Ultrasonic tube inspection station for a rapid changeover multi-diameter tube inspection system

• US 5,201,226 A
• Filed: 10/21/1991
• Issued: 04/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Paramount Global (f/k/a ViacomCBS Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Paramount Global (f/k/a ViacomCBS Inc.))
• Inventors: John, Clarence D. Jr., Wengewicz, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, ROSE MARY
• Application Number:
  US07/780,185
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 73/597, 73/620, 73/622, 73/627, 73/628, 73/629, 73/866.5, 73/621, 73/632, 73/633
• US Class Current: 73/622
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/044 Internal reflections (echoes), e.g. on walls or defects
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/27 by moving the material relative to a stationary sensor

Abstract

A tube inspection station includes a receptacle having walls defining a cavity for holding energy coupling liquid and receiving an object to be inspected in the liquid. At least one wall of the receptacle has a longitudinal bore defined and extending therein from an opening at the top thereof above the cavity and a transverse bore extending through the wall. The transverse bore intersects with the longitudinal bore and opens at both interior and exterior surfaces of the wall. The station also includes a transducer for measuring a parameter of the object, and a mounting assembly removably mounted in the longitudinal and transverse bores of the wall and removably mounting the transducer in the transverse bore such that the first end of the transducer communicates with the cavity and a second end of the transducer communicates with the exterior of the receptacle. A transverse cylindrical recess defined in the wall intersects the transverse and longitudinal bores and mounts a cylindrical bearing having a central opening for receiving an holding the transducer. An adjustable set screw in the longitudinal bore engages and holds the bearing in a stationary position.

Claims

1. An inspection system, comprising the combination of:

(a) a receptacle having interconnected walls defining a cavity for holding energy coupling liquid and receiving an object to be inspected in the liquid, at least one wall having interior and exterior surfaces, a longitudinal bore defined between and spaced from said surfaces and extending within said one wall from one end of said longitudinal bore to an opening at an opposite end of said longitudinal bore located at a top of said one wall above said cavity, and a transverse bore intersecting with said one end of said longitudinal bore and open at both said interior and exterior surfaces of said one wall;

(b) a transducer having first and second opposite ends, said transducer being operable for sending waves of energy from said first end into said cavity toward the object and receiving echoes of energy at said first end from the object for measuring a parameter of the object, said transducer having means at said second end for transmitting input and output signals to and from said transducer;

(c) means removably disposed in said longitudinal and transverse bores of said one wall for removably mounting said transducer in said transverse bore of said one wall such that said first end of said transducer communicates with said cavity and said second end of said transducer communicates with the exterior of said receptacle; and

(d) a transverse cylindrical recess defined in said one wall and intersecting with said transverse bore at said one end of said longitudinal bore intersected by said transverse bore;

(e) said mounting means including a cylindrical bearing mounted in said cylindrical recess and extending across said transverse bore and said one end of said longitudinal bore, said bearing having a central opening for receiving and holding said transducer, said mounting means also including a member mounted in said longitudinal bore and adjustably engageable with said bearing for holding said bearing and thereby said transducer in a stationary position.

2. The inspection station as recited in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical bearing is composed of a pair of semi-cylindrical parts.