Techniques for control of non-destructive testing devices via a probe driver
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A non-destructive testing (NDT) system, comprising:
- a sensor;
a conduit section coupled to the sensor;
a screen configured to display the data from the sensor;
a probe driver comprising;
an input structure; and
a positioning element including a motor and a spring-loaded wheel, wherein the spring-loaded wheel is configured to adopt a first operating mode and a second operating mode;
wherein, in the first operating mode, the spring-loaded wheel is engaged with an outer surface of the conduit section and the motor is configured to drive the wheel in rotation in order to position the conduit section, and wherein, in the second operating mode, the spring-loaded wheel is disengaged from the outer surface of the conduit section;
wherein the input structure is configured to actuate in response to a user input, and wherein upon actuation, the input structure is configured to generate a signal indicative of a positioning of the conduit section; and
a processor configured to;
receive the signal indicative of a current position of the sensor;
determine a difference between the current position and a second position of the sensor; and
in response to the difference exceeding a threshold, transmit a command to the probe driver to perform an adjustment in the first operating mode to cause the sensor to orient towards the second position as indicated by a macro of a recorded inspection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A probe driver may include a coupling that interfaces with a conduit section at a first position of the conduit section. A probe driver may also have one or more positioning elements to reposition the conduit section to interface with the coupling at a second position of conduit section in response to one or more commands based on a recorded inspection, where through completing the one or more commands is configured to initiate a second inspection identical to the recorded inspection.
21 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A non-destructive testing (NDT) system, comprising:
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a sensor; a conduit section coupled to the sensor; a screen configured to display the data from the sensor; a probe driver comprising; an input structure; and a positioning element including a motor and a spring-loaded wheel, wherein the spring-loaded wheel is configured to adopt a first operating mode and a second operating mode; wherein, in the first operating mode, the spring-loaded wheel is engaged with an outer surface of the conduit section and the motor is configured to drive the wheel in rotation in order to position the conduit section, and wherein, in the second operating mode, the spring-loaded wheel is disengaged from the outer surface of the conduit section; wherein the input structure is configured to actuate in response to a user input, and wherein upon actuation, the input structure is configured to generate a signal indicative of a positioning of the conduit section; and a processor configured to; receive the signal indicative of a current position of the sensor; determine a difference between the current position and a second position of the sensor; and in response to the difference exceeding a threshold, transmit a command to the probe driver to perform an adjustment in the first operating mode to cause the sensor to orient towards the second position as indicated by a macro of a recorded inspection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising:
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receiving, via a processor, an indication to execute a macro, wherein the macro is representative of a recorded inspection; receiving, via the processor, a current position of a sensor coupled to a conduit section coupled to a probe driver, where the sensor is configured to be used during an inspection of an asset and positioned by the probe driver, wherein the probe driver includes; a positioning element including a motor and a spring-loaded wheel, wherein the spring-loaded wheel is configured to adopt a first operating mode and a second operating mode wherein, in the first operating mode, the spring-loaded wheel is engaged with an outer surface of the conduit section and the motor is configured to drive the wheel in rotation in order to position the conduit section, and wherein, in the second operating mode, the spring-loaded wheel is disengaged from the outer surface of the conduit section; determining, via the processor, a positioning instruction to reposition the sensor from the current position to a second position, wherein the positioning instruction is based on the macro; and transmitting, via the processor, the positioning instruction to the probe driver to reposition the sensor coupled to the conduit section in the first operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification