Thermal measuring and testing – Distance or angle – Thickness – erosion – or deposition
Patent
1993-07-28
1995-03-21
Gutierrez, Diego F. F.
Thermal measuring and testing
Distance or angle
Thickness, erosion, or deposition
374124, 374141, 250330, 2503381, G01N 2500, G01B 1106
Patent
active
053990161
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device and to a method for non-destructively and continuously measuring and/or monitoring the thickness of a shaped section.
Many techniques allowing non-destructive and continuous measurement and/or monitoring of the thickness of a shaped section have been proposed in the past.
Utilization of a source producing ultrasounds cooperating with a detector has been proposed, the assembly allowing continuous monitoring of the thickness of the shaped section. This technique requires a contact between the shaped section and the detector, which does not favour complete monitoring of the whole surface of the section because of the limited contact surface of the receiver with respect to the surface to be monitored. Moreover, this method is practically inapplicable in case of a shaped section comprising corrugations.
Methods utilizing ionizing radiations, particularly .beta. radiations, have also been proposed, but in this case the detector has to be located at a fixed distance from the surface of the shaped section, which poses a technical problem that is difficult to solve in case of shaped sections comprising corrugations. Furthermore, in case .beta. radiations are used, radiation protection means have to be provided, which makes the process and the implementation thereof much more complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention proposes a method and a device for non-destructively and continuously measuring and/or monitoring the thickness of a shaped section overcoming the drawbacks of the methods from the prior art. Particularly, the method and the device according to the invention may be easily applied to corrugated shaped sections, whatever the shape and the amplitude of the corrugations. The method of the invention is based on the measurement of the radiation emitted by the section during a heating phase or a cooling phase.
Without referring to any theory, it may be considered that a material of substantially homogenous density cools down or heats up all the more rapidly as it is thin. Thus, by measuring or by observing, for example by means of an infrared camera, the radiation emitted by the shaped section during a thermal transition, i.e. during heating up or cooling down, it is possible to observe or to measure continuously thicknesses or thickness variations.
It is usually assumed that a material of substantially homogenous density emits a radiation, particularly an infrared radiation, whose power is proportionate to its surface temperature to the power of four. During a thermal transition (cooling down or heating up), the evolution of the surface temperature depends on the thickness of the shaped section. With a substantially evenly cooled or heated section, different surface temperatures, therefore radiation emissions, notably infrared radiations of various powers, correspond to each thickness variation. This phenomenon is more marked for materials having a low heat conductivity, and for which cooling or heating is generally faster than the homogenization of the temperature within the material.
The present invention therefore allows notably, but not exclusively, continuous and non-destructive monitoring, by means of an infrared camera, of the thickness of thermoplastic corrugated tubes forming for example the core of reinforced corrugated tubes.
The device for non-destructively and continuously measuring and/or monitoring the thickness of a shaped section according to the present invention utilizes this physical phenomenon.
More particularly, the device according to the invention comprises in combination: said section during said thermal transition, and to scan the whole section surface to be monitored.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the radiation detecting and measuring means is connected to a means for recording the measurement of this radiation.
Most often, the radiation detecting and measuring means comprises an infrared camera connected to a display screen and/or to a computer system including an image process
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Gutierrez Diego F. F.
Institut Francais du Pe'trole
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