PIPELINE INSPECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
1. An apparatus for inspecting a section of piping, the apparatus comprising:
- an alternating current power source;
a first excitation coil disposed at a first axial location, the first excitation coil being energized by the alternating current power source;
a second excitation coil disposed at a second axial location, the second excitation coil being energized at an opposite polarity from the first excitation coil;
a plurality of magnetometers disposed at an axial location between the first axial location and the second axial location, wherein the magnetometers are positioned to detect magnetic fields generated by eddy currents induced in the section of piping by the first and second excitation coils; and
a data acquisition system operatively connected to receive output data from the plurality of magnetometers;
wherein the apparatus is movable axially along the section of piping.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for inspecting a section of piping are disclosed. In one example embodiment, an apparatus includes first and second excitation coils, a plurality of magnetometers, and a data acquisition system. The first excitation coils are disposed at a first axial location and are energized and the second excitation coils are disposed at a second axial location and are energized at an opposite polarity from the first excitation coil. The plurality of magnetometers are disposed at an axial location between the first and second axial locations and are positioned to detect magnetic fields generated by eddy currents induced in the section of piping by the first and second excitation coils. The data acquisition system is operatively connected to receive output data from the plurality of magnetometers.
97 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus for inspecting a section of piping, the apparatus comprising:
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an alternating current power source; a first excitation coil disposed at a first axial location, the first excitation coil being energized by the alternating current power source; a second excitation coil disposed at a second axial location, the second excitation coil being energized at an opposite polarity from the first excitation coil; a plurality of magnetometers disposed at an axial location between the first axial location and the second axial location, wherein the magnetometers are positioned to detect magnetic fields generated by eddy currents induced in the section of piping by the first and second excitation coils; and a data acquisition system operatively connected to receive output data from the plurality of magnetometers; wherein the apparatus is movable axially along the section of piping. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13-21. -21. (canceled)
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22. A method for examining a section of piping having a magnetically permeable pipe, the method comprising the steps:
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placing a first excitation coil proximate said section of piping at a first axial location; placing a plurality of magnetometers proximate said section of piping at a first distance from said first axial location, wherein said magnetometers are oriented toward said magnetically permeable pipe; energizing said first excitation coil with an alternating current; monitoring said plurality of magnetometers and recording a plurality of signals therefrom to a data acquisition unit; and inferring from said plurality of signals a physical condition of said magnetically permeable pipe. - View Dependent Claims (23, 25, 26, 27)
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24. (canceled)
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28. (canceled)
Specification