METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING MATERIALS

• US 20080272772A1
• Filed: 07/06/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SCAN Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: SCAN Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Wu, Xiaowen, Walters, William T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,622,917 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/262
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/902 by moving the sensors

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a frame that supports a magnetic coil and a detector assembly, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors adapted to be spaced a first distance from the material being inspected by one or more substantially frictionless members.

Claims

1. A magnetic detector and support sub-assembly comprising:

(a) a primary support member;

(b) a magnetic detector supported by the primary support member;

(c) a secondary support member; and

(d) an actuator,

wherein the primary support member is moveably connected to the secondary support member through a dual linkage and the actuator, the dual linkage allowing the detector to be positioned substantially parallel to a material being inspected when moved away from and toward the material by action of the actuator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the primary support member includes one or more substantially frictionless members used to create a space between a tubular member being inspected and the magnetic detector.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the one or more substantially frictionless members are selected from metal rollers, metal ball bearings, plastic rollers, ceramic balls, and non-rotating spacers in ball or roller shape.

4. A magnetic detector and support sub-assembly comprising:

(a) a primary support member;

(b) a magnetic detector supported by the primary support member;

(c) a secondary support member; and

(d) an actuator,

wherein the primary support member is moveably connected to the secondary support member through a dual linkage and the actuator, the dual linkage allowing the detector to be positioned substantially parallel to a material being inspected when moved away from and toward the material by action of the actuator, the primary support member including one or more substantially frictionless members used to create a space between a tubular member being inspected and the magnetic detector.

5. A magnetic detector and support sub-assembly comprising:

(a) a primary support member;

(b) a magnetic detector supported by the primary support member;

(c) a secondary support member; and

(d) an actuator,

wherein the primary support member is moveably connected to the secondary support member through a dual linkage and the actuator, the dual linkage allowing the detector to be positioned substantially parallel to a material being inspected when moved away from and toward the material by action of the actuator, the primary support member including one or more substantially frictionless members used to create a space between a tubular member being inspected and the magnetic detector, the one or more substantially frictionless members selected from metal rollers, metal ball bearings, plastic rollers, ceramic balls, and non-rotating spacers in ball or roller shape.