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Apparatus and method for inspection of tubes in a boiler

  • US 10,048,225 B2
  • Filed: 06/18/2015
  • Issued: 08/14/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of inspecting tubes contained in a tube bundle, comprising the steps of:

  • (a) providing an apparatus having a housing having first and second sections moveable between an open position and a closed position, the first section enclosing a first guided-wave probe and the second section enclosing a second guided-wave probe, wherein the first and second guided-wave probes together constitute a magnetostrictive sensor;

    (b) extending the apparatus into a tube bundle until a desired tube for inspection is reached;

    (c) rotating the housing until the sensor is positioned over the tube to be inspected;

    (d) moving the first and second sections of the housing to the closed position and clamping the housing around the tube to be inspected, thereby clamping the sensor around the tube;

    (e) transmitting a pulse of guided waves into the tube to be inspected and detecting reflected signals; and

    (f) acquiring data from the reflected signals and determining the condition of the tube.

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