Abstract: Apparatus for 360.degree. azimuthal imaging of steel casing employs a transducer that is rotated around the inside wall of the casing for inducing and measuring variations in induced flux density within the casing as an indication of changes in casing thickness.

Abstract: A device for photographing the interior of pipelines is disclosed. The device deposited at the pipeline's inlet and is drawn through the pipeline by fluid flow. The combination of a ballast device and a floatation device and a rudder maintain the device in proper orientation. The device is untethered and is powered by a battery carried in the vessel. A control circuit permits a time delay before operating the camera and lights.

Abstract: A propelling mechanism for traveling through piping comprises: a motive power device; a plurality of sun gears driven in rotation by the motive power device; at least two planet gears meshed with each one of the sun gears and rotatably supported at specifically spaced-apart positions to undergo axial rotation about their own axes and simultaneously to undergo orbital revolution around the periphery of that sun gear; and a plurality of traction wheels with treads rotating together with respective planet gears, the treads being pressed into contact with the inner wall surface by the orbital revolution of the planet gears, driving power due to the axial rotation of the planet gears being transmitted by way of the treads of the wheels as traction to the inner wall surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the extent of defects in tubular elements for use in an oil or gas well is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic or other suitable inspection device, cooperating with longitudinal and circumferential position detectors for determining the position and configuration of all defects within a tubular member. Signal generating means are provided for producing signals corresponding to the configuration, longitudinal position, and circumferential position of the defects located within the wall of the tubular member. The signals are processed, preferably by a computer, so that the presence, nature, and precise location of each defect is determined and visually displayed at a suitable display means. Display means are provided for generating a two-dimensional visual display wherein the circumferential and longitudinal positions of the defects are selectably displayed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the extent of defects in tubular elements for use in an oil or gas well is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic or other suitable inspection device, cooperating with longitudinal and circumferential position detectors for determining the position and configuration of all defects within a tubular member. Signal generating means are provided for producing signals corresponding to the configuration, longitudinal position, and circumferential position of the defects located within the wall of the tubular member. The signals are processed, preferably by a computer, so that the presence, nature, and precise location of each defect is determined and visually displayed at a suitable display means. Display means are provided for generating a two-dimensional visual display wherein the circumferential and longitudinal positions of the defects are selectably displayed.

Abstract: In a fire tube boiler, combustion takes place in elongated boiler tubes, which are subject to corrosion, wear, deposition build-up and color changes. A cylindrical camera body, round in cross-section, is inserted into a still-hot boiler tube. The camera body is cooled by cooling fluid and is pushed along the tube using extension rods. A motion picture film strip, preferably color instant film within a cassette, is advanced by remote control, by the operator, to expose a sequence of film frames on the cassette's film plane, as the camera body is progressed within the tube. The tube is dark so that a camera shutter is not used. Instead, tiny light sources, such as incandescent bulbs and/or a swingable mirror, are used to select the exposure time of the film. A fixed-focus and fixed-distance lens system focuses the images from the tube's inner wall on the film plane.

Abstract: An in-pipe inspection system comprising a train of cars made up of at least a camera car, a drive car, the train being made to travel in a pipe laid underground, under water or on the ground; a cable connected to the train of cars, the cable being led out from one open end of the pipe and being adapted to be fed or retracted by a capstan as the train of cars travels in selected directions within the pipe; and equipment installed outside the pipe consisting of a control unit, a measuring device, etc., the equipment being connected with the end of the cable; whereby the train of cars is made to travel in the pipe so that pictures of flaws, wear or corrosion in the internal wall of the pipe can be taken by the camera car, and correllative inspection data transmitted through the cable to the equipment for detailed analysis, and whereby movement of the train of cars, and inspection functions performed by such cars as the camera car, are remotely controlled, through the cable, from the outside equipment.

Abstract: A corrosion probe is disclosed which includes two permanent bar magnets in side-by-side relation, with opposite magnetic orientation and with poles of opposite polarity adjacent a sensing end of the probe, a sensing coil being disposed around the magnets adjacent the sensing end. The probe is disclosed in use in a pipe inspection pig for controlling operation of a camera.

