Ultrasonic inspection apparatus with centering means for tubular members
US5007291A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 1989 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/106
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Pipe inspection apparatus comprising transducers for transmitting pulsed beams of ultrasonic energy longitudinally, transversely and obliquely into the wall of the pipe for detection of flaws. The apparatus includes a motor driven chuck 18 for rotating the transducers about the a pipe P and motor driven roller 12 for axial movement of the pipe whereby the transducers move in a helical scanning path. A control system 60 maintains the axes of the pipe and circle array of transducers in coincidence and with hydraulic controls 80 maintains each transducer at fixed distance to the pipe for sonically coupling thereto by a flowing liquid whereby a shear wave is generated by each beam in the tubular wall. The transducers comprise multiple pairs, the members of which are diametrically opposed and transmit in opposite directions, for transmitting longitudinally at angles of 12.degree., 27.degree. and 42.degree. to the pipe axis both clockwise and counterclockwise with one transducer of each pair disposed to transmit forward and the other reverse. For longitudinal flaws, one transducer of a pair transmits transverse clockwise and the other transverse counterclockwise. All transducers which tr…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.