Method and apparatus for detecting irregularities on or in the wall of a vessel
US6116776A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of detecting irregularities on or in the wall of a vessel by detecting localized spatial temperature differentials on the wall surface, comprising scanning the vessel surface with a thermal imaging camera and recording the position of the or each region for which the thermal image from the camera is indicative of such a temperature differential across the region. The spatial temperature differential may be formed by bacterial growth on the vessel surface; alternatively, it may be the result of defects in the vessel wall such as thin regions or pin holes or cracks. The detection of leaks through the vessel wall may be enhanced by applying a pressure differential or a temperature differential across the vessel wall; the testing for leaks may be performed with the vessel full or empty, and from the inside or the outside.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.