Abstract: An ultrasonograph, an ultrasonic transducer, an inspection device, and an ultrasonic imaging device enabling easy and quick inspection and high-resolution or high-speed processing are provided. Barium titanate (BaTiO3) or lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is used for a piezoelectric material constituting the ultrasonic transducer, and the thickness thereof is 0.1 ?m to 100 ?m. Included therein are a drive section capable of driving an arbitrary one of piezoelectric layers, a detecting section detecting electrical signals generated by the plural piezoelectric layers based on echoes from an inspection object, the echoes being originated from an ultrasonic wave generated by the driven piezoelectric layer, and a processing section performing processing for visualizing a state of the inspection object based on the detected electrical signals.

Abstract: An operation-supporting apparatus includes: an operation request input unit that inputs information relating to operation request items of plant equipment; an operating conditions setting unit that converts operation request input information to operating parameters; an operation history creation unit that creates an operation history by chronologically processing the operating parameters; a breakdown statistics database that stores an event tree of the plant equipment; an event simulator that calculates the degree of unreliability corresponding to the operating parameters, the operation request information, and the operation history information, and in compliance with the event tree; a risk-cost calculation unit that calculates risk-cost by determining the aggregate product of the degrees of unreliability and restoration costs; an operating method determination unit that determines whether operating conditions are suitable by comparing the risk-cost with profit gained by continuing operation; and an operatin

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus that selects and specifies an optimal operating method for plant equipment while estimating risk-cost that relates to damage, performance deterioration, and functional stoppage, of the plant equipment, and comparing the risk-cost with profit gained from operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inspecting a target component part (e.g., valve casing) of an apparatus (e.g., steam control valve) included in a steam turbine system. When a time period in a range of 24 to 100 hours passes from the shutting-down of the turbine system, or before a temperature of an atmosphere surrounding the component part is lowered to 100° C., the width of the opening of the crack formed in the component part or a clearance relating to the component part is measured without disassembling the target component part and an enclosing member (e.g., valve casing) from the apparatus. As the measurement is performed when a thermal stress is induced in the component parts or when the temperature distribution is wide, the risk level of the crack or the clearance is determined accurately.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inspecting a target component part (e.g., valve casing) of an apparatus (e.g., steam control valve) included in a steam turbine system. When a time period in a range of 24 to 100 hours passes from the shutting-down of the turbine system, or before a temperature of an atmosphere surrounding the component part is lowered to 100° C., the width of the opening of the crack formed in the component part or a clearance relating to the component part is measured without disassembling the target component part and an enclosing member (e.g., valve casing) from the apparatus. As the measurement is performed when a thermal stress is induced in the component parts or when the temperature distribution is wide, the risk level of the crack or the clearance is determined accurately.

Abstract: An ultrasonograph, an ultrasonic transducer, an inspection device, and an ultrasonic imaging device enabling easy and quick inspection and high-resolution or high-speed processing are provided. Barium titanate (BaTiO3) or lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is used for a piezoelectric material constituting the ultrasonic transducer, and the thickness thereof is 0.1 &mgr;m to 100 &mgr;m. Included therein are a drive section capable of driving an arbitrary one of piezoelectric layers, a detecting section detecting electrical signals generated by the plural piezoelectric layers based on echoes from an irradiation object, the echoes being originated from an ultrasonic wave generated by the driven piezoelectric layer, and a processing section performing processing for visualizing a state of the irradiation object based on the detected electrical signals.

Abstract: Entered in a plant-maintenance apparatus are data on inspection, diagnosis, repair and operation histories for equipment that constitute a plant to be maintained. Failure-event tree breakdown is performed on failures to be expected for the equipment. Predicted is unreliability of at least one starting item in the failure-event tree breakdown. Unreliability of each item in the failure-event tree is calculated based on failure unreliability function. Unreliability and a cost of recovery from each failure event in the failure-event tree are multiplied and results of the multiplication are accumulated in accordance with the tree breakdown, thus obtaining a recovery cost. Preventive maintenance expenses are calculated for preventing failure events. Maintenance timing and technique are decided through comparison between the recovery cost and the preventive maintenance expenses.

Abstract: A phased array ultrasonic testing apparatus includes: an array probe for ultrasonic transmission and reception; a transmitter for sequentially exciting transducers of the probe in a predetermined order; a circuit for preparing a composite signal from reception output from the probe; and a circuit for preparing an image signal indicating an internal flaw of a tested body in synchronism with the composite signal in accordance with a transmission beam index point and a steered angle of an ultrasonic main beam.