Real-time ultrasonic NDE on hot metal

By Grahovac Date 04-13-2001 19:10

Real-time ultrasonic NDE on hot metal without liquid couplant

Our national R&D laboratory needs your professional opinion.

Is there a technical need for the new ultrasonic technology described below?

Sincerely,

Paul Grahovac, Senior Account Executive
Technology Transfer and Commercialization
Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL)
Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC (BBWI)
P. O. Box 1625
2525 North Fremont Avenue
Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3805
Telephone: (208) 526-3488
Fax: (208) 526-0876
E-mail: pg2@inel.gov
Web site: http://www.inel.gov

U.S. Patent No. 6,178,819, January 30, 2001

The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus for evaluating partially completed welds and more particularly, to an inspection apparatus which has an ultrasonic sensor which can be optimally adjusted relative to a partially completed weld such that it may effectively inspect the weld to detect welding flaws and advise an operator of same.

An inspection apparatus for evaluating a partially completed weld is
described and which is utilized in combination with an automated movable welder which moves across a supporting surface, and wherein the inspection apparatus includes a coupling member mounted on the welder; a frame member mounted on the coupling member; an ultrasonic sensor mounted on the frame member and disposed in ultrasonic sound transmitting relation relative to the partially completed weld; and a drive assembly for adjusting the position of the ultrasonic sensor
relative to the partially completed weld.

By - Date 04-15-2001 18:17

Sounds very interesting, and will certainly have many potential applications. Generally the major issue with this sort of equipment revolves around it's practical useability. Maybe you can tell us a little about the "limits" of the equipment. e.g. What temperature is "hot"; Can one use the probes on standard, existing UT equipment; Is it only applicable to monitoring mechanized welding; etc.

Regards
Niekie

By Grahovac Date 04-16-2001 14:05

Since the sensor is positioned directly behind the welding unit and evaluates the weld pass simultaneously as it is laid down, the pipe temperature is whatever it is under typical welding conditions. Some of the parts are "off the shelf", but there are quite a lot of custom pieces. The system is designed and integrated with a mechanized welding unit.

By - Date 04-16-2001 17:20

I am particularly interested in the "sensors" that you use. (i.e. the actual piece of hardware that you have in contact with the workpiece, that is sending out and receiving the ultrasonic pulses.) Can one buy these seperately, and can they be used on standard UT machines, to be used with "manual" UT scanning. (A-scan)

I would like to know if one could use this to do defect detection on on-line petrochemical equipment that is running at elevated temperatures, (e.g. 400°C) without using couplant? What is the thinnest material that one could typically use this equipment on?

Regards
Niekie