Patent Number: 062158368
Section: claims

1. A method of ultrasonically examining a remotely located weld in a nuclear steam supply system, said method comprising the steps of: positioning an ultrasonic transducer in a collapsible shoe to produce longitudinal ultrasonic waves between approximately 45.degree. and 60.degree.;  moving said collapsible shoe through a pipe segment, said collapsible shoe maintaining ultrasonic coupling between said ultrasonic transducer and said pipe segment;  returning an ultrasonic signal from said ultrasonic transducer having a sound path indicative of the geometry of said remotely located weld, said ultrasonic signal including maximum amplitude signals;  evaluating only said maximum amplitude signals having sound paths of between approximately 0.25" and 0.95".  positioning an ultrasonic transducer in a collapsible shoe to produce ultrasonic shear waves at 45.degree.;  moving said collapsible shoe through a pipe segment, said collapsible shoe maintaining ultrasonic coupling between said ultrasonic transducer and said pipe segment;  returning an ultrasonic signal from said ultrasonic transducer having a sound path indicative of the geometry of said remotely located weld, said ultrasonic signal including maximum amplitude signals;  evaluating only said maximum amplitude signals having sound paths between approximately 0.25" and 0.65". 2. A method of ultrasonically examining a remotely located weld in a nuclear steam supply system, said method comprising the steps of: