Phased array ultrasonic NDT system for tubes and pipes
US6813950B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2634
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
One or more phased array ultrasonic probes in the shape of conical section arcs, or an entire conical section ring, emit beams at a fixed incident angle with respect to the outer surface of a tube or pipe under inspection. At any given moment, these beams strike the tube at a single small entry zone from number of different directions. After being refracted at the inspection angle corresponding to the fixed angle of incidence, defects having longitudinal, transverse and oblique orientations are detected in the three-dimensional volume of the tube wall. The number of entry zones required for complete coverage of the outer surface of the tube is a function of the size of the tube, the speed at which it passes through the inspection station and the rate of rotation of the tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.