Ultrasonic inspection and deployment apparatus
US4434660A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 1981 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N29/265
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for the inspection of metal structures, especially installed pipes. The apparatus combines a specimen inspection element, an acoustical velocity sensing element, and a surface profiling element, all in one scanning head. A scanning head bellows contains a volume of oil above the pipe surface, serving as acoustical couplant between the scanning head and the pipe. The scanning head is mounted on a scanning truck which is mobile around a circular track surrounding the pipe. The scanning truck has sufficient motors, gears, and position encoders to allow the scanning head six degrees of motion freedom. A computer system continually monitors acoustical velocity, and uses that parameter to process surface profiling and inspection data. The profiling data is used to automatically control scanning head position and alignment and to define a coordinate system used to identify and interpret inspection data. The apparatus is suitable for highly automated, remote application in hostile environments, particularly high temperature and radiation areas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.