Universal tool for ultrasonic testing of nuclear reactor vessels

摘要

A universal tool for the weld inspection of tubular objects such as reactor vessels is disclosed. The tool is constructed from an array of transducers mounted in groups for common inspection of a particular weld volume. The individual transducers, as well as the groups, are arranged in a compact assembly for minimizing the overall dimensions of the tool and its corresponding weight. The transducers are arranged in a manner which permits inspection of tubular objects having different radii of curvature and corresponding different diameters with a single tool without the need of having to individually adjust the orientation angles of the transducers.