FIFTH CANADIAN CONFERENCE ON NONDESTRUCTIVE ... - IAEA

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This paper will concentrate on testing systems which incorporate a number of
novel and some unique patented devices and features. Probably the most
important of these are the recently patented so-called "Laminar Link" water
column coupling devices, which produce truly laminar water columns at any
orientation, horizontal or vertical at virtually any water pressure. Since
this laminar flow is achieved without any object such as vanes etc. in the
water stream these units can be used in pulse echo or through-transmission to
allow not only the detection but also the location of unbond areas.
In order to be capable of testing large, thin and fragile panels, besides
thick rigid ones, the discussed systems were designed to hold these panels
vertically so the water will not settle on the one side as is the case with
systems holding the panels horizontally.
Three types of systems will be presented:
1) With opposed water coupling devised mounted on a U-shaped arm to test
flat and slightly curved panels of reasonable width.
2) Wif.h opposed coupling devices locked together to test very long flat
panels up to 10 ft. wide
3) Independently mounted coupling devices to test very long flat panels as
well as complexly curved panels having widths up to at least 10 ft.
Also discussed will be a newly developed T)ot-Matrix C-scan recorder which
prints scan results in GO-NO-GO, lined grey scale shading or numbered defect
severity indications. This unit requires no special paper but uses plain
high quality bond paper.
All systems are under complete computer control and are operating by means of
simple menu prompted direction which will be discussed in some detail.