Ultrasonic leakage inspection device of non-pressure type

• US 6,430,988 B1
• Filed: 01/26/2000
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mec Sri
• Original Assignee: Mec Sri
• Inventors: Watanabe, Yuji
• Primary Examiner(s): LARKIN, DANIEL SEAN
• Application Number:
  US09/491,816
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 73/405.A, 735/84, 735/92, 735/98, 736/00
• US Class Current: 73/40.50A
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/24 using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/243 for pipes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/11 by measuring attenuation of acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/222 Constructional or flow details for analysing fluids optoacoustic fluid cells G01N29/2425
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/223 Supports, positioning or alignment in fixed situation mounting transducers per se G10K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/36 Detecting the response signal , e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor

Abstract

Leakage inspection of items, such as vessels and pipings, is performed using an ultrasonic wave under no pressure with a device of simple structure. The ultrasonic leakage inspection device according to the present invention comprises an ultrasonic wave emitting unit having at least one ultrasonic emitting element for emitting an ultrasonic wave of a predetermined frequency and an ultrasonic detector including an ultrasonic sensor for detecting an ultrasonic wave. For leakage inspection of the items, the ultrasonic emitting unit is put inside the item in a sealed condition so that the ultrasonic wave is emitted uniformly inside the item, and the ultrasonic sensor is moved around the item. Any leakage defects of the item can be detected by sensing any ultrasonic wave leaked therefrom by the ultrasonic sensor.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic leakage inspection device of non-pressure type comprising an ultrasonic transmitter for emitting an ultrasonic wave inside an item to be inspected, and an ultrasonic detector for detecting the ultrasonic wave which is leaked from said item, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter comprises an ultrasonic emitting unit provided with at least one ultrasonic transmitting element disposed on a cylindrical housing and an ultrasonic transmitting circuit unit for generating a predetermined signal to said ultrasonic emitting unit, said ultrasonic emitting unit being disposed inside said item to be inspected when leakage inspection is performed, said ultrasonic emitting unit being fixed to or hung from an adapter made of an elastic material.

2. The ultrasonic leakage inspection device according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter further includes a battery for a power supply, and wherein said at least one ultrasonic transmitting element, said circuit unit, and said battery for said power supply are incorporated in a housing.

3. The ultrasonic leakage inspection device according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic emitting unit includes at least three ultrasonic transmitting elements arranged on a circumferential surface of said cylindrical housing and at least one ultrasonic transmitting element arranged on a side of said cylindrical housing.

4. The ultrasonic leakage inspection device according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic emitting unit integrally accommodates said ultrasonic transmitting circuit unit and a battery.

5. The ultrasonic leakage inspection device according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic emitting unit is fixed to or hung from the inside surface of a lid or a cap detachably mounted on said item.

6. An ultrasonic leakage inspection device of non-pressure type comprising an ultrasonic transmitter for emitting an ultrasonic wave inside an item to be inspected, and an ultrasonic detector for detecting the ultrasonic wave which is leaked from said item, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter comprises an ultrasonic emitting unit in which at least one ultrasonic transmitting element is provided on the side of a cylindrical housing, and an adapter made of an elastic material in one end of which said ultrasonic emitting unit is inserted and in the other end of which said item is inserted in communication with said ultrasonic emitting unit.

7. The ultrasonic leakage inspection device according to claim 6, wherein said ultrasonic emitting unit is disposed inside said item to be inspected when leakage inspection is performed.

8. The ultrasonic leakage inspection device according to claim 6, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter includes an ultrasonic transmitting circuit unit for generating a predetermined signal to said at least one ultrasonic transmitting element, and a battery for a power supply, and wherein said at least one ultrasonic transmitting element, said circuit unit, and said battery for said power supply are incorporated in a housing.

9. The leakage inspection device according to claim 6, wherein said ultrasonic transmitter includes at least three ultrasonic transmitting elements arranged on a circumferential surface of said cylindrical housing and at least one ultrasonic transmitting element arranged on a side of said cylindrical housing.

10. The ultrasonic leakage inspection device according to claim 6, wherein said ultrasonic emitting unit integrally accommodates an ultrasonic transmitting circuit unit and a battery.

11. The ultrasonic leakage inspection device according to claim 6, wherein said ultrasonic emitting unit is fixed to or hung from the inside surface of a lid or a cap detachably mounted on said item.