Measuring and testing – Vibration – By mechanical waves
Patent
1996-08-06
1998-06-23
Oda, Christine K.
Measuring and testing
Vibration
By mechanical waves
738658, 738665, 348 84, G01N 2924
Patent
active
057708002
ABSTRACT:
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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3817089 (1974-06-01), Eggleton et al.
patent: 3938502 (1976-02-01), Bom
patent: 4241609 (1980-12-01), Bergman et al.
patent: 4372161 (1983-02-01), de Buda et al.
patent: 4460920 (1984-07-01), Weber et al.
patent: 4572201 (1986-02-01), Kondo et al.
patent: 4607925 (1986-08-01), Kamigaichi
patent: 4757821 (1988-07-01), Snyder
patent: 4834102 (1989-05-01), Schwarzchild et al.
patent: 4920804 (1990-05-01), Iwamoto et al.
patent: 4955235 (1990-09-01), Metala
patent: 5090259 (1992-02-01), Shishido et al.
patent: 5313838 (1994-05-01), Gondard
patent: 5398560 (1995-03-01), Zollinger
Howard Boyd D.
Jenkins Charles F.
Dixon Harold M.
Gottlieb Paul A.
Moser William R.
Oda Christine K.
The United States of America as represented by the United States
LandOfFree
Flexible ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Flexible ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Flexible ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1396096