Apparatus for pipeline inspection

A technology of equipment and pipelines, applied in the field of pipeline inspection equipment

CN102798669AInactive Publication Date: 2012-11-28PII LIMITED
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2012-11-28
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

An apparatus for pipeline inspection includes a sensor unit having an array of ultrasonic sensors for inspecting a pipe wall. The sensor unit has a skid with an outer surface intended to run adjacent or in contact with a pipe wall. The sensors are mounted at a predetermined stand off from the outer surface of the skid. The ultrasonic sensors are mounted in a chamber filled with ultrasonic couplant (e.g. a liquid or gel), for permitting communication between the sensors and the inner surface of a pipe wall. The skid defines a membrane region over the sensors. The membrane region is intended to be pushed against an internal wall of a pipeline, and has a rigid periphery for maintaining a predetermined stand off between the outer surface of the skid and the upper surface of the sensors.
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Description

technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to pipeline inspection equipment. Background technique

[0002] It is known to perform inspections of pipelines using devices that travel within the pipeline to measure or detect defects in the pipeline wall, often referred to as pipeline "pigs".

[0003] Such devices may include arrays of ultrasonic sensors for measuring the wall thickness of the pipe and / or for detecting cracks in the pipe wall. Typically, ultrasonic sensors are mounted on skids that are designed to run adjacent to or in contact with the pipe wall, for example, when a pig performs inspection runs through the pipeline. The sensor is arranged at a stand off from the outer surface of the slide in order to protect the sensor from abrasion or other damage caused by contact with the pipe wall.

[0004] There is the problem that conventional pigs with ultrasonic sensors are only suitable for use in liquid-filled pipelines, where the liquid in the pipeline pr...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029] The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0030] Reference throughout this disclosure to "an exemplary embodiment," "an embodiment," or variations thereof means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in an exemplary embodiment," "in an embodiment," or variations thereof in various places throughout this disclosure are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. In addition, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0031] first reference figur...