Device for ultrasonic testing of a weld comprising a belt of support pieces, and associated method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (10) for ultrasonic testing of a weld (12) of a pipe (14), more particularly of a nuclear reactor, for example a pressurised water reactor, or of a petrochemical facility, the testing device (10) comprising a plurality of support pieces and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the support pieces being attached one after another, so as to form a belt suitable for surrounding the entire circumference of the pipe (14), a single transducer being mounted on each of the support pieces.

Description

[0001] TITLE: Ultrasonic weld inspection device comprising a support belt, and associated method

[0002] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic welding control device for pipes, more particularly for a nuclear reactor, for example pressurized water reactors, or for a petrochemical installation.

[0003] We know of the use of a set of translators mounted on a hoop around the pipe near the weld.

[0004] The set of translators are moved 360° around the periphery of the pipe, so as to inspect the entire circumference of the weld.

[0005] However, mounting the roll bar may be complicated depending on the environment of the weld to be inspected, especially if the weld is difficult to access.

[0006] Thus, the assembly is likely to take a significant amount of time, which can result in a potentially substantial dose for the operator performing the check.

[0007] Furthermore, near a bend in the pipe, the hoop may not be able to be mounted properly, thus preventing inspection around the entire perimeter.

[0008] The aim of the invention is therefore to provide an ultrasonic control device that allows the entire circumference of the weld to be inspected safely.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to an ultrasonic control device for a pipe weld, more particularly for a nuclear reactor, for example pressurized water, or petrochemical installation, the control device comprising a plurality of supports and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, the supports being attached one after the other, so as to form a belt adapted to surround the pipe over its entire circumference, a single transducer being mounted on each of the supports.

[0010] Such a support belt is suitable for easy mounting around the circumference of the pipe, including near any bends.

[0011] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the control device comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0012] - each support comprises a link, each link having a front interface and a rear interface, the front interface of each link being arranged opposite or cooperating with the rear interface of a respective subsequent link; - each front interface has at least one front opening, and each rear interface has at least one rear opening, the at least one front opening of a front interface of each link being respectively aligned with the at least one rear opening of the respective subsequent link when the front interface of said link is arranged opposite or cooperating with the rear interface of the respective subsequent link;

[0013] - the control device comprises a plurality of pins, one pin extending into each of at least one front opening of a front interface of a corresponding link and into at least one rear opening of the respective next link;

[0014] - each link is elastic;

[0015] - each transducer is a single-element transducer;

[0016] - each support has a surface suitable for extending against the pipe, each transducer being capable of emitting an ultrasonic beam having a central axis forming an angle between 45° and 70° with said surface; and / or

[0017] - each transducer is capable of emitting an ultrasonic beam diverging with respect to a direction perpendicular to a direction of belt extension.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method for installing an ultrasonic testing device for a pipe weld, comprising the following steps:

[0019] - provision of a control device as described above, the belt being open between a first support and a last support,

[0020] - installing the seat belt on the pipe, so that the belt encircles the pipe around its circumference, and

[0021] - attaching the first support and the last support together, so that the belt goes around the entire circumference of the pipe.

[0022] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the method comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0023] - the process includes a step of tightening the first support and the last support together, after the belt has been placed on the pipe.

[0024] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional representation of a device according to one embodiment of the invention, installed on a pipe,

[0026] [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a schematic top view of a link and pin according to an embodiment of the invention, [Fig 3] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the link and pin of Figure 2, a transducer being housed in the link,

[0027] [Fig 4] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pipe with a weld equipped with the device according to the invention, and

[0028] [Fig 5] Figure 5 is a schematic top view of a pipe having a weld provided with the device according to the invention.

[0029] An ultrasonic control device 10 of a weld 12 of a pipe 14, more particularly of a pressurized water nuclear reactor, according to an example of the invention is shown in Figure 1.

[0030] The control device 10 comprises a plurality of assemblies 16, each assembly comprising a support 18 and an ultrasonic transducer 20.

[0031] The control device 10 includes as many transducers 20 as supports 18.

[0032] The control device 10 includes, for example, between 32 and 256 supports and between 32 and 256 transducers.

[0033] The number chosen depends in particular on the minimum size of the defects that one wishes to detect.

[0034] The 18 supports are attached one after the other, so as to form a belt suitable for encircling the pipe around its entire circumference.

[0035] Here, at least two adjacent supports among the 18 supports are reversibly attached to each other.

[0036] More specifically here, each support is attached to the two supports adjacent to it in a reversible manner.

[0037] An example of assembly 16 and support 18 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 2 and 3.

[0038] Each support 18 has a surface 21 adapted to extend opposite or against the pipe 14, more particularly here opposite the pipe 14.

[0039] Surface 21 has, for example, the shape of an arc of a circle or has, for example, two curvatures around a respective plane, the two planes being, for example, perpendicular to each other.

[0040] The arc of a circle corresponds to the arc of a circle whose diameter, for example, is the outer diameter of the pipe on which the device is to be mounted, within 5%. This diameter depends in particular on the nature of the support 18, and especially on its elasticity.

[0041] Alternatively, surface 21 is flat.

[0042] In particular, the curvature of the pipe is, for example, locally negligible. Each support 18 includes, more specifically, a link 22.

[0043] Each support 18, more specifically each link 22, is elastic.

[0044] Each support 18, more particularly each link 22, is, for example, made with a so-called flexible material, having a hardness between 30 and 80 Shore A, preferably between 40 and 60 Shore A, preferably equal to 50 Shore A.

[0045] Each support 18, more particularly each link 22, is, for example, made of elastomer, for example polyurethane elastomer or silicone.

[0046] This is particularly advantageous for compensating for variations in diameters, applying a clamping force of the transducers described below on the pipe, and contributes to an equi-angular distribution of the transducers over the entire periphery.

[0047] Alternatively, each support 18, more specifically each link 22, is not stretchable.

[0048] Each support 18, more particularly each link 22, is, for example, made of thermosetting resin or thermoplastic material, for example Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or even of metal, for example aluminium.

[0049] The 22 links of the supports are, for example, identical to each other.

[0050] Surface 21 includes, more specifically, a so-called lower surface of link 22.

[0051] Each support 18, more particularly each link 22, has a receiving housing 23 for the corresponding transducer 20.

[0052] Each link 22 is made from a single piece.

[0053] Each link 22 has a front edge 24 and a rear edge 26, the front edge 24 and the rear edge 26 being opposite along an extension direction D of the support 18, here of the link 22.

[0054] Each link 22 has a front interface 28 and a rear interface 30.

[0055] The front interface 28 includes the front edge 24, and the rear interface 30 includes the rear edge 26.

[0056] The receiving housing 23 extends between the front edge 24 and the rear edge 26, more specifically between the front interface 28 and the rear interface 30.

[0057] Reception area 23 opens into area 21.

[0058] The receiving housing 23 is here an orifice passing through the link 22 over the entire thickness of the link 22, the thickness being considered perpendicular to the surface 21.

[0059] Reception accommodation 23 here has a rectangular prism shape.

[0060] Each front interface 28 has a shape complementary to the rear interface 30 of the link intended to be the next link, as defined below. Here, each front interface 28 is complementary to the rear interfaces 30.

[0061] The rear edge 26 has a cutout that complements the front edge 24.

[0062] For example, each front interface 28 is such that the front edge 24 has a crenellated shape, the rear interfaces 30 being such that the rear edge 26 has a complementary crenellated shape.

[0063] Here, the front interface 28 has a protrusion 32 along the extension direction D. The front interface 28 includes, more particularly, a straight edge 34 perpendicular to the extension direction D, the protrusion 32 extending outward from the straight edge 34.

[0064] Each interface before 28 has at least one opening before 40.

[0065] At least one opening before 40 extends, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension.

[0066] At least one opening before 40 extends, for example, parallel to the surface 21.

[0067] Here, at least one opening before 40, here the opening before 40, crosses the protrusion 32.

[0068] More specifically, the protrusion 32 has two edges delimiting the protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction D. At least one front opening 40 crosses the protrusion and opens into each of the two edges of the protrusion.

[0069] The rear interface 30 has a concavity 36 complementary to the protrusion 32. The rear interface 30 includes, more particularly, a straight edge 38 perpendicular to the extension direction D, the concavity 36 extending back from the straight edge 38.

[0070] The rear interface 30 thus defines two branches 39, on either side of the concavity 36.

[0071] Each rear interface 30 has at least one rear opening 42.

[0072] At least one rear opening 42 extends, for example, parallel to the surface 21.

[0073] Here, at least one rear opening 42, here the two rear openings 42, passes through at least one of the branches 39 of the rear interface 30, for example the two branches 39 of the rear interface 30.

[0074] The front interface 28 of each link 22 is designed to be arranged opposite or to cooperate with the rear interface 30 of an adjacent link, called the next link, particularly due to their complementary shape. Specifically, in the belt, the front interface 28 of each link 22 is arranged opposite or cooperates with the rear interface 30 of the next link, so as to form the series of supports, and thus the belt.

[0075] Here, the protrusion 32 of the front interface 28 of each link 22 extends into the concavity 36 of the rear interface 30 of the next link.

[0076] The belt extension direction is defined locally as the extension direction D of support 18.

[0077] At least one front opening 40 of a front interface 28 of one of the links and at least one rear opening 42 of the next adjacent link are arranged so as to be aligned, when the front interface 28 of each link 22 is arranged opposite or cooperates with the rear interface 30 of the next link.

[0078] The control device 10 here comprises a plurality of pins 44.

[0079] More specifically, the control device includes as many pins as there are 18 supports.

[0080] Each pin 44 extends into at least one front opening 40 of a front interface 28 of a corresponding respective link and into at least one rear opening 42 of the next link.

[0081] In figure 2, the pin 44 is shown extending only into at least one opening before 40, the following link not being shown.

[0082] The 44 pins thus serve to secure the supports together in pairs, and thus the belt.

[0083] Alternatively, the pins are, for example, replaced by any part capable of performing this function of joining the supports two by two, for example a solid shaft or a screw.

[0084] A single transducer 20 is mounted on each of the supports 18.

[0085] Each transducer 20 is partially received in the receiving housing 23.

[0086] Each transducer 20, more particularly at least the active surface of the transducer 20, here protrudes from the surface 21 of the corresponding support 18, more particularly by a distance of at least one millimeter.

[0087] More specifically here, each transducer 20 comprises an emission surface 19.

[0088] The emission surface 19 forms a so-called lower surface of the transducer 20.

[0089] The emitting surface 19 here protrudes from the surface 21 of the corresponding support 18. More specifically, the emitting surface 19 forms the end of the transducer, which extends outward from the surface 21. Each transducer 20 is fixed to its corresponding support 18.

[0090] More specifically here, the transducer 20 is suitable for being clipped into the receiving housing 23 of the corresponding support.

[0091] Each transducer 20 has, for example, here an indexing element 25.

[0092] Indexing element 25 is, for example, at least one groove, cutout or shoulder.

[0093] The indexing element is arranged where the transducer 20 is received in the receiving housing 23, when mounted on the corresponding support.

[0094] In the example shown, the indexing element 25 includes at least one groove, here a groove on either side of the transducer, arranged on the side walls of the transducer 20.

[0095] The indexing element 25 is spaced from the emission surface 19 of the transducer 20 by a distance substantially equal to the planned overshoot distance of the transducer 20 relative to the surface 21.

[0096] The transducer section perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the transducer into the receiving housing 23, outside the indexing element, is here strictly greater than the passage section of the receiving housing 23.

[0097] The transducer cross-section perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the transducer into the receiving housing 23 at the level of the indexing element is here strictly less than the transducer cross-section outside the indexing element.

[0098] Here, the corresponding transducer is inserted into the receiving housing 23, until it reaches the indexing element 25, here the grooves, by deformation of the support 18 to allow the passage of the transducer through the receiving housing 23.

[0099] When the indexing element 25 reaches the receiving housing 23, the support 18 returns to its initial shape or its deformation is reduced.

[0100] The transducer 20 is then held in the receiving housing 23 by cooperation of the indexing element 25 with the edges of the receiving housing 23.

[0101] Alternatively, the support 18 and / or the transducer 20 has, for example, at least one indexing element or deformable tab for clipping.

[0102] Alternatively, the transducer 20 is attached to the corresponding support 18 differently.

[0103] Alternatively, the transducer 20 is mounted differently on the corresponding support 18.

[0104] In particular, for a non-extendable link, the link 22 is, for example, mounted directly around the transducer 20. For example, the transducer 20 does not have an indexing element 25 and is inserted through the support 18 until it engages with the receiving housing 23 at the desired location. The transducer 20 is then fixed to the support 18 in any suitable manner.

[0105] Alternatively, the link 22, for example, is then composed of at least two pieces which are mounted to each other during assembly around the transducer 20, for example, in the event of the presence of an indexing element 25, at the level of the indexing element.

[0106] Alternatively, link 22 and transducer 20 are joined and / or form a single piece. Link 22 is, for example, then non-extendable.

[0107] Each transducer 20 is, for example, a single-element transducer.

[0108] Each transducer 20 is capable of emitting an ultrasonic beam 50.

[0109] Each transducer 20 is, for example, connected to a control electronics unit via a cable harness. Alternatively, each transducer may have its own electronics directly integrated into the sensor. This simplifies the wiring.

[0110] The ultrasonic beam 50 presents, for example, a central axis forming an angle between 45° and 70° with the surface 21, as seen in Figure 4.

[0111] The ultrasonic beam 50 is thus directed towards the weld 12, while the belt is arranged around a circumference of the pipe 14 outside the weld 12 at a given distance from the weld.

[0112] The ultrasonic beam 50 is, for example, divergent with respect to a direction 5 perpendicular to the extension direction D of the belt, considered locally at the level of the transducer 20.

[0113] The ultrasonic beam 50 is, for example, emitted along a median direction corresponding to direction 5.

[0114] The ultrasonic beam 50 diverges, for example, from direction 5 by an angle between 10° and 35°.

[0115] This allows in particular that the beam reflected 52 by a possible defect 54 is received by a transducer adjacent to the emitting transducer.

[0116] Alternatively, the transducer 20 is, for example, a multi-element linear or matrix transducer with a number of elements, for example, between 16 and 512. Such a transducer allows, for example, image acquisition and thus the production of a tomographic representation of the weld. Each multi-element transducer is then, for example, connected to driver electronics by a cable harness. Alternatively, each multi-element transducer has, for example, its own electronics directly integrated into the sensor. This notably simplifies the wiring.

[0117] In an alternative embodiment, not all links are identical to each other.

[0118] For example, there is an order for placing the supports within the belt.

[0119] The front and rear interfaces are therefore not all complementary to each other.

[0120] Each front interface is complementary to the rear interface of the link intended to be the next link.

[0121] Thus, the interfaces designed to cooperate or extend in relation to each other are complementary.

[0122] An ultrasonic testing method for a weld 12 of a pipe 14 will now be described.

[0123] The process includes the following steps:

[0124] - provision of a control device as described above,

[0125] - fitting the seatbelt while driving, and

[0126] - attaching the first support and the last support together.

[0127] During the supply stage, the belt is opened between two supports, called the first support and the last support, more specifically only between these two supports.

[0128] The term "open" means that all the supports are attached one after the other, except for the location(s) where the belt is said to be open.

[0129] More specifically, in the context of the embodiment described above, the front interface of the link of the first support does not cooperate or is not maintained with respect to the rear interface of the link of the last support of the belt.

[0130] Here, no pin 44 is inserted between the front interface of the first support link and the rear interface of the last support link, so they are not held together.

[0131] Thus, the first support and the last support are not directly attached to each other.

[0132] The belt has a length corresponding to its extension measured along successive extension directions D, more particularly, when open, between the first support and the last support.

[0133] The length of the belt without applied force is, for example, strictly less than its length once mounted around the pipe 14, so that the emission surface 19 of the transducers mounted on the supports rests on the outer diameter of the pipe 14, in the case of elastic links. Its length in the absence of applied force is such that, after stretching, it allows the belt to close around said pipe.

[0134] In the case of non-stretchable links, the length of the belt without application of force on the belt is such that the belt surrounds the pipe, the emission surface 19 of the transducers mounted on the supports 18 being in contact with the external diameter of the pipe 14.

[0135] When fitting the belt onto the pipe, the previously opened belt is arranged on the pipe 14, so that the belt surrounds the pipe 14 on a circumference, in particular at a given distance from a plane of the weld.

[0136] The first link and the last link are then arranged opposite each other.

[0137] In a particular embodiment, especially when the length of the belt is less than the outside diameter of the pipe, the method includes a step of clamping the first support and the last support together, after the belt has been placed on the pipe, for example using a vise.

[0138] The first support and the last support are, for example, squeezed together until the interfaces cooperate or, in this case, until at least one front opening 40 of the first support and at least one rear opening 42 of the last support are aligned.

[0139] The first support and the last support are attached to each other after the belt has been put in place, and if necessary, after tightening.

[0140] More specifically, the front interface of the link of the first support and the rear interface of the link of the last support extend opposite each other, more specifically here at least one front opening 40 of the first support and at least one rear opening 42 of the last support are aligned.

[0141] A pin 44 is then inserted into at least one front opening 40 of the first support and at least one rear opening 42 of the last support, so as to secure the first support and the last support.

[0142] The belt then encircles the entire circumference of the pipe.

[0143] The belt then exhibits, for example, a symmetry by discrete rotation of 360° divided by the number of supports 18.

[0144] The belt is easily put in place around the steering wheel, then fastened.

[0145] Here, each pin 44 forms, for example, a pivot joint between the two corresponding links. This allows, in particular, the shape of the belt to adapt to the geometry of the pipe during its installation.

[0146] Alternatively, each pin does not form a pivot joint or the connection between the supports is made in some other way, for example, by clipping.

[0147] In addition, the fact that the belt is slightly shorter than the outer diameter of the pipe allows the belt, and thus the transducers, to be particularly pressed against the pipe.

[0148] An operator can mount a control device on a pipe particularly easily and quickly, simply by wrapping the pipe with the belt and then attaching the first and last brackets together.

[0149] In addition, the pipe mounting does not require a large space, so the control device can, for example, be easily mounted near possible bends or close to a wall.

[0150] The inspection device may also be mounted near at least one other similar inspection device. For example, multiple belts may be mounted one after the other, for instance, to increase coverage of the inspected area, particularly at the weld toe. Alternatively, two belts may be mounted, each on one side of the weld.

[0151] Furthermore, since the transducers surround the pipe around its entire circumference, it is not necessary to move them to take a measurement around that circumference. Simply activating the different transducers successively is enough to perform the measurement around the entire circumference.

[0152] Finally, the belt is, for example, likely to be adapted by adding or removing supports (or links) to adjust the length of the belt, in particular to the diameter of the pipe on which the control is to be carried out.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Ultrasonic control device (10) for a weld (12) of a pipe (14), more particularly of a nuclear reactor, for example pressurized water, or of a petrochemical installation, the control device (10) comprising a plurality of supports (18) and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (20), the supports (18) being attached one after the other, so as to form a belt suitable to surround the pipe (14) over its entire circumference, a single transducer (20) being mounted on each of the supports (18).

2. Control device according to claim 1, wherein each support (18) comprises a link (22), each link (22) having a front interface (28) and a rear interface (30), the front interface (28) of each link (22) being arranged opposite or cooperating with the rear interface (30) of a respective following link.

3. Control device according to claim 2, wherein each front interface (28) has at least one front opening (40), and each rear interface (30) has at least one rear opening (42), the at least one front opening (40) of a front interface (28) of each link (22) being respectively aligned with the at least one rear opening (42) of the respective next link when the front interface (28) of said link (22) is arranged opposite or cooperates with the rear interface (30) of the respective next link.

4. Control device according to claim 3, comprising a plurality of pins (44), one pin (44) extending into each of at least one front opening (40) of a front interface (28) of a corresponding link and into at least one rear opening (42) of the respective next link.

5. Control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each link (22) is elastic.

6. Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each transducer (20) is a single-element transducer.

7. Control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each support (18) has a surface (21) adapted to extend against the pipe (14), each transducer (20) being capable of emitting an ultrasonic beam (50) having a central axis forming an angle between 45° and 70° with said surface (21).

8. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each transducer (20) is capable of emitting an ultrasonic beam (50) diverging with respect to a direction (5) perpendicular to an extension direction (D) of the belt.

9. A method for installing an ultrasonic control device (10) for a weld (12) in a pipe (14), comprising the following steps: - providing a control device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the belt being open between a first support and a last support, - placing the belt on the pipe (14) so ​​that the belt encircles the pipe (14) over a circumference, and - attachment of the first support and the last support to each other, so that the belt goes around the whole circumference of the pipe (14).

10. Method of setting up a control device (10) according to claim 9, comprising a step of tightening the first support and the last support together, after the belt has been placed on the pipe (14).

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