公开(公告)号：US5200704A

公开(公告)日：1993-04-06

申请号：US662664

申请日：1991-02-28

Applicant: William G. Clark, Jr. ,  Francis X. Gradich ,  Lee W. Burtner ,  Michael J. Metala

Inventor： William G. Clark, Jr. ,  Francis X. Gradich ,  Lee W. Burtner ,  Michael J. Metala

IPC: G01B7/00 ,  G01B7/14 ,  G01V3/10 ,  G01V15/00

CPC classification number: G01B7/14 ,  G01V15/00

Abstract: Both a system and a method are provided which allows an eddy current probe to accurately determine both the proximity and dimensions of non-conductive structures which are normally invisible to such probes. The system includes a portable target medium that is movable into a known position with respect to the non-conductive structure, and that includes a conductive material that couples strongly with a fluctuating magnetic field, and a movable eddy current probe that emanates a fluctuating magnetic field and which generates a signal indicative of the magnitude of the interaction between the field and the portable target medium from which the distance between the two may be computed. The system may be used to determine the proximity of non-conductive structures such as plastic pipes that have been buried under ground, as well as the dimensions of such non conductive structures.

公开(公告)号：US5373235A

公开(公告)日：1994-12-13

申请号：US38214

申请日：1993-03-29

Applicant: William G. Clark, Jr. ,  Francis X. Gradich ,  Lee W. Burtner ,  Michael J. Metala

Inventor： William G. Clark, Jr. ,  Francis X. Gradich ,  Lee W. Burtner ,  Michael J. Metala

IPC: G01B7/00 ,  G01B7/14 ,  G01V3/10 ,  G01V15/00 ,  G01B7/10

CPC classification number: G01B7/14 ,  G01V15/00

Abstract: Both a system and a method are provided which allows an eddy current probe to accurately determine both the proximity and dimensions of non-conductive structures which are normally invisible to such probes. The system comprises a portable target medium that is movable into a known position with respect to the non-conductive structure, and that includes a conductive material that couples strongly with a fluctuating magnetic field, and a movable eddy current probe that emanates a fluctuating magnetic field and which generates a signal indicative of the magnitude of the interaction between the field and the portable target medium from which the distance between the two may be computed. The system may be used to determine the proximity of non-conductive structures such as plastic pipes that have been buried under ground, as well as the dimensions of such non-conductive structures. When the system is applied to measure the dimensions of such a structure, the portable target medium assumes a form that is flexibly conformable to one of the walls of the structure and which is placed in abutting relationship thereto. The eddy current probe is then scanned against an opposing wall of the structure, whereby the width of the structure may be computed by measuring the strength of the interaction between the probe and the medium. In addition to measuring the dimensions of non-conductive structures, the system may be used to measure the dimensions of non-magnetic structures when the target medium includes a strongly magnetic material.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种系统和方法，其允许涡流探针精确地确定通常对这种探针不可见的非导电结构的接近度和尺寸。 该系统包括可移动到相对于非导电结构的已知位置的便携式目标介质，并且其包括强烈地与波动的磁场耦合的导电材料以及发出波动磁场的可移动涡流探针 并且其产生指示可以从其计算两者之间的距离的场和便携式目标介质之间的相互作用的大小的信号。 该系统可以用于确定非导电结构（例如埋在地下的塑料管）的接近度以及这种非导电结构的尺寸。 当该系统被应用于测量这种结构的尺寸时，便携式目标介质采用与该结构中的一个壁柔性地一致并且与其相邻置的形式。 然后将涡流探针扫过结构的相对壁，由此可以通过测量探针和介质之间的相互作用的强度来计算结构的宽度。 除了测量非导电结构的尺寸之外，当目标介质包括强磁性材料时，该系统可用于测量非磁性结构的尺寸。

公开(公告)号：US4992735A

公开(公告)日：1991-02-12

申请号：US387997

申请日：1989-08-01

Applicant: William K. Cullen ,  Charles H. Roth, Jr. ,  Lee W. Burtner ,  Francis X. Gradich ,  David A. Chizmar ,  Lawrence Galata

Inventor： William K. Cullen ,  Charles H. Roth, Jr. ,  Lee W. Burtner ,  Francis X. Gradich ,  David A. Chizmar ,  Lawrence Galata

IPC: F22B37/00 ,  G01N27/90 ,  G21C17/003

CPC classification number: F22B37/003 ,  G01N27/902

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for remotely inspecting the interior walls of a cavity having a circular cross section that varies in diameter, such as the interior of a hollow tube plug. The apparatus has an eddy current probe head having a distal and proximal end, wherein the distal end engages the cavity walls, an elongated support assembly connected to the proximal end of the probe that is insertable within the cavity, a radial extender mechanism for radially extending and withdrawing the distal end of the probe with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support assembly, and a probe driving and delivery system for inserting the support assembly into the cavity and helically moving the probe head to inspect the cavity walls for discontinuities. In the method of the invention, the radial extender mechanism radially retracts the probe head within the support assembly when it is inserted through the cavity prior to the inspection operation in order to avoid mechanical interference, and then radially extends the probe head into engagement with the cavity walls. The probe driving and delivery system then helically moves the probe head across the cavity walls to scan the walls for discontinuities that indicate cracks.

公开(公告)号：US5100610A

公开(公告)日：1992-03-31

申请号：US616444

申请日：1990-11-20

Applicant: William E. Pirl ,  Edward A. Ray ,  Annette M. Costlow ,  Charles H Roth, Jr. ,  Francis X. Gradich ,  David A. Chizmar

Inventor： William E. Pirl ,  Edward A. Ray ,  Annette M. Costlow ,  Charles H Roth, Jr. ,  Francis X. Gradich ,  David A. Chizmar

IPC: F16L55/00 ,  F22B37/00 ,  F28F11/02 ,  G01B7/28 ,  G01N27/90 ,  G21C13/06 ,  G21D1/00

CPC classification number: G01B7/28 ,  F22B37/003 ,  F28F11/02 ,  G01N27/902

Abstract: System for inspecting the interior of tube plugs, particularly tube plugs of the type having expander elements disposed therein. The system includes a probe assembly connectable to the tube plug, the probe assembly having a rotatable and translatable probe carrier housing for housing a sensor probe capable of inspecting the tube plug. The probe assembly also includes a leaf spring extending through the probe carrier housing and attached to the sensor probe for radially outwardly biasing the sensor probe into sensing contact with the interior of the tube plug, particularly the interior of the tube plug located between the top of the tube plug and the expander element. A tangle-free flexible hose is connected at one end thereof to the probe carrier housing for transversely rotating and longitudinally translating the probe carrier housing. The flexible hose is also connected at the other end thereof to a probe driver assembly that rotates the flexible hose which in turn rotates the probe carrier housing. Rotation of the probe carrier housing rotatably translates the probe carrier housing into the tube plug for inspecting the tube plug in a helical scanning pattern.

公开(公告)号：US4876506A

公开(公告)日：1989-10-24

申请号：US205768

申请日：1988-06-13

Applicant: Stephen D. Brown ,  Warren R. Junker ,  Francis X. Gradich

Inventor： Stephen D. Brown ,  Warren R. Junker ,  Francis X. Gradich

IPC: G01B11/24 ,  G01B7/13 ,  G01B7/28

CPC classification number: G01B7/281 ,  G01B7/13

Abstract: Both an apparatus and method for accurately inspecting the profile of the inner wall of a conduit, such as a heat exchanger tube in a steam generator, is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical probe body that is insertable within the tube, a probe assembly disposed within the probe body that includes an eddy current sensing coil and a copper plate which are movable with respect to one another, and a wall follower assembly including a stylus on one end and which is linked to the probe assembly on its other end for converting changes in the radius of the tube wall into changes in the distance between the eddy current sensing coil and the copper plate. A ferrite core is disposed within the sensing coil for focusing the electromagnetic flux into the copper plate. Additionally, the sensing coil is serially connected to a balancing coil in order to provide an accurate zero point for the sensing coil. In the preferred embodiment, the sensing coil is stationarily mounted within the probe body, while the copper plate is connected to the radially movable stylus assembly. The probe body and all of the components of the wall follower assembly including the springs which resiliently urge the stylus toward the tube wall are formed from nonconductive plastic materials so as to maximize the electromagnetic coupling between the eddy current sensing coil and the copper plate. The apparatus is capable of accurately detecting not only localized flaws within the inner tube wall, but also tube ovality and wall thinning which are typically caused by the deposition of sludge in the crevice regions of tubesheets and support plates of steam generators.

Abstract translation: 本文公开了用于精确地检查导管（例如蒸汽发生器中的热交换器管）的内壁的轮廓的装置和方法。 该装置包括可插入管内的圆柱形探针主体，设置在探针主体内的探针组件，其包括可相对于彼此移动的涡流检测线圈和铜板，以及包括触针 并且其另一端连接到探针组件，用于将管壁的半径变化转换为涡流感测线圈与铜板之间的距离的变化。 在感测线圈内设有铁氧体磁芯，用于将电磁通量聚焦到铜板中。 此外，感测线圈串联连接到平衡线圈，以便为传感线圈提供精确的零点。 在优选实施例中，感测线圈固定地安装在探针主体内，而铜板连接到可径向移动的触笔组件。 探针体和包括将触针朝向管壁弹性推动的弹簧的壁随动体组件的所有部件由非导电塑料材料形成，以便使涡流感测线圈和铜板之间的电磁耦合最大化。 该装置能够精确地检测内管壁内的局部缺陷，而且能够精确地检测通常由蒸汽发生器的管板和支撑板的缝隙区域中的淤渣沉积引起的管椭圆度和壁变薄。

公开(公告)号：US4725883A

公开(公告)日：1988-02-16

申请号：US886844

申请日：1986-07-18

Applicant: William G. Clark, Jr. ,  Lee W. Burtner ,  Francis X. Gradich

Inventor： William G. Clark, Jr. ,  Lee W. Burtner ,  Francis X. Gradich

IPC: G01N21/88 ,  G01B11/24 ,  G01N21/84 ,  G01N21/93 ,  G01N21/954 ,  G02B23/24 ,  H04N7/18

CPC classification number: G01N21/954 ,  G01B11/24 ,  G01N2021/8887 ,  G01N2201/102

Abstract: An optical inspection system for tubular products utilizes a feeler for engaging the internal surface of the tube to be inspected and a miniature charge coupled device video camera for viewing the interface between the feeler and the tube. An image processing computer responsive to the output of the video camera produces information for rapidly assessing damage or distortion of the tube. The camera is pulled or pushed through the tube while continuously monitoring the optical contrast between the feeler and the tube wall. The camera image of the tube ID is fed to the image processing computer to determine and record changes in ID contour is a function of the axial position of the camera and feeler. These data in turn can be used in tubing life prediction considerations. The data may be analyzed manually if desired.

Abstract translation: 用于管状产品的光学检查系统利用用于接合要检查的管的内表面的探针和用于观察触针和管之间的界面的微型电荷耦合器件摄像机。 响应于摄像机的输出的图像处理计算机产生用于快速评估管的损坏或变形的信息。 在连续监测探测器和管壁之间的光学对比度的同时，将照相机拉过或推过管。 管ID的摄像机图像被馈送到图像处理计算机以确定并记录ID轮廓的变化是摄像机和探测器的轴向位置的函数。 这些数据依次可用于油管寿命预测的考虑。 如果需要，可以手动分析数据。