Scan From Within Object Patents (Class 73/623)
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Publication number: 20090084184Abstract: Device for ultrasonic inspection of a wall of a pipeline that encloses a fluidum. The device is arranged to be moveable along a device axis through the pipeline along a longitudinal direction of the pipeline. The device is provided with electronic means, a body, a transmitting transducer and at least two receiving transducers, mutually spaced apart in a first transducer array along an array direction that is directed substantially parallel to the device axis. The electronic means are arranged to operate the transmitting transducer for transmitting a first ultrasonic signal to propagate through the fluidum to reach the wall, and to operate the at least two receiving transducers for receiving a second ultrasonic signal, which originates from the first ultrasonic signal after it is modified by the wall, according to a tandem method. The at least two receiving transducers are operated for receiving substantially simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Frederik Hendrik Dijkstra, Paul Andre De Jong, Herman Jozef Moolenaar, Thomas Theodorus Arnoldus Van Overbeek
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Publication number: 20090078049Abstract: Apparatus and method for non-contact ultrasonic detection of features on or within the walls of hollow pipes are described. An air-coupled, high-power ultrasonic transducer for generating guided waves in the pipe wall, and a high-sensitivity, air-coupled transducer for detecting these waves, are disposed at a distance apart and at chosen angle with respect to the surface of the pipe, either inside of or outside of the pipe. Measurements may be made in reflection or transmission modes depending on the relative position of the transducers and the pipe. Data are taken by sweeping the frequency of the incident ultrasonic waves, using a tracking narrow-band filter to reduce detected noise, and transforming the frequency domain data into the time domain using fast Fourier transformation, if required.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventor: Dipen N. Sinha
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Patent number: 7467560Abstract: A robotic ultrasonic inspection vehicle is provided with one or more transducers which are driven by a long, broadband excitation pulse for insonifying a sample subject to inspection. The long, broadband excitation pulse can be chirped. The robotic vehicle also can include a drive circuit for coupling the excitation pulse to the transducer. Data associated with the excitation pulse is used to gate off the drive circuitry at an appropriate time. The robotic vehicle may traverse a combustion prone region and therefore electrical parameters may be limited to intrinsically safe levels. However electrical parameters may safely be converted to higher levels so long as the conversion is inhibited to occur only after the vehicle has left a combustion prone region and entered a region of minimal risk of combustion.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Berkeley Springs Instruments LLCInventors: Eugene Ben Silverman, Richard Skallos
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Publication number: 20080236287Abstract: A method for detecting a crack in a pipeline from an inside of the pipeline, wherein, with the aid of at least one ultrasonic transmitter in the pipeline, successively ultrasonic pulses are transmitted in a direction of an inner wall of the pipeline and wherein, with the aid of at least one ultrasonic receiver in the pipeline, reflections of the ultrasonic pulses on the pipeline are received. The ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver are mutually separated at a distance from each other, wherein the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver are moved together along the inner wall in tangential direction of the pipeline and at a distance from the inner wall for scanning the pipeline. The pipeline is filled with a liquid such as water for obtaining an immersion between the ultrasonic transmitter, the ultrasonic receiver and the inner wall of the pipeline.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2005Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: RÖNTGEN TECHNISCHE DIENST B.V.Inventors: Robert Van Agthoven, Bernard Spree, Wouter De Waal
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Patent number: 7296488Abstract: A system incorporating a robot to inspect ferrous surfaces. Preferably, the robot is an articulated device having a tractor module for motive power and steering, a power module for electrical power and communications and additional motive power, and a third module for cleaning and inspection. The robot uses sensors and generates and transmits signals to a computer through a tether and receives direction from an operator via the computer and tether. The computer continuously monitors the location of the robot and supports the robot during deployment. In a specific application, the robot travels the interior of a tank on a set of magnetized wheels. Prior to inspection, the tank surface is cleaned of deposits by rotary cutters and rotary brushes on the third module. The robot obtains thickness measurements via onboard ultrasonic transducers that contact the cleaned surface. A method for implementing inspection of ferrous surfaces is also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Vince F. Hock, Charles P. Marsh, Warren C. Whittaker, Frank Robb
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Patent number: 7240574Abstract: A sensor carrier for an in-tube inspection scraper has setting places for installation of monitoring sensors responsive to any diagnostic parameters of a pipeline being inspected. The carrier includes a set of kinematically interconnected sensor supports that are subjected to an elastic force in the radial direction from the carrier axis. The supports are made as elastic ring-shaped elements or as rows of interconnected elements adjoining the pipe wall or are fixed on elastic components such as rings or sectors of sleeves, and/or are connected to a housing capable of bending. Installed on the supports between the sensors and the internal surface of the pipeline are elastic gaskets. The carrier allows one to increase the efficiency of the flaw detection in pipelines having defects of geometry in the cross section.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Caleste Hills Trading LimitedInventors: Uriy A. Sapelnikov, Boris V. Kozyrev, Mikhail S. Matveev, Dmitry G. Chernov, Vladimir N. Eliseev
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Patent number: 7234347Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes an inspection unit that is lowered into vertically supported pipe filled with seawater. The apparatus includes a pipe weld location detector module carried by the inspection unit. The apparatus also includes a rotating time of flight diffusion (TOFD) module and a non-rotating wall thickness module carried by the inspection unit. The module includes a pair of rotatably mounted weld volume inspection transducers rotatable by an operator and adapted to inspect for and obtain data on weld volume defects. The TOFD module has a fluid carrier positioned within the TOFD module and contains an acoustic fluid. The non-rotating wall thickness module also contains an acoustic liquid and includes a plurality of fixedly mounted wall inspection transducers adapted to obtain data on wall thickness of a portion of the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Larry K. Harthorn, Christopher B. Disher
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Patent number: 7234355Abstract: A method and system for detecting weld signatures from an ultrasound scan data obtained from scanning a pipeline is provided. The method includes a step for mapping multiple amplitude responses from the ultrasound scan data, each amplitude response being representative of a respective sensor signal. Continuous amplitude responses are located from the amplitude responses and corresponding signatures are identified for the continuous amplitude responses. The method also includes a step for tagging the corresponding signatures as weld signatures.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2004Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sandeep Kumar Dewangan, Anandraj Sengupta, Amitabha Dutta
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Patent number: 7201055Abstract: A miniature air gap inspection crawler. The miniature air gap inspection crawler may include a base, a linear drive mechanism and a circumferential drive mechanism such that either the linear drive mechanism or the circumferential drive mechanism may be employed, and an inspection module connected to the base.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul C. Bagley, Richard Hatley, Robert M. Roney, Kenneth Hatley
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Patent number: 7143659Abstract: A pipe-inspection system (100) is provided. The system (100) is made up of a transmission cluster (104) incorporating a transmission unit (800) between first and second wheeled guidance units (400), and a reception cluster (104?) incorporating a reception unit (1400) between third and fourth wheeled guidance units (400). Each wheeled guidance unit (400) contains a plurality of wheels (416) radially disposed in each of a plurality of planes (420, 426, 432). Transmission unit (800) contains a transmission device (1004). Reception unit (1400) contains a reception device (1604). The system (100) is compatible with RFEC inspection techniques to inspect a pipeline (102), where transmission and reception devices (1004, 1604) are an RFEC transmitter and receiver, respectively. A lead line (106) is attached to the first guidance unit (400) to move the system (100) in a forward direction (108).Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2002Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Pinnacle West Capital CorporationInventors: John Hugo Stout, Kelly Thomas Richmond
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Patent number: 7111516Abstract: What is claimed is an inspection device for in-tube monitoring of main pipelines by the method of ultrasonic wall thickness metering realized in a device traveling inside the pipeline and performing measurements, acquisition of measurement data and their interpretation. The device comprises a probing pulse generator, an ultrasonic transducer, an amplifier, a comparator with an analog input, a digital timer, a processor and a data storage module, and a controlled reference voltage source connected in series. The output of said reference voltage source is connected to the reference voltage input of the comparator, said reference voltage source being capable of setting at least two different voltages at its output.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: NGKS International CorporationInventors: Alexandr J. Bazarov, Alexandr P. Desyatchikov, Nikolai A. Karasev, Sergei P. Kirichenko, Andrei M. Slepov, Anatoly V. Smirnov, Sergei N. Hrapov
