Ultrasonic pipe assessment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for assessing a sewer pipe that is generally horizontal and can be up to seven tenths filled with a flowing fluid, said sewer pipe having a diameter and a sewer pipe wall comprising:
- a central body having a body diameter sufficiently smaller than said diameter of said sewer pipe to allow said flowing fluid to pass said central body, at least three arms projecting radially outward from said central body, each of said arms having an inner end connected to said central body and an outer end remote from said central body, at least three ultrasonic transducers an ultrasonic transducer attached to each said outer end of said at least three arms, said arms being positioned relative to said central body and said sewer pipe so that each said ultrasonic transducer is positioned proximate said sewer pipe wall and said flowing fluid can pass said central body, can pass said at least three arms, and can pass said at least three ultrasonic transducers, and a system for producing a water connection between each said ultrasonic transducer and said sewer pipe wall by providing water through each said at least three arms and between each said ultrasonic transducer and said sewer pipe wall.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic pipe or other structure assessment system includes an ultrasonic transducer positioned proximate the pipe or other structure. A fluid connection between the ultrasonic transducer and the pipe or other structure is produced. The ultrasonic transducer is moved relative to the pipe or other structure.
57 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus for assessing a sewer pipe that is generally horizontal and can be up to seven tenths filled with a flowing fluid, said sewer pipe having a diameter and a sewer pipe wall comprising:
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a central body having a body diameter sufficiently smaller than said diameter of said sewer pipe to allow said flowing fluid to pass said central body, at least three arms projecting radially outward from said central body, each of said arms having an inner end connected to said central body and an outer end remote from said central body, at least three ultrasonic transducers an ultrasonic transducer attached to each said outer end of said at least three arms, said arms being positioned relative to said central body and said sewer pipe so that each said ultrasonic transducer is positioned proximate said sewer pipe wall and said flowing fluid can pass said central body, can pass said at least three arms, and can pass said at least three ultrasonic transducers, and a system for producing a water connection between each said ultrasonic transducer and said sewer pipe wall by providing water through each said at least three arms and between each said ultrasonic transducer and said sewer pipe wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for assessing a sewer pipe that is generally horizontal and can be up to seven tenths filled with a flowing fluid, said sewer pipe having a diameter and a sewer pipe wall comprising:
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a central body having a body diameter sufficiently smaller than said diameter of said sewer pipe to allow said fluid to pass said central body, at least three arms projecting radially outward from said central body, each of said arms having an inner end connected to said central body and an outer end remote from said central body, at least three ultrasonic transducer means for sending and receiving ultrasonic signals, each ultrasonic transducer means attached to each said outer end of said at least three said arms, said arms being positioned relative to said central body and said sewer pipe so that each said ultrasonic transducer means is positioned proximate said sewer pipe wall and said flowing fluid can pass said central body, can pass said at least three arms, and can pass said at least three ultrasonic transducer means, and means for producing a water connection between each said transducer means and said sewer pipe wall by providing water through each said at least three arms and between each said ultrasonic transducer means and said sewer pipe wall. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification