Pipe Seam Peaking Measurement Using Adjacent Geometry Trends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measuring seam peakings in longitudinally welded pipes is challenging due to geometry constraints, leading to inaccurate stress assessments and potential leaks, as conventional ultrasonic sensors can be affected by the angle of incidence and immersion in seam peakings, necessitating a method that is independent of sensor carrier width and position.
Innovation Solution
A method that records measurements adjacent to the seam peaking, determines trends, and calculates the seam peaking angle using gradients from reference points, excluding measurements directly on the weld seam to reduce interference and sensor carrier width requirements, allowing for more accurate seam peaking determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional ultrasonic sensors with sensor carriers pressed against the inner wall are used to measure seam peaking, then the measurement can be performed using existing equipment, but the measured value may be falsified if the sensor carrier is pressed into the seam peaking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement function from the sensor carrier structure itself. Instead of relying on the sensor carrier's physical position and contact with the pipe wall, the method uses ultrasonic measurements taken at multiple angular positions around the pipe circumference to calculate seam peaking values. This separates the measurement function from the mechanical support structure, eliminating the problem of sensor carrier immersion falsifying measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point radial measurement approach to a multi-dimensional angular measurement approach. By taking ultrasonic measurements at multiple angular positions (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) around the pipe circumference and calculating seam peaking from these distributed measurements, the method creates a more robust measurement system that is not sensitive to the radial position or tilt of any single sensor carrier.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor carrier width is increased to prevent immersion in seam peakings, then measurement accuracy may be improved, but the device complexity and requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the need for wide sensor carriers by moving to an angular/directional measurement approach. Instead of preventing immersion through increased radial width, the method takes measurements at multiple angular positions around the pipe and uses computational geometry to determine seam peaking. This transforms the problem from a mechanical constraint (sensor carrier width) to a mathematical calculation based on angularly distributed measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces computational processing as an intermediary between the raw ultrasonic measurements and the final seam peaking value. Rather than relying on the physical geometry of the sensor carrier to avoid immersion, the system uses software algorithms to process measurements from multiple angular positions and calculate the seam peaking value, effectively using computation to overcome the physical measurement limitations.
3Reliability
If stress tests with pressure increase are performed to determine pipeline safety, then the safety assessment can be obtained, but the pipes that are damaged burst and remaining useful life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical stress test approach with an ultrasonic measurement and computational analysis system. Instead of applying physical pressure increases to test pipe safety, the method uses ultrasonic sensors to measure the actual seam peaking dimensions and calculates failure probability based on these measurements and fracture mechanics models. This substitutes a destructive mechanical testing approach with a non-destructive measurement and calculation approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces computational fracture mechanics models as an intermediary between the measured seam peaking geometry and the safety assessment. Rather than directly testing the pipe's strength through pressure increases, the system uses the measured seam peaking dimensions as input to fracture mechanics calculations that predict failure probability and remaining useful life, providing a safety assessment without subjecting the pipe to damaging stress tests.
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 provides a more accurate and reliable determination of seam peakings, reducing the risk of measurement falsification and enabling improved safety assessments without the need for extensive sensor carrier widths, thus minimizing damage and costs associated with stress tests.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic measuring sensor can be used to measure the seam peaking
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining peaking of a pipeline, wherein measurement values of the internal geometry of the pipe are recorded adjacent to a searched point P of the peak, wherein the measurement of meaningful measurement values is made more difficult or impossible due to the weld seam that is present there, and wherein a trend is determined based on the measurement values and a value of the peaking is determined based on the trend.