Inspection apparatus for tubular members

• US 8,215,174 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James M. Cain Jr
• Original Assignee: James M. Cain Jr
• Inventors: Cain, James M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, ROSE MARY
• Application Number:
  US12/456,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20100313664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 73622-623, 73633-635, 73637-638, 736/44, 376249-252
• US Class Current: 73/623
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/106 one or more transducer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2636 cylindrical from inside
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2675 Seam, butt welding
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/07 by measuring propagation velocity or propagation time of acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/225 Supports, positioning or alignment in moving situation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/265 by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/28 providing acoustic coupling , e.g. water impedance matching G10K11/02

Abstract

An ultrasonic inspection system useful for inspecting a tubular member provides for the use of ultrasonic transducer assembly for detecting weld flaws or other out-of range conditions in the tubular member. According to the invention, the tubular member is positioned horizontally on a rolling carriage and a predetermined amount of sound-conductive fluid is deposited into the tubular member. Wide rings secured to opposing open ends of the tubular member prevent the liquid from escaping, while forming a barrier for retaining a given level of liquid inside the tubular member. The transducers are submerged in the liquid and transmit/ receive sonic booms from reflected medium inside the tubular member. The transducers are connected to a computing control unit, which receives signals generated by the transducers and creates a report of any out-of range condition.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic inspection device useful for inspecting a tubular member comprising:

a carriage assembly configured for laterally supporting the tubular member in a generally horizontal position and laterally moving the tubular member during testing, said carriage assembly comprising rollers allowing axial rotation of the tubular member;

an elongated beam extendable through an interior of the tubular member, said elongated beam carrying transducers for transmitting sonic beams and for receiving reflected beams thereof from an inner surface of the tubular member and from defects of the tubular member;

a means for retaining a predetermined amount of sound-conductive liquid in the interior of the tubular member without sealing the interior of the tubular member; and

a control unit operationally connected to the transducers, said control unit analyzing signals generated by the transducers and creating a report indicate of an out-of range condition in the tubular member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for retaining the sound-conductive liquid comprises a pair of ring-shaped members configured for circumferentially engaging a respective open end of the tubular member, each of said ring-shaped members having an inner edge extending toward a center of the tubular member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said ring-shaped members has a width sufficient for forming a watertight barrier preventing escape of the sound-conductive liquid from interior of the pipe.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said ring-shaped members have a pre-selected width for retaining a level of sound-conductive liquid in the interior of the tubular member sufficient for at least partially submerging the transducers.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an upright pedestal supporting said elongated beam inside the tubular member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an upright pedestal, from which the elongated beam extends as a cantilevered member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said carriage assembly further comprises rotating wheels for rotatably supporting the carriage assembly on tracks or on the ground.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bracket attached to a distant end of the elongated beam, said bracket extending downwardly from the beam transversely to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member and securing the transducers in a position below the surface of the sound-conductive liquid deposited in the tubular member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for angularly orienting the transducers configured for resting on an inside wall of the tubular member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for angularly positioning the transducers comprises a wedge-shaped member configured for supporting a respective transducer below the level of liquid deposited into the interior of the pipe.

11. An ultrasonic inspection device useful for inspecting a tubular member comprising:

an upright pedestal;

an elongated beam secured at one of its ends to the upright pedestal and extending in a cantilevered position from the upright pedestal, said elongated beam configured for extending into the interior of the tubular member;

a carriage assembly configured for laterally supporting the tubular member in a generally horizontal position and laterally moving the tubular member during testing, said carriage assembly comprising rollers allowing axial rotation of the tubular member positioned on the carriage assembly;

a transducer assembly for transmitting sonic beams and for receiving reflected beams thereof from an inner surface of the tubular member and from defects of the tubular member, said transducer assembly being suspended from a free end of the elongated beam;

a means for retaining a predetermined level of sound-conductive liquid in the interior of the tubular member without sealing the interior of the tubular member, said liquid level being sufficient to submerge the suspended transducer assembly; and

a control unit operationally connected to the transducers, said control unit analyzing signals generated by the transducers and creating a report indicate of an out-of range condition in the tubular member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means for retaining the sound-conductive liquid comprises a pair of ring-shaped members configured for circumferentially engaging a respective open end of the tubular member, each of said ring-shaped members having an inner edge extending toward a center of the tubular member, said ring shaped members forming a barrier for retaining the liquid level inside the tubular member.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said carriage assembly further comprises rotating wheels for rotatably supporting the carriage assembly on tracks or on the ground.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a bracket attached to the free end of the elongated beam, said bracket extending downwardly from the beam transversely to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member and securing the transducers in a position below the surface of the sound-conductive liquid deposited in the tubular member.

15. A method of inspecting a tubular member, comprising the steps:

orienting the tubular member in a substantially horizontal position;

positioning the tubular member in a position to receive rotating force;

depositing and retaining a sound-conductive liquid in an interior of the tubular member without sealing the interior of the tubular member;

suspending transducers inside the tubular member below the liquid level of the sound-conductive liquid;

imparting rotation on the tubular member about a horizontal axis;

transmitting sonic beams and receiving reflected beams thereof from an inner surface of the tubular member and from defects of the tubular member; and

generating signals indicative of an out-of range conditions in the tubular members.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of processing the generated signals using a computing device.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of rotating the tubular member about its axis while transmitting and receiving the sonic beams.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of laterally moving said tubular member while retaining the transducers in a stationary position so as to inspect the entire length of the tubular member.