Flexible ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:871649

Jenkins, Charles F ^[1]; Howard, Boyd D ^[2]

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1. Aiken, SC
2. Augusta, GA

A flexible, modular ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus, comprising a flexible, hollow shaft that carries a plurality of modules, including at least one rotatable ultrasonic transducer, a motor/gear unit, and a position/signal encoder. The modules are connected by flexible knuckle joints that allow each module of the apparatus to change its relative orientation with respect to a neighboring module, while the shaft protects electrical wiring from kinking or buckling while the apparatus moves around a tight corner. The apparatus is moved through a pipe by any suitable means, including a tether or drawstring attached to the nose or tail, differential hydraulic pressure, or a pipe pig. The rotational speed of the ultrasonic transducer and the forward velocity of the apparatus are coordinated so that the beam sweeps out the entire interior surface of the pipe, enabling the operator to accurately assess the condition of the pipe wall and determine whether or not leak-prone corrosion damage is present.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5770800
• OSTI ID: 871649
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

flexible
ultrasonic
pipe
inspection
apparatus
modular
comprising
hollow
shaft
carries
plurality
modules
including
rotatable
transducer
motor
gear
unit
position
signal
encoder
connected
knuckle
joints
allow
module
change
relative
orientation
respect
neighboring
protects
electrical
wiring
kinking
buckling
moves
tight
corner
moved
suitable
means
tether
drawstring
attached
nose
tail
differential
hydraulic
pressure
pig
rotational
speed
forward
velocity
coordinated
beam
sweeps
entire
interior
surface
enabling
operator
accurately
assess
condition
wall
determine
leak-prone
corrosion
damage
suitable means
hollow shaft
hydraulic pressure
rotational speed
ultrasonic transducer
interior surface
inspection apparatus
relative orientation
electrical wiring
pipe wall
pipe inspection
entire interior
ultrasonic pipe
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