Abstract: This invention relates to functional composites that consist of an insulator and other functional elements associated with it. Specifically, this invention is relevant to functional composites that consist of an aerogel insulator and a functional heating element to increase thermal efficiency while supplying heat to the targeted object and keeping it warm.

Abstract: An inspection system for a plurality of separable inspection objects, including a feed device for the plurality of inspection objects, a conveying device for the plurality of inspection objects, an inspection unit and an ejecting device. The feed device is configured and disposed such that the plurality of inspection objects can be fed by the feed device to a feed position of the conveying device. The conveying device includes a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle is configured and disposed such that exactly one inspection object of the plurality of inspection objects can be conveyed along a conveying path in said receptacle and that two respective inspection objects from the plurality of inspection objects have a spacing along the conveying path that is defined by the plurality of receptacles. The inspection unit is disposed at an inspection position on the conveying path.

Abstract: A scanning device is provided. The scanning device includes a frame having a first portion and a second portion pivotably coupled to the first frame portion. The scanning device also includes a couplant source disposed in the first frame portion along with a couplant assembly. The couplant assembly includes a first couplant line disposed completely within the first frame portion and the second frame portion. The couplant assembly also includes a second couplant line extending from the first couplant line and out of the second frame portion at a first end of the second couplant line. The couplant assembly has a couplant line branch extending from the second couplant line where a sensor assembly of the ultrasound scanning device couples with the couplant line branch at an end opposite the second end of the second couplant line.

Abstract: An eddy current (EC) detection system comprises an EC probe including a plurality of sensors to provide corresponding EC response signals; and processing circuitry to evaluate speed of the EC probe based on a measurement of similarity of the EC response signals; determine whether the speed of the EC probe is too fast or two slow based on quality of the measurement; and generate a command to adjust speed of the EC probe during further EC inspection.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for conducting an ultrasonic-based inspection. The systems and methods perform operations comprising: receiving a plurality of scan plan parameters associated with generating an image of at least one flaw within a specimen based on acoustic echo data obtained using full matrix capture (FMC); applying the plurality of scan plan parameters to an acoustic model, the acoustic model configured to determine a two-way pressure response of a plurality of inspection modes based on specular reflection and diffraction phenomena; generating, by the acoustic model based on the plurality of scan plan parameters, an acoustic region of influence (AROI) comprising an acoustic amplitude sensitivity map for a first inspection mode amongst the plurality of inspection modes; and generating, for display, a first image comprising the AROI associated with the first inspection mode for capturing or inspecting the image of the at least one flaw.

Abstract: An acoustic technique can be used for performing non-destructive testing. For example, a method for acoustic evaluation of a target can include generating respective acoustic transmission events via selected transmitting ones of a plurality of electroacoustic transducers, and in response to the respective acoustic transmission events, receiving respective acoustic echo signals using other receiving ones of the plurality of electroacoustic transducers, and coherently summing representations of the respective received acoustic echo signals to generate a pixel or voxel value corresponding to a specified spatial location of the target. Such summation can include weighting contributions from the respective representations to suppress contributions from acoustic propagation paths outside a specified angular range with respect to a surface on or within the target, such as to provide an acoustic path-filtered total focusing method (PF-TFM).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for conducting an ultrasonic-based inspection. The systems and methods perform operations comprising: receiving, by one or more processors, data indicative of a detected tag on a specimen, the tag associated with one or more ultrasonic-based inspections that were previously performed on the specimen; retrieving, by the one or more processors, based on the detected tag, configuration data for a non-destructive testing (NDT) instrument, the configuration data being associated with the one or more ultrasonic-based inspections that were previously performed on the specimen; generating, by the one or more processors, new configuration data for the NDT instrument to perform a new inspection of the specimen at least in part using the received configuration data; and performing the new inspection of the specimen based on spatially positioning the NDT instrument relative to a position of the tag on the specimen.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe can detect flaws in an object in a non-destructive manner. The probe includes a row-column addressed (RCA) array with a plurality of row and column electrodes. The row and column electrodes are configurable to have at least four states: 1) a transmission state, 2) a reception state, 3) a ground state, and 4) a high impedance state. The probe also includes a control circuit to operate the RCA array in different transmission and reception configurations.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe can detect flaws in an object in a non-destructive manner. The probe includes a row-column addressed (RCA) array with a plurality of row and column electrodes. The row and column electrodes are configurable to have at least four states: 1) a transmission state, 2) a reception state, 3) a ground state, and 4) a high impedance state. The probe also includes a control circuit to operate the RCA array in different transmission and reception configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers may include a cleaning lance for cleaning a plurality of bores of the heat exchanger and an examination lance for examining a plurality of bores of the heat exchanger. The apparatus may further include a first feeder configured to extend and retract the cleaning lance and a second feeder configured to extend and retract the examination lance. The apparatus may further include a controller configured to control the first feeder to feed the cleaning lance into a first bore, to control the cleaning lance to clean the first bore, and to control the first feeder to retract the cleaning lance from the first bore.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method and device for testing a plate material (1) for the presence of pits and holes (3), said method including the steps of: transmitting an acoustical signal from a transmitting transducer (2) facing the plate material (1) and positioned in a distance from the plate material, the frequency of the transmitted signal and the angle of incidence of the signal towards the plate material being adapted to promote the formation of Lamb signals in the plate material, receiving an acoustical signal returned from the plate material in a receiving transducer (4) also facing the plate material at a distance from the material, the receiving transducer (4) being located in a distance from said transmitting transducer (2) along the direction of the plate material, time gating the received signal identifying a tail part (8) carrying information from Lamb signals travelling in the material, and determining the energy content in said Lamb mode part of the signal.

Abstract: A frame assembly for inspection of pipeline girth weld, having a support frame releasably coupled to a mounting band that comprises of two clamshell halves. The clamshell halves are coupled via quick release coupling mechanisms. By removing one of the clamshells, or uncouple the two clamshells at one coupling point, the frame assembly permits a RTR scanner assembly to be laterally displaced along the length of the pipeline.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of quickly inspecting tubes of chemical plants is provided, where one or more tube inspection apparatuses are used to simultaneously perform electromagnetic testing (“ET”) of multiple tubes of a chemical plant by simultaneously lowering probes into separate tubes and transmitting the data to a processor. In some embodiments, the data from the probes can be transmitted in real or near-real time to a remote processor for analysis to determine whether any defects exist in the tubes and the extent of such defects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wet planar heating element and a method manufacturing the same. The element including: a planar heating unit including an upper waterproof film layer, a lower waterproof film layer, a planar heating layer, and an electrode layer; an external waterproof film layer; and a non-woven fabric layer. According to the present invention, it is possible to minimize leakage current due to pores of a non-woven fabric substrate and a low dielectric constant of air in air pockets, thereby solving problems that an earth leakage circuit breaker operates. Accordingly, wet construction can be performed, power consumption can be reduced, and an electrical fire risk can be remarkably lowered. In addition, it is possible to improve flexibility of the planar heating element, whereby the use of the planar heating element can be expanded and the efficiency of the construction work can be increased.

Abstract: The invention relates, in a first aspect, to a method for inspecting an object, in particular a pipeline, for flaws, comprising: emitting a first signal toward the object in a first direction by means of a first ultrasonic transducer; and receiving a first response signal coming from the object from a second direction by means of a second ultrasonic transducer, wherein the first direction and the second direction are different from each other.

Abstract: There is described an Eddy current probe for non-destructive testing, comprising: a first leg extending along a first longitudinal axis between a first proximal end and a first distal end; a second leg extending along a second longitudinal axis between a second proximal end and a second distal end; a high magnetic permeability body extending at least partially between the first and second longitudinal axes, the high magnetic permeability body being spaced apart from the first and second legs by a gap and the high magnetic permeability body and the first and second legs being each made of a high magnetic permeability material; and at least one excitation coil each secured to at least one of the first leg and the second leg.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for examining a workpiece, wherein the device comprises a carrier; at least one transceiver, which is arranged on the carrier; and a protective device, which is designed to protect the at least one transceiver from soiling. The invention further relates to a system for examining a workpiece, comprising such a device.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers may include a cleaning lance for cleaning a plurality of bores of the heat exchanger and an examination lance for examining a plurality of bores of the heat exchanger. The apparatus may further include a first feeder configured to extend and retract the cleaning lance and a second feeder configured to extend and retract the examination lance. The apparatus may further include a controller. The controller may be configured to control the first feeder to feed the cleaning lance into a first bore, to control the cleaning lance to clean the first bore, and to control the first feeder to retract the cleaning lance from the first bore. The controller may be further configured to control the first feeder to extend the cleaning lance into a second bore, to control the cleaning lance to clean the second bore, to control the second feeder to extend the examination lance into the first bore, and to control the examination lance to examine the first bore.