Abstract: A pipe (P) carries corrosive fluids (F). Ultrasonic measurements of the pipe's thickness are made with an instrument (10) to determine if it needs to be replaced. If the pipe is coated with a layer (L) of protective material (C), a time of flight (TOF) measurement is made to determine the velocity of ultrasonic pulses transmitted through the material from which the pipe is manufactured. A second measurement is made to determine the velocity of pulses through the coated pipe material. The pulse velocity is now a function of the coating thickness by knowing the two velocity values, the coating thickness is determined. An ultrasonic pulse measurement of the thickness of the coated pipe is then made. The coating thickness is then calculated by a processor (12) of the instrument. If the thickness value is less than a minimum thickness value (M), an indication is given that the pipe needs to be replaced.

Abstract: A method of performing an ultrasonic examination with a transducer/receiver through a coupling gel including loading the coupling gel in a stand-on-end container which can be maintained in an upside down, standby position without leaking; maintaining the container in a standby position; applying the coupling gel to a subject; performing the ultrasonic examination with the transducer/receiver through the coupling gel; reading the ultrasonic image; and returning the container to the standby position for ready use.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer probe for testing workpieces exhibiting compound surfaces includes a molded plastic body which precisely fits to the shape of such workpiece surfaces. Moreover, the body includes, as an integral part thereof, an indexing portion for accurately locating the transducer probe in relation to a predetermined workpiece test area to cause the transducer element embedded in the molded body to transmit ultrasonic energy in the predetermined test area. The transducer probe is secured to a manipulator for remote operation.