Patents by Inventor Terry S. Rockwood

Terry S. Rockwood 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: 6222897
    Abstract: Scan methods of inspecting piping and welds of a pipe elbow in a reactor pressure vessel of a boiling water reactor are disclosed. The scan apparatus includes a motor connected to a scan head having two ultrasonic transducer probes each including an ultrasonic transducer, a transducer arm connected to each transducer probe, a scan platform having an arcuate cutout, and a connector connecting each transducer arm to the scan platform. The scan head allows the transducer probes to remain substantially in contact with the pipe elbow while the scan head traverses the pipe elbow. The scan apparatus further includes a pivot arm connecting the scan platform to a pivot pin. The method includes the steps of positioning the scan head and the transducer probe such that the ultrasonic transducer is substantially in contact with the pipe elbow surface. Then moving the scan head axially along the pipe elbow in a first direction while maintaining the ultrasonic transducer in substantial contact with the pipe elbow surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Hatley, Terry S. Rockwood