Patent · US Expired

Ultrasonic detection of flaws in tubular members

US6578422B2 · kind B2 · utility

106Cited by
56References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 14, 2001
Grant dateJun 17, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 14, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2291/2636
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for ultrasonically inspecting a tubular member, the tubular member having an inner surface, an outer surface, and two spaced-apart ends including a first end of the tubular member, the method including transmitting sonic beams to the tubular member with transducers such that sonic beams are reflected from: the first end and the inner and outer surface of the tubular member, completing inspection of the outer surface of the tubular member while continuing to inspect the inner surface of the tubular member, and sensing a distance from the transducers to the first end of the tubular member, continuing to transmit sonic beams for the inspection of the inner surface of the tubular member until the transducers are near its first end; and, in one aspect, detecting an inner surface defect near the first end of the tubular member after the outer surface inspection has ceased.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.