Flexible ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus
Abstract
A flexible, modular ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus, comprises 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. 7 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Westinghouse Savannah River Co
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 672528
- Patent Number(s):
- 5,770,800
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-659,598
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States) PTO; SCA: 420205; PA: EDB-98:120631; SN: 98002024883
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-89SR18035
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 23 Jun 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES; PIPES; INSPECTION; ULTRASONIC TESTING; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; DESIGN; WALLS; CORROSION PRODUCTS; DETECTION
Citation Formats
Jenkins, C.F., and Howard, B.D. Flexible ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus. United States: N. p., 1998.
Web.
Jenkins, C.F., & Howard, B.D. Flexible ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus. United States.
Jenkins, C.F., and Howard, B.D. Tue .
"Flexible ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus". United States.
@article{osti_672528,
title = {Flexible ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus},
author = {Jenkins, C.F. and Howard, B.D.},
abstractNote = {A flexible, modular ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus, comprises 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. 7 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1998},
month = {6}
}