Hirokazu Karasawa

Development of Under-sodium Three-dimensional Visual Inspection Technique Using Matrix-arrayed Ultrasonic Transducer

We have developed an advanced under-sodium ultrasonic visual inspection technique in order to observe in-vessel structures in a Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) whose reactor vessel is filled with opaque liquid sodium. The final goal of this work is achievement of resolution equivalent to that of an image obtained by optical fiber scope. The under-sodium ultrasonic visualizing system consists of a matrix-arrayed transducer and a signal- processing device. The matrix-arrayed transducer, in which 36x36 piezoelectric elements are arranged with 5 mm interval and sealed by a thin metal diaphragm, can realize a 3-dimensional image with high resolution. Regarding signal processing, the 3-dimensional image synthetic processing and the cross correlation processing for the purpose of improving S/N ratio of ultrasonic echoes are implemented on a high-speed parallel processor. Under-sodium imaging test was carried out, and it was confirmed that a 3-dimensional image of the blind target, which was prepared without information beforehand, could be visualized clearly with less than 2.0 mm resolution under-sodium.

High-cycle fatigue characteristics of quasi-isotropic CFRP laminates

High-cycle fatigue characteristics of quasi-isotropic carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminates [−45/0/45/90]s up to 108 cycles were investigated. To assess the fatigue behavior in the high-cycle region, fatigue tests were conducted at a frequency of 100 Hz, since it is difficult to investigate the fatigue characteristics in high-cycle at 5 Hz. Then, the damage behavior of the specimen was observed with a microscope, soft X-ray photography and a 3D ultrasonic inspection system. In this study, to evaluate quantitative characteristics of both transverse crack propagation and delamination growth in the high-cycle region, the energy release rate associated with damage growth in the width direction was calculated. Transverse crack propagation and delamination growth in the width direction were evaluated based on a modified Paris law approach. The results revealed that transverse crack propagation delayed under the test conditions of less than σ max/σ b = 0.3 of the applied stress level.

Development and characteristics of servomotor for use under high temperature and radiation flux conditions

Recently, robots have been required to inspect the insides of nuclear reactors under high temperature and radiation flux conditions. In a FBR (fast breeder reactor), the viewing system of the robot is particularly important because the reactor vessel of the FBR is filled with opaque liquid sodium. To drive this robot, servomotors must meet special requirements. At temperatures above 220°C, the integrity of organic materials cannot be maintained for long periods. In addition, the air-gap length of the motor varies, because metals expand at high temperatures. Thus, the characteristics of induction motors with an air-gap length of 0.2–0.4 mm may vary. Furthermore, the rotor may come into contact with the stator. In this paper, a newly developed permanent magnet motor which can withstand high temperatures and radiation is presented, and the characteristics of the rotor at high temperatures are discussed. Coils for winding ceramic magnetic wires are installed in the stator and Sm2Co17 permanent magnets are embedded in the rotor yoke. This motor is suitable for use at up to 400°C due to the use of inorganic materials in it. In addition, the permanent magnet motor can incorporate a long air-gap length, which has little effect on the characteristics of the motor. The test results show that the motor has excellent characteristics at high temperature.