Ultrasonic Pipeline Scanner Assembly for Variable Pipe Diameters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic girth weld inspection methods for oil and gas pipelines are cumbersome and heavy, making them difficult to install and transport, and often require additional equipment, especially when inspecting thicker pipes or pipes with varying diameters.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight and compact ultrasonic scanner assembly with a pipe mount section and scanner frame section that allows lateral displacement, featuring spring-loaded mechanisms, adjustable rails, and an integrated water transportation system, enabling easier attachment and detachment from a mounting band and accommodating different pipe diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional ultrasonic scanner assemblies are used for girth weld inspection, then inspection capability is provided, but the equipment is heavy and cumbersome making it difficult to install and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner assembly is divided into two main sections: a pipe mount section that attaches to the pipeline and a scanner frame section that contains the ultrasonic scanners. These sections can be laterally displaced relative to each other, allowing the scanner frame to be positioned away from the pipe during transport and installation, significantly reducing the effective weight and complexity of the assembly at any one location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed scanner positioning is used, then stable inspection is achieved, but the equipment cannot accommodate different pipe diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner frame section is designed with lateral displacement capability relative to the pipe mount section through displacement means. This dynamic positioning allows the scanner frame to be moved laterally to accommodate pipes of varying diameters while maintaining stable ultrasonic scanning contact with the pipe surface during inspection operation.
3Device complexity
If multiple hoses are used for water supply to scanners, then adequate cooling and coupling is provided, but the equipment becomes more complex and requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple water supply hoses that would traditionally be required for cooling and acoustic coupling of multiple scanners are merged into a single integrated water supply line. This consolidation reduces the number of separate hoses and connection points needed, simplifying the overall equipment configuration and reducing complexity while still providing adequate water supply for all scanning operations.
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 scanner assembly is significantly lighter and easier to handle, allowing for efficient inspection of thicker pipes and varying diameters, reducing the weight from 83 lbs to 38 lbs, facilitating single-person operation and eliminating the need for additional equipment, while also simplifying water supply and reducing the number of hoses required.
Implementation Method 1
a spring loaded mechanism, having a travel distance, for biasing the scanner attachment means towards the pipeline
Implementation Method 2
the displacement means comprise at least one linear ball bearing slide
Data Source
AI summary
A scanner assembly for pipeline inspection, having a pipe mounting section and a scanner frame which is laterally displaceable with respect to the pipe mounting section.