| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 073592000 | Fluid, fluid leak, or pipe flaw detection | 41 |
| 20080210010 | Method for Nondestructive Testing of Pipes for Surface Flaws - A method for nondestructive testing of the pipes for detecting surface flaws is disclosed. With of the method, flaws can be detected and analyzed in near-real-time while the pipe is produced. The data obtained by ultrasound sensors are digitized in a time window following a trigger pulse, and the digitized data are processed in a digital processor, for example a DSP, using wavelet transforms. The evaluated quantity is compared with a reference value, wherein a determined flaw-based signal can be uniquely associated with the flaw located on the pipe surface. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080216576 | Interface Module Apparatus for an Electrical Machine, for Calculating the Life of a Bearing - The aim of the invention is to reduce the resources required to monitor the bearings of an electric motor. To achieve this, the electric motor is equipped with an interface module (SM), which is used to calculate the remaining service life of a bearing (LA). Said interface module (SM) can be integrated into the motor or can be fitted to the latter. The remaining service life of the bearing (LA) can be estimated from the signal of a rotary transducer (GB) and optionally a temperature sensor (TS). | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080314151 | Buried Pipe Examining Method - An impact elastic wave test is conducted to measure propagating waves in a pipe to be examined, a frequency spectrum of the propagating waves is analyzed, and at least a spectral area value in a first frequency region and a spectral area value in a second frequency region of the frequency spectrum are evaluated, thereby determining a type of a deteriorated state of the buried pipe. A correlation relationship between a parameter obtained from a force-deformation relationship indicating a relationship between a force externally input to a sample pipe and a deformation of the sample pipe due to the force, and impact elastic wave test data obtained by conducting an impact elastic wave test with respect to the sample pipe is previously obtained, an impact elastic wave test is conducted with respect to a pipe to be examined to collect impact elastic wave measurement data of the pipe to be examined, and the actually measured impact elastic wave measurement data is evaluated based on the correlation relationship, thereby quantitatively determining a degree of deterioration of the pipe to be examined. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090000379 | Device for the Ultrasonic Inspection of the Weld Seam of Longitudinally Welded Pipes for Defects - The present invention pertains to a device for the ultrasonic inspection of the weld seam of longitudinally welded pipes for longitudinal defects with an inspection unit, which can be relatively displaced on the surface of the pipe on at least one side next to the weld seam, comprising a pick-up with a coupling means feed, which said pick-up accommodates at least one inspection head with a modulator, which said inspection head touches the pipe surface and whose channel opens in the area of the modulator, wherein the inspection head can be arranged in a rigidly preset position relative to the pipe surface. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090038397 | VIBRATION SENSOR - A method for measuring a vibration from four or more equidistant points in a chamber, comprising centering a chamber surface around a center point, containing a fluid within the chamber surface, measuring a fluid vibration from at least four measuring points in juxtaposition with the chamber surface, wherein at least two measuring points are located along a first axis passing through the center point and at least two measuring points are located along a second axis passing through the center point. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20100018312 | Pipe Location System - A method and apparatus for the remote detection of non-conductive pipes is described. The system consists of transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) units. The transmitter unit induces mechanical vibrations into the pipe, and generates a reference signal which is relayed to the receiver. The receiver unit senses vibrations from the ground and converts the vibrations into an electrical signal, and receives the reference signal from the transmitter. Using synchronous detection, the receiver compares the reference signal to the received signal from the ground. The output of the receiver is proportional to the strength of the signal from the ground and therefore indicates the proximity of the receiver to the underground pipe. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100107767 | Method and System for Detecting Corrosion Under Insulation - The present invention relates generally to thermal imaging systems and methods and uses therefor, and in a particular though non-limiting embodiment, to a method of detecting corrosion under insulation, as well as corrosion-related material data associated therewith. The system utilizes advanced infrared imaging video cameras to detect characteristic signatures of wet thermal traits on process equipment. Various embodiments of the invention integrate equipment, automation, and algorithms to form a method for identifying wet thermal insulation by scanning multiple locations along insulated piping, tanks, or other manufacturing equipment. Such scans can occur individually, sequentially, or simultaneously, with the results then being stored and comparatively analyzed. Further embodiments comprise tracking the approximate time of exposure to moisture, prediction of the corrosion rates for underlying insulated metal substrates, and measuring wall thicknesses along either predetermined random portions of the metal substrate. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100116059 | VIBRATION SENSOR HAVING A SINGLE VIRTUAL CENTER OF MASS - A vibration sensor enabling measuring a vibratory signal in a single virtual center of mass of the sensor including a chamber within the housing exhibiting a chamber center and chamber surface wherein all portions of the chamber surface are substantially equidistant from chamber center; and two pairs of vibration-sensitive transducers, wherein each transducer has a body including a first end portion, a second end portion and a central axis segment passing axially through the center of the body, between the first end portion and the second end portion; and wherein the first end portion includes a transuding element receptor portion; and wherein the second end portion is in operative association with the housing and each transducer pair of the two or more transducer pairs and includes an axis passing through the central segment of a first transducer, the chamber center, and the central segment of a second transducer. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100162818 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING WATER IN A CELLULAR STRUCTURE - The invention relates to the detection of liquid in a cavity of a structure, e.g. a sandwich-structure cell with honeycomb core and carbon fiber composite coating. The structure is subjected to a mechanical vibration, at a frequency f | 07-01-2010 |
| 20110154902 | Automatic Sonic/Ultrasonic Data Acquisition Device and System - An automatic sonic/ultrasonic data acquisition device that is constructed and arranged to be moved across the surface of a concrete structure, to collect data from the structure. There is a frame, a number of wheels carried by the frame, one or more sensors carried by a wheel and constructed and arranged to contact the structure as the wheels roll along a surface of the structure, and an energy source for initiating compressional and/or shear waves in the structure that are sensed by the sensors. The wheels rotate properly timed and in unison so that the pressure transducers are in contact with the surface when the sound waves are initiated. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110162454 | DEVICE AND METHOD TO ASSESS IMPAIRMENT OF PIPELINE WALL STRENGTH - The invention locates impaired sections of a pipeline, such as sections where the wall of the pipeline has been weakened or thinned. It provides a moveable device which passes through the pipeline and which has a first station. The moveable device has means to locate its position accurately. There is a second station, which is mounted either on the moveable device or in association with a fixed location on the pipeline wall. Either the first station or the second station has an acoustic or seismic pulse generator, and the other has a pulse receiver. The time taken for a pulse to travel from the pulse generator to the receiver is found to vary with the condition of the pipeline wall at the location where the moveable device is located at the time it receives (or sends) the pulse. The rate of change of velocity of the pulse as the device passes different locations in the pipeline is also found to vary with the condition of the pipeline wall at such location. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20120060609 | Non-Destructive Inspection Scanning Apparatus And Non-Destructive Inspection Apparatus - A non-destructive inspection scanning apparatus and a non-destructive inspection apparatus which can cope with the size and shape of a structure, which is an inspection target, in which attachment to the structure is facilitated, and which can be reduced in size and cost are provided. A non-destructive inspection scanning apparatus ( | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120144919 | TESTING OF SWING TYPE CHECK VALVES USING PHASED ARRAY SEQUENCE SCANNING - A computer with a proper program generates a phased array sequence of signals. In a pulser with delays, the signals are fed through a multiplexor into a water wedge that is attached to a valve being tested. For a sequential operation of the valves from the open to the closed position, ultrasonic signals are transmitted through the fluid contained in the valve and reflected back through piezo-electric crystals to the multiplexor. By summation and merger of the signals, an image can be developed of the operation of the valve to determine if the valve is operating properly. By use of the water wedge, the top plate of the valve appears to disappear because the water wedge has the same refractive angle as the fluid contained in the valve. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120180570 | Visualization of Tests on Swing Type Check Valve Using Phased Array Sequence Scanning - Computers with proper programs generate signals in phased array sequence. In pulsers with delays, signals are fed through a multiplexor into multiple water wedges attached to a valve being tested. For a sequential operation of the valves from the open to the closed position, ultrasonic signals are transmitted through fluid contained in the valve and reflected back through piezo-electric crystals to the multiplexor. By summation and merger of the signals, an image can be developed of the operation of the valve to determine if the valve is operating properly. By using multiple water wedges and pass visualization software, the operator can see exactly how the valve is functioning, which information can be stored for inspections or maintenance. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120260735 | INSPECTION OF PIPE INTERIOR - A method for inspecting the interior of a non-horizontal pipe includes (a) filling the pipe with a first fluid, (b) feeding a second fluid into a lower part of the pipe when the second fluid is more dense than the first fluid or into an upper part of the pipe when the second fluid is less dense than the second fluid the pipe, a meniscus forming between the first and the second fluid and moving along the pipe, (c) introducing an inspection device having an average density between the densities of the first and second fluids such that the device locates at and moves with the meniscus, (d) obtaining inspection data from the inspection device as the device moves along the pipe, (e) determining positions of the meniscus as it moves along the pipe, and (f) relating the meniscus positions to positions at which the inspection data is obtained. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20130019684 | PIPE INSPECTION AND SERVICING - A pipe inspection system comprises an inspection head at the end of a flexible shaft, wherein the inspection head comprises a rigid distal end portion and a rigid intermediate portion spaced from the distal end portion by a flexible region. The flexible region comprises a series of sections with pivotal connections between adjacent sections which allow pivoting about two orthogonal axes, wherein the range of pivoting between adjacent sections is limited such that the complete series can be pivoted by a maximum angle of between 80 and 100 degrees. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130025370 | APPARATUS FOR PIPELINE INSPECTION AND METHOD OF PIPELINE INSPECTION - An apparatus for pipeline inspection, the apparatus having a longitudinal axis, is provided. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of ultrasonic sensor units arranged for inspection of a pipe wall, each ultrasonic sensor unit comprising an array of ultrasonic sensors, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic sensor units defines two or more groups of ultrasonic sensor units, wherein the groups of ultrasonic sensor units are axially offset from one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, the ultrasonic sensor units in each group being spaced circumferentially from one another, and wherein the ultrasonic sensor units are arranged out of phase, to provide inspection coverage for the circumferential spacing between the sensor units in the groups of ultrasonic sensor units so that the combined output from the groups of sensor units provides 360 degrees of inspection coverage. | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130125654 | METHOD FOR PIPELINE INSPECTION - A method for pipeline inspection is provided comprising carrying out an inspection run in which a pipeline inspection apparatus travels inside a pipeline, wherein sensors on the apparatus are configured to conduct an in-line inspection of wall material along a length of the pipeline. The method further comprises initiating a first inspection mode to produce a primary inspection data set, wherein the first inspection mode comprises an inspection of the pipeline wall material upstream and downstream of a location of a dented region in the pipeline, selectively initiating a second inspection mode to produce a secondary inspection data set, wherein the second inspection mode comprises an inspection of the pipeline wall material in the dented region in the length of the pipeline, and combining the primary and the secondary inspection data sets to provide a direct assessment for the presence of cracks and/or corrosion in wall material along the pipeline. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130125655 | METHOD FOR TESTING THE INTEGRITY OF A FLEXIBLE TUBULAR PIPE AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME - Method for testing a pipe for carrying hydrocarbons. The pipe has at least one internal sealing sheath made of polymer material, incorporating elements of reactive compound capable of reacting with corrosive gases contained in the hydrocarbons which diffuse radially through the sheath. The reaction forms a first layer, extending radially from the internal surface, in which the elements of reactive compound have reacted with the gases. A second layer, extends between the first layer and the external surface, in which the elements of reactive compound have not yet reacted with the gases. The method uses ultrasound to determine the position of an interface between the first and second layers to measure the progression of the diffusion of the gases through the sheath. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130180337 | SIGNAL PROCESSING OF LAMB WAVE DATA FOR PIPE INSPECTION - The invention relates to systems and methods for conducting an ultrasonic, nondestructive evaluation and inspection of a pipe using Lamb-type wave transducers to detect the presence of defects, flaws, discontinuities and the like. The transducers are positioned within the interior space of the pipe. Two transducers are positioned facing each other such that the ultrasonic beam emitted from each of the transducers is directed toward the other transducer and the portion of pipe to be inspected. The coverage of the transducers is verified and the results are processed using a combination of a cross correlation filter and a signal processing tool. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130239688 | PIPE PROCESSING DEVICE AND PIPE PROCESSING METHOD - A pipe processing device provided with a subject insertion body ( | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130263666 | MEASURING DEVICE FOR DETERMINING AND/OR MONITORING AT LEAST ONE PROCESS VARIABLE - A system for monitoring the leak-tightness of a tank, which is filled with a liquid with a lower density than water. The system has a liquid drain pipe, with a container that has a bottom, which is integrated horizontally in the liquid drain pipe with a damming element, which divides the container into a partial area on the supply flow side and partial area on the drain side. A first vibronic measuring device with a first vibrating unit protruding into the supply flow side partial area of the bottom determines whether the density of the medium undershoots a specified limit. A second vibronic measuring device with a second vibrating unit, at a position not exceeding the level of the first vibrating unit, which detects whether the vibrating unit are covered with medium, and with an evaluation unit uses the measured values of measuring devices to determine whether there is liquid from the tank in the container. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130269440 | WATER-LEAKAGE DETECTION METHOD AND WATER-LEAKAGE DETECTION DEVICE - The water-leakage detection method according to the present invention is a method of detecting a water-leakage using a vibration sensor unit | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130333474 | Conduit Monitoring - The present invention relates to a method of monitoring a fluid carrying conduit, comprising interrogating an optic fibre positioned along the path of said conduit to provide distributed acoustic sensing, measuring by distributed acoustic sensing the acoustic signal at each of a plurality of discrete longitudinal sensing portions along the length of the optic fibre, to monitor the optic fibre for the presence of a first characteristic signal, the first characteristic signal being indicative of ground heave the vicinity of the optic fibre, and determining that a failure has occurred in said conduit when a first characteristic signal is measured in the distributed acoustic sensing. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140102201 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING BOILER TUBE COLD SIDE CRACKING AND ARTICLE FOR ACCOMPLISHING THE SAME - Disclosed herein is a scanning device for performing ultrasonic nondestructive testing of a tube, comprising a housing; the housing having bottom surface that is concavely curved with cavities to accommodate a waveguide assembly and an encoder assembly; where the waveguide assembly comprises a waveguide and a probe that are in communication with one another; the waveguide having at least one surface that is contoured to match an outer surface of the tube; where the waveguide facilitates the transmission of ultrasonic signals into the tube generated by the probe; and where the encoder assembly comprises a spring loaded wheel that contacts the tube; and where the encoder assembly provides a signal indicative of a location of the probe relative to a position on the tube as the scanning device is moved in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the tube. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140123759 | Monitoring of Conduits - This application relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring of conduits, especially oil or gas pipelines, as an object such as pipeline pig moves within the conduit. The method comprises monitoring at least part of a conduit ( | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140150554 | MEDIUM COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING LOG DETECTOR AMPLIFIER - An in-medium monitoring system for monitoring material carried within a pipe. The system includes an acoustic device installed within the pipe that generates voltage signals indicative of changes in the material, such as flow rate or leaks, a hardware unit that includes a detector module and a communication module, a switch for switching the voltage signals to and communication signals from the hardware unit. The hardware unit and a power source are attached to the pipe. The acoustic device may be detector or a sensor. The communication module may communicate date through the sensor in the medium or outside of the pipe to a fixed network. The hardware unit may include a log detection amplifier for generating an amplified pulsed output signal without voltage gain and without significantly adding noise. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140165731 | PIPELINE FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM, SENSOR HEAD AND METHOD OF DETECTING PIPELINE FAULTS - A pipeline fault detection system, method and sensor head suitable for use in the system are disclosed. The system comprises a vibro-acoustic sensor connectable to a fluid path of a pipeline and a remote monitoring system, the sensor being operable to measure one or more predetermined vibro-acoustic properties of the fluid and/or fluid path and communicate data on said measurements to the remote monitoring system, the remote monitoring system being arranged to monitor said data over time and being further arranged to screen the monitored data for characteristics representing a fault type to identify occurrence of a fault type in the pipeline. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140190264 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING AND MONITORING PIPE - An ultrasonic sensor assembly detects a characteristic of a pipe. The ultrasonic sensor assembly includes first and second transducer rings spaced apart along a length of the pipe. Each of the first and second transducer rings can transmit a first wave longitudinally along the pipe and receive a reflection of the transmitted first wave from the characteristic. The first transducer ring can use results related to the reflection of the transmitted first wave to guide a second wave along the pipe that is received by the second transducer ring. Methods of detecting a characteristic of the pipe are also provided. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140230554 | METHOD AND SENSOR MOUNT FOR MEASURING SEAM PEAKING IN PIPES BY MEANS OF ULTRASONIC INSPECTION - For ultrasonic measurement of pipe seam peaking, optionally with simultaneous ultrasonic wall thickness measurement using ultrasonic probes mounted on sensor holders on a sensor mount, it is proposed to use a sensor mount with sensor holders mounted on movable skids, which are pressed outward by spring elements and bear against the internal pipe surface, and skids having a large skid breadth greater than the seam peak breadth measured in the pipe's circumferential direction in the region of a measured seam peak, and sensor holders equipped with sensors only in a measuring region situated half way between two skid contact surfaces, wherein the measuring region breadth is less or equal to half of the skid breadth such that the stand off deviation of the sensors resulting in the seam peak region remains below a threshold value. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140238136 | ULTRASOUND MATRIX INSPECTION - A device and method for performing ultrasound scanning of a substantially cylindrical object, the device comprising a cuff adapted to fit around a circumference of the object, a carrier mounted slidably on the cuff and adapted to traverse the circumference of the object, an ultrasound probe mounted on the carrier and positioned to scan the circumference of the object as the carrier traverses the circumference of the object, a carrier motor mounted on the cuff or the carrier and used to drive the movement of the carrier about the circumference of the object, and one or more data connections providing control information for the carrier motor and the ultrasound probe and receiving scanning data from the ultrasound probe. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140238137 | SCANNING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method of assessing the condition of a tubular member comprises driving an ultrasonic probe to fire a short pulse ultrasonic beam at the outer surface of the tubular member and analysing the reflected signals from the tubular member to assess the condition of the tubular member. The apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe ( | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140260626 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING OBSTRUCTIONS IN PIPES OR CHANNELS - Apparatus and method of monitoring for obstructions in a pipe or channel. The method comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting a wave into a first end of the pipe or channel from a transmitting transducer at a first known location relative to the pipe or channel, wherein the frequency f of the transmitted wave ( | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140305215 | ULTRASONIC FLOW METER - A flow meter ultrasonically measures fluid velocity in a pipe and ultrasonically transmits fluid flow data along the pipe. An ultrasonic transducer used for fluid velocity measurement may optionally also be used for communication of flow data, and optionally, the ultrasonic frequency for fluid velocity measurement may be the same as the ultrasonic frequency for communication of flow data. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140311245 | PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS - The present invention provides an improved pipe inspection system and related methods. In one embodiment, the invention provides an airbourne acoustic pipe inspection system and method. The present invention further comprises a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable computer program code for inspecting pipes. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20150330864 | METHOD FOR TESTING THE INTEGRITY OF A FLEXIBLE TUBULAR PIPE AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME - Method for testing a pipe for carrying hydrocarbons. The pipe has at least one internal sealing sheath made of polymer material, incorporating elements of reactive compound capable of reacting with corrosive gases contained in the hydrocarbons which diffuse radially through the sheath. The reaction forms a first layer, extending radially from the internal surface, in which the elements of reactive compound have reacted with the gases. A second layer, extends between the first layer and the external surface, in which the elements of reactive compound have not yet reacted with the gases. The method uses ultrasound to determine the position of an interface between the first and second layers to measure the progression of the diffusion of the gases through the sheath. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150362465 | SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AND/OR SURVEYING CONDUITS - There is provided a system for monitoring and/or surveying a conduit, comprising at least one acoustic source for emitting a signal to propagate along the conduit, and at least one acoustic detector for receiving reflected signals. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20160091387 | ACOUSTIC BUILDING INFILTRATION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - Systems and methods of detecting and identifying a leak from a container or building. Acoustic pressure and velocity are measured. Acoustic properties are acquired from the measured values. The acoustic properties are converted to infiltration/leakage information. Nearfield Acoustic Holography (NAH) may be one method to detect the leakages from a container by locating the noise sources. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160116440 | SENSOR POSITIONING WITH NON-DISPERSIVE GUIDED WAVES FOR PIPELINE CORROSION MONITORING - An ultrasonic sensor assembly for testing a pipe includes a first and second transducer rings attached to the pipe and spaced apart along a length of the pipe. The first transducer ring includes a plurality of transmitters for transmitting a wave, such as a non-dispersive guided wave. The first transducer ring transmits the wave along the pipe. The second transducer ring includes a plurality of receivers for receiving the wave. A relative position of the first transducer ring with respect to a circumferential position of the second transducer ring is determined based on characteristics of the wave received by the second transducer ring. A method of positioning the ultrasonic sensor assembly on the pipe is also provided. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160146760 | DEVICE FOR DETECTING CHANGE IN UNDERGROUND MEDIUM - The inventive concept relates to a device that detects a leak of a liquid leaked from a sinkhole, water pipe or oil pipeline under the ground. In the detection device of the inventive concept, a plurality of reception devices disposed on the surface of the earth simultaneously receive an ultrasonic signal transmitted from a transmission device under the ground and a radio frequency (RF) signal synchronized with the ultrasonic signal. Also, by measuring an arrival time of the ultrasonic signal by using the wireless signal received by each reception device as a triggering signal, a leak range of a liquid leaked from a sinkhole, water pipe or oil pipeline on a signal path between the transmission device and the reception device is detected. | 05-26-2016 |
| 20190145936 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ACOUSTIC ASSESSMENT FROM THE INTERIOR OF FLUID CONDUITS | 05-16-2019 |
