Abstract: A method of inspecting or utilizing tools in the underwater environment of a nuclear reactor vessel, a spent fuel pool or equipment pit includes floating a platform for transporting inspection devices and/or tools over an underwater target site and deploying the devices or tools to the underwater target site. The platform may be coupled to a boom whose opposite end is carried by a cart movable about a floor area surrounding the pool. Alternatively, the platform may be independently movable along the water surface by thrusters.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a portion of a weld between at least two materials includes mounting at least one ultrasonic phased array probe including at least one transducer having a plurality of elements within a housing containing a liquid therein, attaching the housing adjacent to an outer surface of the portion of the weld such that the liquid is adjacent to the outer surface of the portion of the weld, and scanning the weld with the at least one ultrasonic phased array probe.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a portion of a weld between at least two materials includes mounting at least one ultrasonic phased array probe including at least one transducer having a plurality of elements within a housing containing a liquid therein, attaching the housing adjacent to an outer surface of the portion of the weld such that the liquid is adjacent to the outer surface of the portion of the weld, and scanning the weld with the at least one ultrasonic phased array probe.

Abstract: A method of inspecting or utilizing tools in the underwater environment of a nuclear reactor vessel, a spent fuel pool or equipment pit includes floating a platform for transporting inspection devices and/or tools over an underwater target site and deploying the devices or tools to the underwater target site. The platform may be coupled to a boom whose opposite end is carried by a cart movable about a floor area surrounding the pool. Alternatively, the platform may be independently movable along the water surface by thrusters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for inspecting a series of obstructed welds, such as those used in attaching the jet pump diffuser to a baffle plate using a jet pump adapter within a boiling water nuclear reactor (BWR). The apparatus comprises a support, a frame with holding mechanisms, a connector, a carrier and a sensor assembly and the method can comprise positioning the apparatus so that it partially surrounds the jet pump near the baffle plate attachment region and is temporarily held in place. The sensor assembly then positions a sensor adjacent an area of interest and the carrier is rotated along the frame to scan the sensor along the surface being inspected to acquire data regarding the quality or nature of the material, such as the quality of a weld.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for inspecting a series of obstructed welds, such as those used in attaching the jet pump diffuser to a baffle plate using a jet pump adapter within a boiling water nuclear reactor (BWR). The apparatus comprises a support, a frame with holding mechanisms, a connector, a carrier and a sensor assembly and the method can comprise positioning the apparatus so that it partially surrounds the jet pump near the baffle plate attachment region and is temporarily held in place. The sensor assembly then positions a sensor adjacent an area of interest and the carrier is rotated along the frame to scan the sensor along the surface being inspected to acquire data regarding the quality or nature of the material, such as the quality of a weld.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for examining a nuclear reactor shroud are described. In one embodiment the inspection apparatus includes a scanner subassembly movably coupled to a base subassembly. The base subassembly includes a linear bearing attached to a first end of the base assembly and positioned to extend from the top to the bottom of the base assembly. At least one jacking cylinder is coupled to the second end of the base assembly. The scanner subassembly includes a mounting member movably coupled to the linear bearing, a rotating member pivotally coupled to the mounting member, an elongate radial bearing coupled to the mounting member, and a carriage assembly movably coupled to the radial bearing. The carriage assembly includes a scanner arm, and the scanner arm includes an inspection probe coupled to each end of the arm. The scanner arm is configured to be parallel to the radial bearing.