Abstract: An in-line pipeline inspection tool includes a plurality of sensors assemblies distributed about a central body. Each sensor assembly includes a sensor body coupled at the ends thereof to the central body by first and second linkage assemblies. The linkage assemblies include first and second links, the first link coupled by a first pivot to the central body and by a second pivot to the second link. The second link is coupled to the sensor body by a third pivot. As the tool is moved in one direction, the sensor body is urged away from the first linkage assembly, which engages a block that prevents further rotation of about one of the pivots. As the tool is moved in another direction, the block disengages, thereby permitting rotation about all three pivots. The second linkage assembly functions in an identical fashion.

Abstract: Defects in a pipeline may be detected by an in-line inspection tool passing therethrough. However, as the tool travels through the pipeline, errors associated with certain onboard components may accumulate. These errors may reduce the accuracy with which the locations of detected defects can be determined. Accordingly, markers may be positioned at various locations along the pipeline. Each marker may include a radio receiver to receive signal transmitted by an in-line tool passing thereby and one or more magnetic flux detection systems that may detect a magnetic field emanating from the in-line tool. The radio receiver may include an antenna comprising two or more coils connected in series and positioned side-by-side. The flux detection system may include one or more flux concentrators to amplify the strength of the magnetic field.

Abstract: An in-line pipeline inspection tool includes a plurality of sensors assemblies distributed about a central body. Each sensor assembly includes a sensor body coupled at the ends thereof to the central body by first and second linkage assemblies. The linkage assemblies include first and second links, the first link coupled by a first pivot to the central body and by a second pivot to the second link. The second link is coupled to the sensor body by a third pivot. As the tool is moved in one direction, the sensor body is urged away from the first linkage assembly, which engages a block that prevents further rotation of about one of the pivots. As the tool is moved in another direction, the block disengages, thereby permitting rotation about all three pivots. The second linkage assembly functions in an identical fashion.

Abstract: Defects in a pipeline may be detected by an in-line inspection tool passing therethrough. However, as the tool travels through the pipeline, errors associated with certain onboard components may accumulate. These errors may reduce the accuracy with which the locations of detected defects can be determined. Accordingly, markers may be positioned at various locations along the pipeline. Each marker may include a radio receiver to receive signal transmitted by an in-line tool passing thereby and one or more magnetic flux detection systems that may detect a magnetic field emanating from the in-line tool. The radio receiver may include an antenna comprising two or more coils connected in series and positioned side-by-side. The flux detection system may include one or more flux concentrators to amplify the strength of the magnetic field.

Abstract: An in-line inspection tool is disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The in-line inspection tool may include a transmitter, a signal generator, one or more receivers, and a decoder. The signal generator may generate a pseudorandom signal, generate an inspection signal, and drive the transmitter with a convolution of the pseudorandom signal and the inspection signal. The transmitter may transmit the convoluted signal to the wall of the pipeline. One or more receivers may receive from the wall of the pipeline a received signal comprising at least one of the convoluted signal and a reflection of the convoluted signal. The decoder may identify the inspection signal within the received signal by cross correlating the received signal and the pseudorandom signal.

Abstract: Defects in a pipeline may be detected by an in-line inspection tool passing therethrough. However, as the tool travels through the pipeline, errors associated with certain onboard components may accumulate. These errors may reduce the accuracy with which the locations of detected defects can be determined. Accordingly, markers may be positioned at various locations along the pipeline. Each marker may include a radio receiver to receive signal transmitted by an in-line tool passing thereby and one or more magnetic flux detection systems that may detect a magnetic field emanating from the in-line tool. The radio receiver may include an antenna comprising two or more coils connected in series and positioned side-by-side. The flux detection system may include one or more flux concentrators to amplify the strength of the magnetic field.

Abstract: An in-line inspection tool is disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The in-line inspection tool may include a transmitter, a signal generator, one or more receivers, and a decoder. The signal generator may generate a pseudorandom signal, generate an inspection signal, and drive the transmitter with a convolution of the pseudorandom signal and the inspection signal. The transmitter may transmit the convoluted signal to the wall of the pipeline. One or more receivers may receive from the wall of the pipeline a received signal comprising at least one of the convoluted signal and a reflection of the convoluted signal. The decoder may identify the inspection signal within the received signal by cross correlating the received signal and the pseudorandom signal.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for protecting bearings operating in dirty environments. The system may include a reservoir of lubricant, a bearing, and a regulator. The bearing may border on both the dirty environment and the reservoir. Accordingly, the bearing may be exposed to the solid particles carried by the fluid within the environment, as well as the lubricant of the reservoir. The regulator may ensure that the pressure within the reservoir is greater than the pressure of the dirty environment. Due to the higher pressure within the reservoir, the bearing may be preferentially filled with lubricant rather than dirty fluid from the environment.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The system may comprise a portion of pipe comprising a pipe wall forming a cylindrical tube defining a circumferential direction and an axial direction. The system may further include an in-line inspection tool positioned within the portion of pipe. The in-line inspection tool may include a frame extending in the axial direction and at least one magnet connected to the frame and positioned to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field may be orientated obliquely with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the pipeline. The inspection tool may include a transmitter connected to the frame to generate an inspection signal within the magnetic field.

Abstract: An in-line inspection tool comprising sensors and sensor housings is disclosed. Each sensor housing may contain at least one sensor. The tool may further comprise a structure comprising a central axis and a plurality of sensor mounts distributed circumferentially about the central axis. Each sensor mount may support a different sensor housing. The plurality of sensor mounts may support the sensor housings such that the first end of each sensor housing circumferentially overlaps the second end of an adjacent sensor housing. By overlapping, sensor housings may support sensors with substantially uniform spacing around the circumference of the inspection tool in normal operation and still allow sensor housings to move relative to one another to accommodate changes in the dimension of the circumference.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The system may comprise a portion of pipe comprising a pipe wall forming a cylindrical tube defining a circumferential direction and an axial direction. The system may further include an in-line inspection tool positioned within the portion of pipe. The in-line inspection tool may include a frame extending in the axial direction and at least one magnet connected to the frame and positioned to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field may be orientated obliquely with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the pipeline. The inspection tool may include a transmitter connected to the frame to generate an inspection signal within the magnetic field.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The system may comprise a portion of pipe comprising a pipe wall forming a cylindrical tube defining a circumferential direction and an axial direction. The system may further include an in-line inspection tool positioned within the portion of pipe. The in-line inspection tool may include a frame extending in the axial direction and at least one magnet connected to the frame and positioned to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field may be orientated obliquely with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the pipeline. The inspection tool may include a transmitter connected to the frame to generate an inspection signal within the magnetic field.

Abstract: An in-line inspection tool comprising primary and secondary sensor suites is disclosed. The primary sensor suite may detect both interior and exterior defects. The secondary sensor suite may comprise a plurality of housings distributed in the circumferential direction around the body of the tool. Each housing may contain at least one flux sensor and at least one flux concentrator. The flux concentrator may increase the flux delivered to the flux sensor, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the secondary sensor suite while reducing the number of flux sensors required. The secondary sensor suite may detect substantially exclusively interior defects. By comparing the outputs of the primary and secondary sensor suites, a user may determine whether a defect is located on the interior or exterior of a pipeline being inspected.

Abstract: An in-line inspection tool is disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The in-line inspection tool may include a transmitter, a signal generator, one or more receivers, and a decoder. The signal generator may generate a pseudorandom signal, generate an inspection signal, and drive the transmitter with a convolution of the pseudorandom signal and the inspection signal. The transmitter may transmit the convoluted signal to the wall of the pipeline. One or more receivers may receive from the wall of the pipeline a received signal comprising at least one of the convoluted signal and a reflection of the convoluted signal. The decoder may identify the inspection signal within the received signal by cross correlating the received signal and the pseudorandom signal.

Abstract: An in-line inspection tool comprising sensors mounted on inspection assemblies is disclosed. Each inspection assembly may be connected to the rest of the in-line inspection tool by two linkages. A first linkage may pivotally connect at one end thereof to a first end of an inspection assembly and pivotally connect at the other end thereof to the rest of the in-line inspection assembly. A second linkage may pivotally connect at one end thereof to a second end of the inspection assembly and pivotally connect at the other end thereof to the rest of the in-line inspection tool. The second linkage may comprise a first section and a second section pivotally connected to one another. Accordingly, the first and second linkages may support, exclusively through pivoting, both translational and rotational movement of the inspection assembly within a radial plane containing the central axis of the in-line inspection tool.

Abstract: An in-line inspection tool comprising a sensor suite, a processor processing the signal generated by at least one sensor of the sensor suite, and a canister housing the processor is disclosed. The canister may comprise a canister body formed as a hollow cylinder extending along a central axis from a first end to a second end. The canister may further comprise a canister lid inserted within the first end of the canister body. An alignment mechanism may prevent rotation of the canister lid with respect to the canister body about the central axis. A retaining ring may threadedly engage the first end of the canister body to maintain the canister lid within the first end of the canister body.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The system may comprise a portion of pipe comprising a pipe wall forming a cylindrical tube defining a circumferential direction and an axial direction. The system may further include an in-line inspection tool positioned within the portion of pipe. The in-line inspection tool may include a frame extending in the axial direction and at least one magnet connected to the frame and positioned to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field may be orientated obliquely with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the pipeline. The inspection tool may include a transmitter connected to the frame to generate an inspection signal within the magnetic field.

Abstract: A Wide Field ID-OD Discriminator for inspection of ferromagnetic pipe from the interior of the pipe. The embodiment concentrates the flux field from the full field of coverage to the sensors.

Abstract: An in-line inspection tool comprising a sensor suite, a processor processing the signal generated by at least one sensor of the sensor suite, and a canister housing the processor is disclosed. The canister may comprise a canister body formed as a hollow cylinder extending along a central axis from a first end to a second end. The canister may further comprise a canister lid inserted within the first end of the canister body. An alignment mechanism may prevent rotation of the canister lid with respect to the canister body about the central axis. A retaining ring may threadedly engage the first end of the canister body to maintain the canister lid within the first end of the canister body.

Abstract: A linkage for mounting the elements of an in-line pipeline inspection vehicle. The embodiment allows measurements to be taken while constraining the vehicle to travel within an axial plane of the pipeline.