Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection device for nondestructive inspection of cylindrical members includes a pair of resilient inspection wheels which house multiple ultrasonic transducers. The inspection wheels are mounted in a carriage so as to ride along the surface of a rotating cylindrical member being inspected. Relative longitudinal motion between the carriage and the cylindrical member allows the inspection wheels to transcribe helical paths over the surface of the member.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for nondestructive ultrasonic inspection of oil field tubular goods includes a deck which mounts spaced drive rollers for rotating the pipe being inspected. A substantially box-shaped carriage moves on tracks above the pipe to allow a pair of ultrasonic inspection wheels to traverse the pipe. The combination of pipe rotation and carriage movement causes the inspection wheels to trace helical paths on the surface of the pipe. In an alternative embodiment, the rotating pipe is drive longitudinally through stationary ultrasonic equipment. A programmed control system and a method of ultrasonic inspection also are disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for use in inspecting drill pipe or like tubular members being tripped into or out of a well borehole comprises a plurality of ultrasonic wheel-type search units arranged on a frame which defines a vertical passage for the tubular member. The search units are symmetrically disposed around the tubular member and are urged into sonic coupling with the member by means of pneumatic cylinders each having an extendible and retractable member for radially moving its respective search unit in a horizontal plane. The search unit assembly includes a number of stabilizer guide wheels for engaging the surface of the tubular member. The pneumatic cylinder is associated with a self-relieving pressure regulator for maintaining the search wheel contact with the tubular member at a constant pressure. A method of inspecting a string of pipe during a tripping operation is also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for use in inspecting drill pipe or like tubular members being tripped into and out of a well borehole comprises one or more planarly arranged set of ultrasonic search units, such as wheel search units, arranged on a frame suspendible within the well derrick and defining a vertical passage for the tubular member. Access is provided to the passage by the tubular member from a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, for example, by providing an openable hinged frame. When in the passage, the pipe is stabilized by wheels exerting a force on the pipe in excess of that exerted by the search units which are biased into sonically coupled contact with the pipe. A linkage on each search unit preserves the angular relation between an electro-acoustical transducer within the search unit and the pipe surface. A method of inspecting tubular goods on the floor of a drilling rig during a tripping operation is also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for use in inspecting drill pipe or like tubular members being tripped into and out of a well borehole comprises a planarly arranged set of ultrasonic search units, such as wheel search units, arranged on a frame suspendible within the well derrick and defining a vertical passage for the tubular member. Access is provided to the passage by the tubular member from a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, for example, by providing an openable hinged frame. When in the passage, the search units are urged into contact with and are sonically coupled to the tubular member. The device is manually manipulable to engage and disengage the tubular member to facilitate inspection. A method of inspecting tubular goods on the floor of a drilling rig during a tripping operation is also provided.