# US 10,311,986 B2 · Inspection apparatus and method of inspecting a reactor component using the same

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- Number: US 10,311,986 B2
- Document ID: US10311986B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/155,799
- Filed: 2014-01-15
- Published: 2015-07-16
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2014-01-15
- Assignees: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
- Applicants: Matthew Robert Hastings; Ryan M. Smith; Lenin N. Benicki
- Inventors: Matthew Robert Hastings; Ryan M. Smith; Lenin N. Benicki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10311986B2

## CPC

- G21C 17/003: Remote inspection of vessels, e.g. pressure vessels
- G21C 17/007: Inspection of the outer surfaces of vessels
- G21C 17/013: Inspection vehicles
- G21C 19/207: {Assembling, maintenance or repair of reactor components (G21C3/334 takes precedence)}
- G21C 15/25: using jet pumps
- Y02E 30/30: Nuclear fission reactors
- G21C: NUCLEAR REACTORS (fusion reactors, hybrid fission-fusion reactors G21B; nuclear explosives G21J)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

An inspection apparatus may include an installation platform and a scan head. The scan head may be configured to engage in an index movement, a theta movement, a wrist fold movement, and a scan movement. During the scan movement, a transducer of the scan head travels a circumferential path so as to allow an inspection of a surface that is opposite of a surface on which the installation platform is mounted. The inspection apparatus may be used to inspect a reactor component in a nuclear reactor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of inspecting a reactor component in a nuclear reactor, comprising:
lowering an inspection apparatus into a reactor pressure vessel of the nuclear reactor, the inspection apparatus including an installation platform and a scan head;
securing the installation platform of the inspection apparatus to a first surface of the reactor component within the reactor pressure vessel; and
manipulating the scan head of the inspection apparatus to extend to wrap around the reactor component to an opposing second surface of the reactor component such that the installation platform remains stationary when the scan head is extended to wrap around the reactor component.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the lowering includes disposing the inspection apparatus in an annular space, the annular space defined by the reactor pressure vessel and a core shroud.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the lowering includes disposing the inspection apparatus between the reactor pressure vessel and the reactor component, the reactor component being a jet pump riser pipe.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the jet pump riser pipe is secured to the reactor pressure vessel with a jet pump riser brace.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the securing includes mounting the installation platform of the inspection apparatus between the reactor pressure vessel, the jet pump riser pipe, and jet pump riser brace.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the manipulating includes maneuvering the scan head to access a junction between the jet pump riser pipe and the jet pump riser brace, the junction being in a form of a weld on the opposing second surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein the weld is at least one of a RS-8 weld and a RS-9 weld.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulating includes performing a first rotation of the scan head about a first axis and performing a second rotation of the scan head about a second axis such that a path of the scan head corresponds to a surface of the reactor component, the first axis being perpendicular to the second axis.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulating includes moving the scan head in a circumferential path to the opposing second surface of the reactor component.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulating includes performing an ultrasonic test on the opposing second surface of the reactor component.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulating includes encircling the reactor component with the scan head.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulating includes transitioning the scan head from a retracted state and an extended state, the scan head having a semi-circular shape in the retracted state and a circular shape in the extended state.