NL1032185C2 - System and method for measuring on a wall of a pipeline with the aid of at least one ultrasonic beam. - Google Patents

Description

Title: System and method for measuring at least one ultrasonic beam on a wall of a pipeline

The invention relates to a system for measuring at least one ultrasonic beam on a wall of a pipeline from a position in the pipeline, the system being provided with a device adapted to be positioned in the pipeline comprising a measuring body, which measuring body comprises a plurality of transducers for transmitting the ultrasonic waves, wherein, in use, the at least one beam has a propagation direction with a component in the radial direction of the pipeline. The invention also relates to a method for measuring with the aid of at least one ultrasonic beam on a wall of a pipeline from a position in the pipeline.

Such a system and method are known per se and are used for the detection of defects in metal parts of the pipe wall of a pipeline, such as cracks and corrosion. The system can herein use techniques to obtain information about the wall on the basis of responses of the ultrasonic beam to the wall, caused by reflections or diffractions of the ultrasonic beam on the wall. Here, these responses can be measured with the same transducers with which the ultrasonic waves are transmitted. The device can also make use of time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) or tandem technology. With TOFD and tandem technology, responses are usually received with transducers other than those with which the bundles were broadcast. Such techniques are described, inter alia, in the European standard ENV 583-6, January 2000 (TOFD) and "Ultrasonic Testing of 25 Materials", J. & H. Krautkramer, ISBN 3-540-07716-2, New York, 1977 ( Tandem). The device is often designed to be transported through the pipeline for scanning the pipeline. In order to be able to take measurements in as many directions as possible, the measuring body is often rotatable with respect to the pipeline, i.e. rotatable with respect to the rest of the device.

In use, the device is introduced into the pipeline.

The measuring body is then rotated, whereby each of the transducers in each case transmits a beam in a changed direction. Thus, an annular zone is scanned. After the zone has been scanned, the device can be further transported in the pipeline for subsequently scanning a following annular zone. Transporting through the pipeline and rotating can also be carried out simultaneously so that the pipe wall is scanned according to a helix.

A drawback of the known device is that measuring by means of rotating the measuring body in the pipeline takes relatively much time.

The necessity of rotating the measuring body can be an important limitation on the speed of movement of the device in the axial direction, since the rotation speed is limited by technical possibilities and / or a measuring speed.

Rotation also costs a lot of energy, which can cause problems, in particular if the system is a battery-powered device. In order to be able to reduce the need for rotation, the system is characterized according to the invention in that the system is furthermore provided with a control device for controlling the transducers, the transducers being arranged relative to each other such that they are distributed in combination extend over at least one path, which path extends substantially in tangential direction of the pipeline around an axis which, in use, extends in axial direction of the pipeline, wherein the system is arranged such that, in use, a bundle per transducer each time can be formed, wherein the control device is adapted to successively select 3 at least one transducer for successively transmitting at least one bundle, wherein different transducers are selected for transmitting bundles in mutually different directions.

Because the desired direction of the beam can be chosen by means of selection of the at least one transducer, in many cases rotation of the measuring body relative to the housing can be at least partially or completely avoided. This makes it possible to implement embodiments of the system in which the measuring body does not rotate in use with respect to the pipe or with respect to the rest of the system, which may benefit the accuracy of the measurements. The invention also offers the possibility of a lower energy consumption, since no energy needs to be spent on the rotational movement of the measuring body.

It is also preferred that the at least one path forms a loop closed in itself. This is particularly advantageous when detecting defects, such as cracks and corrosion, near a weld that connects two parts of the pipeline. The device of the system can stand still at a certain position in the pipeline and perform a circular scan at and / or near the weld.

The wall can thus be scanned with different bundles without the measuring body having to rotate. Preferably, it holds that in use, in use, successively different transducers of the at least one path are controlled for successively transmitting mutually different bundles for screening the wall.

In particular, it holds that, in use, in use, each time simultaneously controlling a plurality of different transducers of the at least one path for simultaneously transmitting different bands in mutually 4 different directions. Different parts of the wall can thus be examined simultaneously.

