Rotating magnet-induced current pipeline inspection tool and method
First Claim
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1. A device to aid in detecting an anomaly in an electrically-conductive wall of a pipeline, the device comprising:
- a magnetically-permeable bar, the bar adapted to be positioned diametrically within the pipeline and comprising;
a first end, the first end comprising;
a first permanent magnet, the first permanent magnet comprising;
a first magnetic polarity; and
a magnetic strength of greater than or equal to 25 megaGauss-Oersted;
a second end, the second end comprising;
a second permanent magnet, the second permanent magnet comprising;
a second magnetic polarity; and
a magnetic strength of greater than or equal to 25 megaGauss-Oersted; and
an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being equidistant from the first end and the second end and adapted to be coaxial with the long axis of the pipeline; and
means for rotating the bar about the axis of rotation, whereby currents are induced within the wall.
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Abstract
Disclosed are an apparatus and method for integrity monitoring of tubular components and, in particular, pipe walls. The apparatus comprises a configuration of permanent magnets arranged to rotate circumferentially within the pipe, whereby uniform low-frequency currents are generated within the pipe wall which, in turn, generate fields detectable with, for example, conventional Hall Effect sensors. The method comprises steps to rotate the apparatus within the pipeline and sense disruptions caused by anomalies in the pipe wall.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A device to aid in detecting an anomaly in an electrically-conductive wall of a pipeline, the device comprising:
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a magnetically-permeable bar, the bar adapted to be positioned diametrically within the pipeline and comprising;
a first end, the first end comprising;
a first permanent magnet, the first permanent magnet comprising;
a first magnetic polarity; and
a magnetic strength of greater than or equal to 25 megaGauss-Oersted;
a second end, the second end comprising;
a second permanent magnet, the second permanent magnet comprising;
a second magnetic polarity; and
a magnetic strength of greater than or equal to 25 megaGauss-Oersted; and
an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being equidistant from the first end and the second end and adapted to be coaxial with the long axis of the pipeline; and
means for rotating the bar about the axis of rotation, whereby currents are induced within the wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device for detecting an anomaly in an electrically-conductive cylindrical structure, the device comprising:
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a first and a second magnetic pole, the first and second magnetic poles spaced apart and having opposite polarities;
means for rotating the first and second magnetic poles about an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation coaxial with a long axis of the structure, whereby currents are induced within the structure; and
at least one current flow sensor, the current flow sensor spaced from the first and second magnetic poles along the axis of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification