Method and system for inspecting objects using ultrasound scan data
First Claim
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1. A method for estimating a depth of a crack from ultrasound scan data, the method comprising:
- mapping a plurality of amplitude responses from the ultrasound scan data, each mapped amplitude response being representative of a signal from one of a plurality of sensors;
locating a plurality of linear responses among the plurality of mapped amplitude responses, each linear response being an indicator of a reflected signal from the crack;
identifying one or more sensors corresponding to the linear responses from the crack;
estimating the depth of the crack using data from the one or more sensors; and
determining whether the crack originates on an external surface or an internal surface of a pipeline.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for estimating a depth of a crack from ultrasound scan data are provided. The method includes mapping multiple amplitude responses from the ultrasound scan data, each mapped amplitude response being representative of a signal from one of the sensors. The method further includes locating multiple linear responses among the mapped amplitude responses, each linear response being an indicator of a reflected signal from the crack. One or more sensor that corresponds to the linear responses from a given crack is identified. The depth of the crack is estimated using data from the identified sensors.
63 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for estimating a depth of a crack from ultrasound scan data, the method comprising:
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mapping a plurality of amplitude responses from the ultrasound scan data, each mapped amplitude response being representative of a signal from one of a plurality of sensors; locating a plurality of linear responses among the plurality of mapped amplitude responses, each linear response being an indicator of a reflected signal from the crack; identifying one or more sensors corresponding to the linear responses from the crack; estimating the depth of the crack using data from the one or more sensors; and determining whether the crack originates on an external surface or an internal surface of a pipeline. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for estimating a depth of a crack from ultrasound scan data, the apparatus comprising:
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an amplitude processor that is adapted to map a plurality of amplitude responses from the ultrasound scan data, and to locate a plurality of linear responses, each mapped amplitude response being representative of a respective sensor signal, and each linear response being an indicator of a reflected signal from the crack; and a crack sizing component that is adapted to identify respective sensors corresponding to respective linear responses and to estimate the depth of the crack using data from the respective sensors, and wherein the crack sizing component is further adapted to determine whether the crack originates on an external surface or an internal surface of a pipeline. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors disposed at discrete spatial distances along an object being inspected, each of the sensors being configured to transmit to and receive signals from the object; a data acquisition system that is adapted to acquire ultrasound scan data from the plurality of sensors, the data being representative of signals received by the plurality of sensors; an amplitude processing component that is adapted to map a plurality of amplitude responses from the ultrasound scan data, and to locate a plurality of linear responses, each mapped amplitude response representing a respective sensor signal, and each linear response indicating a reflected signal from a crack in the object; and a crack sizing component that is adapted to identify respective sensors corresponding to respective linear responses and to estimate a depth of the crack using data from the respective sensors, and wherein the crack sizing component is further adapted to determine whether the crack originates on an external surface or an internal surface of a pipeline. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification