Thomas P Michaels

US Patent:

44346603, Mar 6, 1984

Filed:

Mar 19, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/245304

Inventors:

Jennifer E. Michaels - Ithaca NY
Thomas E. Michaels - Ithaca NY
Stephen J. Mech - Pasco WA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01N 2904

US Classification:

73622

Abstract:

An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for the inspection of metal structures, especially installed pipes. The apparatus combines a specimen inspection element, an acoustical velocity sensing element, and a surface profiling element, all in one scanning head. A scanning head bellows contains a volume of oil above the pipe surface, serving as acoustical couplant between the scanning head and the pipe. The scanning head is mounted on a scanning truck which is mobile around a circular track surrounding the pipe. The scanning truck has sufficient motors, gears, and position encoders to allow the scanning head six degrees of motion freedom. A computer system continually monitors acoustical velocity, and uses that parameter to process surface profiling and inspection data. The profiling data is used to automatically control scanning head position and alignment and to define a coordinate system used to identify and interpret inspection data. The apparatus is suitable for highly automated, remote application in hostile environments, particularly high temperature and radiation areas.