AU612204B2 - A magnetic particle inspection system and a cable unit for use therein - Google Patents
A magnetic particle inspection system and a cable unit for use therein Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU612204B2 AU612204B2 AU26069/88A AU2606988A AU612204B2 AU 612204 B2 AU612204 B2 AU 612204B2 AU 26069/88 A AU26069/88 A AU 26069/88A AU 2606988 A AU2606988 A AU 2606988A AU 612204 B2 AU612204 B2 AU 612204B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- cable
- inspection
- magnetic particle
- loop
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G11/00—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
- H02G11/02—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts using take-up reel or drum
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
- G01N27/72—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables
- G01N27/82—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws
- G01N27/83—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws by investigating stray magnetic fields
- G01N27/84—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws by investigating stray magnetic fields by applying magnetic powder or magnetic ink
Description
I
OPI DATE 23/05/89
APPL
PCT
AOJP DATE 29/06/89
PCT
INTERNATIONAL APPLICAIIUN rvu'13On uL,.l N. ID 26069 88 NUMBER PCT/GB88/00898
:T)
(51) International Patent Classification 4 (11) International Publication Number: WO 89/ 03988 GIN 27/84, HO2G 11/02 3) a l r atiDte: 5 May 1989 (05.05.89) (21) International Application Number: PCT/GB88/00898 (81) Designated States: (European patent), AU, BE (European patent), CH (European patent), DE (Euro- (22) International Filing Date: 26 October 1988 (26.10.88) pean patent), DK, Fl, FR (European patent), GB (European patent), IT (European patent), JP, LU (European patent), NL (European patent), NO, SE (31) Priority Application Number: 8725040 (European patent), US.
(32) Priority Date: 26 October 1987 (26.10.87) Published (33) Priority Country: GB With international search report.
(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): AM ER- ADA HESS LIMITED [GB/GB]; 2 Stephen Street, London W1P IPL (GB).
(72) Inventor; and Inventor/Applicant (for US only) WINCHESTER, Richard, Gareth, John [GB/GB]; 9 Anderson Drive, Newton Hill, Kincardineshire AB3 2PW (GB).
(74) Agent: NEEDLE, Jacqueline; W.H. Beck, Greener Co., 7 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, London WC2A 3ZS (GB).
(54)Title: A MAGNETIC PARTICLE INSPECTION SYSTEM AND A CABLE UNIT FOR USE THEREIN (57) Abstract A magnetic particle inspection system comprises apparatus 8) for applying a magnetic field to an area of a metal structure to be inspected, a nozzle (16) for spraying ink or other disclosing fluid onto the inspected area, and an ultra violet light (20) for illuminating the sprayed area. The apparatus for applying the magnetic field comprises a cable arranged to form at least one loop which is connected to receive electrical power. The loop of cable is arranged to be pulled out of a cable unit by way of a cable grip (10) against the action of spring means (48) such that the length of the loop is adjustable and the loop is kept under tension. The cable unit is particularly designed to be mounted on a remotely operated vehicle.
i i:-I il 1 A MAGNETIC PARTICLE INSPECTION SYSTEM AND A CABLE UNIT FOR USE THEREIN The present invention relates to a magnetic particle inspection system, and to a cable unit for use in such a system.
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Particularly in underwater environments, magnetic particle inspection systems are used for discerning cracks or stresses in metal structures, such as oil rigs.
The traditional means of performing magnetic particle inspection in underwater conditions is to use divers, and, as t' .s often requires saturation diving techniques, is expensive and subjects the divers to physical risk.
The present invention seeks to provide a magnetic particle inspection system which can be used on a remotely operated vehicle.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, 0 there is provided magnetic particle inspection apparatus comprising a cable unit having a housing, and a length of power cable received within said housing, said power cable being arranged to extend through openings in said housing to define at least one cable inspection loop extending externally of said housing, said cable unit further comprising electrical connector means 2or coupling to an electrical power supply, said electrical connector means being supported by said housing and being electrically coupled to said power cable for applying electrical power to said power cable and to said externally extending cable inspection loop, and further comprising means for selectively adjusting the length of said O l able nspection loop externally of said housing whereby the Ssspe.019/amerada 91 3 -1
E
r. i 2 dimensions of an inspection area influenced by said inspection loop when electrical power is applied thereto are variable.
In an embodiment, the length of the or each loop can be adjusted to be in the range of substantially 0 to 1 metre.
In one embodiment, the cable forms a single loop which is defined by two limbs which extend substantially parallel to each other. However, if preferred, the cable may be arranged to form two or more adjacent loops, each being defined by two substantially parallel limbs, with the limbs of all of the JO.. loops extending substantially parallel to one another. The .e cable unit further comprises means to tension the loop or loops of cable.
In an embodiment, the cable unit has a housing in
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which said cable can be received. The two ends of the cable are coupled to connector means for connecting electrical power thereto. Spring means are provided to tension the cable, and preferably these spring means are received within the housing.
The looped end of the cable is preferably fixed to a cable grip which can be pulled away from the housing of the cable unit to pull the cable out of the housing against the action of the spring means.
It will be appreciated that the cable unit can be suitably mounted on a remotely operated vehicle. If then a moveable part, such as a manipulator, of that vehicle engages the cable grip, the cable can be pulled out of the housing to form a loop or loops of cable of the length required.
Subsequent application of electrical power to the cable enables an area adjacent thereto to be subjected to a magnetic S ield so that it can be inspected by magnetic particle 3pOsspe.Oi9/amerada 91 3 L A..i~ -3inspection techniques.
The present invention also extends to a magnetic particle inspection system incorporating a cable unit as defined above, and further comprising means for spraying ink or other disclosing fluid onto an inspection area adjacent to an influenced by the cable inspection loop, and illuminating means.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic particle inspection system comprising means for spraying a disclosing fluid, means for illuminating an inspection area on which the fluid has been sprayed, and magnetic particle inspection apparatus for applying a magnetic field to the sprayed inspection area, said magnetic particle inspection apparatus comprising a power cable received within a housing and connectible to receive electrical power, said power cable being arranged to define at o least one cable inspection loop to be arranged adjacent said inspection area, and further comprising means for selectively adjusting the length of said cable inspection loop externally 20 or said housing whereby the dimensions of said inspection area o 90 '000 oo are variable.
In an embodiment, said cable is arranged to form at least one loop whose length can be adjusted. Preferably, the length of the loop or loops of cable can be adjusted to be in the range of 0 to 1 metre.
In an embodiment, the cable in said magnetic particle inspection system is provided in a cable unit as defined above.
The illuminating neans is preferably an ultra violet psspe.019/amerada 91 3 L light.
A camera, which may be a video camera or a photographic camera is arranged to view the inspected area and make records of the results obtained.
Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with 0o 09 9*
S
*0 00 0 9 o «s o e ;spe.019/amerada 91 3 WO 89/03988 PCT/GB88/00898 reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a magnetic particle inspection system incorporating the present invention, and Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of the cable unit of the system of Figure i.
It is known to inspect metal structures for cracks or stresses by a magnetic particle inspection technique. A magnetic field is applied to the surface under test and an ink incorporating both magnetic particles and fluorescing particles is sprayed onto the surface which is then illuminated by ultra violet light. Stresses and cracks produce gaps in the magnetic field in which the ink settles, and when the surface is illuminated by ultra violet these ink particles fluoresce.
This magnetic particle inspection technique is well know and will not therefore be further described herein.
Generally, when this technique is used subsea, for example, to inspect oil rigs, divers take a length of wire and wind it around a structure to be inspected, the wire then being connected to an -L WO 89/03988 PCr/GB88/00898 6 electrical supply. The diver then arranges for the spraying of ink, its illumination, and the inspection of the results, for example, by the use of video cameras.
The magnetic particle inspection system illustrated in Figure 1 is designed for use on a remotely operated vehicle (not illustrated). The system comprises an electrical power source 2 which is preferably mounted on the vehicle. In the embodiment illustrated, the power supply 2 is a secondary of a transformer mounted on the vehicle, the primary of the transformer being connected by way of a tether to a power supply at the surface.
The terminals of the supply 2 are connected by way of cables 4 and a cable unit 6 to supply electrical power to a loop of a cable 8. The cable unit 6 is illustrated in Figure 2 and will be described further hereinbelow. This cable unit 6 is also mounted on the vehicle. The cable unit 6 may be fixed on the frame or hull of the vehicle, or preferably is mounted on a movable part, such as a manipulator, of the vehicle.
L Y- -4 PCT/GB88/008 98 WO 89/03988 7 A cable grip 10 is fixed to the looped end of the cable and is used to pull the cable 8 out of the cable unit 6 against spring tension. As is described below, the arrangement is such that pulling on the cable grip 10 enables cable 8 to be pulled out of the cable unit 6 to form a loop whose length can be in the range 0 to 1 metre. The loop is defined by two limbs which are arranged to remain substantially parallel to one another and to remain tensioned. In this respect, it wil!. be apparent from Figure 1 that the two limbs of cable 8 arranged to exit from the cable unit 6 are spaced at a spacing from each other, and that they are similarly spaced with respect to one another at their looped end by way of the cable grip The magnetic particle inspection system of Figure 1 also comprises an ink supply 14 which is suitably mounted on the remotely operated vehicle. This ink supply 14 comprises generally a flexible bag ink container (not illustrated) connected to an ink spray nozzle, indicated at 16, by way of a delivery pump (not shown). The ink spray nozzle 16 has spring loaded ball valves to prevent sea water entering into the ink bag whilst the pump is not running.
WO 89/03988 i PCT/GB88/00893 8 A substantially conventional ultra violet lamp 18 is also mounted on the vehicle and is arranged to illuminate the area which has been sprayed with ink.
In addition, a substantially conventional high resolution video camera, represented at 20, which may be either colour or black and white, is also mounted on the vehicle.
If the vehicle is provided with three or more manipulators it is preferred that the ink nozzle 16, the ultra violet lamp 18 and the video camera all be mounted on the central one of the three manipulators, with the cable unit 6 mounted on another of the manipulators, and the cable grip 10 engageable by the remaining manipulator.
In use, the manipulator carrying the cable unit 6 positions this unit at one end of an area to be inspected. The third manipulator then engages the cable grip 10 and pulls out the loop of cable 8 from the unit 6 against spring tension to the length required. The area to be inspected, adjacent to the loop, is then sprayed with ink by way of the nozzle 16 and the cable 8 energised by way of the supply 2. The area under inspection is illuminated by way of the lamp 18 and inspected by way of the video camera Of course, a photographic camera could be provided in WO 89/03988 -9 addition to or in place of c- PCT/GB88/00898 the video camera A longitudinal section of the cable unit 6 is shown in Figure 2. It will be seen that the cable unit comprises a housing formed by two cylindrical housing sections 24 made out of stainless steel. The two housing sections 24, which are substantially identical in size and shape, are arranged such that radially extending flanges 26 provided at one end of each section are arranged to face each other. The two flanges 26 are bolted together to secure therebetween a centre plate Within each housing section 24 is mounted a cable drum 32 made of stainless steel and around which up to 1 metre of cable 8 is wound. Each drum 32 is mounted on one end of P hollow shaft 34 and is rotationally fixed thereto, Each drum 32 is also attached to a rotatable end plate 36 of a respective slip ring assembly 38 for electrically connecting each cable 4 from the supply 2 to one end of the looped cable 8.
A non-rotating plate 40 of each slip ring assembly 38, which are standard single pass, subsea units, is bolted to the outside of the respective housing section 24.
Each hollow shaft 34 is supported in a nylon WO 89/03988 PCT/GB88/00898 10 split bearing 42 which is push fitted into the respective housing enclosure 24 and held in place by a circlip (not shown). The ends of the two hollow shafts 34 are connected by a two piece axle stub 44 to effectively form a continuous shaft supporting the two cable drums 32. The two pieces of the axle stub 44 are linked by way of a push fit, square section drive pin 46.
The axle stub 44 is the axle not only for the shafts 34 but also for a spring assembly 48. For this reason its central, reduced section portion, defined by the drive pin 46, is of square section. The spring assembly 48 is constructed as a spiral clock type unit which is retained within the centre plate 30. Thus, rotation of the shafts 34 and axle 44 in one direction will effectively "wind up" the spring. Rotation in this tension applying, one direction can be achieved by pulling out the cable 8 through guide openings provided in the housing sections 24. Pulling out the cable in this manner is achieved by pulling the cable grip 10 away from the cable unit 6 as described above.
When the pull on the cable grip 10 is released, the spring action will rewind the cable back onto the drums 32. The two cable drums 32, the spring assembly 48, and their associated shafts effectively form a spring tensioned winch for the cable.
wO 89/03988 PC/GB88/00898 11 It will be appreciated that the spring tension can be preset by winding the shafts 34 and axles 44 before the two halves of the cable unit are bolted together by way of the centre plate 30. Similarly, as the spring weakens through use it can be reset by the same method.
As described above, the unit 6 is preferably mounted by suitable means onto one of the manipulators of a remotely operated vehicle, for example, onto its 10 tool table. i0 In the embodiment illustrated, the cable is arranged to form a single loop defined by two limbs which extend substantially parallel to each other.
However, it will be appreciated that, if required, the cable may be arranged to form two or more adjacent loops each being defined by two substantially parallel limbs, with the limbs of all of the loops extending substantially parallel to one another. For example, if two adjacent loops of cable are required they can be housed in a cable unit formed by appropriately interconnecting two of the winches described above.
It will be appreciated that other variations and modifications can be made to the embodiment of the invention described above within the scope of the 25 present invention.
Claims (17)
1. Magnetic psrticle inspection apparatus comprising a cable unit having a housing, and a length of power cable received within said housing, said power cable being arranged to extend through openings in said housing to define at least one cable inspection loop extending externally of said housing, said cable unit further comprising electrical connector means for coupling to an electrical power supply, said electrical connector means being supported by said 1*6 housing and being electrically coupled to said power cable for applying electrical power to said power cable and to said externally extending cable inspection loop, and further comprising means for selectively adjusting the length of said 99 cable inspection loop externally of said housing whereby the dimensions of an inspection area influenced by said inspection loop when electrical power is applied thereto are variable.
2. Magnetic particle inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the or each said cable inspection loop can be adjusted to be in the range of 20 substantially 0 to 1 metre.
S3. Magnetic particle inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said means for selectively adjusting the length of the or each said cable inspection loop comprises means to tension said loop or loops.
4. Magnetic particle inspection apparacus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said power cable is arranged to define a single inspection loop externally of said housing, said cable inspection loop being defined by two cable limbs which extend 4substantially parallel to each other and are connected by a 91 3 taoie anu ,e lioop IS Kept unuer tension. I ne caie unit Is particularly designed to be mounted on a remotely operated vehicle. -I II 'I I rrrrrl 13 looped end.
Magnetic particle inspection apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said power cable is arranged to define two or more adjacent inspection loops externally of said housing, each said cable inspection loop being defined by two substantially parallel limbs, with the limbs of all of the loops extending substantially parallel to one another.
6. Magnetic particle inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said means to tension said loop comprises a spring means received within said housing and arranged to tension said power cable, and wherein said electrical connector means are arranged to couple electrical power to the two ends of said power cable.
7. Magnetic particle inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising two cable drums mounted within 0*0 said housing and arranged for rotation about a common axis, a. said power cable being wound around said two cable drums, and a wherein said spring means comprises a spring assembly interposed between said two cable drums and arranged to oppose *.000 rotation of said cable drums about said common axis in a direction to unwind said power cable from the drums.
8. Magnetic particle inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said electrical connector means comprises a respective slip ring assembly carried by each said cable drum.
9. Magnetic particle inspection apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said means for S selectively adjusting the length of said cable inspection loop 0 psspe.019/amerada 91 3 8^.<0psspe.019/amerada 91 3 II II It." i L 14 kcomprises a cable grip fixed to the looped end of said cable inspection loop for pulling the power cable out of the housing through the openings against the action of said spring means.
A magnetic particle inspection system incorporating magnetic particle inspection apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising means for spraying ink or other disclosing fluid onto an inspection area adjacent to and influenced by the cable inspection loop, and illuminating means. .1
11. A magnetic particle inspection system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the illuminating means comprises an ultra violet light.
12. A magnetic particle inspection system as claimed S. in claim 10 or 11, further comprising a camera arranged to view the illuminated area and make records of the results obtained. 0
13. A magnetic particle inspection system comprising means for spraying a disclosing fluid, means for illuminating S an inspection area on which the fluid has been sprayed, and magnetic particle inspection apparatus for applying a magnetic to 1 field to the sprayed inspection area, said magnetic particle inspection apparatus comprising a power cable received within a housing and connectible to receive electrical power, said power cable being arranged to define at least one cable inspection loop to be arranged adjacent said inspection area, and further comprising means for selectively adjusting the length of said cable inspection loop externally or said housing whereby the dimensions of said inspection area are variable. psspe.019/amerada 91 3 0 sspe.019/amerada 91 3 15
14. A magnetic particle inspection system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the length of the or each said inspection loop of power cable can be adjusted to be in the range of O to 1 metre.
15. A magnetic particle inspection system as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the illuminating means comprises an ultra violet light.
16. A magnetic particle inspection system as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising a camera arranged to view the illuminated area and make records of the results obtained.
17. A magnetic particle inspection apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 5 March 1991 SMITH SHELSTON BEADLE Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: AMERADA HESS LIMITED 0 e3 o 0psspe.019/amerada 91 3
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB878725040A GB8725040D0 (en) | 1987-10-26 | 1987-10-26 | Magnetic particle inspection system |
| GB8725040 | 1987-10-26 | ||
| PCT/GB1988/000898 WO1989003988A1 (en) | 1987-10-26 | 1988-10-26 | A magnetic particle inspection system and a cable unit for use therein |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2606988A AU2606988A (en) | 1989-05-23 |
| AU612204B2 true AU612204B2 (en) | 1991-07-04 |
Family
ID=26292949
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU26069/88A Ceased AU612204B2 (en) | 1987-10-26 | 1988-10-26 | A magnetic particle inspection system and a cable unit for use therein |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU612204B2 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO892645L (en) |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU412907B2 (en) * | 1967-07-19 | 1971-04-29 | Ray Brown William | Reel for starter jump cables |
| GB2079945A (en) * | 1980-07-07 | 1982-01-27 | Magnaflux Corp | Flaw detection in magnetizable workpieces |
| GB2182445A (en) * | 1985-09-30 | 1987-05-13 | Oilfield Inspection Services | Apparatus for non-destructive testing |
-
1988
- 1988-10-26 AU AU26069/88A patent/AU612204B2/en not_active Ceased
-
1989
- 1989-06-26 NO NO89892645A patent/NO892645L/en unknown
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU412907B2 (en) * | 1967-07-19 | 1971-04-29 | Ray Brown William | Reel for starter jump cables |
| GB2079945A (en) * | 1980-07-07 | 1982-01-27 | Magnaflux Corp | Flaw detection in magnetizable workpieces |
| GB2182445A (en) * | 1985-09-30 | 1987-05-13 | Oilfield Inspection Services | Apparatus for non-destructive testing |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NO892645D0 (en) | 1989-06-26 |
| NO892645L (en) | 1989-06-26 |
| AU2606988A (en) | 1989-05-23 |
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