CA1066775A - Testing of interiors of pressure vessels - Google Patents
Testing of interiors of pressure vesselsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1066775A CA1066775A CA261,096A CA261096A CA1066775A CA 1066775 A CA1066775 A CA 1066775A CA 261096 A CA261096 A CA 261096A CA 1066775 A CA1066775 A CA 1066775A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- probe
- stem
- bore
- shell
- arm
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Magnetic Means (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Described herein is apparatus for use in testing a shell from its interior in the region of a bore through that shell. The apparatus includes a rotatable stem which is inserted into the bore and an arm carried on the inner end of this stem. This arm includes guide means by which a testing probe is supported and constrained to move between extreme positions where the probe is normal to the interior surface of the shell and where the probe is within the bore and normal to the surface of the bore; the guide means are therefore shaped to correspond to the profile of the surface of the region under test. In use the stem and arm are rotated to orbit the testing probe around the axis of the bore and the probe can be progressively moved from one extreme position to the other along the guide means so as to cover the whole area of the region under test.
Described herein is apparatus for use in testing a shell from its interior in the region of a bore through that shell. The apparatus includes a rotatable stem which is inserted into the bore and an arm carried on the inner end of this stem. This arm includes guide means by which a testing probe is supported and constrained to move between extreme positions where the probe is normal to the interior surface of the shell and where the probe is within the bore and normal to the surface of the bore; the guide means are therefore shaped to correspond to the profile of the surface of the region under test. In use the stem and arm are rotated to orbit the testing probe around the axis of the bore and the probe can be progressively moved from one extreme position to the other along the guide means so as to cover the whole area of the region under test.
Description
`
`, ~ 1066775 This invention relates to apparatus for the non-destructive testing of fabricated items, both immediately after their manufacture and after periods of use.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Once items such as heat exchangers have been assembled, access to the interior of the shell is not easy, both because access points will be of restricted dimensions and because the internai parts of the heat ` ~i exchanger will almost completely fill the shell and so ~; ¦ 10 make access to the interior surface of the shell difficult.
` , The regions around any bores through the shellare regions which it is desirable to check to ensure 1 j that there are no ~laws or cracks. It is therefore an ¦- object of this invention to provide apparatus for use ~ '15 in testing such regions.
c~ - B~IEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ~ `
` According to the invention there is provided ` apparstus for testing a shell from its interior in the region of a bore through that shell, comprising:
a rotatable stem which can be inserted into ~! ~ . the bore to locate the stem axially of the g~ bore, a probe carrying arm supported by the stem and having a guide along which a testing `
ti'25 probe can be moved to follow the surface of . the shell from extreme positions one of whlch is normal to the interior surface of the shell , and the other of which is within the bore and -~
is normal to the surface of the b~re, ~-`
~`' 30 means for progressively moving the testing :-:
.
' ` ' o22 `' 10~;6775 ' probe be~ween the said extreme positions, and means for rotating the stem and arm to orbit a testing probe carried by the arm around the axis of the st.em and bore.
Thus with such apparatus, the testing probe can be positioned at one extreme position along the arm and the stem rotated to orbit the probe in a circle over the lnterior surface of the shell. After each complete revolution, or progressively during revolutions, the probe is gradually advanced towards the other extreme position along the arm. In this way one can progressively build up the test results for the region around and within the end of the bore from the series of concentric circular or helical paths traversed by the probe over :~ ` 15 the surface. The apparatus also has the advantage that ' it can be operated automatically or remotely so that, - `once it has been positioned, the operator can leave ---" ~ Z the area under test. This is lmportant if the heat exchanger has been in use and contains traces of radio-activity. ~ ` `
The probe carrying arm will be larger than the ~¦ diameter of the bore and SOJ when the surface under ` test is the inaccessible interior surface of the shell `
` of a heat exchanger, the probe carrying arm could be hinged or otherwise pivoted to the stem so that the t stem c~n be hinged or pivoted into alignment with the , stem dùring insertion through the bore and thereafter returned to its operating position once through the , bore. Alternatively it may be desirable according to . 30 another aspect of the invention to separate the stem -~-~'~,. - - -.
' :' ~;
~ .!
.. . . .. .. ..
and arm from the remaining, often bulky parts of the apparatus, and position the two parts with the stem inserted into the bore from within the shell, followed by reconnecting the free end of the stem positioned in S the bore to the remaining parts of the apparatus tYhich at all times have remained outside the shell. The stem and arm are of relatively small dimensions and so they can usually be inserted into the shell through a convenient hand hole and then manouvered into position .
with the stem inserted into the bore.
The guide for the probe can comprise an appropriately shaped elongated recess in the arm along which a flexible drive, such as a chain, can slide. A
i small carrier is also positioned within the recess and ; 15 moved along it by the fle~ible drive. The testing probe is mounted on this carrler and by correctly choosing the shape of the recess the probe will then be carried between the extreme positions so that it is always normal to the surface under test. The correct choice of shape for the recess is such that at each `,~l point along it, it is equally spaced from and parallel ~f~ to the corresponding point of the surface under test;
`~ . thus it will be shaped to correspond with the profile of the surface of the region under test. In this way , 25 the probe can be constrained to follow the surface under . ` .
test and remain normal to it irrespective of the profile of the surface under test and the iact that the sur~ace ~ -~
~- does not remain in a single plane. Thus one can follow -the interior surface of a shell, the flared end of a bore through the shell and part of the interior surface . . ' , ' .
=4=
.. ..
`` 1066775 o~ the bore. Naturally the shape of the recess has to be chosen to suit each particular surface under test but it is a simple operation to prepare an arm having the appropriately shaped recess.
The probe also preferably slides along within a channel so that the walls o~ this channel can assist in retaining it trans~erse to the axis o~ the recess in the arm.
` The probe can be drawn along the arm by means o~ the flexible drive, e.g. chain noted above. To pull this chain, it may be joined to a central core o~ the ` ~ stem which is axially slidable relative an outer sleeve of the stem, this core being pulled along the stem ~rom the iree end of the stem, i.e. ~rom outside the shell.
.. . .
1 15 . The chain is desirably drawn against the action o~ a --,' spring which helps to retain the chain and probe carrier ` ¦ ' under tension so that the probe is kept steady and normài ~¦ to the sur~ace under test. ` ~ -BRIEF SUMMARY DF THE DRAWINGS -Testing apparatus according to the invention , ~ j , ; . :
~ will now be described, by way o~ example, with re~erence , j . . . . .
to the accompanying draw~ngs, in which:
igure 1 is an axial sectional elevation o~ the apparatus shown in position in a bore through . . ~ ..
a heat exchanger shell;
Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are sections taken I respectively on the lines A-A, B-B, C-C and , ~ D-D o~ Figure 1; and - ~ ~igure 6 is a sectlon taken on the line E-E
` o~ ~igure 1 but showing the testing probe moved to its innermost position.
. ~ .
...
=5=
. 1 , 106~775 , D]`~'SC~IPTION 0~ THE P~E~ERRRD EMBODI~ENT
The testing apparatus 10 shown in the drawings comprises a frame 12 supporting a rotatable stem 14 which carries at its outer end an arm 16. This arm 16 supports an eddy current probe 20, although other types of testing probe can be used, housed in a housing 22.
The stem is shown in Figure 1 inserted into a bore 24 through a heat exchanger shell 26. The inner end 28 o~ the bore 24 is sho~vn flared.
The arm 16, as best shown in Figure 6, has a j guide channel 30 formed in it and the housing 22 is asliding fit within the channel. The arm is itself in ¦ - the general shape of an inverted "L" and the channel 30 I is shaped to correspond with the profile of the bore 24, `~ 15 its flared end 28 and the region of the shell surround ~ - this flared end. Thus each point along the channel '` ~ is equally spaced from the surface of the bore and shell along the normal to the surface at that point. Naturally ~; - - the arm 16 and its guide channel 30 are chosen to suit .~;i 20 the particular shell 26 and bore 28 and different arms ` il are required for each particulàr shell and bore.
-Y Parallel to thè guide channel 30 and outwardly ' spaced from it in relation to the surface of the bore ~;
and sheil, is a recess 32 within which are constrained to slide two lengths of chain 36a and 36b linked by a c carrier 37. The channel 30 and recess 32 are joined ~-by a slot 38 extending along the lengths thereof. A
spigot 39 projects from the base of the housing 22 through this slot 38 and extends through the carrier 37. A
~, 30 spring 40 positioned between the carrier 37 and housing .
, , , ` \ 1066775 22 urges the housing 22 and probe 20 towards the surf ace of the shell and bore so that the probe is in contact with the surface. The spigot 39 is retained on the carrier 37 by a circular clip 41.
In this way the carrier 37 can be moved along the recess 32 by the springs 36a and 36b and it will take with it the probe housing 22 and probe 20. The housing 22 will be constrained to follow the channel 30 to keep the housing from rocking transversely and the carrier 37 will be guided within the recess 32 so that the spigot 39 is kept normal to the surface ; ' of the shell and bore. This in turn will ensure that the probe is maintained normal to the surface of the ~, I shell and bore under test despite the fact that the i -surface is not planar.
.
The arrangement for pulling the chain 36b to move the probe 20 along the guide channel 30 will be described in due course. This movement is~ however,~ -made against the action of a spring 44 fixed to an 20 extension 45 of the arm 16 and to a peg 46 which is , j . .
attached to the end oi the chain 3~a and is narrow ~$ enought to fit the slot 38. In this way the spring 44 retains the chains under tension and the carrier 37 aligned with the recess ~2.
The rotatable stem 14 includes a hollow outer ~ -~' sleeve ~8 which is a sliding fit withln the bore to align the stem and a core 50 which is axially slidable within `
the sleeve. The core 50 finishes short of the outer ~' ~ `end of the sleeve 48 and the latter is fixed at its ~; 30 outer end to the arm 16 by means of a pin 52. Near ~; ` ,' ~ =7-.. .. .. .. . .... . . .
,, ,,. . , ~ , .
.. . .
its outer end, the core has threaded into it, a threaded stud 54 which is attached to the end of the chain 36b.
,' A slot 56 is provided in the sleeve 48 to allow the ` core 50, stud 54 and chain 36b to move inwardly reIative the sleeve, so moving the probe 20 along the channel 30.
, The ~rame 12 carries those parts of the apparatus which rotate the stem 14 and move the probe 20 along its guide channel. The ~rame 12 comprises three spaced ! plates 60, 61 and 62 which are bolted to and held apart by pairs of side plates 63 and 64. Welded onto the plate 60 is a sleeve 66 whioh engages over the end o~
a stub 68 extending from the bore 24. The frame 12 is ~ixed to this stub by a screw tightened into a threaded `
bore 70.
` J ` 1S Rotatably mounted on the plate 61 is a hollow spindle 72 which carries a worm wheel 73 engaged with ' t~ a worm 74. The latter, as best shown in Figure 4, is ~ rotatably supported by a bracket 75 and it is conveniently `,, `~ ,, rotated by a flexible cable drive not shown. The spindle is Journalled by a pair of ball bearing races 75a while ` between the end of the sleeve 48, the plate 60 and ~ -bear`ing 75a are a sleeve 76 and washers 76a.
, , The c`ore 50 extends well beyond the lower end ' of the sleeve 48 and projects through the spindle 72 , ~, 25 to below the plate 61. The core is rotatably fixed to the spindle 72 by a pin 77. This pin engages in a slot, ' ~ 1 78.in the core and so the latter'is free to slide through , the spindle 72 whiIe being fixed to rotate with it.
The sleeve 48 is in turn rotatably fixed to the core 50 . ~ 30 by a pin 80 which also passes through the slot 78 so ' -.~ , .
=8=
` \ 1066775 that again the core can slide within the sleeve 48 whi]e the latter is constrained to rotate with the core.
` In this way, the rotation o~ the worm, will rotate the spindle 72, the core 50 and the sleeve 48 so orbiting the arm around the bore 24.
A stub spindle 82 carrying a worm wheel 83 is rotatably mounted on the plate 62. The spindle also carries a gear wheel 84 engaged with two gears 86 and 87. The latter are respectively mounted on threaded rods 88 and 89 which pass rotatably through the plate 62.
The plate carries a bracket 90 rotatably supporting a ` i worm 91 which engages the wheel 83. This worn is also - conveniently rotated by a flexible cable drive not , .
`i shown and its rotation in turn causes the two threaded `,~ ` 15 . rods 88 and 89 to rotate by equal amounts and in the c`~j same sense.
` l Threaded onto the rods 88 and 89 are two blocks 92 and 93, respectively. These blocks having fingers 92a - and 93a which engage in the sheaf o~ a pully wheël 95 ` 20 which is fixed to the lower end of the core 50 by a pin 96. The ~ingers abut the pully and so they and the blocks j -~
~ 92 and 93 cannot rotate with the rods 88 and 89. In ; l this way when the rods are rotated, the blocks are drawn downwardly taking with them the-pully 95 and core 50.
` The latter slides within the sleeve 48 drawing with it ~` the chain 36b, carrier 38 and probe 2a and chain 36a i `against the resistance of spring 44. The core 50, , ~ ~leeve 48 and arm 16 can still rotate, however, the pully ~ -~ 95 rotating relative the blocks 92 and 93.
; 30 In order to use the apparatus 10, the pins 77 . .
., ' ' . , , =g=
. .
10667'75 : , and ~6 are rcmoved to separate the frame 12 from the stem 14 and arm 16. The latter two parts are then placed within the shell 26 through a convenient hand hole (not shown) and the stem 15 inserted into the bore 24 from within the shell so that the core 50 projects beyond the stub 68. The frame which is too large and cumbersome to be positioned within the shell is next fixed to the stub 68 and joined to the stem 14 and arm 16 by inserting the end of the core 50 through the `10 spindle 72 and joining them by the pin 7,7 followed by ` . linking the core 50 to thè pùlly 95 by the pin 96.
`, The apparatus is then ready`to use.
' The arm 16 and stem 14 are rotated by rotating ~ ~ the worm 74 so carrying the probé 20 around a circle ; , ~`~ .15 in contact with the insid,e surface of the shell 26.
' ' The worm 91 is next rotated to draw the blocks 9~ and . ,~. , - ` - .
~,j . 93 and pully 95 down by a small amount, so drawing the- '-.~ core 50 down within the sleeve and moving the probe a ~ 3 small amount along the channel 30.- The arm is then ~ , : ~ 20 rotated again through 360. This sequence is repeated ``` ~f until the probe has been moved to the end o~ the channel ` 30; it is shown by dotted lines in this position 22a ~` ` in Figure 1. The operator will have then examined ~or taults the whole of the surface between these extreme positions including the flared end 28 of the bore and.
~ .
' the innermost part of the surface of the bore 24.
¦ Despite the shape of the flared end of the bore, and the fact t`hat the interior surfaces of the shell 26 . and that of the bore 24 are at angles to one another, the probe 20 will have been maintained at a normal to . . ` . :. .`:
' . , ' ` ` ~
-10=
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` ` , ' : ,'' , . .. .
~066775 the point of the surface under test at any instant.
i As will be appreciated, the apparatus 10 of the invention is relatively simple to use and can also be used in confined areas because the arm 16 and stem 14 are relatively small. Despite the fact that the radius over which the probe can test can be much larger than the radius of the bore 24, the arm 16 and stem 14 can, after separation from the frame 12, be positioned within the bore 24 from within the shell.
A latitude of modification, change and substitution ` is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features o~ the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and .~ . ..
~ ' scope of the invention herein , ' , .
,~ ' ` - " ., :~ i ~ t.
~ 20 ~ ~' ' ' ' '' ~ ' ` ` - . :
~' ~ , . . .
'` ' . ' ~' ' `
..
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`, ~ 1066775 This invention relates to apparatus for the non-destructive testing of fabricated items, both immediately after their manufacture and after periods of use.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Once items such as heat exchangers have been assembled, access to the interior of the shell is not easy, both because access points will be of restricted dimensions and because the internai parts of the heat ` ~i exchanger will almost completely fill the shell and so ~; ¦ 10 make access to the interior surface of the shell difficult.
` , The regions around any bores through the shellare regions which it is desirable to check to ensure 1 j that there are no ~laws or cracks. It is therefore an ¦- object of this invention to provide apparatus for use ~ '15 in testing such regions.
c~ - B~IEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ~ `
` According to the invention there is provided ` apparstus for testing a shell from its interior in the region of a bore through that shell, comprising:
a rotatable stem which can be inserted into ~! ~ . the bore to locate the stem axially of the g~ bore, a probe carrying arm supported by the stem and having a guide along which a testing `
ti'25 probe can be moved to follow the surface of . the shell from extreme positions one of whlch is normal to the interior surface of the shell , and the other of which is within the bore and -~
is normal to the surface of the b~re, ~-`
~`' 30 means for progressively moving the testing :-:
.
