RFT pipeline inspection system and method therefor
First Claim
1. A system for inspecting a pipeline having an inner diameter d, said system comprising a plurality of modular units configured to pass through said pipeline, wherein each of said modular units is flexibly coupled to an adjacent modular unit, and wherein said plurality of modular units comprises:
- a remote-field testing (RFT) transmission unit comprising an excitation coil configured to excite a magnetic field within said pipeline; and
an RFT reception unit comprising a plurality of reception coils configured to rotate relative to said pipeline and configured to detect said magnetic field within said pipeline at a reception distance D from said excitation coil, where D≧
2d.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system (20) and method for the inspection of a pipeline (22) is disclosed. The system (20) is made up of a plurality of flexibly coupled modular units (24) configured to pass through the pipeline (22). One modular unit (24) is a tractor unit (40) configured to propel the system (20) through the pipeline (22). Another modular unit (24) is an RFT transmission unit (42) with an excitation coil (58) configured to excite a magnetic field (112) within the pipeline (22). A third modular unit (24) is an RFT reception unit (46) incorporating a pair of adjacent differentially connected reception coils (80) and a differential instrumentation amplifier (100) affixed to a rotational mount (78). A fourth modular unit (24) is a motor unit (44) incorporating a motor (66) which rotates the rotational mount (78). The pair of reception coils (80) detects the magnetic field (112) and produces a differential detection signal which is then amplified and analyzed. An electrical cable (106) is used to provide power and/or signals to/from the system.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for inspecting a pipeline having an inner diameter d, said system comprising a plurality of modular units configured to pass through said pipeline, wherein each of said modular units is flexibly coupled to an adjacent modular unit, and wherein said plurality of modular units comprises:
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a remote-field testing (RFT) transmission unit comprising an excitation coil configured to excite a magnetic field within said pipeline; and
an RFT reception unit comprising a plurality of reception coils configured to rotate relative to said pipeline and configured to detect said magnetic field within said pipeline at a reception distance D from said excitation coil, where D≧
2d. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A remote-field testing (RFT) method of inspecting a pipeline having an inner diameter d, said RFT method comprising:
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incorporating a transmission unit comprising an excitation coil;
incorporating a reception unit comprising a plurality of reception coils at a reception distance D from said excitation coil, where D≧
2d;
exciting said excitation coil to produce a magnetic field within said pipeline;
rotating, coincident with said exciting activity, said plurality of reception coils relative to said pipeline;
detecting, during said rotating activity, said magnetic field; and
producing a detection signal in response to said magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for inspecting a pipeline having an inner diameter d, said system comprising:
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a remote-field testing (RFT) transmission unit configured to pass though said pipeline, said RFT transmission unit comprising;
a current driver; and
an excitation coil substantially concentric with said pipeline, coupled to said current driver, and configured to generate and transmit a magnetic field into said pipeline in response to said current driver;
an RFT reception unit flexibly coupled to said RFT transmission unit and configured to pass through said pipeline, said RFT reception unit comprising;
a pair of adjacent differentially connected reception coils, configured to detect said magnetic field at a reception distance D from said excitation coil, where 2d≦
D≦
3d, and configured to generate a differential detection signal from said magnetic field;
an instrumentation amplifier coupled to said pair of reception coils and configured to amplify said differential detection signal to produce an amplified signal; and
a motor unit configured to pass through said pipeline, coupled to said RFT reception unit, and configured to rotate said pair of reception coils and said instrumentation amplifier;
a tractor unit flexibly coupled to one of said RFT transmission unit, said RFT reception unit, and said motor unit, and configured to propel said system through said pipeline;
an electrical cable coupled to one of said RFT transmission unit, said RFT reception unit, said motor unit, and said tractor unit, wherein said electrical cable is configured to provide electrical power for said system.
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Specification