US3929007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for carrying out ultrasonic inspection of pressure vessels
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1973-12-13
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1993-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A carriage-supported manipulator for taking an ultrasonic scanner mechanism into a coolant nozzle of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. The manupulator is rotatable about the axis of the nozzle and is radially expansible to urge the scanner mechanism into a scanning position within the nozzle.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Henry Dent
- 👤 Ronald Scott Challender
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:55
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/003; G21C17/01; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/265; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02872; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A manipulator for supporting an ultrasonic scanning transducer within a coolant nozzle of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel, the manipulator being arranged for carriage by a support member disposed within the vessel and comprising a caliper means including a pair of legs pivotable to span the bore of the nozzle, an ultrasonic transducer mounting attached to the free end of one leg of the pair of legs, and the pair of legs being pivotable about a manipulator axis extending between the legs and normal to the pivot axis of the legs, ram means connected to each leg for pivoting the legs together to enable free entry of the manipulator and ultrasonic transducer mounting into the nozzle and for pivoting the legs apart to span the bore of the nozzle, a plurality of roller members associated with the transducer mounting for making rolling contact with the interior surface of the nozzle and for spacing a transducer carried by the transducer mounting in an operable position relative to the surface of the nozzle, and a gimbal mount for mounting the transducer mounting on the free end of said one leg of the pair of legs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A manipulator for supporting an ultrasonic scanning transducer within a coolant nozzle of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel, the manipulator being arranged for carriage by a support member disposed within the vessel and comprising a caliper means including a pair of legs pivotable to span the bore of the nozzle, an ultrasonic transducer mounting attached to the free end of one leg of the pair of legs, and the pair of legs being pivotable about a manipulator axis extending between the legs and normal to the pivot axis of the legs, ram means connected to each leg for pivoting the legs together to enable free entry of the manipulator and ultrasonic transducer mounting into the nozzle and for pivoting the legs apart to span the bore of the nozzle, a plurality of roller members associated with the transducer mounting for making rolling contact with the interior surface of the nozzle and for spacing a transducer carried by the transducer mounting in an operable position relative to the surface of the nozzle, and a gimbal mount for mounting the transducer mounting on the free end of said one leg of the pair of legs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A manipulator according to claim 1 further comprising spring means for urging the transducer mounting radially inwards towards a stop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A manipulator according to claim 1 further comprising a further roller member mounted for rotation at the free end of the other leg of said pair of legs, the axis of rotation of said further roller member lying in the plane of said pair of legs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |