Abstract: A mobile apparatus for and a method of non-contacting, nondestructive, on-line inspection of installed components of plants, facilities or other systems. The apparatus and method use penetrating radiation sources and detectors which can be placed about vertical or horizontal components while they remain in place and in use. The apparatus can operate in multiple scanning modes and the resulting data collected can be processed using both gauging and computerized axial tomographic (CAT) algorithms and techniques. In a gauging analysis, the apparatus and method make use of both a computer-implementable model of the general shape of the component scanned and a computer-generated model of the specific component scanned.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for and a method of non-contacting, nondestructive, on-line inspection of installed components of plants, facilities or other systems. The apparatus and method use penetrating radiation sources and detectors mounted on a ring assembly which can be placed about vertical or horizontal components while they remain in place and in use. The ring assembly is held in place by a yoke assembly in a manner that allows the ring to be rotated relative to the yoke assembly so that multiple scans of the same component cross-section can be performed from different angles. The apparatus is also capable of sub-positioning the detectors relative to the source while the ring assembly is stationary to increase the number of scans that can be taken from different angles. The yoke assembly, in turn, is mounted on a beam assembly in a manner that allows the yoke assembly to move relative to the beam assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the shape specific contraction and expansion of cylindrical or otherwise geometrically regular-shaped products as a function of time and temperature through high precision, continuous, nondestructive dimensional analysis of a cross-section of the object as the object is heated and/or cooled. The apparatus includes multiple penetrating radiation sources and detectors. In performing the analysis on an object as its temperature changes over a certain temperature range, the apparatus generates curves or formulas representing the changes in a dimension of the object as a function of temperature and/or time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the quality of cylindrical or other geometrically regular-shaped products, such as tube or rounds, through high precision, continuous, real-time three-dimensional analysis of hot or cold products during their manufacture are disclosed. The apparatus includes multiple penetrating radiation sources and detectors. The apparatus is able to continuously and in real time perform a three-dimensional analysis of hot or cold products, detect cross-sectional and longitudinal flaws in the products, determine the processing steps causing the flaw, and modify the production process through feedback and/or feedforward control of the processing equipment. In performing the analysis on hot or cold products, the apparatus can determine the dimensional measurements of the products at other temperatures and take these measurements into consideration while controlling the manufacturing process in order to produce products of consistent dimensional quality.