Pipe Inspection Blind Zone Reduction via End-to-End Abutment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic pipe inspection systems have limitations in inspecting near the ends of discrete pipe sections due to blind zones, where the magnetic field instability and probe contact issues prevent accurate defect detection.
Innovation Solution
The method involves abutting two or more discrete pipe sections end-to-end during inspection, using a conveyor system to control the speed and position of the pipes relative to an inspection device that employs dispersed electromagnetic flow, allowing for stable magnetic field interaction and reduced blind zones, enabling accurate defect detection within 3mm of the pipe ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If discrete pipe sections are inspected using electromagnetic testing, then inspection coverage is limited by blind zones near pipe ends, but extending inspection coverage requires complex handling procedures
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete pipe sections are merged into a continuous configuration during inspection, where the trailing end of one pipe section is placed in contact with the leading end of the next section. This merging eliminates the blind zones that occur at the ends of individual discrete sections, allowing the electromagnetic inspection device to continuously and accurately inspect the entire length of the pipe train without requiring complex individual handling procedures for each section.
2Productivity
If pipe sections are conveyed at high speed to increase productivity, then inspection time is reduced, but magnetic field stability deteriorates affecting detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection process maintains continuous magnetic field interaction by keeping pipe sections in constant contact during conveyance. The trailing end of each pipe section remains in contact with the leading end of the next section throughout the inspection zone, ensuring uninterrupted magnetic field lines and stable electromagnetic interaction. This continuous configuration allows high-speed conveyance while maintaining magnetic field stability and detection accuracy, as the field does not need to be repeatedly established or stabilized at pipe ends.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces blind zones from 300mm to 3mm, enhancing the inspection capability near pipe ends, improving the reliability and accuracy of defect detection, and increasing the inspected length of pipe sections.
Implementation Method 1
creating a magnetic field proximal an axial pipe section; detecting an interaction of the magnetic field with the axial pipe section; and detecting a variance of the interaction at the axial pipe section
Implementation Method 2
the inspection device functions using the principle of dispersed electromagnetic flow
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes providing a first pipe having a first leading end and a first trailing end, providing a second pipe having a second leading end and a second trailing end, abutting at least a portion of the second leading end to at least a portion of the first trailing end to define a pipe abutment zone comprising a portion of the first pipe measured longitudinally from the first trailing end and a portion of the second pipe measured longitudinally from the second leading end, conveying the first and second pipe past an inspection device, inspecting by the inspection device a first portion of the pipe abutment zone and a second portion of the pipe abutment zone, and providing defect data that describes defects detected within the first portion and the second portion.