According to an advanced embodiment, it holds that, in use, the control device is arranged in succession to control successively different multiples of transducers for successively transmitting mutually different multiples of bundles for scanning the wall. A pipeline can thus be scanned, whereby different bundles are transmitted simultaneously.

An advanced embodiment of the system according to the invention is characterized in that the transducers extend over a plurality of such paths. It is herein possible that the control device is further adapted to send bundles per path as discussed above. This means that the control device can be arranged for transmitting different bundles per path for scanning the wall, for simultaneously transmitting different bundles per path in mutually different directions or for transmitting different mutually different paths per path multiples of bundles for scanning the wall. This also allows the measuring speed to be further increased.

A preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention is characterized in that the path is formed as a loop that is closed at least substantially in itself, in particular a circular, at least substantially closed in itself. Such a simple arrangement has the advantage that use can be made of the rotation symmetry that is often present in a pipeline. If the path extends over a circle, it is possible that, in use, the transducers of the path have substantially the same distance to the inner and / or outer surface of the pipeline. Furthermore, such an embodiment is particularly suitable for performing a tangential scan carried out by 5 consecutive beams transmitted with the aid of the transducers.

Preferably, at least a subset of the number of transducers extends over the at least one path, these 5 transducers being each adapted to form a beam and to receive reflections from the at least one beam, the direction of the bundle has at least substantially only a radial and axial component. Due to the absence of a tangential component, a measurement requires little space in the tangential direction and it is possible to perform many measurements simultaneously. It is possible that a first path is provided with transducers of a first type, for example transducers that use pulse echo, and / or a second path is provided with transducers of a second type, for example transducers that use time or -flight diffraction (TOFD) and / or tandem technology. The advantage of this is that better image formation can occur, since strong properties can be utilized for both types of measurements.

It is possible that the measuring body is provided with an acoustic lens for causing the at least one beam to converge, which offers the advantage that a better focus on an area on or in the wall can be achieved.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective view a first embodiment of a system according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the device of Figure 1 in a position at the level of the transducers;

Figures 3a-c show detailed views of the section in Figure 2 with the aid of a dotted line; 6

Figure 3d shows a cross-section of the device of figure 1 at the level of the transducers;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a system according to the invention; and Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the longitudinal section of the device at the level of the arrows PP '.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a system S according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the device 10 from figure 1. The device 1 is herein located in a pipeline 22 (only shown in figure 2) provided with a wall 23 with an inner surface 24 and an outer surface 26. The system S comprises a device 1 which is shown in perspective view in figure 1. The device 1 is provided with a housing 2 which, at least in this first embodiment, comprises a cylindrical measuring body 4 and a frame at both ends 6, 8 thereof, in this example in the form of a suspension 10. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the suspensions 10 are arranged and attached to the measuring body 4 in such a way that the measuring body 4 can be brought centered in a pipeline with an axial axis A.

For this purpose, in this embodiment, each of the suspensions 10 is provided with three arms 11, wherein each of the arms 11 has a wheel 12 at an end directed away from an axial axis A 'of the cylindrical body 4 and a wheel 12 between the axial axis A and the spring wheel 12 (not shown in the figures). The axial axis A of the pipeline falls into use when the device is in the pipeline 22 to be inspected together with the axial axis A of the device. Furthermore, a radial direction B 'of the device is defined to coincide with a radial direction B of the pipeline when the device is in the pipeline (see Figure 2). Also, a tangential direction C 'of the device is defined as coinciding with a tangential direction 7 C of the pipeline when the device is in the pipeline (see Figure 2). The three arms 11 are separated at an angular distance of approximately 120 ° from each other by means of, for example, curved bars 14. Furthermore, the one suspension 10 at one end 6 is offset by approximately 60 ° relative to the other suspension 10 at the other end 8. Because the suspension is arranged in this way, it is possible to have the device move in the axial direction of a pipeline 22 at a favorable speed such as, for example, 0.5 to 1 m / sec, the measuring body 4 also being well centered. remains.

