System to screen for longitudinal-seam anomalies
First Claim
1. A system to detect previously unrecognized longitudinal-seam anomalies in a weld of a pipeline, the system comprising:
- a computer in communication with a pipeline inspection survey tool, the computer having a computer readable non-transitory medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to perform the operation of;
receiving magnetic flux leakage data related to one or more anomaly air gaps within a longitudinal pipeline weld;
displaying the magnetic flux leakage data on a display as one or more selected patterns of data configured to represent selected signal characteristics of the pipeline weld;
analyzing the selected patterns of data responsive to the selected signal characteristic and selected flaw dimensions of the pipeline weld to identify predetermined characteristics of the selected patterns of data as displayed and as a result indicate previously unknown anomalies, the predetermined characteristics being anomaly levels, the predetermined characteristics being indicators of potential previously unknown longitudinal-seam anomalies in the pipeline weld and the selected flaw dimensions being at least a predetermined length of the potential previously unknown longitudinal-seam anomalies along a pattern of magnetic flux leakage data;
generating a validation dig list that contains one or more anomalies; and
using the validation dig list to identify areas along the pipeline which are to be further visually inspected for defects.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems to detect crack-like features in pipeline welds using magnetic flux leakage data and pattern recognition. A screening process, for example, does not affect or change how survey data is recorded in survey tools; only how it is analyzed after the survey data is completed. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to screen for very narrow axial anomalies in the pipeline welds, and may also be used to predict the length of such anomalies. Embodiments of the present invention also produce a listing of the anomalies based on their relative signal characteristics.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system to detect previously unrecognized longitudinal-seam anomalies in a weld of a pipeline, the system comprising:
a computer in communication with a pipeline inspection survey tool, the computer having a computer readable non-transitory medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to perform the operation of; receiving magnetic flux leakage data related to one or more anomaly air gaps within a longitudinal pipeline weld; displaying the magnetic flux leakage data on a display as one or more selected patterns of data configured to represent selected signal characteristics of the pipeline weld; analyzing the selected patterns of data responsive to the selected signal characteristic and selected flaw dimensions of the pipeline weld to identify predetermined characteristics of the selected patterns of data as displayed and as a result indicate previously unknown anomalies, the predetermined characteristics being anomaly levels, the predetermined characteristics being indicators of potential previously unknown longitudinal-seam anomalies in the pipeline weld and the selected flaw dimensions being at least a predetermined length of the potential previously unknown longitudinal-seam anomalies along a pattern of magnetic flux leakage data; generating a validation dig list that contains one or more anomalies; and using the validation dig list to identify areas along the pipeline which are to be further visually inspected for defects. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system to detect previously unknown longitudinal-seam anomalies in a weld of a pipeline, the system comprising:
a computer in communication with a pipeline inspection survey tool, the computer having a computer readable non-transitory medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to perform the operation of; receiving magnetic flux leakage data related to one or more anomaly air gaps within a longitudinal pipeline weld; displaying the magnetic flux leakage data on a display as one or more selected patterns of data representing selected signal characteristics of the pipeline weld; analyzing the selected patterns of data responsive to the selected signal characteristic and selected flaw dimensions of the pipeline weld to identify predetermined characteristics of the selected patterns of data as displayed and as a result indicate previously unknown anomalies, the predetermined characteristics being anomaly levels, the predetermined characteristics being indicators of potential and previously unknown longitudinal-seam anomalies in the pipeline weld and the selected flaw dimensions being at least a predetermined length of the potential longitudinal-seam anomalies along a pattern of magnetic flux leakage data, the analyzing including determining display settings on the display, the display settings being responsive to different magnetic flux leakage characteristics, the determining display settings including changing a gain and offset of the pattern of data in order to achieve a contrasting display so that the presence of the one or more previously unknown longitudinal-seam anomalies may be perceived on the display; generating a validation dig list that contains one or more anomalies; and using the validation dig list to identify areas along the pipeline which are to further visually inspected for defects. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
Specification