A system includes an inspection robot for performing an inspection on an inspection surface with ultrasonic and magnetic induction sensors, the apparatus comprising a position definition circuit structured to determine an inspection robot position on the inspection surface; a data positioning circuit structured to interpret inspection data, and to correlate the inspection data to the inspection robot position on the inspection surface; and wherein the data positioning circuit is further structured to determine position informed inspection data in response to the correlating of the inspection data with the inspection robot position.

A method for analyzing a heat exchanger includes a structural model creation step (S1) of creating a structural model of a heat exchanger; a iron-linear model creation step (S4) of creating a iron-linear model in which a non-linear spring element in an out-of-plane direction, in which a load is generated only at me time of contact between a heat transfer tube and an anti-vibration member, is applied to an opposing portion between the heat transfer tube and the anti-vibration member in a structural model, and a load distribution acquisition step (S5) of performing analysis in which a load in the out-of-plane direction is applied to the non-linear model to acquire load distribution of the heat exchanger from a value of the load in each opposing portion.

A boroscope sheath is disclosed for providing a boroscope with temperature protection during a boroscope inspection of a machine such as a gas turbine or a steam turbine. The boroscope sheath includes an elongate tube having a wall extending from a front end to a back end and around a central bore configured and arranged to allow removable insertion of a boroscope cooling channels extend in the wall. The boroscope sheath can be held in a first position relative to the machine when the machine is in use and moved to a second position relative to machine for inspection. Part of the boroscope sheath remain in the machine during use of the machine.

There is provided a method for measuring a contact force applied to each tube constituting a tube bundle disposed in a fluid from a vibration damping member by using a probe inserted into each tube. Characteristic data defining a relationship between a value measured by the probe and the contact force is previously prepared. Then, the probe is inserted into the tube, and the contact force is calculated using the measurement value of the probe, based on the characteristic data.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for acoustic inspection of a surface are described. An example system may include an inspection robot structured to traverse an inspection surface in a direction of travel. The inspection robot may include a payload having a plurality of arms, connected to the inspection robot, to rotate around respective ones of a plurality of axes while the inspection robot traverses the inspection surface, where each of the plurality of axes is in the direction of travel. A plurality of sleds may be connected to the plurality of arms, and a plurality of inspection sensors connected to the plurality of sleds. The plurality of inspection sensors may be spaced apart from each other at adjustable positions to inspect the inspection surface at an adjustable resolution.

A multi-tube inspection system with a reel having a plurality of cameras is placed in the upper header. Each camera is attached to its own lead line and has a light source. An inspector, located in the upper header, aligns each camera with a tube and then operates the reel to simultaneously lower the cameras through their respective tube. As the cameras pass through the tubes, they capture a video image of the interior length of the tube. The video image is stored and relayed to a control center where additional inspectors can review the video image of the interior of the tube. Each video is identified and tied back to the tube in a data base. If a defect is identified, the tube can be taken out of service (blocked off) or scheduled for cleaning. Once cleaned, the tube is then reinspected.

A multi-tube inspection system with a reel having a plurality of cameras is placed in the upper header. Each camera is attached to its own lead line and has a light source. An inspector, located in the upper header, aligns each camera with a tube and then operates the reel to simultaneously lower the cameras through their respective tube. As the cameras pass through the tubes, they capture a video image of the interior length of the tube. The video image is stored and relayed to a control center where additional inspectors can review the video image of the interior of the tube. Each video is identified and tied back to the tube in a data base. If a defect is identified, the tube can be taken out of service (blocked off) or scheduled for cleaning. Once cleaned, the tube is then reinspected.

A system includes an inspection robot having a plurality of input sensors, the plurality of input sensors distributed horizontally relative to an inspection surface and configured to provide inspection data of the inspection surface at selected horizontal positions; a controller, comprising: a position definition circuit structured to determine an inspection robot position of the inspection robot on the inspection surface; a data positioning circuit structured to interpret the inspection data, and to correlate the inspection data to the inspection robot position on the inspection surface; and wherein the data positioning circuit is further structured to determine position informed inspection data in response to the correlating of the inspection data with the inspection robot position.

A system including an inspection robot having a plurality of sensors, a further sensor, and a controller. The controller having circuitry to receive inspection data with a first resolution from the plurality of sensors, determine a characteristic on the inspection surface based on the inspection data, and provide an inspection operation adjustment in response to the characteristic, wherein the inspection operation adjustment includes a change from the first resolution to a second resolution. The change from the first resolution to the second resolution includes enabling the further sensor where the further sensor is at least one of: horizontally distributed with or vertically displaced from the plurality of sensors relative to a travel path of the plurality of sensors, and at least one of: offset in alignment from the travel path of the plurality of sensors, or operated out of phase with the plurality of sensors.

Supports with integrated sensors for nuclear reactor steam generators, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative method for forming a nuclear-powered steam generator includes forming an instrumented support, the instrumented support including a carrier portion and a retainer portion, with at least one of the carrier portion or the retainer portion being integrally formed with a sensor via an additive manufacturing process. The method can further include coupling the sensor to a communication link, supporting a helical steam conduit on the instrumented support, and installing the helical steam conduit and the instrumented support in a nuclear reactor. The helical steam conduit is positioned along a primary flow path, which is in turn positioned to circulate a heated primary flow in thermal communication with the helical steam conduit.