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Patent number: 7104125Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes an inspection unit that is lowered into vertically supported pipe filled with seawater. The apparatus includes a pipe weld location detector module carried by the inspection unit. The apparatus also includes a rotating time of flight diffusion (TOFD) module and a non-rotating wall thickness module carried by the inspection unit. The module includes a pair of rotatably mounted weld volume inspection transducers rotatable by an operator and adapted to inspect for and obtain data on weld volume defects. The TOFD module has a fluid carrier positioned within the TOFD module and contains an acoustic fluid. The non-rotating wall thickness module also contains an acoustic liquid and includes a plurality of fixedly mounted wall inspection transducers adapted to obtain data on wall thickness of a portion of the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2006Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Larry K. Harthorn, Christopher B. Disher
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Patent number: 7073979Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing maintenance on sewer pipes using a thermal sensor. The method and apparatus may be applied to the reinstatement of lateral openings after a liner has been installed in a main pipe. The thermal sensor detects the location of the lateral openings by sensing the thermal conditions of the liner. The thermal condition of the portions of the liner that cover the lateral openings is different from the thermal condition of the rest of the liner. The apparatus and method is also applicable to detecting groundwater leaks in the main pipe, and is also applicable to inspecting exothermic chemical reactions in the main pipe, such as exothermic grout or epoxy used to seal the liner in the main pipe. The thermal sensor may be integrated into a camera assembly that includes a visual camera at one end and the thermal sensor at the other end. The visual camera is useful in those portions of the main pipe that are full of water.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Aries Industries IncorporatedInventors: R. Michael McGrew, John Rinehart
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Patent number: 6978690Abstract: An apparatus for the internal inspection of pipes and tubes or the like, comprising an ultrasonic measuring head and a cable coupled to the measuring head, which cable can be coupled outside the pipe or tube to be measured to a device processing the measuring data, the apparatus being provided at its distal end but behind the measuring head, with a reel for winding the cable on and off.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2000Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: A. Hak Industrial Services B.V.Inventors: Siemen Roelof Van der Heide, Leonardus Johannes Gruitroij, Joost Martinus Hermanus Parent, Christiaan Willem Schomper
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Patent number: 6959603Abstract: A comprehensive system for the cleaning, inspection, and testing of tubulars, particularly riser pipes, is provided. In a first aspect, a method of inspecting a tubular comprises cleaning, visually inspecting, corrosion mapping, and TOM testing the tubular. In another aspect, a specially designed or adapted tool is provided for each of the steps of the method.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Cooper Cameron CorporationInventors: Ray Knight, Jim Wells
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Patent number: 6904817Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for inspecting a series of obstructed welds, such as those used in attaching the jet pump diffuser to a baffle plate using a jet pump adapter within a boiling water nuclear reactor (BWR). The apparatus comprises a support, a frame with holding mechanisms, a connector, a carrier and a sensor assembly and the method can comprise positioning the apparatus so that it partially surrounds the jet pump near the baffle plate attachment region and is temporarily held in place. The sensor assembly then positions a sensor adjacent an area of interest and the carrier is rotated along the frame to scan the sensor along the surface being inspected to acquire data regarding the quality or nature of the material, such as the quality of a weld.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Trevor James Davis, David Galbally
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Patent number: 6848313Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: PII Pipetronix GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Krieg, Achim Hugger
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Patent number: 6820031Abstract: A distance detection apparatus cancels signal delay times of transmission and reception circuits (13, 15, 22, 25), which are causes of the errors of distance detection, by receiving a transmission signal turned back directly to measure the difference between the transmission timing and the reception timing at that time, and by setting the value obtained by the measurement as a correction value at the time of obtaining the measurement distance.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tadashi Hayakawa
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Patent number: 6813949Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system of addressing pipeline anomalies prior to failure of pipeline integrity, and particularly to a pipeline inspection system integrating a novel serviceability acceptance criteria for pipeline anomalies, specifically wrinkles, with an improved method of correlating ultrasonic test data to actual anomaly characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Mirant CorporationInventors: Richard Masaniello, Dennis Johnston, Stephen Christoffersen, Arthur Turner, John Broussard, John Kiefner
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Publication number: 20040177681Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes an inspection unit that is lowered into vertically supported pipe filled with seawater. The apparatus includes a pipe weld location detector module carried by the inspection unit. The apparatus also includes a rotating time of flight diffusion (TOFD) module and a non-rotating wall thickness module carried by the inspection unit. The module includes a pair of rotatably mounted weld volume inspection transducers rotatable by an operator and adapted to inspect for and obtain data on weld volume defects. The TOFD module has a fluid carrier positioned within the TOFD module and contains an acoustic fluid. The non-rotating wall thickness module also contains an acoustic liquid and includes a plurality of fixedly mounted wall inspection transducers adapted to obtain data on wall thickness of a portion of the pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Larry K. Harthorn, Christopher B. Disher
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Patent number: 6772634Abstract: The system provides a means for identifying the opposite ends of each particular conduit of an array of conduits laidout in a building. The system includes a sonic transmitter and a sonic receiver which are units that are separate from each other and portable. The transmitter is connected to a sonic output transducer mounted on a wand which semi-rigid allowing it to be placed at an open end of a conduit and emit a sonic signal thereinto and through the conduit. The receiver is connected to sonic input transducer mounted on another wand which is semi-rigid allowing it to be placed at the opposite open end of the conduit and receive the sonic signal transmitted through the conduit. The sonic transducers may be moved from one of the open ends to another in the array until the input transducer receives the transmitted signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2001Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Inventor: Jerry A. Ibey
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Patent number: 6772637Abstract: The claimed method of in-tube inspection of a pipeline is effected by passing through the pipeline an inspection pig carrying monitoring transducers responsive to the diagnostic parameters of the pipeline, means for measuring, processing and storage of the measurements data by periodic interrogation of the monitoring transducers during the travel of the inspection pig and processing and storage of the measurement data. The method is characterized in that during the travel of the pig with a period not less than the cycle time of the monitoring transducers the velocity of the inspection pig is determined, and the cycle time of the monitoring transducers is set as a function of at least two values of the pig velocity determined during its travel. The period of determining the inspection pig velocity makes 200-2000 cycles of interrogation of the monitoring transducers. The cycle of interrogation of the monitoring transducers is given a value from a number of discrete values in a series of at least 3.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: NGKS International Corp.Inventors: Alexandr J. Bazarov, Alexandr P. Desyatchikov, Nikolai A. Karasev, Sergei P. Kirichenko, Andrei M. Slepov, Anatoly V. Smirnov
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Publication number: 20040148730Abstract: A comprehensive system for the cleaning, inspection, and testing of tubulars, particularly riser pipes, is provided. In a first aspect, a method of inspecting a tubular comprises cleaning, visually inspecting, corrosion mapping, and TOM testing the tubular. In another aspect, a specially designed or adapted tool is provided for each of the steps of the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2004Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: Ray Knight, Jim Wells
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Patent number: 6745136Abstract: A method for inspecting pipe, the method, in at least certain aspects, including detecting an inspection parameter in at least a first part of a pipe, the pipe having a length, a hollow body, an outer surface, and a generally circular pipe wall with an inner diameter and an outer diameter, locating at a first location the first part of the pipe with respect to the length of the pipe and with respect to the outer diameter of the pipe; and such a method for inspecting pipe which, in at least certain aspects, includes detecting at least a first part of a first imperfection of the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.Inventors: Clive Chemo Lam, John Edward Harris
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Patent number: 6697710Abstract: A gas pipe explorer formed of a plurality of connecting elements, and an articulation element between the connected elements. The connected elements include drive capabilities, and the articulation element allows the connected elements to traverse gas pipes of arbitrary shapes and sizes. A sensor may sends the characteristics of the gas pipe, and the communication element may send back those sends characteristics. The communication can be wired, over a tether connecting the device to a remote end. Alternatively, the connection can be wireless, driven by either a generator or a battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventor: Brian Wilcox
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Publication number: 20040031337Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system of addressing pipeline anomalies prior to failure of pipeline integrity, and particularly to a pipeline inspection system integrating a novel serviceability acceptance criteria for pipeline anomalies, specifically wrinkles, with an improved method of correlating ultrasonic test data to actual anomaly characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventors: Richard Masaniello, Dennis Johnston, Stephen Christoffersen, Arthur Turner, John Broussard, John Kiefner
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Patent number: 6691576Abstract: Plural auxiliary carts 18 and 19 are connected to a measuring cart 11 in the width direction thereof which travels on a tank bottom plate 31 through universal joint mechanisms 26 and 27. Reflection type ultrasonic probes 22, 23 and coating film thickness gauges 24, 25 are provided with the respective auxiliary carts 18 and 19, and also a rotary encoder 32 which measures a traveling distance of the measuring cart 11 is attached to the measuring cart 11. Based on the outputs of the ultrasonic probes 22, 23, the outputs of the coating film thickness gauges 24, 25 and the outputs of the rotary encoder 32, the actual thickness of the tank bottom plate 31, that is obtained by subtracting the thickness of the coating film at a specific position of the tank bottom plate 31 measured by the rotary encoder, is measured and stored, and the thickness of every portion of the tank bottom plate 31 is displayed on a screen.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignees: Asahi Engineering Co., Ltd., Shin Nippon Nondestructive Inspection Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyoshi Sato, Kazuhiro Nojiri, Tatsuya Fukunaga, Fuminori Kiyota, Ryota Kajiki, Yuji Nishimura
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Patent number: 6684706Abstract: A comprehensive system for the cleaning, inspection, and testing of tubulars, particularly riser pipes, is provided. In a first aspect, a method of inspecting a tubular comprises cleaning, visually inspecting, corrosion mapping, and TOFD testing the tubular. In another aspect, a specially designed or adapted tool is provided for each of the steps of the method.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Cooper Cameron CorporationInventors: Ray Knight, Jim Wells
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Patent number: 6666095Abstract: An ultrasonic pipe or other structure assessment system includes an ultrasonic transducer positioned proximate the pipe or other structure. A fluid connection between the ultrasonic transducer and the pipe or other structure is produced. The ultrasonic transducer is moved relative to the pipe or other structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Graham H. Thomas, Valerie L. Morrow, Harold Levie, Ronald J. Kane, Albert E. Brown
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Patent number: 6651503Abstract: The claimed method of in-tube ultrasonic flaw detection of pipelines is effected, in accordance with one embodiment, by placing inside a pipeline an inspection pig or flaw detector having ultrasonic transducers, devices for measurements, processing and storage of the measured data. During the pig travel, the transducers emit probing ultrasonic pulses and receive the reflected pulses corresponding to said probing pulse thus deriving data on the time intervals corresponding to the transit time of said pulses, the measured data being converted and stored.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: NGKS International Corp.Inventors: Alexandr Jurievich Bazarov, Alexandr Petrovich Desyatchikov, Nikolai Alekseevich Karasev, Sergei Pavlovich Kirichenko, Andrei Mikhailovich Slepov, Anatoly Valentinovich Smirnov
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Patent number: 6606920Abstract: An improved tube inspection probe delivery system that supports a probe pusher that drives a cable connected to the probe through a flexible conduit into a tube for inspection. The probe pusher is mounted on an elevator that advances the probe pusher toward or retracts the probe pusher from the general direction of the tube as the probe is moved from tube to tube for inspection of a plurality of tubes, to maintain a substantially constant slack in the flexible conduit. The probe drive system includes a containment to control contamination that may be emitted from the tube during the inspection process.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Philip J. Hawkins, Robert J. Maurer
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Patent number: 6571634Abstract: A method of in-tube ultrasonic inspection of pipelines is carried out by passing inside the pipeline a scanning pig, emitting ultrasonic probing pulses towards the pipe wall and receiving the reflected ultrasonic pulses. The received pulses are amplified using an amplification factor which is increased depending on the time elapsed from the moment of emitting the probing pulse. The threshold values of the pulse amplitudes are also varied depending on time. Digital values of the pulse amplitudes and the time elapsed from the moment of emitting the probing pulse and corresponding to each value of the amplitude are obtained. The method allows for compensation for the effect of ultrasound attenuation in the material on the amplitudes of the reflected pulses and, in this manner, to increase the accuracy of determining the geometrical parameters of the flaws, a probability of their detection and efficiency of estimation of their danger.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: NGKS International Corp.Inventors: Alexandr J. Bazarov, Alexandr P. Desyatchikov, Denis A. Desyatchikov, Vladimir N. Eliseev, Mikhail A. Isupov, Nikolai A. Karasev, Sergei P. Kirichenko, Gennady A. Kornev, Nikolai V. Nikolaev, Andrei M. Slepov, Anatoly V. Smirnov, Sergei V. Chernov
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Publication number: 20030056607Abstract: This invention relates to microflowable devices and methods of utilizing such microflowable devices in pipelines to perform inspections. Disclosed are methods of using such microflowable devices to measure parameters of interest within a pipeline to inspect the pipeline for conditions such as stress, corrosion, wall erosion and the like. Also disclosed is performing maintenance on the pipeline to correct such conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Peter S. Aronstam
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Patent number: 6530278Abstract: An ultrasonic testing system for testing the circumferential girth welds of a tank for defects utilizes a probe trolley to which six probes are attached. The probe trolley is clamped to a drive unit which runs upon a track that is removably attached to the interior surface of the tank. The track is positioned so that the probe trolley travels over the weld as the drive unit negotiates the track. Coupling fluid is supplied to the probe trolley so that a layer of coupling fluid exists between the probes and the tank interior surface adjacent to the weld. Ultrasonic beams emitted by the probe travel through the coupling fluid, into the tank wall and weld and are reflected. Data from the probes is directed to a processor where it is analyzed, displayed and stored.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Inventors: Matthew D. Bowersox, Jerry H. Spigelmyer, Daniel L. Yoder, Dane E. Hackenberger, Sherrill R. Harris, William P. Waldron, Frederick R. Hoar
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Patent number: 6526114Abstract: An inspection apparatus for inspecting welds in a nuclear reactor jet pump includes a probe subassembly rotatably and linearly movably coupled to a frame structure configured to attach to a top flange of the reactor pressure vessel. The probe subassembly includes a plurality of probe arms pivotably coupled to a housing, with each probe arm including a sensor. The probe arms are pivotably movable between a first position where the probe arms are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the probe subassembly, and a second position where the probe arms are at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the probe subassembly. An insertion subassembly couples to the jet pump suction inlet. The insertion subassembly is sized to receive the probe subassembly and guide the probe subassembly into the jet pump through the jet pump suction inlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rodolfo Paillaman, Diego Molpeceres Prieto
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Patent number: 6505525Abstract: A self-propelled lateral inspection apparatus includes a body, a main camera fixed to the body, and a lateral camera movable with respect to the body into a lateral sewer pipe. A low frequency beacon is carried by the lateral camera or may be provided separately from the lateral camera. The beacon may be used to determine the position of the lateral camera in the lateral sewer pipe, or to map the lateral sewer pipe. A picture-in-picture processor is carried by the body, and permits an above-ground user to view video images from both the main and lateral cameras simultaneously on a single monitor screen.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2002Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Aries Industries IncorporatedInventor: R. Michael McGrew
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Publication number: 20020174722Abstract: The claimed method of in-tube ultrasonic flaw detection of pipelines is effected, in accordance with one embodiment, by placing inside a pipeline an inspection pig or flaw detector having ultrasonic transducers, devices for measurements, processing and storage of the measured data. During the pig travel, the transducers emit probing ultrasonic pulses and receive the reflected pulses corresponding to said probing pulse thus deriving data on the time intervals corresponding to the transit time of said pulses, the measured data being converted and stored.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Alexandr Jurievich Bazarov, Alexandr Petrovich Desyatchikov, Nikolai Alekseevich Karasev, Sergei Pavlovich Kirichenko, Andrei Mikhailovich Slepov, Anatoly Valentinovich Smirnov
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Patent number: 6484583Abstract: A hollow composite structure is inspected using an ultrasonic inspection apparatus including a yoke having a base, a first arm extending from the base, and a second arm extending from the base parallel to the first arm. A first ultrasonic transducer is affixed to the first arm, and a second ultrasonic transducer is affixed by a spring mount to the second arm in facing relation to the first ultrasonic transducer. A retractor is affixed to the spring mount to permit the second ultrasonic transducer to be retracted away from the first ultrasonic transducer against a spring bias. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus is positioned by placing one of the arms adjacent to the interior surface, one of the arms adjacent to the exterior surface, and the base extending through the access opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2000Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Richard Scott Chennell, Jon Russel Dierdorf
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Patent number: 6474165Abstract: An apparatus as disclosed for mounting a liquid-filled pipe by the use of ultrasound techniques. The apparatus comprises a vehicle capable of fitting inside the pipe, and of being transported along the pipe by the liquid flowing into it, together with rings of several ultrasonic transducers spaced circumferentially round the vehicle. The rings are so arranged that one ring operates in the reflection mode purely radially while two further rings operate as a pair in a longitudinal refraction mode. A fourth ring is used in a circumferential refraction/reflection mode. The vehicle has an associated power supply, data gathering and storage capability and a vehicle for measuring the distance traveled along the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignees: Severn Trent Water Limited, Thames Water Utilities Limited, North West Water LimitedInventors: Mark Francis Lucien Harper, Michael Ray Gorman
