Apparatus and method to remotely inspect piping and piping attachment welds

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11205522-B2
Application number	US-202016780033-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 3, 2020
Priority date	Jan 31, 2014
Publication date	Dec 21, 2021
Grant date	Dec 21, 2021

Abstract

An apparatus and method to remotely perform automated piping and piping attachment weld inspections. The apparatus has two spaced positioning arms that rotate out from one side of a frame structure and a kicker arm that rotates out from an opposite side of the frame structure at a location between the two positioning arms. The positioning arms and the kicker arm wedge the frame structure between an object to be scanned and an opposing structure. A scanning subassembly supported on the frame structure is configured to pivot and move in an appropriate direction and to pilot a transducer around the surface of the object to be scanned.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of inspecting a pipe comprising the steps of:
transporting a scanning assembly to the pipe;
remotely wedging the scanning assembly between the pipe and an opposing surface to support the scanning assembly in a desired position;
supporting the entire weight of the scanning assembly employing at least one hydraulically operated wedge extending from a first side of the scanning assembly and an arm extending from a second side of the scanning assembly; and
scanning a surface of the pipe.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
positioning the scanning assembly at a desired location along the pipe; and
extending the at least one hydraulically operated wedge and the arm to contact both the pipe and the opposing surface.

3. The method of claim 2 including the steps of:
operating the at least one hydraulically operated wedge hydraulically; and
operating the arm pneumatically.

4. A method of inspecting a pipe, comprising:
transporting a scanning assembly to the pipe;
positioning the scanning assembly between the pipe and an opposing surface;
supporting the entire weight of the scanning assembly employing a hydraulically-operated wedge extending from a first side of the scanning assembly and an arm extending from a second side of the scanning assembly; and
scanning a surface of the pipe.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
hydraulically extending the hydraulically-operated wedge; and
pneumatically extending the arm.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
engaging the pipe with the hydraulically-operated wedge; and
engaging the opposing surface with the arm.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
engaging the opposing surface with the hydraulically-operated wedge; and
engaging the pipe with the arm.

Assignees

• Westinghouse Electric Co Llc

Inventors

• Foley Kevin J
• Brown Nathan A
• Barrett Charles R

Classifications

• G21C17/017 Primary

  Inspection or maintenance of pipe-lines or tubes in nuclear installations · CPC title

• G21C15/25

  using jet pumps · CPC title

• Y02E30/30

  Nuclear fission reactors · CPC title