Ultrasonic probe frame for pressure vessel barrel inspection

Abstract

The invention discloses an ultrasonic probe frame for pressure vessel barrel inspection. The ultrasonic probe frame comprises a probe frame shield, a probe support and a plurality of ultrasonic detection assemblies. The probe support is matched in the open end of the probe frame shield; the probe support is provided with a slideway hole which penetrates through two opposite ends of the probe support and is communicated with the internal space of the probe frame shield; and each ultrasonic detection assembly is inserted into one slideway hole in a penetrating manner, can move back and forth along the slideway hole in the direction of entering and exiting the probe frame shield relative to the probe frame shield and the probe support, and is used for being close to or away from a to-be-detected surface on the cylinder of the pressure vessel. Through cooperative arrangement of the probe frame shield and the probe support, the lower structure of the ultrasonic detection assembly is packaged in the probe frame shield, the number of exposed parts is reduced, the workload of foreign matter prevention during field implementation is greatly reduced, and then time occupation and personnel irradiation dose caused by foreign matter prevention inspection work can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of nuclear power nondestructive testing, and in particular to an ultrasonic probe frame for pressure vessel cylinder inspection. Background Art

[0002] The main body below the nuclear reactor pressure vessel is welded by butt welding of multiple cylindrical shells and a hemispherical bottom head. According to the relevant inspection specifications of nuclear power plants, ultrasonic flaw detection is required for the weld area. Since the thickness of the weld reaches 150mm, multiple probes are required for layered scanning. In the prior art, in order to ensure that the ultrasonic probe fits the weld surface to obtain a better ultrasonic signal, a heavy and complex ultrasonic probe holder is often designed. On the other hand, the on-site reactor pressure vessel inspection is carried out in the core water pool, which is a nuclear island foreign body protection level I area. There are strict foreign body protection requirements for all equipment entering and leaving the water pool. All loose parts must be strictly registered and checked when entering and leaving the water pool. The workload is very large, resulting in additional personnel radiation doses.

[0003] The existing ultrasonic probe structure has the following problems: the probe holder structure of a single independent ultrasonic probe is heavy, which greatly limits the number of ultrasonic probes that can be carried at one time. In order to complete the scanning task, the probe holder needs to carry the probe to scan the same area repeatedly, resulting in low efficiency; the probe holder structure is complex and has a large number of exposed parts, which makes it extremely difficult to prevent foreign matter during on-site implementation. Summary of the invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection which is beneficial to preventing foreign matter.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem is: to provide an ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection, including a probe holder shield, a probe support and a plurality of ultrasonic detection components;

[0006] One end of the probe holder shield is open, and the probe support is fitted in the open end of the probe holder shield to close the open end; and the probe support is provided with a plurality of slideway holes penetrating opposite ends of the probe support and communicating with the inner space of the probe holder shield;

[0007] Each of the ultrasonic detection components is inserted into a slide hole and can move back and forth along the slide hole relative to the probe holder shield and the probe support in the direction of entering and exiting the probe holder shield, so as to approach or leave the surface to be measured on the pressure vessel cylinder.

[0008] In some embodiments, the probe support is provided with a plurality of slideway hole groups arranged along the length direction thereof, and each of the slideway hole groups includes two slideway holes arranged symmetrically.

[0009] In some embodiments, the ultrasonic detection assembly includes a probe slide bar, a probe bracket, and an ultrasonic probe;

[0010] The probe slide bar has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, the first end of the probe slide bar is inserted into the slide hole and moves back and forth along the slide hole; the probe holder is rotatably arranged on the second end of the probe slide bar, and the ultrasonic probe is arranged on the probe holder and is rotatable relative to the probe holder.

[0011] In some embodiments, the ultrasonic detection assembly further includes a constant force mechanism; the constant force mechanism is disposed at the first end of the probe slide bar and connected to the probe support, providing the probe slide bar with a constant tendency force to move toward the outside of the probe holder shield.

[0012] In some embodiments, the constant force mechanism includes a constant force spring, which is disposed at a first end of the probe slide rod, and a free end of the constant force spring is connected to the probe support.

[0013] In some embodiments, the cross-section of the probe slide bar is waist-shaped; the slideway hole is a waist-shaped hole adapted to the probe slide bar.

[0014] In some embodiments, the probe frame shield and the probe support are respectively made of a self-lubricating, radiation-resistant, lightweight material; the probe slide bar and the probe bracket are respectively made of an aluminum alloy material.

[0015] In some embodiments, the probe holder is U-shaped and surrounds the outside of the ultrasound probe; the middle cross bar of the probe holder is connected to the second end of the probe slide bar through a rotating assembly; the opposite sides of the ultrasound probe are respectively connected to the opposite two support rods of the probe holder through a rotating shaft.

[0016] In some embodiments, the ultrasonic detection assembly also includes a limit piece; the probe slide rod is also provided with a limit groove extending along the length direction of the probe slide rod, and the limit piece passes into the slide hole in a direction perpendicular to the width of the slide hole, passes through or fits in the limit groove of the probe slide rod, thereby constraining the movement stroke of the probe slide rod.

[0017] In some embodiments, the ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection further includes a support connection assembly connected to at least one outer side surface of the probe holder shield, and the support connection assembly is used to connect to a robotic arm.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: through the coordinated arrangement of the probe frame shield and the probe support, the lower structure of the ultrasonic detection assembly is encapsulated inside the probe frame shield, reducing the number of parts exposed to the outside, greatly reducing the workload of preventing foreign objects during on-site implementation, and thereby reducing the time occupancy and personnel radiation dose caused by the foreign object inspection work. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to an embodiment of the present invention with the probe holder protective cover removed;

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The figure is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasonic detection assembly in an ultrasonic probe holder for inspecting the cylinder of a pressure vessel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to have a clearer understanding of the technical features, purposes and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments of the present invention are now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] The ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection of the present invention is used for ultrasonically inspecting the connection welds on the cylinder of a reactor pressure vessel.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, an ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a probe holder shield 1 , a probe support 2 and a plurality of ultrasonic detection components 3 .

[0026] The probe holder shield 1 is a hollow shield structure, and one end of the probe holder shield 1 is open. The probe support 2 is fitted in the open end of the probe holder shield 1 to close the open end of the probe holder shield 1.

[0027] A plurality of ultrasonic detection components 3 are arranged at intervals on the probe support 2 and are respectively movably plugged into the probe support 2, and move back and forth in the direction of entering and exiting the probe support shield 1 relative to the probe holder shield 1 and the probe holder 2. Each ultrasonic detection component 3 has an end of an ultrasonic probe 33 outside the probe holder shield 1, which is used to approach, fit or leave the surface to be measured on the cylinder of the pressure vessel.

[0028] The probe frame shield 1 is used to carry the probe mechanism 200, and the internal hollow structure is used to accommodate part of the probe mechanism 200, reducing the exposed mechanism parts, thereby reducing the problem of foreign matter falling into the core water pool. The probe frame shield 1 is also used to connect with the robot arm through the bracket connection mechanism 300, etc., and the entire ultrasonic inspection device is sent into the core water pool for inspection and taken out through the action of the robot arm.

[0029] Specifically, in order to reduce the volume of the entire ultrasound probe holder, the probe holder shield 1 can be a flat rectangular parallelepiped as a whole. The open end of the probe holder shield 1 is located in the length direction of the probe holder shield 1, and the probe support 2 is adapted to the open end of the probe holder shield 1 so as to fit in the open end and close the open end.

[0030] Preferably, the probe holder shield 1 and the probe support 2 are made of radiation-resistant lightweight materials with self-lubricating properties such as engineering plastic PEEK, which reduces the weight of the ultrasonic probe holder, reduces the requirements for the load capacity of the end of the reactor pressure vessel inspection robot arm, and greatly reduces the design difficulty and weight of the related robot arm.

[0031] In order to cooperate with the movable insertion of the ultrasonic detection component 3, the probe support 2 is provided with a plurality of slide holes 20, each of which passes through opposite ends of the probe support 2 and is connected to the inner space of the probe frame shield 1. One slide hole 20 is used for inserting a group of ultrasonic detection components 3.

[0032] In some embodiments, the probe support 2 is provided with a plurality of slideway hole groups arranged along its length direction, and each slideway hole group includes two slideway holes 20 arranged symmetrically. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, seven groups of slideway holes are provided on the probe support 2, so the probe support 2 has fourteen slideway holes 20, and fourteen groups of ultrasonic detection components 3 can be installed. Every two groups of ultrasonic detection components 3 can form a pair and are symmetrically plugged into a slideway hole group.

[0033] The probe support 2 is preferably detachably fitted to the open end of the probe frame shield 1 to facilitate the disassembly, replacement, maintenance, etc. of the ultrasonic detection component 3.

[0034] In addition, at least one side surface of the probe holder shield 1 may be provided with an observation window 11 to facilitate observation of the internal conditions of the probe holder shield 1 so as to take corresponding measures according to the usage conditions of the internal components.

[0035] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, each ultrasonic detection assembly 3 may include a probe slide bar 31, a probe bracket 32, and an ultrasonic probe 33. The probe slide bar 31 has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end of the probe slide bar 31 is inserted into the slide hole 20 and can move back and forth along the slide hole 20 in the direction of entering and exiting the probe holder shield 1. The probe bracket 32 ​​is rotatably disposed on the second end of the probe slide bar 31 through a rotating assembly, etc., and the ultrasonic probe 33 is disposed on the probe bracket 32 ​​through a rotating shaft, etc. and can rotate relative to the probe bracket 32.

[0036] by Figure 1 and Figure 2 The ultrasonic probe rack is shown with the ultrasonic probe 33 facing upward. The probe slide bar 31 can move up and down relative to the probe rack shield 1 and the probe support 2, driving the probe support 32 and the ultrasonic probe 33 on its second end to move up and down as well.

[0037] The rotation direction of the probe holder 32 relative to the probe slide bar 31 and the rotation direction of the ultrasonic probe 33 relative to the probe holder 32 are in two perpendicular and orthogonal directions. The rotation of the probe holder 32 also drives the ultrasonic probe 33 to rotate relative to the probe slide bar 31, so that the ultrasonic probe 33 has two perpendicular and orthogonal rotational degrees of freedom on the probe slide bar 31, ensuring that the ultrasonic probe 33 fits the surface to be tested (the weld inspection surface to be tested). Combined with the back-and-forth movement of the probe slide bar 31, the ultrasonic probe 33 has three degrees of freedom of movement.

[0038] In each group of slideway holes, two groups of ultrasonic detection components 3 inserted in two slideway holes 20 are symmetrically arranged with ultrasonic probes 33 facing each other.

[0039] The probe slide bar 31 and the probe bracket 32 ​​are preferably made of aluminum alloy, and the probe bracket shield 1 and the probe support 2 are made of radiation-resistant lightweight materials, so as to minimize the weight of the entire ultrasound probe rack while ensuring structural strength.

[0040] Further, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the probe bracket 32 ​​is U-shaped, that is, it has two opposite support rods 321 and a middle cross bar 322 connected between the two support rods 321. The probe bracket 32 ​​surrounds the outside of the ultrasonic probe 33, and the middle cross bar 322 of the probe bracket 32 ​​is connected to the second end of the probe slide bar 31 through a rotating assembly. The ultrasonic probe 33 is between the two support rods 321, and the opposite sides of the ultrasonic probe 33 are respectively connected to the two opposite support rods 321 through a rotating shaft.

[0041] The rotating assembly may include a rotating pair 34, which is connected between the middle cross bar 322 and the second end of the probe slide bar 31. The rotating assembly may also include a stop pin 35, which is connected between the middle cross bar 322 and the second end of the probe slide bar 31 below the rotating pair 34, and is used to constrain the rotation angle of the probe bracket 32 ​​to prevent the probe bracket 32 ​​from rotating too much and affecting the fit of the ultrasonic probe 33 with the surface to be measured. According to actual needs, the rotation angle of the probe bracket 32 ​​may be, but is not limited to, ±20° (20° in both positive and negative directions).

[0042] The ultrasonic probe 33 is connected to the probe support 32 via a rotating shaft, etc., and can rotate around the rotating shaft relative to the probe support 32. The rotation range of the ultrasonic probe 33 may be limited by the size of the probe support 32 and / or the size of the ultrasonic probe 33; the rotation angle of the ultrasonic probe 33 on the probe support 32 may be, but is not limited to, ±20° (20° in both directions).

[0043] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The outer circumference of the probe slide 31 and the inner circumference of the slide hole 20 are matched with an arc surface to reduce the wear caused by the presence of sharp corners. Preferably, the cross-section of the probe slide 31 is waist-shaped; the slide hole 20 is a waist-shaped hole adapted to the probe slide 31. Compared with the cooperation between the rectangular slide and the rectangular hole, the cooperation between the waist-shaped probe slide 31 and the waist-shaped slide hole 20 reduces the wear and friction caused by the presence of sharp corners. Compared with the cooperation between the circular slide and the circular hole, it has a positioning and restraining effect, ensuring that the probe slide 31 moves up and down in a straight line and avoids horizontal displacement.

[0044] Furthermore, the ultrasonic detection assembly 3 may also include a constant force mechanism 36; the constant force mechanism 36 is arranged at the first end of the probe slide 31 and connected to the probe support 2, providing the probe slide 31 with a constant tendency force to move toward the outside of the probe frame shield 1, so as to ensure that the ultrasonic probe 33 on the second end of the probe slide 31 can remain in contact with the surface to be tested during inspection.

[0045] The constant force mechanism 36 may include a constant force spring, which is rotatably disposed at a first end of the probe slide bar 31 , and a free end of the constant force spring is connected to a side surface of the probe support 2 .

[0046] In order to constrain the movement of the probe slide 31, a limiter 21 may be provided between the probe slide 31 and the probe support 2. Specifically, a limiter groove 310 extending along the length direction of the probe slide 31 is provided on the probe slide 31, and the limiter 21 penetrates into the slide hole 20 from one side of the slide hole 20 in a direction perpendicular to the width of the slide hole 20, and one end of the limiter 21 that penetrates into the slide hole 20 may pass through the limiter groove 310 and then enter the other side of the slide hole 20, or the end of the limiter 21 that penetrates into the slide hole 20 may fit into the limiter groove 310. In this way, when the probe slide 31 moves up and down in the slide hole 20, the limiter 21 also moves in the limiter groove 310 at the same time, and when the limiter 21 abuts against the upper end or the lower end of the limiter groove 310, the probe slide 31 is restricted from continuing to move in the downward direction, thereby achieving the effect of constraining the movement of the probe slide 31.

[0047] The limiting member 21 can be implemented by a limiting screw, a limiting pin or a limiting screw rod.

[0048] Another example Figure 1 As shown, when the ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection of the present invention is used, it is connected to the mechanical arm through the support connection assembly 4. The movement of the mechanical arm sends the entire ultrasonic probe holder to the weld inspection surface to be inspected in the pressure vessel cylinder for ultrasonic inspection. After the inspection is completed, the mechanical arm moves the entire ultrasonic probe holder out of the pressure vessel cylinder.

[0049] The support connection assembly 4 can be connected to at least one outer side of the probe frame shield 1, and form a module with the probe frame shield 1, so as to facilitate the disassembly and assembly of the entire ultrasound probe frame on the mechanical arm. The support connection assembly 4 can further include a connected support seat 41, a connection seat 42 and a joint 43, etc. The joint 43 is used to cooperate with the end of the mechanical arm.