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Patent number: 6449326Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically examining a weld in a nuclear steam supply system includes an elongated guide rod for positioning within a pipe of the nuclear steam supply system. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned at an end of the elongated guide rod. A collapsible shoe encloses the ultrasonic transducer. The collapsible shoe includes a biasing mechanism to allow the collapsible shoe to pass through the pipe while the pipe is at a first circumference and while the pipe is at a second circumference. The collapsible shoe continuously contacts the pipe to establish ultrasonic coupling for the ultrasonic transducer.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Stanley Maurice Walker, Steven Allen Kenefick, Robert Jeffery Lowery, Adam Roy Caban
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Patent number: 6439054Abstract: The invention includes a method for testing materials, such as for example sputtering target materials, other materials for electronics applications, or other materials in general in which homogeneity throughout the material is desired. A plurality of positions are defined across at least a portion of a material. Sonic energy is sequentially irradiated across the plurality of positions. Echoes are induced by the sonic energy, and detected. At least some of the detected echoes are associated with individual positions of the plurality of positions that triggered the detected echoes. Information pertaining to at least one physical attribute of the detected echoes is processed to sort the detected echoes into a first group indicative of inhomogeneities in the material, and a second group which does not indicate inhomogeneities in the material. The echoes of the first group are sorted into clusters, with the clusters being defined as echoes from adjacent positions of the plurality of positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Russell B. Gore, Ronald H. Fleming
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Patent number: 6404189Abstract: A method and system for implementing magnetostrictive sensor techniques for the nondestructive evaluation of pipeline structures. The system consists of a magnetostrictive sensor instrument unit, a data storage unit, and a plurality of magnetostrictive sensor probes are positioned on an in-line inspection vehicle. The instrumentation unit includes electronics for transmitting excitation pulses to a transmitting magnetostrictive sensor probe as well as electronics for amplifying and conditioning the signals detected by a receiving magnetostrictive sensor probe. The magnetostrictive sensor probes include both plate magnetostrictive sensors and permanent magnets which provide a DC bias magnetic field necessary for magnetostrictive sensor operation. The transmitting and receiving probes are attached to the in-line inspection vehicle by way of mechanical arms on opposing sides of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Southeast Research InstituteInventors: Hegeon Kwun, Sang Young Kim
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Patent number: 6359409Abstract: An encoder operates in accordance with the transparent scanning principle. The encoder includes a rotating shaft, a partial disk connected nonrotatably concentrically with the shaft, an illuminating unit, and a scanning receiver located axially in front of the end of the shaft. The illuminating unit is connected nonrotatably centrally with the shaft and rotates with the shaft on the side of a partial disk that faces away from the scanning receiver. The scanning receiver includes a monolithic photoreceiver array which is formed with photosensitive sensor areas associated with an angular displacement of the partial disk.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Max Stegmann GmbH Antriebstechnik-ElektronikInventor: Josef Siraky
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Patent number: 6253615Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for inspecting a base of a liquid filled tank for corrosion, having (a) a housing for use in the liquid filled tank; (b) a set of one or more ultrasonic transducers mounted to the housing, for directing one or more ultrasonic pulses at the base, where the ultrasonic pulses each have a frequency selected to produce a return signal from the base, and for receiving this return signal; and (c) a data capturing system for storing information from these return signals. Optional features include a second set of one or more ultrasonic transducers for directing one or more ultrasonic pulses at the liquid/gas interface at a frequency selected to produce a return signal from the liquid/gas interface, a data analysis system, a locomotive system, and a spatial location system.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kirth E. Simmonds, Narendra K. Batra, Richard B. Mignogna