' ` ' o22 `' 10~;6775 ' probe be~ween the said extreme positions, and means for rotating the stem and arm to orbit a testing probe carried by the arm around the axis of the st.em and bore.
Thus with such apparatus, the testing probe can be positioned at one extreme position along the arm and the stem rotated to orbit the probe in a circle over the lnterior surface of the shell. After each complete revolution, or progressively during revolutions, the probe is gradually advanced towards the other extreme position along the arm. In this way one can progressively build up the test results for the region around and within the end of the bore from the series of concentric circular or helical paths traversed by the probe over :~ ` 15 the surface. The apparatus also has the advantage that ' it can be operated automatically or remotely so that, - `once it has been positioned, the operator can leave ---" ~ Z the area under test. This is lmportant if the heat exchanger has been in use and contains traces of radio-activity. ~ ` `
The probe carrying arm will be larger than the ~¦ diameter of the bore and SOJ when the surface under ` test is the inaccessible interior surface of the shell `
` of a heat exchanger, the probe carrying arm could be hinged or otherwise pivoted to the stem so that the t stem c~n be hinged or pivoted into alignment with the , stem dùring insertion through the bore and thereafter returned to its operating position once through the , bore. Alternatively it may be desirable according to . 30 another aspect of the invention to separate the stem -~-~'~,. - - -.
' :' ~;
~ .!
.. . . .. .. ..
and arm from the remaining, often bulky parts of the apparatus, and position the two parts with the stem inserted into the bore from within the shell, followed by reconnecting the free end of the stem positioned in S the bore to the remaining parts of the apparatus tYhich at all times have remained outside the shell. The stem and arm are of relatively small dimensions and so they can usually be inserted into the shell through a convenient hand hole and then manouvered into position .
with the stem inserted into the bore.
The guide for the probe can comprise an appropriately shaped elongated recess in the arm along which a flexible drive, such as a chain, can slide. A
i small carrier is also positioned within the recess and ; 15 moved along it by the fle~ible drive. The testing probe is mounted on this carrler and by correctly choosing the shape of the recess the probe will then be carried between the extreme positions so that it is always normal to the surface under test. The correct choice of shape for the recess is such that at each `,~l point along it, it is equally spaced from and parallel ~f~ to the corresponding point of the surface under test;
`~ . thus it will be shaped to correspond with the profile of the surface of the region under test. In this way , 25 the probe can be constrained to follow the surface under . ` .
test and remain normal to it irrespective of the profile of the surface under test and the iact that the sur~ace ~ -~
~- does not remain in a single plane. Thus one can follow -the interior surface of a shell, the flared end of a bore through the shell and part of the interior surface . . ' , ' .
=4=
.. ..
`` 1066775 o~ the bore. Naturally the shape of the recess has to be chosen to suit each particular surface under test but it is a simple operation to prepare an arm having the appropriately shaped recess.
The probe also preferably slides along within a channel so that the walls o~ this channel can assist in retaining it trans~erse to the axis o~ the recess in the arm.
` The probe can be drawn along the arm by means o~ the flexible drive, e.g. chain noted above. To pull this chain, it may be joined to a central core o~ the ` ~ stem which is axially slidable relative an outer sleeve of the stem, this core being pulled along the stem ~rom the iree end of the stem, i.e. ~rom outside the shell.
.. . .
1 15 . The chain is desirably drawn against the action o~ a --,' spring which helps to retain the chain and probe carrier ` ¦ ' under tension so that the probe is kept steady and normài ~¦ to the sur~ace under test. ` ~ -BRIEF SUMMARY DF THE DRAWINGS -Testing apparatus according to the invention , ~ j , ; . :
~ will now be described, by way o~ example, with re~erence , j . . . . .
to the accompanying draw~ngs, in which:
igure 1 is an axial sectional elevation o~ the apparatus shown in position in a bore through . . ~ ..
a heat exchanger shell;
Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are sections taken I respectively on the lines A-A, B-B, C-C and , ~ D-D o~ Figure 1; and - ~ ~igure 6 is a sectlon taken on the line E-E
` o~ ~igure 1 but showing the testing probe moved to its innermost position.
. ~ .
...
=5=
. 1 , 106~775 , D]`~'SC~IPTION 0~ THE P~E~ERRRD EMBODI~ENT
The testing apparatus 10 shown in the drawings comprises a frame 12 supporting a rotatable stem 14 which carries at its outer end an arm 16. This arm 16 supports an eddy current probe 20, although other types of testing probe can be used, housed in a housing 22.
The stem is shown in Figure 1 inserted into a bore 24 through a heat exchanger shell 26. The inner end 28 o~ the bore 24 is sho~vn flared.
The arm 16, as best shown in Figure 6, has a j guide channel 30 formed in it and the housing 22 is asliding fit within the channel. The arm is itself in ¦ - the general shape of an inverted "L" and the channel 30 I is shaped to correspond with the profile of the bore 24, `~ 15 its flared end 28 and the region of the shell surround ~ - this flared end. Thus each point along the channel '` ~ is equally spaced from the surface of the bore and shell along the normal to the surface at that point. Naturally ~; - - the arm 16 and its guide channel 30 are chosen to suit .~;i 20 the particular shell 26 and bore 28 and different arms ` il are required for each particulàr shell and bore.
-Y Parallel to thè guide channel 30 and outwardly ' spaced from it in relation to the surface of the bore ~;
and sheil, is a recess 32 within which are constrained to slide two lengths of chain 36a and 36b linked by a c carrier 37. The channel 30 and recess 32 are joined ~-by a slot 38 extending along the lengths thereof. A
spigot 39 projects from the base of the housing 22 through this slot 38 and extends through the carrier 37. A
~, 30 spring 40 positioned between the carrier 37 and housing .
, , , ` \ 1066775 22 urges the housing 22 and probe 20 towards the surf ace of the shell and bore so that the probe is in contact with the surface. The spigot 39 is retained on the carrier 37 by a circular clip 41.
In this way the carrier 37 can be moved along the recess 32 by the springs 36a and 36b and it will take with it the probe housing 22 and probe 20. The housing 22 will be constrained to follow the channel 30 to keep the housing from rocking transversely and the carrier 37 will be guided within the recess 32 so that the spigot 39 is kept normal to the surface ; ' of the shell and bore. This in turn will ensure that the probe is maintained normal to the surface of the ~, I shell and bore under test despite the fact that the i -surface is not planar.
.
The arrangement for pulling the chain 36b to move the probe 20 along the guide channel 30 will be described in due course. This movement is~ however,~ -made against the action of a spring 44 fixed to an 20 extension 45 of the arm 16 and to a peg 46 which is , j . .
attached to the end oi the chain 3~a and is narrow ~$ enought to fit the slot 38. In this way the spring 44 retains the chains under tension and the carrier 37 aligned with the recess ~2.
The rotatable stem 14 includes a hollow outer ~ -~' sleeve ~8 which is a sliding fit withln the bore to align the stem and a core 50 which is axially slidable within `
the sleeve. The core 50 finishes short of the outer ~' ~ `end of the sleeve 48 and the latter is fixed at its ~; 30 outer end to the arm 16 by means of a pin 52. Near ~; ` ,' ~ =7-.. .. .. .. . .... . . .
,, ,,. . , ~ , .
.. . .
its outer end, the core has threaded into it, a threaded stud 54 which is attached to the end of the chain 36b.
,' A slot 56 is provided in the sleeve 48 to allow the ` core 50, stud 54 and chain 36b to move inwardly reIative the sleeve, so moving the probe 20 along the channel 30.
, The ~rame 12 carries those parts of the apparatus which rotate the stem 14 and move the probe 20 along its guide channel. The ~rame 12 comprises three spaced ! plates 60, 61 and 62 which are bolted to and held apart by pairs of side plates 63 and 64. Welded onto the plate 60 is a sleeve 66 whioh engages over the end o~
a stub 68 extending from the bore 24. The frame 12 is ~ixed to this stub by a screw tightened into a threaded `
bore 70.
` J ` 1S Rotatably mounted on the plate 61 is a hollow spindle 72 which carries a worm wheel 73 engaged with ' t~ a worm 74. The latter, as best shown in Figure 4, is ~ rotatably supported by a bracket 75 and it is conveniently `,, `~ ,, rotated by a flexible cable drive not shown. The spindle is Journalled by a pair of ball bearing races 75a while ` between the end of the sleeve 48, the plate 60 and ~ -bear`ing 75a are a sleeve 76 and washers 76a.
, , The c`ore 50 extends well beyond the lower end ' of the sleeve 48 and projects through the spindle 72 , ~, 25 to below the plate 61. The core is rotatably fixed to the spindle 72 by a pin 77. This pin engages in a slot, ' ~ 1 78.in the core and so the latter'is free to slide through , the spindle 72 whiIe being fixed to rotate with it.
The sleeve 48 is in turn rotatably fixed to the core 50 . ~ 30 by a pin 80 which also passes through the slot 78 so ' -.~ , .
=8=
` \ 1066775 that again the core can slide within the sleeve 48 whi]e the latter is constrained to rotate with the core.
` In this way, the rotation o~ the worm, will rotate the spindle 72, the core 50 and the sleeve 48 so orbiting the arm around the bore 24.
A stub spindle 82 carrying a worm wheel 83 is rotatably mounted on the plate 62. The spindle also carries a gear wheel 84 engaged with two gears 86 and 87. The latter are respectively mounted on threaded rods 88 and 89 which pass rotatably through the plate 62.
The plate carries a bracket 90 rotatably supporting a ` i worm 91 which engages the wheel 83. This worn is also - conveniently rotated by a flexible cable drive not , .
`i shown and its rotation in turn causes the two threaded `,~ ` 15 . rods 88 and 89 to rotate by equal amounts and in the c`~j same sense.
` l Threaded onto the rods 88 and 89 are two blocks 92 and 93, respectively. These blocks having fingers 92a - and 93a which engage in the sheaf o~ a pully wheël 95 ` 20 which is fixed to the lower end of the core 50 by a pin 96. The ~ingers abut the pully and so they and the blocks j -~
~ 92 and 93 cannot rotate with the rods 88 and 89. In ; l this way when the rods are rotated, the blocks are drawn downwardly taking with them the-pully 95 and core 50.
` The latter slides within the sleeve 48 drawing with it ~` the chain 36b, carrier 38 and probe 2a and chain 36a i `against the resistance of spring 44. The core 50, , ~ ~leeve 48 and arm 16 can still rotate, however, the pully ~ -~ 95 rotating relative the blocks 92 and 93.
; 30 In order to use the apparatus 10, the pins 77 . .
., ' ' . , , =g=
. .
10667'75 : , and ~6 are rcmoved to separate the frame 12 from the stem 14 and arm 16. The latter two parts are then placed within the shell 26 through a convenient hand hole (not shown) and the stem 15 inserted into the bore 24 from within the shell so that the core 50 projects beyond the stub 68. The frame which is too large and cumbersome to be positioned within the shell is next fixed to the stub 68 and joined to the stem 14 and arm 16 by inserting the end of the core 50 through the `10 spindle 72 and joining them by the pin 7,7 followed by ` . linking the core 50 to thè pùlly 95 by the pin 96.
`, The apparatus is then ready`to use.
' The arm 16 and stem 14 are rotated by rotating ~ ~ the worm 74 so carrying the probé 20 around a circle ; , ~`~ .15 in contact with the insid,e surface of the shell 26.
' ' The worm 91 is next rotated to draw the blocks 9~ and . ,~. , - ` - .
~,j . 93 and pully 95 down by a small amount, so drawing the- '-.~ core 50 down within the sleeve and moving the probe a ~ 3 small amount along the channel 30.- The arm is then ~ , : ~ 20 rotated again through 360. This sequence is repeated ``` ~f until the probe has been moved to the end o~ the channel ` 30; it is shown by dotted lines in this position 22a ~` ` in Figure 1. The operator will have then examined ~or taults the whole of the surface between these extreme positions including the flared end 28 of the bore and.
~ .
' the innermost part of the surface of the bore 24.
¦ Despite the shape of the flared end of the bore, and the fact t`hat the interior surfaces of the shell 26 . and that of the bore 24 are at angles to one another, the probe 20 will have been maintained at a normal to . . ` . :. .`:
' . , ' ` ` ~
-10=
!`
` ` , ' : ,'' , . .. .