The cylindrical measuring body 4 comprises a number of transducers 16i (i = 1, 2,3, ... n), which transducers 16i extend over a path 18, which path 18 in this embodiment extends as a self-closed loop along a circle extends on and around the cylindrical measuring body 4, as can also be seen in figure 1. The path 18 is shown in hatched in Figure 1. The number of n transducers 16i, as shown in the figures, is intended to be illustrative only. The transducers 16i are known per se and are each adapted to emit an ultrasonic beam. Also, the transducers 16i in this example are also adapted to receive ultrasonic waves. To this end, the transducers 16i are usually provided with a piezo crystal.

The system S is furthermore provided with a control device 20 which is communicatively connected to each of the transducers so that with the control device 20 transducers 16i can be selected for transmitting ultrasonic beams. Ultrasonic signals received with the transducers are supplied to the control device via the connection between the transducers and the control device for further processing. These received ultrasonic signals are transmitted beams that are reflected on a wall of the pipeline. In this example, the control system is mechanically connected to the device 30. However, this is not necessary; the control system can also be placed 8 remotely from the device, for instance outside a pipeline 22 to be inspected. In this embodiment, the control device 20 is provided with electronic components, such as for example an electronic microprocessor and electronic memory components (not shown in the figures). However, it is also possible that optical components (also not shown in the figures) form part of the control device 20.

Furthermore, the control device in this embodiment is adapted to forward received ultrasonic signals to signal processing means 21. The communicative connection between the signal processing means 21 and the control device 20 is preferably wireless, but can also be realized with a cable.

As mentioned, in the first embodiment, each transducer 16i is arranged to emit an ultrasonic beam and to receive ultrasonic waves. In the first embodiment the device is designed such that the distance between the transducers on the one hand and an axial axis A 'of the device on the other is always the same. In use, the axial axis A 'of the device coincides with an axial axis A of the pipeline 22. This implies here that, in use, a distance d of one of the transducers 16i from the inner surface 24 of the cylindrical pipeline 22 for each transducer 16i (i = 1, 2, .... n) is substantially the same. The transducers 16i are positioned relative to each other in such a way that they, in combination, extend over the path 18, which path 18 extends at least substantially in tangential direction around the axial axis A 'of the device. In this example, the path 18 forms a loop closed in itself, namely a circle. The cylindrical measuring body 4 is furthermore provided with an acoustic lens at its circumference (not shown in the figures). In the first embodiment, the lens serves to focus the waves coming from the transducers 16i into beams, such that 9 can be emitted in each direction with the aid of each transducer.

The operation of the device is further explained with reference to figures 3a-c. Figures 3a-c show the portion of Figure 2 framed with the dotted line enlarged.

A first step is shown in Figure 3a. In the first step, the control device 20, using the transducer 16i, causes a beam Z1 diverging in this example to emit in a direction of a nearby first part 23.1 of the wall 23. Thus, the beam Z1 will have a component in radial direction B ". Reflections from the beam Z.l are received in this example with the help of the transducer 16i. It is also possible that reflections are still being received by neighboring transducers such as, for example, the transducer 16n and I62. The ultrasonic signals thus received are supplied to the control unit 20 for further processing. In this example, the control unit transmits the received ultrasonic signals to the signal processing unit 21 which further processes the signals for analyzing the wall 23 of the pipeline 22 in a manner known per se.

A second step is shown in Figure 3b. Figure 3b shows that a bundle Z.2 is subsequently formed again in the same manner. Now, however, the selected transducer 16i with the aid of which the control device 20 causes a bundle Z.2 different from the bundle Z.1 to be transmitted is the transducer I62. Because now another transducer is selected, the transducer I62, a beam Z.2 directed at a different location of the wall 23 is transmitted. The bundle Z.2 corresponds to a bundle Z.l shifted in tangential direction. In the second step, therefore, the control device 20, with the aid of the transducer I62, causes a beam Z.2 to emit in a direction of a nearby second part 23.2 of the wall 23. Thus, the beam Z.2 will have a component in the radial direction 30 B '. Reflections from the bundle Z.2 are received in this example with the help of the transducer I62. It is also possible that reflections are still received by neighboring transducers such as, for example, transducer 261 and 263. The ultrasonic signals thus received are applied to the control unit 20 for further processing. In this example, the control unit 20 transmits the received ultrasonic signals to the signal processing unit 21, which further processes the signals for analyzing the wall 23 of the pipeline 22 in a manner known per se.

A third step is shown in Figure 3c. It can be seen in Figure 3c that a bundle Z.3 is then again formed in the same manner. Now, however, the selected transducer 16i with the aid of which the control device 20 causes a beam Z.3 different from the bundle Z.2 to be transmitted is the transducer I63. Because now another transducer is selected, the transducer I63, a beam Z.3 directed at a different location of the wall 23 is transmitted. The bundle Z.3 corresponds to a bundle Z.2 shifted in tangential direction. In the third step, therefore, the control device 20, with the aid of the transducer I63, causes a beam Z.3 to emit in a direction of a nearby second part 23.3 of the wall 23. Thus, the beam Z.3 will have a component in the radial direction 20 B '. Reflections from the bundle Z.3 are received in this example with the help of the transducer I63. It is also possible that reflections are still received by neighboring transducers such as, for example, transducer 262 and 264. The ultrasonic signals thus received are applied to the control unit 20 for further processing. The control unit 20 in this example transmits the received ultrasonic signals to the signal processing unit 21 which further processes the signals for analyzing the wall 23 of the pipeline in a manner known per se.

Completely analogously, bundles can also be successively transmitted using the other transducers of the first path 18.

11

Thus, the inner surface at the height of the path 18 can be scanned in the tangential direction C ', C without the measuring body 4 relative to the suspension 10 (or relative to the rest of the device) or relative to the pipeline. need be rotated.

Thus, at least one transducer 16i is successively selected for successively transmitting at least one beam for measurement on a specific part of the wall of the pipeline. Hereby, transducers are selected for transmitting beams in mutually different directions.

By carrying out the above steps with, for example, successively the transducers 16, I62, I63, I64, ... 16 n, a scan in a tangential direction can be carried out without it being necessary to rotate the measuring body 4. In this example the scan forms a loop closed in itself. In this example, the control device is thus arranged, in use, to successively control mutually different transducers of the at least one path for successively transmitting mutually different bundles for scanning the wall.

In this case it preferably holds that neighboring bundles Z. i and Z.i + 1 in or near the wall of the pipeline connect to each other or partially overlap each other so that the entire wall can be scanned.

Under the control of the control device, the wall of the pipeline can also be scanned in another way by selecting the transducers in a different order and / or by selecting a plurality of tranducers simultaneously. An example of this is discussed with reference to Figure 3d.

Figure 3d shows that the control device 20 is further adapted to selectively drive the transducers 16i such that at the same time a plurality of transducers and a multiple of different bundles Zi are transmitted. This 12 example is based on two hundred transducers 16i (n = 200) extending across path 18. In this example, in a first step, transducers 16ι, I651, I6101 and I6151 are simultaneously selected to transmit a beam with each of these transducers. Thus, the bundles Z.1, Z.51, Z.101 and Z.151 are simultaneously transmitted as shown in figure 3d. Reflections from the beams are measured using transducers I61, I651, I6101 and I6151 as discussed above. It is also possible that reflections of the beam Z1 are measured with the aid of the neighboring transducers I6200 and I62, reflections of the beam Z.51 with the neighboring transducers I650 and I652, etc. The ultrasonic signals thus received are transmitted via the control unit 20 supplied to the signal processing unit 21 as discussed above for further processing. In the same manner as described above, in a second step, the transducers I62, I652, I6102 and I6152 are selected for simultaneously transmitting the beams Z.2, Z.52, Z.102 and Z.152. Reflections of this are also measured with the aid of, for example, the transducers I62, I652, I6102 and I6152 and possibly also with the aid of neighboring transducers thereof as discussed above. In subsequent steps, corresponding changes are made whereby, at the same time, a plurality of ultrasonic beams Zi, Z.i + 50, Z.i + 100 are simultaneously simultaneously using a plurality of transducers 16i, 16i + 50, 16i + 100 and I61 + 150. and Z.i + 150 is transmitted and that consecutively for i = 1, 2, ..., 50. By successively selecting different multiples of transducers, successively different multiples of ultrasonic beams are emitted, with the aid of which multiple of beams a portion of the wall of the pipeline is scanned. In this embodiment, these scans together form a loop closed in itself. For the purpose of performing the scan according to Figure 3d, the control device is thus arranged, in use, to simultaneously control a plurality of different transducers of the at least one path simultaneously for simultaneously transmitting different bundles in mutually different directions . In this example, it further holds that, in use, the control device is arranged to control successively different multiples of transducers for successively transmitting mutually different multiples of bundles for scanning the wall.

The device 1 can also be transported through the pipeline in each of the exemplary embodiments outlined above, for example between two circumferential scans along the loop, so as to scan successive annular regions which preferably connect to each other or of which neighboring annular regions partially mutually support each other. overlap.

Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the device. The second embodiment substantially corresponds to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the cylindrical measuring body 4 is provided with five paths 1¾ (J = 1, 2,3,4,5) which are positioned at a distance from each other in the axial direction. The transducers are denoted here by 16ij where j denotes the path 18j to which the transducer belongs and i is the designation of the transducer 20 within the path 18j. One first subset of the number of transducers 16ij (i = 1, 2,3, ..., n; j = 1) extends over the first path 18i. Here, the transducers 16ü of this first subset are each adapted to form a beam Zi, 1 (i = 1, 2, ..., n) diverging in this example and to receive reflections from the relevant beam Zi, 1 (i = 1, 2, ..., n) as discussed with reference to Figures 3a-3d for the bundles Zi (i = 1, 2, .., n).

A second subset of the number of transducers 16ij (i = 1, 2.3, ..., n; j = 2) extends over a second path I82. A third subset of the number of transducers 16y (i = 1, 2.3, ..., n; j = 3) extends over a third path I83. Here, the first path I81 and the third 14 path I83 are separated from each other in axial direction A, A ". The transducers 16i2 of the second subset are respectively arranged to form a bundle Z.i, 2 (i = 1, 2, ..., n) diverging in this example. The direction of the bundle Z.i, 2 here has at least substantially only a radial and axial component. This is due to the chosen direction of the transducers. The axial component is in the direction of the third path. In this embodiment, the direction of the bundle Z 1, 2 is such that the bundle after refraction on the inner surface 24 of the pipeline is, for example, an angle between 20 ° and 70 °, preferably an angle between 30 ° and 60 ° and more preferably between 40 ° and 50 ° with a radial direction of the device. In this example, the angle after refraction is approximately 45 °. In this example, a normal N of a surface of the transducers 16.i.2 and 16.L3 encloses an angle of (90-16.9) degrees with the axial direction A, A '.

The transducers 16i2 are adapted to receive reflections in the wall of beams Z.i, 2 emitted by the transducers. Also, the e transducers 16ia of the third subset can be arranged to receive reflections of the beams Z.i, 2. In general, a reflection of an error in the wall 23 of the beam Z.i, 2 will be received by the transducer 16i, 2 and possibly by the neighboring transducers 16i-1, 2 and 16i + 1, 2. Also, reflections from the beams Z 1, 2 (i = 1, 2, ... n) on the wall in this example can be received by the transducers of the third subset of the transducer lijij (i = 1, 2, ..., 3 j = 3). Upon receipt of such a reflection on the outer wall, this is an indication that there is precisely no error present in the material of the wall. In general, a reflection on the wall 23 of the bundle Z.i, 2 will be received by the transducer 16i, 3 and possibly by the neighboring transducers 16μ, 3 and 16i + 1, 3. Entirely analogously as discussed with reference to Figs. 3a-3c, one after the other can be transmitted in accordance with n bundles Zi, 2 (i = 1, 2, ..., n) and receive the reflections thereof for scanning the wall 23. Also as discussed with reference to Figure 3d, a plurality of beams Zi, 2, Z.i + 50.2, Z.i + 100.2 and Z.i + 150.2 can be transmitted simultaneously, the reflections of which with the transducers are received from the third subset as discussed above per bundle. This can then be repeated for successively i = 1, 2.3, -, 50 for scanning the wall along a closed loop.

Moreover, in this example, it holds that the transducers 16 ^ 3 of the third subset are respectively designed to form a bundle Zi, 3 (i = 1, 2, ..., n) diverging in this example. direction of the bundle Z 1, 3 at least substantially only a radial and axial component. This is due to the chosen direction of the transducers. In this embodiment, the direction of the bundle Z 1, 3 is such that after refraction on the inner surface 24 of the pipeline 15 the bundle is, for example, an angle between 20 ° and 70 °, preferably an angle between 30 ° and 60 ° and more at preferably between 40 ° and 50 ° with a radial direction of the device. In this example, the angle after refraction is approximately 45 °. In this example, a normal N 'of a surface of the transducers 16.4 and 16.i.5 includes an angle of (90 - 11.2) degrees with the axial direction A, A'. The transducers 16i, 3 are adapted to receive reflections in the wall of beams Z.i, 3 transmitted from the transducers. The transducers 16i, 2 of the third subset may also be adapted to receive reflections from the bundles Zi, 3. In general, a reflection of an error in the wall 23 of the bundle Zi, 3 will be received by the transducer 16i, 3 and possibly the neighboring transducers 16m, 3 and 16i + 1, 3. Also, reflections of the beams Zi, 3 (i = 1, 2, .. n) on the wall can be received in this example by the transducers of the second subset of the transducer lij (i = 1, 2, ..., 3; j = 2). Upon receipt of such a reflection on the outer wall, this is an indication that there is precisely no error in the material of the wall. In general, a reflection on the wall 23 of the bundle Z.i, 3 will be received by the transducer 16i, 2 and possibly by the neighboring transducers 16i-1, 2 and 16i + 1, 2. It is also possible, for example, to use the second subset of transducer bundle Zi, 2 after reflection on the outside wall and an error in the wall by a transducer 16i, 3 for performing a per se known round-trip tandem measurement. Entirely analogously as discussed with reference to Figs. 3a-3c, one after the other can be transmitted in accordance with n bundles Zi, 3 (i = 1, 2, ..., n) and receive the reflections thereof for scanning the wall 23. Also as discussed with reference to Figure 3d, a plurality of beams Zi, 3, Z.i + 50.3, Z.i + 100.3 and Z.i + 150.3 can be transmitted simultaneously, the reflections of which with the transducers be received from the third subset as discussed above for each bundle. This can then be repeated for successively i = 1, 2.3, -, 50 for scanning the wall along a closed loop. The parts of the transducers extending over the middle and the two outer paths 18, I82, and I83 are thus provided in this example with transducers for both transmitting the ultrasonic waves and receiving ultrasonic waves. Furthermore, the system is provided with a fourth subset of the transducers 16i, 4 extending over a fourth path I84 and with a fifth subset of transducers 16i, 5 extending over a fifth path I85. In this example, the fourth and fifth path are separated from each other in axial direction A.A. and are located on either side of the first path. The first, fourth and fifth path are located between the second and third path. The transducers of the fourth and fifth subset are used in this example for performing so-called time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD), which is further described in, inter alia, International Patent Application WO 2006/004402.

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In this embodiment, with a transducer 16i, 4 of the fourth path I84, a beam Zi, 4 diverging in this example is transmitted, a diffraction of which is received on the wall of the pipeline with an associated transducer 16i, 5 of the fifth path I85. Here too it holds that a diffraction on the wall may possibly also be received by neighboring transducers such as the transducers 16i + 1, 5 and 16m, 5. Entirely analogously as discussed with reference to Figs. 3a-3c, successively, n beams Zi, 4 (i = 1, 2, ..., n) can be transmitted and the refractions thereof received on the wall for scanning the wall 23. Also as discussed with reference to figure 3d a plurality of bundles Zi, 4, Z.i + 50.4, Z.i + 100.4 and Z.i + 150.4 can be transmitted simultaneously, the refractions of which with the transducers of the fifth subset are received as discussed above per bundle. This can then be repeated for successive i-1, 2, 3, 50 to scan the wall 15 along a closed loop.

Completely analogous to that discussed above for transmitting bundles with transducers of the fourth path and receiving diffractions with transducers of the fifth path, the transducers of the fifth path can also be adapted to transmit diverging bundles with the transducers of the fourth path path are arranged for receiving diffractions so that a TOFD scan can also be performed in this way. The system can also be adapted to perform round trip tandem measurements with the transducers of the fourth path and fifth path as discussed above for the second and third path.

By taking measurements at different angles, as illustrated with reference to Figures 4 and 5, a better picture can be obtained of any cracks or defects present in the pipeline.

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It is to be noted that the word "as" in this description primarily refers to an imaginary line that does not necessarily have to be shaped by a tangible body.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that many variants of the embodiments of the invention shown here are possible. However, the invention is not limited thereto. Tandem technology can also be used, using both transducers for generating a bundle and transducers for receiving a response. Also, in general, more than one bundle can be transmitted per transducer 10. Converging rather than diverging bundles can also be generated. In the examples given above, the control device is mechanically connected to the device. However, the control device can also be arranged outside the pipeline and, for example, be connected to the transducers by wire. The signal processing means 21 may also be connected to the control device 20 in a wired or wireless manner. A transducer can also extend along a circle segment instead of a full circle. Other numbers of bundles can also be transmitted at the same time as discussed above. The loop closed in itself, for example instead of a circle, can be an oval, square, hexagon, etc.

1032185

Claims (38)

A system for measuring on a wall of a pipeline from a position in the pipeline with the aid of at least one ultrasonic beam, the system being provided with a device adapted to be positioned in the pipeline, provided with a measuring body , which measuring body comprises a plurality of transducers for transmitting the ultrasonic waves, wherein, in use, the at least one beam has a propagation direction with a component in the radial direction of the pipeline, characterized in that the system is further provided of a control device for controlling the transducers, wherein the transducers are arranged relative to each other such that, in combination, they extend distributed over at least one path, which path extends substantially in tangential direction of the pipeline around a, in use shaft extending in axial direction of the pipeline, the system being such i In use, a beam can be formed per transducer in use, wherein the control device is adapted to successively select at least one transducer for successively transmitting at least one bundle, wherein for transmitting bundles in from mutually different directions from each other different transducers 20 are selected. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one path extends along a circle segment in a tangential direction. A system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one path is formed as a loop closed in itself. A system according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one path extends over a circle in a tangential direction. 1032185 A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring body comprises a cylindrical body, the transducers being arranged spread over the cylindrical body. 6. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the transducers of the at least one path have at least substantially the same distance from the axial axis of the device, which axial axis in use preferably coincides with the axial axis of the pipeline . 7. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the device is adjustable such that the bundles at the wall of the pipeline connect to each other or at least partially overlap each other. 8. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the control device is further adapted to control the transducers such that at the same time a plurality of different bundles is generated, each of the bundles being formed with the aid of one tranducer. 9. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the control device is arranged, in use, to successively control mutually different transducers of the at least one path for successively transmitting mutually different bundles for scanning of the wall. 10. System as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the control device is arranged, in use, to simultaneously control a plurality of different transducers of the at least one path for simultaneously transmitting different beams in mutually different directions. 11. System as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the control device is arranged, in use, to successively control different multiples of transducers for successively transmitting mutually different multiples of 30 bundles for scanning the wall. 12. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transducers extend over a plurality of such paths. 13. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first subset of the transducers is adapted to receive reflections from the beams. A system according to claim 13, characterized in that the first subset of the plurality of transducers extends over a first path of the at least one path. System according to claim 14, characterized in that the transducers of the first subset are arranged such that the reflections are received from beams emitted by transducers of the first subset, in particular the direction of the bundles being at least substantially is directed in a radial direction. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second subset of the transducers extends over a second path of the at least one path wherein the second subset, in use, is driven to transmit at least a second bundle and for receiving reflections from the at least one second bundle on the wall, wherein preferably the direction of the at least one second bundle has at least substantially only a radial and axial component. 17. System as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the direction of the at least one second bundle is an angle between 5 ° and 40 °, preferably an angle between 10 ° and 30 ° and more preferably between 14 ° and 20 ° includes a radial direction of the transport device. 18. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a third subset of the transducers extends over a third path of the at least one path, wherein the third subset, in use, is controlled for transmitting at least a third beam and for receiving reflections from the at least one third beam on the wall, wherein preferably the direction of the at least one third beam has at least substantially only a radial and axial component. A system according to claim 18, characterized in that the direction of the at least one third bundle includes an angle between 5 ° and 40 °, preferably an angle between 10 ° and 30 ° and more preferably between 14 ° and 20 ° with a radial direction of the transport device. 20. System as claimed in claims 16 and 18, characterized in that the system is further adapted to receive a reflection of the at least one second bundle on the pipeline with the third subset of transducers, more in particular for a reflection on the outer wall to measure to ascertain that there is no error or to measure a reflection on the outer wall and a possible error in the wall by means of a round-trip tandem measurement. A system as claimed in claims 16 and 18 or as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the second and third path are spaced apart in the axial direction and the system is further adapted to receive a reflection of the at least one third bundle on the pipeline with the second subset of transducers, more particularly to measure a reflection on the outer wall to ascertain that there is no error or to measure a reflection on the outer wall and a possible error in the wall by means of a round-trip tandem measurement. 22. System as claimed in claim 13 and claim 20 and / or 21, characterized in that the first path, viewed in the axial direction, is located between the second and the third path. 23. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a fourth subset of the transducers extends over a fourth path of the at least one path and a fifth subset of the 30 transducers extends over a fifth path of the at least one one path, wherein the fourth and fifth path are spaced apart in the axial direction and wherein the transducers of the fifth path are adapted to receive diffractions of the beams emitted by transducers of the fourth path. A system according to claims 13 and 23, characterized in that, viewed in the axial direction, the first path is located between the fourth and the fifth path. 25. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the measuring body is furthermore provided with at least one acoustic lens 10 for causing the at least one bundle to converge. 26. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is adapted to move through the pipeline in the axial direction of the pipeline. 27. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device is provided with electronic components for controlling the transducers. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device is provided with optical components for controlling the transducers. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device is of reprogrammable design. 30. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the transducers is provided with piezo crystals for generating the ultrasonic waves. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in use, the measuring body does not rotate relative to the rest of the device. 32. System as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that at least a part of the control device is mechanically connected to the device. B 33. Method for measuring, by means of at least one ultrasonic beam, on a wall of a pipeline from a position in the pipeline using a system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in each case a bundle is made with the aid of one of the 5 transducers generated, wherein different transducers are selected for transmitting different bundles and wherein measurement is performed on the wall of the pipeline with the aid of the bundles. 34. A method according to claim 33, characterized in that by successively selecting different transducers from each other different ultrasonic beams are emitted, with the aid of which beams the wall of the pipeline is scanned. 35. A method according to claim 34, characterized in that scanning is performed such that a scanned portion of the wall forms a loop closed in itself. 36. A method according to claim 33, 34 or 35, characterized in that in each case simultaneously with the aid of a plurality of transducers, a plurality of mutually different ultrasonic beams is transmitted simultaneously, whereby simultaneously different parts of the wall of the pipeline is being measured. A method according to claim 36, characterized in that by successively selecting different multiples of transducers from mutually different multiples of ultrasonic beams are transmitted for scanning the pipeline. The method of claim 37, wherein the scan is performed along a self-closed loop. 1 032 1 85 i