US Patent:
20120006134, Jan 12, 2012
Inventors:
Jeffrey Bishop Draper - McVeytown PA, US
Matthew Barton Wolf - Boalsburg PA, US
Michael Alphonse Terhaar - Lewistown PA, US
Lance Edmund Maggy - Mount Pleasant SC, US
Assignee:
General Electric Company - Schenectady NY
International Classification:
G01D 15/00
Abstract:
An inspection assembly for inspecting a hollow member, with a probe head, which includes at least one sensor, and a flexible shaft connected to the probe head to transmit motive force. The shaft encloses at least one wire operatively connected to the probe head for sensory operation of the sensor. The shaft has a first part adjacent to the probe head and a second part distal there from. The first part is relatively more flexible that the second part. The shaft has an improved ability to follow a torturous path of the hollow member and for aiding in kink prevention of the shaft. In one aspect, the first part is made of polymer material and has a reduced-diameter and corrugations. Optionally, at least one non-metallic retrieval cable is enclosed within the shaft and connected to the probe head for transmitting a pulling force to the probe head.
