Patent ID: 6526114
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
An inspection apparatus for inspecting welds in a nuclear reactor jet pump, the jet pump comprising an inlet mixer and a diffuser, the nuclear reactor comprising a reactor pressure vessel having a top flange, said inspection apparatus comprising:a frame structure configured to attach to a top flange of a reactor pressure vessel; a motor mounted to said frame structure; a flexible drive cable operatively coupled to said first motor; a tool head coupled to said flexible cable, said tool head comprising a probe subassembly, said probe subassembly rotatable around a longitudinal axis of said tool head, said probe subassembly comprising a probe housing and a plurality of probe arms, each said probe arm having a first end and a second end, each said probe arm pivotably coupled to said housing at said first end of said probe arm, each said probe arm comprising a sensor coupled to said second said sensor comprising an ultrasonic transducer probe or an eddy current transducer probe, end of said probe arm, said probe arms said sensor comprising an ultrasonic transducer probe or an eddy current transducer probe, pivotably movable between a first position and a second position, in said first position, said probe arms are parallel to a longitudinal axis of said probe subassembly, in said second position said probe arms are at an angle to said longitudinal axis of said probe subassembly; and an insertion subassembly configured to couple to a jet pump suction inlet, said insertion subassembly sized to receive said tool head and said flexible drive cable and guide said tool head and flexible drive cable into the jet pump suction inlet, said insertion subassembly comprising an elongate tube portion having a first end and a second end, a location cone attached to said first end of said tube portion, and an attachment clamp configured to clamp to the jet pump suction inlet.