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US3906358A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Probe train including a flaw detector and a radiation responsive recording means with alignment means having a natural curved cast

Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-12
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-11-12
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Abstract

Abstract An inspection system for a multitube steam generator comprising a probe train for insertion in a tube to be inspected, which probe train includes, in series, directional probe means, such as an eddy current probe, for indicating the longitudinal and angular location of an irregularity at or in the wall of the tube, and radiation responsive recording means nonrotatable relative to the eddy current probe during operation and in substantially close longitudinal relationship thereto for receiving an image of the irregularity when laterally adjacent thereto; elongated alignment means joined to at least one end of the probe train against rotation relative thereto and insertable in the tube for controlling or determining the angular orientation of the probe train within the tube; means for propelling the probe train longitudinally within the tube; and a source of radiation insertable in another tube of the steam generator to a position therealong laterally adjacent the indicated irregularity for irradiation of the irregularity to project said image on the recording means. The directional probe means may preferably be an eddy current probe and the radiation responsive recording means may preferably be a film bearing cassette probe. The alignment means may be provided by a resilient naturally curved plastic cable, which cable might also be used to propel the probe train.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert Martin Stone

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 08:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/72; G01N27/82; G01N27/90; G01N27/904; F; F22; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/002; F22B37/003; G01N27/9013; G01N27/902

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 169 words
An inspection system for a multitube steam generator comprising: a. a probe train for insertion in a tube to be inspected including, in series: i. directional probe means for indicating the longitudinal and angular location of an irregularity at the wall of said tube, and ii. radiation responsive recording means, nonrotatable relative to said directional probe means and in substantially close longitudinal relationship thereto, for receiving an image of said irregularity when laterally adjacent thereto and said irregularity is irradiated; b. elongated alignment means having a resilient, naturally curved cast thereto and joined to at least one end of said probe train against rotation relative thereto and insertable in said tube for controlling the angular orientation of said probe train within said tube; c. means for propelling said probe train longitudinally within said tube; and d. a source of radiation insertable in another tube of said steam generator to a position therealong laterally adjacent said indicated irregularity for irradiating said irregularity to project said image on said recording means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 169 words
An inspection system for a multitube steam generator comprising: a. a probe train for insertion in a tube to be inspected including, in series: i. directional probe means for indicating the longitudinal and angular location of an irregularity at the wall of said tube, and ii. radiation responsive recording means, nonrotatable relative to said directional probe means and in substantially close longitudinal relationship thereto, for receiving an image of said irregularity when laterally adjacent thereto and said irregularity is irradiated; b. elongated alignment means having a resilient, naturally curved cast thereto and joined to at least one end of said probe train against rotation relative thereto and insertable in said tube for controlling the angular orientation of said probe train within said tube; c. means for propelling said probe train longitudinally within said tube; and d. a source of radiation insertable in another tube of said steam generator to a position therealong laterally adjacent said indicated irregularity for irradiating said irregularity to project said image on said recording means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said alignment means and propelling means comprise a cable affixed to at least one end of said probe train.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2470338A Cited
US2532536A Cited
US2702864A Cited
US3243697A Cited
US3182197A Cited
US3492477A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1978-09-15 1979-03-17 1979-09-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-09-15 1983-03-17 1983-09-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-09-15 1987-03-17 1987-09-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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