Abstract: Pipeline inspection systems are provided. In one embodiment, a pipeline inspection system can include at least one sensor module having a module body and a plurality of sensor holders mounted to the module body. Each sensor holder can include a holder body with a first body end, a second body end, and a plurality of sensors positioned therebetween, and a plurality of rotational guides that can be coupled to the holder body and configured to be biased towards an interior surface of the pipeline wall so as to define a standoff distance between each sensor and the interior surface of the pipeline wall. Each sensor holder can be at least partially pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the holder body extending between the first body end and the second body end. Methods of inspecting a pipeline are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for introducing a pig-like tool into an operating pipeline, such as a fluid pipe. According to the invention the pipeline is drilled during operation and the tool is injected into the pipeline through the drilled hole. During a corresponding tool removal from the pipeline a method is provided for prereconnaissance for the determination of a degree of contamination, cleaning, surveying, inspecting, repairing, etc. of pipelines by means of a corresponding, pig-like tool. The invention also relates to a device and a tool permitting the performance of the inventive method. Thus, otherwise unpiggable pipelines can be worked in a cost-efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a method for positioning components (3) of a scraper moved through laid pipelines along the inner pipeline wall, the components (3) being located on radially expandable support elements (2) in such a way that with the same spacing between the components and pipe wall for different pipe diameters there is a uniform coverage of the pipe circumference by the components (3). For this purpose in each case at least two support elements (2) succeeding one another in the pipeline circumferential direction are pivotably interconnected by at least one connecting member (4) articulated thereto, so that the support elements (2) are equidistantly spaced in each expansion position.

Abstract: A process for the transmission of data between a processor and a mass memory unit, initialization and/or control commands are transmitted via a PCMCIA interface to the mass memory unit, while user data, however, are transmitted via a memory interface. Accordingly, a device for the transmission of data between a processor and an (ATA) mass memory unit has a driver designed for switching over the transmission paths of initialization and/or control commands via a PCMCIA interface and of user data via a memory interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for introducing a pig-like tool into an operating pipeline, such as a fluid pipe. According to the invention the pipeline is drilled during operation and the tool is injected into the pipeline through the drilled hole. During a corresponding tool removal from the pipeline a method is provided for prereconnaissance for the determination of a degree of contamination, cleaning, surveying, inspecting, repairing, etc. of pipelines by means of a corresponding, pig-like tool. The invention also relates to a device and a tool permitting the performance of the inventive method. Thus, otherwise unpiggable pipelines can be worked in a cost-efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a method for positioning components (3) of a scraper moved through laid pipelines along the inner pipeline wall, the components (3) being located on radially expandable support elements (2) in such a way that with the same spacing between the components and pipe wall for different pipe diameters there is a uniform coverage of the pipe circumference by the components (3). For this purpose in each case at least two support elements (2) succeeding one another in the pipeline circumferential direction are pivotably interconnected by at least one connecting member (4) articulated thereto, so that the support elements (2) are equidistantly spaced in each expansion position.

Abstract: A pipe conduit vehicle having a substantially cylindrical housing and with at least one ring-shaped sealing element disposed between the outer side of the housing and the inner wall of the pipe conduit can be moved in the pipe conduit via the transport fluid flow. The pipe conduit vehicle thereby comprises at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening which form a bypass through the inner portion of the housing to reduce the pressure differential before and after the pipe conduit vehicle, wherein the at least one inlet opening is disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for inspecting pipelines, in particular for detecting defects in pipelines by means of ultrasound. Towards this end, measuring sensors transmit ultrasound signals during passage through a pipeline. The signals reflected on boundary regions of a pipeline wall, e.g. surfaces or defects, are then measured and evaluated. The invention is characterized in that partial regions of the measuring sensors (virtual sensors) formed of a plurality of neighboring sensor elements irradiate ultrasound signals into the pipe wall at at least one radiation angle which is inclined with respect to the normal to the pipe wall and the signals reflected at boundary regions of the pipe wall are received by same and/or other partial regions of the respective measuring sensors, wherein defects in the pipe wall are determined by evaluation of the acoustical signals reflected by different boundary regions.

