Self-Centering Clamp Adapter for Fast Pipe Weld Radiography

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radiographic inspection methods for pipe welds are labor-intensive and limit throughput, especially during facility construction, due to the use of radioisotopes and x-ray tubes that require significant setup time and equipment, making them inefficient for smaller pipes and increasing radiation exposure risks.

Innovation Solution

A portable radiographic inspection system using a radioisotope source with a flexible detector and adjustable collimator support arm, allowing for rapid attachment and detachment by a single person, enabling 360-degree scanning of pipe welds with reduced exposure and setup time, and generating digital images for efficient evaluation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional radiographic inspection methods using radioisotopes and x-ray tubes are used, then image quality can be achieved, but setup time and equipment complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system is divided into separate functional modules: a portable clamp assembly with clamping jaws, a detector unit, and a collimator. These can be attached and detached independently, reducing setup time while maintaining image quality through proper positioning of each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp assembly is designed to accommodate multiple pipe diameters through adjustable clamping jaws, and the system can perform both radiographic inspection and other detection functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices, reducing overall setup time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional radiographic inspection methods are used, then weld inspection capability is achieved, but labor intensity and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweld inspection capabilityVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping jaws automatically adjust and secure the detector to the pipe surface when the clamp is tightened. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for manual positioning and alignment by operators, reducing labor intensity while ensuring reliable weld inspection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If radioisotopes and x-ray tubes are used for inspection, then imaging capability is achieved, but radiation exposure risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and isolates the radiation source within a shielded collimator assembly that can be precisely positioned only when needed for imaging. The portable detector allows for rapid attachment and detachment, minimizing the time the radiation source is active and reducing overall radiation exposure risk while maintaining imaging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If portable inspection systems are used for smaller pipes, then ease of deployment is improved, but positioning precision and centering accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of deploymentVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping jaws are designed with movable, adjustable components that can dynamically adapt to different pipe diameters. The jaws can be positioned and secured at various locations around the pipe circumference, allowing the portable system to maintain precise positioning and centering accuracy across a range of pipe sizes while remaining easy to deploy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system enhances throughput by reducing setup time and radiation exposure, facilitating efficient scanning of smaller pipes with improved image quality and ease of use, while maintaining safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A radioisotope may be exposed from a shielded exposure device and/or collimator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadioactive decay: Radioactive Decay

Implementation Method 2

radiographic inspection system using a radioisotope source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS12474280B2Self-centering clamp adapter for x-ray and gammaray weld inspection

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 VAREX IMAGING CORP

AI summary

Some embodiments include a radiographic inspection system, comprising: a clamp comprises a housing, a base, three clamping contacts, and an actuator; wherein: the clamp is configured to be positioned around a structure and to be coupled to the structure; the base is coupled to the housing through a rotary bearing, is moveable relative to the housing, and is configured to support a detector such that the detector may rotate around the structure while the clamp remains stationary relative to the structure; and the three clamping contacts are moveable relative to the housing via the actuator in a manner such that the three clamping contacts self-center on the structure.