Generator Retaining Ring Scanning Robot
AssigneeVeracity Technology Solutions, LLC
InventorManh Quoc Nguyen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for the inspection of cylindrical components using an ultrasonic transducer assembly. The system and method comprise a robot disposed on a track secured about the circumference of the cylindrical component and adapted to carry the ultrasonic transducer along the track to inspect the component. A computer system is adapted to receive scan data from the transducer assembly and construct a three-dimensional representation of the scanned portion of the component.
Claims18
An system for scanning a cylindrical component having a surface, the system comprising:
- a self-propelled robot having a frame;
- a track disposed about a circumference of the cylindrical component;
- an arm supported by the frame;
- a transducer assembly supported by the arm and movable relative the frame, the assembly comprising a transducer to transmit ultrasonic signals into the component and to receive ultrasonic echoes;
- a controller for moving the robot along the track and the transducer assembly relative the frame, the controller being programmed to move the transducer in a scanning path across the surface from a start point to a stop point at a predetermined velocity;
- a processor adapted to receive the echoes from the transducer assembly and analyze the echoes to generate a three-dimensional representation of the component to determine a location and size of flaws present in the component.
A method for non-destructive examination of a cylindrical component, the method comprising:
- providing a self-propelled robot comprising a transducer assembly having a transducer biased toward an outer surface of the cylindrical component;
- positioning a track about a circumference of the cylindrical component and placing the robot on the track;
- advancing the robot along the track to a scanning location;
- transmitting ultrasonic waves into the component;
- receiving ultrasonic echoes, wherein each received echo is indicative of an acoustic impedance interface within the component;
- transmitting the echoes to a computer system;
- and
- constructing a three-dimensional image of the cylindrical component using a computer system by combining the echoes.
A system for performing non-destructive examination of a cylindrical component, the system comprising:
- a self-propelled robot comprising a frame;
- a track disposed about a circumference of the cylindrical component, the robot being disposed on the track;
- a transducer assembly supported by the frame comprising a phased array ultrasonic transducer adapted to engage a surface of the cylindrical component and transmit signals into the component and to receive echoes;
- a controller for controlling movement of the robot along the track and movement of the transducer along the surface of the cylindrical component;
- an encoding system to track movement of the robot along the track;
- and
- a processor adapted to receive echoes received by the transducer and analyze the echoes to generate a three-dimensional representation of the component to determine a location and size of flaws present in the component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.