RU66547U1 - DEVICE FOR ULTRASONIC CONTROL OF PIPES AND MEANS OF ULTRASONIC CONTROL FOR USE IN THIS DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to devices for diagnosing the state of materials and structures and can be used in the examination of technological and main pipelines.

The objective of this utility model is to create a compact device for ultrasonic testing of pipes of various diameters, which allows high-precision detection of metal losses on the outer surface of the pipe, to detect internal defects of the pipe body, and also to measure the thickness of the pipe walls.

The solution to this problem was achieved due to the fact that in the means of ultrasonic inspection of pipes mounted rotatably on means of movement, made to move in the pipe, and containing a base on which means of magnetization of the pipe wall and magnetic field transducers are installed, each of which includes sensitive elements to the magnetic field, with each magnetic field transducer configured to excite transverse ultrasonic waves from a circular polar zatsiey and located in one section with a magnetization means. Figure 1

Description

The utility model relates to devices for diagnosing the state of materials and structures and can be used in the examination of technological and main pipelines.

There are a large number of devices for monitoring pipelines, for example, diagnostic shells, self-propelled installations of a wheeled or tracked type, etc.

Known diagnostic projectile described in US 2005/0072237 (04/07/2005), moved inside a controlled pipeline by the flow of the transported product. The diagnostic projectile contains a measuring module having an acoustic receiving-emitting system, consisting of at least one electromagnetic-acoustic transducer (EMAT), and made with the possibility of installation at the required distance from the surface of the controlled object to ensure constant acoustic contact.

However, this diagnostic tool cannot be used to monitor complex piping. To ensure the reliability and performance of monitoring large-diameter pipes, it is necessary to use a large number of electromagnetic-acoustic transducers, which increases the cost of this device. In addition, this projectile is designed to detect only crack-like defects oriented along the pipe.

As a prototype, a device for electromagnetic control of pipes, described in US 2006/0164091 (06/27/2006), installed with the possibility of rotation on the means of movement inside the pipe, equipped with a rotation unit, was selected. The device contains a base, which is connected to the node of rotation of the means of movement inside the pipe and on which the means of magnetization of the pipe wall are installed, made in the form of magnetic poles located

at the ends of a conductive rod fixed to the base. In addition, the device contains an array of magnetic field converters, also mounted on the basis of the device, at some distance along the longitudinal axis of the shaft from the magnetization means. The magnetic field converters are made in the form of Hall sensors.

The base of the device is made in the form of a shaft, which is connected to the node of rotation of the means of movement inside the pipe and is located coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the investigated structure. In addition, the rod is made telescopic, which allows inspection of pipes of various diameters. However, the sensors are spaced with magnets of will along the axis of the shaft, which is necessary for the implementation of electromagnetic diagnostics technology. This does not allow to create a compact design of the device, which, when passing through the pipeline, is able to overcome areas with a large angle of rotation. In addition, this device has a low sensitivity to detectable defects.

The objective of this utility model is to create a compact device for ultrasonic testing of pipes of various diameters, which allows high-precision detection of metal losses on the outer surface of the pipe, to detect internal defects of the pipe body, and also to measure the thickness of the pipe walls.

The solution to this problem can be achieved due to the fact that in the means of ultrasonic inspection of pipes mounted rotatably on means of movement, made to move in the pipe, and containing a base on which the means of magnetization of the pipe wall and magnetic field transducers are installed, each of which includes magnetic field-sensitive elements, each magnetic field transducer is configured to excite transverse ultrasonic waves with a circular larization and is located in one section with means of magnetization.

The placement of the magnetic field transducer in one section with magnetization means was made possible thanks to the use of transducers in the proposed device that carry out electromagnetic-acoustic excitation and reception of ultrasonic shear waves with circular polarization, the principle of operation of which allows to place the transducers

directly near the magnetization means, so that their longitudinal spacing along the axis of the shaft is not required. Due to this, a compact design of the device can be obtained, which, when passing through the pipeline, is able to overcome areas having a large angle of rotation.

In addition, the means of ultrasonic testing may include means for visual inspection of the pipe wall mounted on the base.

Means of ultrasonic control may include a suspension unit of the transducer, which is connected to the base by means of a telescopic manipulator. The implementation of the telescopic manipulators allows you to control pipes of various diameters, as well as provide reliable acoustic contact of the transducers with the controlled surface of the pipeline.

The suspension unit can be connected to the telescopic manipulator with the possibility of rotation around three perpendicular axes.

In addition, the solution of the problem can be achieved due to the fact that in the device for ultrasonic inspection of pipes containing means of movement inside the pipe and means of ultrasonic control of pipes mounted rotatably on means of movement inside the pipe and containing a base on which the means of magnetization of the wall are installed pipes and magnetic field transducers, each of which includes elements sensitive to the magnetic field, each magnetic field transducer is made with the possibility excitation transverse ultrasonic waves with circular polarization and is located in one section with means of magnetization.

In addition, the ultrasonic inspection device may include means for visual inspection of the pipe wall mounted on the base.

The device for ultrasonic testing may include a suspension unit of the transducer, which is connected to the base by means of a telescopic manipulator.

The following is a detailed description of an example implementation of a utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 depicts a front view of a device for ultrasonic inspection of pipes;

figure 2 depicts a side view of the node of the suspension;

figure 3 depicts a bottom view of the node of the suspension;

figure 4 depicts a side view in section of a transducer of electromagnetic-acoustic;

figure 5 depicts a side view in section of a television camera.

The proposed device for ultrasonic inspection of pipes contains means for monitoring pipes made in the form of a module 35 of ultrasonic testing, shown in figure 1, which is mounted with the possibility of rotation on the means of movement inside the pipe, which are made in the form of tracked means of movement.

The caterpillar moving means has two lower tracks configured to fit the diameter of the pipeline, and an upper retractable track for expansion when moving along vertical sections. Such a constructive implementation of the moving means allows for in-line diagnostics of horizontal, inclined and vertical sections of technological pipelines of various diameters. In addition, the moving means has a rotation unit connected to the module 35 and providing circular movement of this module inside the pipe.

Module 35 contains a sealed housing 1, on which two telescopic manipulators 2 are mounted on diametrically opposite sides.

At the end of each manipulator 2, a suspension unit 4 is mounted for rotation (Fig. 1, 2), in which an electromagnetic-acoustic transducer (EMAT) 5 is mounted. The execution of the telescopic manipulators 2 makes it possible to install the suspension units 4 on the surface of the controlled object (pipes, when sliding them). ) and ensure constant acoustic contact of the EMAT and the pipe surface in the case of pipes of different diameters, as well as in the case of ovality of the controlled pipeline.

Both manipulators 2 are extended and folded using one common drive (not shown). Each manipulator 2 contains a spring 6, which allows to compensate for the uneven distance from the module housing 35 to the surface of the controlled object (pipe) during the diagnostic examination. Due to this design of the manipulator 2, a gap from 0 to 0.75 mm is ensured between the EMAT 5 and the surface of the pipeline.

The node of the suspension 4, shown in figure 2 and 3, is made in the form of a trolley 7 with wheels 8. The nodes of the suspension 4 are spring-loaded by means of springs 6 manipulators

2, so that the wheels 8 abut against the inner surface of the pipe and allow the suspension units 4 to move along the circumference of this surface.

The cart 7 contains a bracket 9 with a hinge 10 and a frame 11 (figure 2, 3). EMAT 5 is mounted on the frame through the gasket 12, which allows you to adjust the size of the working gap between the working surface of the EMAT and the surface of the object of control. The hole 28 of the hinge 10 is designed to install the rod of the manipulator 2.

Due to the fact that the manipulators 2 are made telescopic, the suspension units 4 can move progressively along the axis of these manipulators. The ability to rotate the suspension assemblies 4 around the attachment point of the suspension assembly 4 to the manipulator 2 in any direction (around three perpendicular axes - rotation, tilt, and swing) is provided thanks to the hinge 10 to which the arm of the manipulator 2 is attached. This design of the suspension assembly 4 allows unevenness to pass inside the pipe with a constant working clearance. Cables 13 (Fig. 1) of each gimbal assembly 4 are routed inside the housing 1 using pressure glands 14 and connected to electronic components (not shown) located inside the housing 1 and providing EMAP 5 operation, control of survey cameras 3 installed in the housing 1 and designed for monitoring the guidance of EMAT 5 on the control point of the wall of the pipeline, as described in more detail below, and the extension drive of the manipulator.

As shown in FIG. 4, EMAT 5 comprises a magnetic system including permanent magnets 15, for example, based on an Nd-Fe-B alloy, and a high-frequency coil (not shown), which is located directly below the magnetic system. Magnets 15 are placed in the housing 16, and a high-frequency coil is located on the substrate 17 and is filled with a layer of polyurethane 21, 0.2 mm thick. The housing 16 and the substrate 17 are interconnected by screws (not shown). A sealing ring 20 is provided in the housing 16 to prevent moisture from entering the EMAT housing. The EMAT also includes a cover 18 with a hermetic inlet 19 and cables 13 in a protective sheath with a hermetic inlet 14. The diameter of the EMAT working zone is 10 mm.

EMAP 5 performs both the functions of an emitter of an ultrasonic wave and its receiver.

Two survey cameras 3 are installed in the sockets 23 in the housing 1, and are fixed using sealing gaskets 24 (Fig. 1). Each camera 3 is a CCD module with a lens 25 mounted inside a sealed explosion-proof housing 26, as shown in FIG. The CCD module provides the conversion of the light flux from the control object into a television signal. LED illuminators 27 are also installed inside the housing, providing illumination of the control object. The front of the housing is closed by a removable cover 28, which provides light transmission to the input window of the lens of the CCD module and light from LED illuminators. The cover 28 is provided with a gasket 29, which allows for the tightness of the chamber structure. Connecting wires come out from the back of the housing 26, onto which an output connector 30 is mounted for connecting the camera to power sources and a television signal receiver (not shown). Chambers 2 allow you to control the guidance of EMAT on the control point of the wall of the pipeline.

The device operates as follows. To carry out the control procedure, the module 35 is installed on the moving means, connecting it with a rotation unit, providing a circular movement of the module 35 on the inner surface of the pipeline.

There are two options for monitoring the body of the pipe:

- continuous spiral scanning with a given step, provided by the uniform movement of the means of movement in the pipeline and the simultaneous circular movement of the EMAT along the inner surface of the pipeline;

- phased circular scanning of the cross section of the pipeline with periodic movement of the means of movement at a given step and the simultaneous circular movement of EMAT on the inner surface of the pipeline.

Prior to the start of the control procedure, the moving means with the module 35 installed for ultrasonic testing is loaded into the pipeline using standard devices through the loading points, the moving means is brought into working condition and placed in the control zone.

A visual inspection of the control place is carried out using survey cameras 3. Next, suspension nodes 4 are installed near the control object, setting the required clearance between the control object and EMAT 5 by extending

telescopic manipulators 2. To ensure stable operation of the EMAT, the air gap between the EMAT and the controlled surface should be from 0 mm to 0.75 mm.

In the case of a spiral scan of the pipe body, translational movements of the moving means along the longitudinal axis of the pipe and the rotation of the module 35 are performed. During this movement, the EMAT 5 excites and receives ultrasonic vibrations.

The principle of operation of the EMAT is illustrated in Fig.6. When the EMAT is supplied to the object of control 32, it is magnetized under the influence of the magnetic system 31 (Fig.6). An alternating current is supplied to the coil 33, and it begins to oscillate, which leads to the excitation of elastic vibrations on the surface of the control object 32 with a frequency equal to the current frequency, as well as the induction of high-frequency eddy currents 34 in the control object. Since the interaction forces of the eddy currents with the magnetic field are parallel surface, a transverse ultrasound wave (SH-wave) with circular polarization is excited in the pipe wall. The specified wave is reflected from the opposite wall of the pipe or from defects inside the wall. The nature of the reflected signal judges the presence or absence of defects and their parameters.

The proposed device for ultrasonic testing allows you to diagnose the technical condition of the base metal of the pipe body. In particular, the device allows to determine the loss of metal on the outer surface of the pipe, internal defects of the pipe body and measure the decrease in the thickness of the pipe wall.

Claims (8)

1. Controls of pipes mounted rotatably on means of movement, made to move in the pipe, and containing a base on which the means of magnetization of the pipe wall and magnetic field converters are installed, each of which includes magnetic field sensitive elements, characterized in that each magnetic field transducer is configured to excite transverse ultrasound waves with circular polarization and is located in the same section with magnetizing means tions. 2. Tools according to claim 1, characterized in that they contain means for visual inspection of the pipe wall mounted on the base. 3. Tools according to claim 1, characterized in that they contain a suspension unit of the Converter, which is connected to the base by means of a telescopic manipulator. 4. Means according to claim 3, characterized in that the suspension unit is connected to the telescopic manipulator with the possibility of rotation around three perpendicular axes. 5. A mobile device for ultrasonic inspection of pipes, containing means of movement inside the pipe and means of ultrasonic control of pipes mounted rotatably on means of movement inside the pipe and containing a base on which means of magnetization of the pipe wall and magnetic field transducers are installed, each of which includes sensitive elements to the magnetic field, characterized in that each magnetic field transducer is configured to excite transverse ultrasonic waves flax with circular polarization and is located in one section with means of magnetization. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that it contains means for visual inspection of the pipe wall mounted on the base. 7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that it contains a suspension unit of the Converter, which is connected to the base by means of a telescopic manipulator. 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the suspension unit is connected to the telescopic manipulator with the possibility of rotation around three perpendicular axes.