Abstract: A mobile truck 10 furnished with power source and travel drive mechanism is set in a cargo oil pipe 48 to run inside to inspect and monitor the state of the inner surface of a pipe wall by means of its built-in magnetic flaw-detecting instrument 12 and video camera 14, so that the image signals taken by the video camera 14 may be reproduced and inspected on a television receiver 30 in the monitoring stations located aboard the vessel while the inspection data signals from the magnetic flaw-detecting instrument 12 may be recorded in a recorder 20 at the same time.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which includes a camera pig and a tow pig having an articulated connection therebetween to permit movement through pipe bends. The tow pig includes a syphon device for projecting liquids upwardly and forwardly and also includes a compressor and a desiccant chamber for drying of gas which is injected into a camera space between cups of the camera pig. A flow path is provided through the camera pig which by-passes the camera space, for maintaining a passive environment therein.

Abstract: Pipeline inspection apparatus is provided including a camera unit and associated illumination means, preferably a strobe flash unit, for recording on photographic film the rectangular images corresponding to generally rectangular internal surface portions of a pipe for detection of defects, a viewing axis of the camera being normal to the axis of the pipe. Weight means are provided for operating in a manner such as to establish a viewing axis in predetermined angular relation to a vertical plane through the axis of a horizontal pipe. In one embodiment, the device is supported by resilient cups for movement through the pipe and the entire device is rotatable under the influence of the weight means. In another embodiment, at least the optical portion of the camera unit is rotatably supported and connected to the weight means. Magnetic flaw detection means are provided for triggering the camera unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for photographic inspection of the interior of a pipeline and more particularly to apparatus which includes an optical port wiper which makes it possible to obtain clear and accurate photographs under adverse environmental conditions. The apparatus is highly effective and reliable while being comparatively simple and readily and economically manufacturable.

Abstract: An apparatus for making electrical surveys of structures contained in an electrolyte by measuring potential difference therebetween includes an electrode to contact the electrolyte proximate the structure, a wire electrically and mechanically connecting the apparatus with the structure, and an electronic system for automatically electrically sensing and storing the potential difference values taken at a plurality of locations along such structure. In the method for making structure-to-electrolyte potential difference surveys a supply of elongate electrical conductor is electrically and mechanically connected to the structure; the conductor is played out along the structure, and the electrolyte is contacted at plural test locations proximate the structure; and the potential difference at such test location is automatically sensed and stored.

Abstract: In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of a recording device, a fluid volume driven chart bracket is disclosed. The bracket is rotationally responsive to fluid flow through a pipeline or the like. A recording chart is rotated by the fluid flowing through the pipeline via a volume driven gear train and the chart bracket. An automatic chart changer clock is mounted to the bracket to periodically change the recording chart. The variables recorded by the device are weighted proportionally to the volume of fluid flowing through the pipeline.

Abstract: Pipeline inspection apparatus is provided including a camera unit and associated illumination means, preferably a strobe flash unit, for recording on photographic film the images of internal surface portions of a pipe for detection of defects. The camera unit is moved longitudinally within a pipeline by a drive unit which preferably includes electric motors energized from a self-contained battery unit. Important features relate to means for automatically reversing the drive of the apparatus after it has travelled a predetermined distance and to mechanical features for facilitating movement of the device through bends and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the gain of an ultrasonic device for inspecting a pipeline for leaks. The ultrasonic device is designed to pass through the interior of a pipeline and record noise produced by fluids leaking from the pipeline. The response of the device is adjusted automatically by controlling the gain of the amplification in response to the strength of a signal received from an ultrasonic generator positioned outside the pipeline.

Abstract: A magnetic flux leakage method and apparatus for inspecting magnetizable test objects such as pipelines are disclosed. Magnetic diodes are connected to give temperature-independent readings of flux leakage and are spaced apart according to the size of the flaws sought to be detected. Groups of diodes are overlapped to provide complete coverage of the area sought to be inspected. Certain of the largest signals received at any one time from the groups of diodes are transmitted to recording means to reduce the number of signals recorded. Diode signals are subtracted from each other to determine relative differences in detected fluxes. For inspecting pipelines, the diodes and magnets are mounted on the apparatus by mounting assemblies which pivot about three axes and the diodes and magnets are urged yieldingly toward the pipeline wall by members formed of open cell foam polyurethane.