Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess comprising:a track support that may be positioned proximate the annular recess;a generally arcuate track provided on the track support, the track having a radius of curvature substantially identical to that of the annular recess;a carriage arranged and configured to move along the track in a first direction;a sensor support provided on the carriage and configured for movement along an axis substantially perpendicular to the first direction; anda sensor provided on the sensor support, the sensor being configured for insertion into the annual recess, whereby movement of the carriage causes the sensor to move along a portion of the surface of the annular recess. 2. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 1, further comprising:a holding mechanism for temporarily fixing the position of the track adjacent and above the annular recess. 3. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 2, wherein the holding mechanism includes one or more elements selected from a group consisting of:a stand-off element arranged to contact a surface extending from an outer sidewall of the annular recess for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the track and the surface;first and second actuators arranged proximate opposite ends of the track for positioning fastening elements within the annular recess;a vacuum assembly arranged for attachment to a surface extending from an outer sidewall of the annular recess; anda vacuum assembly arranged for attachment to a surface extending radially from the annular recess. 4. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 3, wherein the fastening elements include one or more elements selected from a group consisting of:a substantially wedge-shaped element configured for partial insertion into the annular recess in an insertion direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction for temporarily fixing the position of the inspecting apparatus relative the annular recess;an asymmetric element having a first dimension less than a width of the annular recess and a second dimension at least equal to the width of the annular recess configured for rotation for temporarily fixing the position of the inspecting apparatus relative the annular recess;a resilient element that assumes a compressed configuration as it is inserted into the annular recess; andan element configured for selective transition between an enlarged configuration and a reduced configuration for temporarily fixing the position of the inspecting apparatus relative the annular recess. 5. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 1, further comprising:a housing, the housing arranged and configured to contain the track support, the generally arcuate track, the carriage, the sensor support and the sensor in a stored configuration. 6. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 5, further comprising:a housing, the housing arranged and configured to contain and protect the track support, the generally arcuate track, the carriage, the sensor support and the sensor when in a stored configuration; anda deployment mechanism arranged for selectively extending the track support, the generally arcuate track, the carriage, the sensor support and the sensor from the housing when in a deployed configuration and returning to the stored configuration. 7. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 6, wherein:the deployment mechanism is arranged for the selective rotation of the track between a substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation. 8. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 5, wherein:an orientation of the track support is substantially identical in both the stored and deployed configurations. 9. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 8, wherein:the deployment mechanism includes a four-bar linkage for maintaining the orientation of the track support as it moves between the stored and deployed configurations. 10. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 1, wherein:the sensor support includes an upper connecting portion and a lower sensor supporting portion, the supporting portion having a horizontal extension that exceeds a horizontal extension of the connecting portion. 11. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 10, wherein:the horizontal extension of the supporting portion exceeds the horizontal extension of the connecting portion in two directions. 12. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 1, wherein:the sensor includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. 13. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 12, wherein:the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are configured to emit at least two frequencies and focused in at least two directions. 14. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 13, wherein:the frequencies include a first frequency of between about 2 and about 2.5 MHz and a second frequency between about 4.5 and about 5.5 MHz. 15. A method for inspecting material within an annular recess using an apparatus configured according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of:orienting and aligning the generally arcuate track above the annular recess;extending a portion of the sensor support and sensor into the annular recess;activating the sensor for generating data corresponding to a condition of the material; andmoving the carriage along the track, to thereby moving the sensor along an arcuate portion of the material. 16. A method for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 15, wherein:the annular recess is formed within a nuclear reactor between an inner surface of a shroud and an outer circumferential surface of a core plate. 17. A method for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 16, wherein:the material includes a portion of a weld bead. 18. A method for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 17, wherein:the weld bead is the H6A weld bead. 19. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 1, further comprising:a holding mechanism for engaging at least one fixed surface adjacent the annular recess to fix a temporary position of the track adjacent and above the annular recess. 20. An apparatus for inspecting material within an annular recess according to claim 1, wherein:the generally arcuate track corresponds to only a minor portion of a circumference of the annular recess.