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Patent number: 6215836Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically examining a weld in a nuclear steam supply system includes an elongated guide rod for positioning within a pipe of the nuclear steam supply system. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned at an end of the elongated guide rod. A collapsible shoe encloses the ultrasonic transducer. The collapsible shoe includes a biasing mechanism to allow the collapsible shoe to pass through the pipe while the pipe is at a first circumference and while the pipe is at a second circumference. The collapsible shoe continuously contacts the pipe to establish ultrasonic coupling for the ultrasonic transducer.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Stanley Maurice Walker, Steven Allen Kenefick, Robert Jeffery Lowery, Adam Roy Caban
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Patent number: 6076407Abstract: A probe for inspecting the inside of a large diameter, substantially vertical, limited access pipe. The probe includes an elongated probe housing having a series of flexible joint along its length to permit the probe to be positioned within the pipe. A plurality of radially extendable guide arms are attached to the lower end of the probe housing for positioning the probe within the pipe and, in the preferred embodiment, a stabilizer weight is attached to the elongated housing adjacent to the guide arms for preventing unstable movement of the probe much like a tail on a kite. In the preferred embodiment, the probe further includes a rotational drive for rotating the plurality of radially extendable guide arms with respect to the elongated housing. In addition, sensors are located on the ends of each guide arm to permit the inside surface of the pipe to be more completely inspected for defects.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Framatome Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Paul Levesque, John Paul Sheppard, II, Matthew Wayne Ales
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Patent number: 5992246Abstract: A system and method for identifying, locating and marking an underwater pipeline anomaly such as excessive pipe wall corrosion. An inspection tool is pulled through the pipeline with a cable. The cable length is precisely measured when a pipeline anomaly is detected, and a transmitter generates a signal representing the pipeline anomaly location. This measurement provides an accurate positioning system for deploying a mobile receiver, and the receiver identifies the transmitter signal for facilitating precise marking of the pipeline anomaly from the pipeline exterior. Accurate cable measurements are taken by a controller which monitors the magnitude and variations in cable tension and length.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.Inventor: Sidney B. Nice
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Patent number: 5953287Abstract: A method of and apparatus for determining the topography and/or volume of a layer of sludge on the bottom of an oil tank, for example, in which a sonar head having a velocimeter is immersed in the oil, and a fan-shaped beam of acoustic energy is swept across the layer of sludge. Also the velocity of sound in the oil is measured, preferably at a plurality of heights over a relatively short vertical range to determine the velocity gradient, which is then extrapolated for the entire depth of the oil. Processing means determine, from the extrapolated velocity gradient, the topography and/or volume of the sludge. The method provides an accurate indication of the distribution and volume of sludge across the whole of the bottom of an oil tank, taking into account changes in the speed and attenuation of acoustic energy due to, for example, the temperature gradient in the oil.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Willacy Oil Services LimitedInventors: George Arthur Willacy, Stanislaw Tadeusz Kolaczkowski, Nicholas Gaze Pace
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Patent number: 5942687Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for inspecting a base of liquid filled tank for corrosion, having (a) a housing for use in the liquid filled tank; (b) a set of one or more ultrasonic transducers mounted to the housing, for directing one or more ultrasonic pulses at the base, where the ultrasonic pulses each have a frequency selected to produce a return signal from the base, and for receiving this return signal; and (c) a data capturing system, for storing information from these return signals. Optional features include a second set of one or more ultrasonic transducers for directing one or more ultrasonic pulses at the liquid/gas interface at a frequency selected to produce a return signal from the liquid/gas interface, a data analysis system, a locomotive system, and a spatial location system.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1998Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kirth E. Simmonds, Narendra K. Batra, Richard B. Mignogna
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Patent number: RE40515Abstract: A method and system for implementing magnetostrictive sensor techniques for the nondestructive evaluation of pipeline structures. The system consists of a magnetostrictive sensor instrument unit, a data storage unit, and a plurality of magnetostrictive sensor probes are positioned on an in-line inspection vehicle. The instrumentation unit includes electronics for transmitting excitation pulses to a transmitting magnetostrictive sensor probe as well as electronics for amplifying and conditioning the signals detected by a receiving magnetostrictive sensor probe. The magnetostrictive sensor probes include both plate magnetostrictive sensors and permanent magnets which provide a DC bias magnetic field necessary for magnetostrictive sensor operation. The transmitting and receiving probes are attached to the in-line inspection vehicle by way of mechanical arms on opposing sides of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Hegeon Kwun, Sang Young Kim