~066775 the point of the surface under test at any instant.
i As will be appreciated, the apparatus 10 of the invention is relatively simple to use and can also be used in confined areas because the arm 16 and stem 14 are relatively small. Despite the fact that the radius over which the probe can test can be much larger than the radius of the bore 24, the arm 16 and stem 14 can, after separation from the frame 12, be positioned within the bore 24 from within the shell.
A latitude of modification, change and substitution ` is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features o~ the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and .~ . ..
~ ' scope of the invention herein , ' , .
,~ ' ` - " ., :~ i ~ t.
~ 20 ~ ~' ' ' ' '' ~ ' ` ` - . :
~' ~ , . . .
'` ' . ' ~' ' `
..
, ~ ' , .
Claims (7)
1. Apparatus for use in testing a shell in the region of a bore through said shell, said apparatus comprising:
a) a rotatable stem, said stem being capable of being inserted into said bore in said shell to locate said stem axially of said bore, b) a probe carrying arm supported by said stem, c) a testing probe carried by said arm, d) guide means for said probe carrying arm, said guide means being capable of supporting said testing probe so that said probe can be moved to follow the surface of said shell between two extreme positions, one of said extreme positions being normal to the interior surface of the shell and the other of said extreme positions being within said bore and being normal to the surface of said bore, said guide means including an elongated recess extending along within said arm, and a flexible drive slidable within said recess, and a probe carrier for holding said probe, said carrier being movable between said extreme positions by said flexible drive, e) means for progressively moving said testing probe between said extreme positions, and f) means for rotating said stem and arm to orbit said testing probe around the axis of said stem and bore.
a) a rotatable stem, said stem being capable of being inserted into said bore in said shell to locate said stem axially of said bore, b) a probe carrying arm supported by said stem, c) a testing probe carried by said arm, d) guide means for said probe carrying arm, said guide means being capable of supporting said testing probe so that said probe can be moved to follow the surface of said shell between two extreme positions, one of said extreme positions being normal to the interior surface of the shell and the other of said extreme positions being within said bore and being normal to the surface of said bore, said guide means including an elongated recess extending along within said arm, and a flexible drive slidable within said recess, and a probe carrier for holding said probe, said carrier being movable between said extreme positions by said flexible drive, e) means for progressively moving said testing probe between said extreme positions, and f) means for rotating said stem and arm to orbit said testing probe around the axis of said stem and bore.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 further compris-ing a channel joining said recess to the exterior of said arm, said probe extending partially within said channel and being a sliding fit within said channel so it is constrained to positions transverse to the axis of said recess.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 in which said flexible drive is a chain.
4. Apparatus according to Claim 1 in which said stem has a central core and an outer sleeve, said central core being axially slidable relative to said outer sleeve and being joined to said flexible drive, whereby sliding of said core relative to said sleeve moves said flexible guide along within said recess.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 further comprising a spring extending between said flexible drive and said probe carrying arm, said spring being arranged to maintain said flexible drive under tension.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 further comprising a frame which can be fixed relative said shell, from which said stem extends, and which carries said means for rotating said stem and arm, and advancing means linked to said core for sliding said core relative to said sleeve to move said probe between said extreme positions, said advancing means being supported by said frame.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6 in which said stem can be dismounted from said frame, whereby said stem and arm can be positioned within said bore from within said shell and thereafter joined to said frame which remained outside said shell.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB3789075 | 1975-09-15 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1066775A true CA1066775A (en) | 1979-11-20 |
Family
ID=10399727
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA261,096A Expired CA1066775A (en) | 1975-09-15 | 1976-09-13 | Testing of interiors of pressure vessels |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5238987A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1066775A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4355536A (en) * | 1979-10-02 | 1982-10-26 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Sludge measuring apparatus and ultrasonic probe assembly therefor |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3780571A (en) * | 1971-04-22 | 1973-12-25 | Programmed & Remote Syst Corp | Reactor vessel inspection device |
-
1976
- 1976-09-13 CA CA261,096A patent/CA1066775A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-09-16 JP JP51111273A patent/JPS5238987A/en active Granted
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4355536A (en) * | 1979-10-02 | 1982-10-26 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Sludge measuring apparatus and ultrasonic probe assembly therefor |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS6133134B2 (en) | 1986-07-31 |
| JPS5238987A (en) | 1977-03-25 |
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