Abstract: The invention proposes a device, e.g. an inspection pig, for inspecting conduits made from ferromagnetic materials, such as pipelines, for faults, cracks, corrosion or the like, comprising at least one pulling element, a supporting structure of variable circumference, disposed on the pulling element and comprising substantially radially disposed supporting arms each of which is pivotable about axes disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the pulling element, and several permanent magnets disposed at the circumference of the supporting structure for generating a magnetic field, and with sensors. For strengthening or weakening the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets in dependence on the circumference of the supporting structure or in dependence on the lateral separation between the permanent magnets, the permanent magnets are associated with further magnets having a magnetic field which can be varied in direction or strength.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for inspecting pipelines, in particular for detecting defects in pipelines by means of ultrasound. Towards this end, measuring sensors transmit ultrasound signals during passage through a pipeline. The signals reflected on boundary regions of a pipeline wall, e.g. surfaces or defects, are then measured and evaluated. The invention is characterized in that partial regions of the measuring sensors (virtual sensors) formed of a plurality of neighboring sensor elements irradiate ultrasound signals into the pipe wall at at least one radiation angle which is inclined with respect to the normal to the pipe wall and the signals reflected at boundary regions of the pipe wall are received by same and/or other partial regions of the respective measuring sensors, wherein defects in the pipe wall are determined by evaluation of the acoustical signals reflected by different boundary regions.

Abstract: A device for moving a pig through a conduit, such as a pipeline, is proposed, comprising at least one pulling element with at least one sealing means. The sealing means comprises a supporting structure with variable circumference with at least one sealing element disposed on the circumference of the supporting structure. In a preferred embodiment, the supporting structure comprises supporting arms disposed substantially radially and being pivotable about axes, each perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the pulling element, and is mounted to the pulling element via the supporting structure and a central sleeve which can be fixed to the pulling element.

Abstract: A device (1) for passing through pipes in the form of a pig (1) moving through the pipe and guided on the inner wall thereof has at least one pig body (16) and support elements (8a) on the outer periphery thereof for guidance within the pipe as well as drive elements (10a, 10b) in the form of collars for transport in the pipe. The device is distinguished by improved entrance into the pipe conduit in that at least one of the collars (10a, 10b) can be radially expanded.

Abstract: In order to facilitate introduction of an inspection pig through an introductory conduit having a smaller diameter and into a pipeline of large diameter and transporting a fluid, in particular gas or oil, the invention proposes a device for inspection of pipes having sensors disposed about an outer periphery thereof having radially expandable inspection units (6, 7), wherein, in particular, a front and a rear inspection unit (6, 7) having sensors (15; 15′) displaced with respect to each other in a peripheral sense can be moved axially towards each other.

Abstract: Scraper for determining the position of pipelines with at least one scraper body and on the outer circumference of the latter are provided support elements for guiding in the pipeline, the scraper body containing a gyroscopic platform, as well as supply and processing means for measured results, characterized in that the scraper body is guidable by a combination of support elements under a defined, constant angle with respect to the pipe guidance axis, whereof a first part is radially rigid and a second part is radially resilient.

Abstract: For reducing the coupling liquid carried along during the performance of a test run of a device for testing gas carrying pipelines, the invention provides an ultrasonic gas carrying pipeline testing method, in which an overpressure is produced in a space containing a sensor carrier with ultrasonic sensors and a coupling liquid defined by the pipeline wall and scraper sleeves. An ultrasonic gas carrying pipeline testing device with a sensor carrier and a scraper sleeve positioned upstream thereof and connected thereto is characterized in that a connecting line (24) provided with a pump (26) passes from an area upstream of the scraper sleeve (22) to an area downstream of said scraper sleeve (22).

Abstract: A delay time measurement method for ultrasound of the type wherein a testing head transmits an excitation pulse that is as close as possible to the shape of a shock wave and traverses a pretravel path until it reaches the object to be examined which has a front wall and a rear wall, with at least one reflected pulse being generated at its front wall as well as at its rear wall. To improve the above-mentioned type method so that delay time measurements for thickness determinations and abnormalities can be performed reliably even on rough surfaces and if reflected pulses are missing or falsified, a time window is determined for the recording of reflected pulses that follow the excitation pulse, within which window all successive reflected pulses are digitized.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the detection of corrosion, pitting or the like in pipelines is proposed and measured results produced in an appropriate manner are digitally converted, linked with measured values concerning the place and azimuth of the individual sensors to form individual blocks, which are intermediately stored to form larger units and are finally stored in a mass store.

Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement and non-destructive material testing of laid pipelines in the form of a scraper moved through the pipeline and guided on the inner wall thereof, has at least one circular support with sensors arranged on the circumference thereof and at least one pressure-tight casing, which has devices for processing and recording the measured values and the power supply. In order to ensure that the sensors are always at the minimum constant distance and with a constant angular position with respect to the pipe wall, the support is constructed as a cylindrical sleeve made from a rubber elastic material and is provided with an axially, radially and circumferentially regular profile, whose protuberances are located on a cylindrical envelope surface with a somewhat larger external diameter than the internal diameter of the pipeline and in whose depressions the sensors are arranged on a surface concentric to the envelope surface.