Ultrasonic Transceiver Protective Device for Pipeline Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline inspection devices, or 'pigs,' face issues with transceiver wear and contamination due to harsh physical and chemical influences within the pipeline, leading to impaired measurement results.
Innovation Solution
A protective device made of hard or viscoplastic material is used to cover the ultrasonic transceivers, providing protection from external influences and contamination, and can be designed as a membrane or a plug-on cover for easy replacement, with optional liquid application to reduce friction and enhance coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transceivers are exposed directly in fluid-filled pipelines, then measurement function is maintained, but transceivers suffer from wear and contamination due to harsh physical and chemical influences
Solution Approach 1:
A protective device made of elastomeric material is introduced as an intermediary between the transceiver and the harsh pipeline environment. This protective layer shields the transceiver from physical and chemical influences while allowing ultrasonic signals to pass through, thus maintaining measurement functionality while protecting against contamination and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device is constructed from elastomeric material that forms a flexible protective shell around the transceiver. This flexible membrane structure provides mechanical protection against abrasion and chemical corrosion while maintaining acoustic transparency for ultrasonic signal transmission.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective device is added to shield transceivers, then protection from wear and contamination is improved, but signal transmission may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric material's acoustic properties are carefully selected and optimized to ensure adequate acoustic transparency. By controlling the material's density, elasticity, and thickness parameters, the protective device provides mechanical protection while allowing ultrasonic signals to transmit with minimal attenuation or distortion.
3Ease of repair
If transceivers are protected with a protective device, then maintenance frequency is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device uses a simple elastomeric membrane or shell structure that is easy to install and replace. This flexible protective layer provides comprehensive protection against wear and contamination without requiring complex mechanical structures, thereby reducing maintenance frequency while adding minimal complexity to the overall device.
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 protective device effectively shields transceivers from wear and contamination, maintaining measurement accuracy and allowing for easy maintenance by reducing debris accumulation and abrasion, while improving signal transmission and reducing friction in gas-carrying pipelines.
Implementation Method 1
A protective device made of hard or viscoplastic material is used to cover the ultrasonic transceivers, providing protection from external influences and contamination
Implementation Method 2
an array of ultrasonic transceivers is mounted on a so-called pig, and the pig is inserted into the pipeline. The pig then travels through the pipeline, irradiating the inner pipe wall with ultrasound and recording the received signals
Implementation Method 3
with optional liquid application to reduce friction and enhance coupling
Implementation Method 4
with optional liquid application to reduce friction and enhance coupling
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for examining a workpiece, wherein the device comprises a carrier; at least one transceiver, which is arranged on the carrier; and a protective device, which is designed to protect the at least one transceiver from soiling. The invention further relates to a system for examining a workpiece, comprising such a device.