Monitoring pipes
US6474165B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 18, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 18, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2636
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.