METHOD FOR FABRICATING PIPELINE COATING SAMPLES CONTAINING SYNTHETIC DISBONDS FOR ESTIMATING A CONDITION OF A COATING OF AN UNDERGROUND PIPELINE

• US 20110100534A1
• Filed: 12/10/2010
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jaime Paunlagui Perez, Scott Downing Miller, Thomas James Davis
• Original Assignee: Jaime Paunlagui Perez, Scott Downing Miller, Thomas James Davis
• Inventors: MILLER, Scott Downing, DAVIS, Thomas James, PEREZ, Jaime Paunlagui
• Granted Patent: US 7,924,032 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/192
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 17/02 Electrochemical measuring systems for weathering, corrosion or corrosion-protection measurement

Abstract

A method for fabricating pipeline coating samples containing synthetic disbonds to be used in estimating a condition of a coating of an underground pipeline. The method includes the steps of providing a section of a pipe having a predetermined diameter and length; installing end caps on opposing ends of the pipe section, each end cap having an electrical connection extending therefrom; applying a material having a low dielectric coefficient around the pipe segment between the end caps to simulate an air-filled disbond; varying the coverage area of material to simulate various disbond sizes; and wrapping the pipe segment and end caps with tape to cover the material having a low dielectric coefficient.

Claims

1. A method for fabricating pipeline coating samples containing synthetic disbonds to be used in estimating a condition of a coating of an underground pipeline, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a section of a pipe having a predetermined diameter and length;

installing end caps on opposing ends of the pipe section, each end cap having an electrical connection extending therefrom;

applying a material having a low dielectric coefficient around said pipe segment between the end caps to simulate an air-filled disbond;

varying the coverage area of material to simulate various disbond sizes; and

wrapping the pipe segment and end caps with tape to cover the material having a low dielectric coefficient.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of coating the pipe segment with a primer prior to applying the material having a low dielectric coefficient around said pipe segment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the material of low dielectric coefficient is closed-cell sponge rubber sheeting.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the material of low dielectric coefficient has a dielectric coefficient approximate to that of air.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tape seals the pipe segment from moisture ingress.