8250923Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection method and ultrasonic inspection apparatus is capable of inspecting a weld line and of detecting a circumferential crack and an axial crack that are present in the weld line. An ultrasonic probe is placed on the surface of a structure and transmits an ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted at an angle in an X?-Z plane. The direction of a normal to the surface is defined as an X axis. The direction in which the weld line extends is defined as a Y axis. The direction perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis is defined as a Z axis. An axis obtained by rotating the X axis around the Z axis is defined as an X? axis. A control mechanism performs signal processing of signals reflected from the defect or defects to detect the defect or defects and to measure the length of the defect or defects.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuya Ehara, Naoyuki Kono, Masahiro Miki, Yoshio Nonaka
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Patent number: 8210043Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement method and an ultrasonic measurement apparatus are capable of performing an inspection for a short time with a high SN ratio and a small variation (that depends on an inspection direction) in sensitivity in a process for detecting a defect in all directions at 360 degrees using a matrix array sensor without performing mechanical scanning in all directions, while reducing noise that is caused by a bottom surface echo. An element selecting circuit selects a group of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for transmission from among ultrasonic transducer elements that constitute a two-dimensional array sensor so that the ultrasonic transducer elements for selected for transmission are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a first line symmetric axis to set the group selected for transmission.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2010Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.Inventors: Hirohisa Mizota, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
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Publication number: 20120137778Abstract: Ultrasonic inspection equipment facilitates alignment of display positions of three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and three-dimensional shape data, and quickly discriminates between a defect echo and an inner-wall echo. A computer 102A has a position correction function of correcting a relative display position between three-dimensional shape data and three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data. A display position of the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data or that of the three-dimensional shape data is moved by a norm of a mean vector along the mean vector that is calculated from a plurality of vectors defined by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional shape data. The three-dimensional shape data and the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data are displayed in such a manner as to be superimposed on each other on a three-dimensional display unit 103C.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA
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Publication number: 20120055251Abstract: An ultrasonic testing method is provided to measure a thickness of an object in a simple and highly accurate manner when crystal grains that form a metal solidification structure of a directionally-solidified material cast or the like have a statistical variation. An ultrasonic probe 102 causes a longitudinal ultrasonic wave to be incident on a test object 101 in a direction perpendicular to a surface 101A of the test object 101. As a velocity of the longitudinal ultrasonic wave, the average of velocities of longitudinal ultrasonic waves propagating in directions of crystal orientations <100>, <110>, and <210> is used. The thickness of the test object 101 is measured on the basis of the velocity of the ultrasonic wave and a time period for the propagation of the ultrasonic wave.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA, Yoshinori MUSHA
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Publication number: 20110197679Abstract: In an ultrasonic inspection method or ultrasonic inspection system in which an ultrasonic wave is propagated to an test object via a medium such as a liquid or a gas, an incident position of the ultrasonic wave is accurately and reliably identified. In an ultrasonic inspection method based on an immersion technique, an optical irradiator is mounted on an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving unit, an optical marker is irradiated from the optical irradiator to the test object, and an irradiated position of the optical marker is imaged using imaging equipment in order to perform inspection.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: HITACHI-GE NUCLEAR ENERGY, LTD.Inventors: Naoyuki KONO, Isao YOSHIDA, Masahiro KOIKE, Yoshio NONAKA, Hiroyuki NAKANO, Kenichi OTANI, Chihiro MATSUOKA, Masafumi IMAI
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Publication number: 20110164033Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection device allows position adjustment of three-dimensional inspection data and shape data to be easily performed on a display screen and allows a defect echo and a shape echo to be quickly identified. A calculator generates the three-dimensional inspection data from waveforms stored in a data storage unit. A three-dimensional display unit displays the three-dimensional inspection data generated by the calculator and the three-dimensional shape data on an object to be inspected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA
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Publication number: 20110166807Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection method and an ultrasonic inspection device allow three-dimensional inspection data and three-dimensional shape data to be appropriately positioned on a display screen and allow a defect echo and a shape echo to be quickly identified even when information on the relative positions of a probe and an object to be inspected is not provided. The ultrasonic inspection data that is generated from the waveforms of ultrasonic waves received by an ultrasonic probe is compared with a plurality of ultrasonic propagation data pieces calculated by a ray tracing method on the basis of the three-dimensional shape data on an object to be inspected. The position of the three-dimensional inspection data or the three-dimensional shape data is moved relative to the other data position on the basis of the comparison results, thereby displaying the three-dimensional inspection data and the three-dimensional shape data while overlapping each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: HITACHI-GE NUCLEAR ENERGY, LTD.Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA
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Publication number: 20110126625Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement method and an ultrasonic measurement apparatus are capable of performing an inspection for a short time with a high SN ratio and a small variation (that depends on an inspection direction) in sensitivity in a process for detecting a defect in all directions at 360 degrees using a matrix array sensor without performing mechanical scanning in all directions, while reducing noise that is caused by a bottom surface echo. An element selecting circuit selects a group of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for transmission from among ultrasonic transducer elements that constitute a two-dimensional array sensor so that the ultrasonic transducer elements for selected for transmission are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a first line symmetric axis to set the group selected for transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.Inventors: Hirohisa MIZOTA, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
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Publication number: 20110103536Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus for inspecting weld zones in a reactor pressure vessel, the inspection apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe 6 for emitting an ultrasonic wave; a probe holding unit 60 for holding the ultrasonic probe 6 such that a ultrasonic wave transmitting surface of the ultrasonic probe 6 is kept in direct contact with or at a constant distance from the outer surface of the reactor pressure vessel 1; a pressing unit 50 for pressing the probe holding unit 60 parallel to a central axis of a control rod drive housing 8 against the reactor pressure vessel; and a rotator 40 for rotating the probe holding unit 60 and the pressing unit 50 about the central axis of the control rod drive housing 8.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2011Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Motoyuki Nakamura, Yoshio Nonaka, Naoyuki Kono, Masahiro Miki, Satoshi Shinohara
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Publication number: 20110096888Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus for inspecting weld zones in a reactor pressure vessel, the inspection apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe 6 for emitting an ultrasonic wave; a probe holding unit 60 for holding the ultrasonic probe 6 such that a ultrasonic wave transmitting surface of the ultrasonic probe 6 is kept in direct contact with or at a constant distance from the outer surface of the reactor pressure vessel 1; a pressing unit 50 for pressing the probe holding unit 60 parallel to a central axis of a control rod drive housing 8 against the reactor pressure vessel; and a rotator 40 for rotating the probe holding unit 60 and the pressing unit 50 about the central axis of the control rod drive housing 8.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2011Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: Motoyuki NAKAMURA, Yoshio NONAKA, Naoyuki KONO, Masahiro MIKI, Satoshi SHINOHARA
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Patent number: 7929656Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus for inspecting weld zones in a reactor pressure vessel, the inspection apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe 6 for emitting an ultrasonic wave; a probe holding unit 60 for holding the ultrasonic probe 6 such that a ultrasonic wave transmitting surface of the ultrasonic probe 6 is kept in direct contact with or at a constant distance from the outer surface of the reactor pressure vessel 1; a pressing unit 50 for pressing the probe holding unit 60 parallel to a central axis of a control rod drive housing 8 against the reactor pressure vessel; and a rotator 40 for rotating the probe holding unit 60 and the pressing unit 50 about the central axis of the control rod drive housing 8.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.Inventors: Motoyuki Nakamura, Yoshio Nonaka, Naoyuki Kono, Masahiro Miki, Satoshi Shinohara
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Publication number: 20100251821Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement method and an ultrasonic measurement apparatus are capable of performing an inspection for a short time with a high SN ratio and a small variation (that depends on an inspection direction) in sensitivity in a process for detecting a defect in all directions at 360 degrees using a matrix array sensor without performing mechanical scanning in all directions, while reducing noise that is caused by a bottom surface echo. An element selecting circuit selects a group of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for transmission from among ultrasonic transducer elements that constitute a two-dimensional array sensor so that the ultrasonic transducer elements for selected for transmission are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a first line symmetric axis to set the group selected for transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.Inventors: Hirohisa MIZOTA, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
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Publication number: 20100106431Abstract: An apparatus and a method for ultrasonic testing obtains high-resolution and high-S/N ratio testing results by driving a number of piezoelectric elements using fewer pulsers and receivers in comparison with the number of elements composing an array transducer. A sensor information setter sets a plurality of piezoelectric element groups used for transmission and a plurality of piezoelectric element groups used for reception among the plurality of piezoelectric elements composing an ultrasonic array transducer. A computer transmits an ultrasonic wave from the element cluster set for transmission, and stores an ultrasonic wave received by the element cluster set for reception. The procedure is repeated including different element cluster sets for transmission and reception to obtain first receive signals. The first receive signals are summed to obtain a second receive signal; and the second receive signal is displayed with reference to the sensor center position on a display unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Atsushi BABA, So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO
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Publication number: 20100106432Abstract: An ultrasonic probe issues an ultrasonic wave to an object, receives a reflected wave from an object, and is provided with multiple piezoelectric elements. A three-dimensional display section displays three-dimensional flaw detection data superimposed on three-dimensional shape data of an object. The computer acquires a reflected ultrasonic wave signal from a reference object (reference). Based on the acquired signal, the computer corrects a reflected ultrasonic wave signal acquired from another object having the same material and shape as the reference. The computer allows the three-dimensional display section to display three-dimensional flaw detection data generated from a reflected ultrasonic wave signal resulting from a difference between a reference and an object.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA
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Patent number: 7693251Abstract: The ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus, which is pushed onto the outer surface of the reactor pressure vessel, transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave to and from a penetration having a welded portion while changing an incident angle of the ultrasonic wave. Based on a result of reception of an echo obtained by the reflection of the ultrasonic wave on the inner surface of the penetration, an inclination angle of the penetration relative to a wall surface of the reactor pressure vessel is measured. A circumferential direction position of the penetration, which corresponds to the inclination angle, is calculated based on the relationship of an inclination angle and a circumferential direction position, which have been calculated in advance. Then, the circumferential direction position can be obtained as information on the inspection position.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.Inventors: Naoyuki Kono, Masahiro Miki, Yoshio Nonaka, Motoyuki Nakamura
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Publication number: 20090293621Abstract: Ultrasonic inspection equipment facilitates alignment of display positions of three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and three-dimensional shape data, and quickly discriminates between a defect echo and an inner-wall echo. A computer 102A has a position correction function of correcting a relative display position between three-dimensional shape data and three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data. A display position of the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data or that of the three-dimensional shape data is moved by a norm of a mean vector along the mean vector that is calculated from a plurality of vectors defined by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional shape data. The three-dimensional shape data and the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data are displayed in such a manner as to be superimposed on each other on a three-dimensional display unit 103C.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA
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Publication number: 20090235749Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic inspection method and ultrasonic inspection apparatus capable of easily inspecting a weld line and detecting a circumferential crack and an axial crack that are present in the weld line. An ultrasonic probe is placed on the surface of a structure and transmits an ultrasonic wave. A welded part is present on the opposite surface to the surface on which the ultrasonic probe is placed. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted at an optional in an X?-Z plane defined by an X? axis and a Z axis, when the direction of a normal to the surface on which the ultrasonic probe is placed is defined as an X axis, the direction in which the weld line extends is defined as a Y axis, the direction perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis is defined as a Z axis, and an axis obtained by rotating the X axis around the Z axis is defined as an X? axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventors: Kazuya Ehara, Naoyuki Kono, Masahiro Miki, Yoshio Nonaka