Gene J Descant

US Patent:

62200992, Apr 24, 2001

Filed:

Jan 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/231668

Inventors:

David Kenneth Marti - Suffield CT
Gene Joseph Descant - Feeding Hills MA
Steven M. Craig - Terryville CT

Assignee:

CE Nuclear Power LLC - Windsor CT

International Classification:

G01N 2904

US Classification:

73633

Abstract:

A surface scanner for conducting non-destructive inspection of complex surface structures and configurations. The scanner includes two flexible tracks, each fitted with a motor driven tractor assembly. A rigid beam track spans the two flexible tracks. The rigid beam track is coupled to each flexible track tractor assembly by articulating joints that permit movement at the joints along at least three independent axes. The rigid beam supports a third motorized tractor. This third tractor supports a compliant thruster assembly that deploys gimbaled mechanical impedance, ultrasonic and eddy current inspection probes. The movement of the scanner is controlled by a scan control system that includes both hardware and software for controlling the movement of the scanner over the surface to be inspected. The software also includes a teach mode that permits an operator to preprogram the scan pattern for the surface to be inspected using a global coordinate system, referencing points on the surface and the data display using an identical coordinate system. The scanner also includes a data acquisition and analysis system that control scanner functions and operations.