US3678735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Installation for ultrasonic testing
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1971-04-26
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1991-04-26
Abstract
Abstract The installation comprises an unsealed measuring vessel in which the level of water employed for ultrasonic energy transmission is maintained constant by a supply system which prevents air bubbles and turbulence within the vessel. The supply system comprises a constant-level supply tank and a leakage-retention tank connected to each other by means of two pipes respectively for overflow and for continuous discharge through a pump. A mechanism is provided for displacing elements to be tested within the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert Boulanger
- 👤 Alain Samoel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:07
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/06; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/28; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
An installation for ultrasonic testing of metallic elements and especially cans of nuclear fuel elements, wherein said installation comprises a parallelepipedal measuring vessel divided into three adjacent compartments by two partition-walls which are parallel to two side-walls of the vessel, said two partition-walls and said two side-walls being pierced by transfer openings located in oppositely-facing relation and having a diameter which is slightly larger than that of the elements to be tested, a mechanism for displacing the elements through the compartments of the vessel, ultrasonic transducers carried by separate faces of the vessel in the central compartment and a unit for supplying water to the vessel comprising a constantlevel supply tank connected by a first pipe to the base of the central compartment and a retention tank connected by two separate pipes to the bases of the two other compartments, the two tanks being additionally connected to each other by means of two separate pipes of which one pipe constitutes an overflow for limiting the level to a constant value within the supply tank and the other pipe is fitted with a pump which continuously discharges from the retention tank to the supply tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
An installation for ultrasonic testing of metallic elements and especially cans of nuclear fuel elements, wherein said installation comprises a parallelepipedal measuring vessel divided into three adjacent compartments by two partition-walls which are parallel to two side-walls of the vessel, said two partition-walls and said two side-walls being pierced by transfer openings located in oppositely-facing relation and having a diameter which is slightly larger than that of the elements to be tested, a mechanism for displacing the elements through the compartments of the vessel, ultrasonic transducers carried by separate faces of the vessel in the central compartment and a unit for supplying water to the vessel comprising a constantlevel supply tank connected by a first pipe to the base of the central compartment and a retention tank connected by two separate pipes to the bases of the two other compartments, the two tanks being additionally connected to each other by means of two separate pipes of which one pipe constitutes an overflow for limiting the level to a constant value within the supply tank and the other pipe is fitted with a pump which continuously discharges from the retention tank to the supply tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A testing installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein the central compartment of the measuring tank has a small volume compared with the volume of the constant-level supply tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A testing installation in accordance with claim 1 and claiM 2, wherein the transfer openings formed through the partition-walls and the side-walls of the vessel are fitted with rings forming centering guides for the elements to be tested.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A testing installation in accordance with claim 3, wherein the guides are mounted in rolling cages in order to limit friction forces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A testing installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mechanism for effecting displacement through the measuring vessel comprises at least two driving wheels each controlling the rotation of two rollers which are inclined to the axis of element considered, the angle of inclination of said rollers being intended to determine the distance of forward travel of the element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A testing installation in accordance with claim 5, wherein the two driving wheels are located on the two opposite sides of the vessel in which the element-transfer openings are formed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A testing installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein the testing vessel is formed of transparent plastic material which permits visual observation of the elements during the displacement thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A testing installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein a wetting product is added to the water in the vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3224254A
Cited
US3242722A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |