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.

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.

Abstract: A weld inspection system uses fluoroscopic flaw detection particularly sensitive to volumetric type weld flaws and ultrasonic flaw detection particularly sensitive to planar type weld flaws. Both inspections are performed simultaneously throughout the pipe length. Each system marks the pipe with a distinguishing mark to identify the location of the flaw detected by that system. The fluoroscopic system is a high resolution system, the ultrasonic system avoids detection of minor non-rejectable variation in weld bead geometry and is calibrated to a desired sensitivity level.

Abstract: A system for automatically sensing lateral movement of a longitudinally moving weldment bead has two conical shaped contact rollers mounted on generally parallel shafts, generally at right angles to the weldment bead and driven by contact with the weldment bead. The rollers are mounted in opposite directions and define a null point when the roller diameters contacting the bead are the same. A pulse tachometer mounted on each shaft provides different signals when lateral movement of the longitudinally moving weldment bead away from the null point causes the rollers to rotate at different speeds. Electrical circuitry responsive to the different signals actuates a servo mechanism to move the bead to the null point.