[0050] Furthermore, when the ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection of the present invention is in use, all ultrasonic detection components 3 can move independently to perform ultrasonic inspection, thereby ensuring that each ultrasonic probe 33 is independently fitted to the corresponding position of the surface to be tested. Multiple ultrasonic probes 33 can be carried for one inspection, achieving the goal of obtaining all ultrasonic signals by scanning the weld once, greatly improving the inspection efficiency.

[0051] Each ultrasonic detection assembly 3 performs ultrasonic inspection with only the second end of the probe slide rod 31 and the probe bracket 32 ​​and ultrasonic probe 33 thereon exposed to the outside (the number of parts does not exceed 10), thereby reducing the number of exposed parts of the probe rack (more than 60% less than the probe rack in the prior art), greatly alleviating the workload of preventing foreign objects during on-site implementation, and significantly reducing the time occupancy and personnel radiation dose caused by the foreign object inspection work.

[0052] Since the structure of each ultrasonic probe matched with the present invention is independently decoupled and has a wider curvature adaptation range, the butt welds between cylinders and between cylinders and bottom heads can be universal, and during the inspection of the reactor pressure vessel, the replacement of the probe holder and the corresponding calibration work can be reduced, which can further reduce the inspection time of the reactor pressure vessel.

[0053] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection, characterized in that: It includes a probe frame shield, a probe support and a plurality of ultrasonic detection components; One end of the probe holder shield is open, and the probe support is fitted in the open end of the probe holder shield to close the open end; and the probe support is provided with a plurality of slideway holes penetrating opposite ends of the probe support and communicating with the inner space of the probe holder shield; Each of the ultrasonic detection components is inserted into a slide hole and can move back and forth along the slide hole relative to the probe holder shield and the probe support in the direction of entering and exiting the probe holder shield, so as to approach or leave the surface to be measured on the pressure vessel cylinder.

2. The ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to claim 1, characterized in that: The probe support is provided with a plurality of slideway hole groups arranged along the length direction thereof, and each of the slideway hole groups includes two slideway holes arranged symmetrically.

3. The ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a probe slide bar, a probe bracket and an ultrasonic probe; The probe slide bar has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, the first end of the probe slide bar is inserted into the slide hole and moves back and forth along the slide hole; the probe holder is rotatably arranged on the second end of the probe slide bar, and the ultrasonic probe is arranged on the probe holder and is rotatable relative to the probe holder.

4. The ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to claim 3, characterized in that: The ultrasonic detection assembly also includes a constant force mechanism; the constant force mechanism is arranged at the first end of the probe slide bar and connected to the probe support, providing the probe slide bar with a constant tendency force to move toward the outer side of the probe frame shield.

5. The ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to claim 4, characterized in that: The constant force mechanism comprises a constant force spring, which is arranged at the first end of the probe slide rod, and the free end of the constant force spring is connected to the probe support.

6. The ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cross section of the probe slide bar is waist-shaped; the slideway hole is a waist-shaped hole matched with the probe slide bar.

7. The ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to claim 3, characterized in that: The probe frame shield and the probe support are respectively made of self-lubricating radiation-resistant lightweight materials; the probe slide bar and the probe bracket are respectively made of aluminum alloy materials.

8. The ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to claim 3, characterized in that: The probe bracket is U-shaped and surrounds the outside of the ultrasonic probe; The middle crossbar of the probe bracket is connected to the second end of the probe slide bar through a rotating assembly; the opposite sides of the ultrasonic probe are connected to the opposite two support rods of the probe bracket through a rotating shaft.

9. The ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to claim 3, characterized in that: The ultrasonic detection assembly also includes a limit piece; the probe slide rod is also provided with a limit groove extending along the length direction of the probe slide rod, and the limit piece penetrates into the slide hole in a direction perpendicular to the width of the slide hole, passes through or fits in the limit groove of the probe slide rod, thereby constraining the movement stroke of the probe slide rod.

10. The ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The ultrasonic probe holder for pressure vessel cylinder inspection further comprises a support connection assembly connected to at least one outer side surface of the probe holder shield, and the support connection assembly is used to be connected to a mechanical arm.

Images