Abstract: A mobile apparatus for and a method of non-contacting, nondestructive, on-line inspection of installed components of plants, facilities or other systems. The apparatus and method use penetrating radiation sources and detectors which can be placed about vertical or horizontal components while they remain in place and in use. The apparatus can operate in multiple scanning modes and the resulting data collected can be processed using both gauging and computerized axial tomographic (CAT) algorithms and techniques. In a gauging analysis, the apparatus and method make use of both a computer-implementable model of the general shape of the component scanned and a computer-generated model of the specific component scanned.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for and a method of non-contacting, nondestructive, on-line inspection of installed components of plants, facilities or other systems. The apparatus and method use penetrating radiation sources and detectors mounted on a ring assembly which can be placed about vertical or horizontal components while they remain in place and in use. The ring assembly is held in place by a yoke assembly in a manner that allows the ring to be rotated relative to the yoke assembly so that multiple scans of the same component cross-section can be performed from different angles. The apparatus is also capable of sub-positioning the detectors relative to the source while the ring assembly is stationary to increase the number of scans that can be taken from different angles. The yoke assembly, in turn, is mounted on a beam assembly in a manner that allows the yoke assembly to move relative to the beam assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flushing the plunger of a positive displacement pump which handles a suspension of abrasive particles. Flush liquid is introduced at two or more locations to the packing surrounding the pump plunger. The larger volume of flush liquid is introduced in front of the packing to wash abrasive particles from the plunger in the usual manner. A smaller volume is introduced intermediate front and back sets of packing rings. Initially the back packing rings provide the seal for the plunger, but when they wear, flush liquid from between the two sets of packing rings leaks past the back packing rings to furnish an indication of the wear. The front packing rings now provide the seal, and it is known that the back packing rings should be replaced.