Ultrasonic thickness gage for pipe
USRE36130E · kind E · reissue
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC —)General
Abstract
The invention is a compact ultrasonic tester involving rotating sensors The processor rotates with the sensors so that the output signal of the processor goes through the slip rings, rather than the output signal of the sensors. A spraying system is incorporated in conjunction with rollers. The rollers take the applied spray on the pipe surface and paint a film on the outer pipe surface to allow a good contact for meaningful results. A floating shoe is provided for holding each sensor against the pipe wall. The sensors are biased into contact with the pipe surface and the machine can handle different diameters of pipe. By controlling the pipe speed of advance and the rotational speed or the sensors, 100 percent coverage of the pipe wall is assured. The machine is compact and can be installed behind existing electromagnetic/gamma testers without major modifications to pipe-testing facilities.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.