US20160033425A1 - Apparatus and Method for Digital Radiographic Inspection of Pipes - Google Patents
Apparatus and Method for Digital Radiographic Inspection of Pipes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160033425A1 US20160033425A1 US14/449,271 US201414449271A US2016033425A1 US 20160033425 A1 US20160033425 A1 US 20160033425A1 US 201414449271 A US201414449271 A US 201414449271A US 2016033425 A1 US2016033425 A1 US 2016033425A1
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- assembly
- tool
- collimator
- inspecting
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 16
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 title abstract description 7
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 13
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000009659 non-destructive testing Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000010779 crude oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003628 erosive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005251 gamma ray Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
- G01N23/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material
- G01N23/06—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption
- G01N23/18—Investigating the presence of flaws defects or foreign matter
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
- G01N23/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material
- G01N23/06—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption
- G01N23/083—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the radiation being X-rays
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
- G01N23/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material
- G01N23/06—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption
- G01N23/16—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the material being a moving sheet or film
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21K—TECHNIQUES FOR HANDLING PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES
- G21K1/00—Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating
- G21K1/02—Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating using diaphragms, collimators
- G21K1/025—Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating using diaphragms, collimators using multiple collimators, e.g. Bucky screens; other devices for eliminating undesired or dispersed radiation
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21K—TECHNIQUES FOR HANDLING PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES
- G21K1/00—Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating
- G21K1/02—Arrangements for handling particles or ionising radiation, e.g. focusing or moderating using diaphragms, collimators
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the inspection of pipes, and more particularly, to a device and/or method of using x-rays or gamma rays transmitted through a pipe and collected on the other side of the pipe in a digital detector array to determine if there are defects in the pipe.
- Pipelines are commonly used to transport material such as gas, oil, slurry or similar substances over long distances. Such pipelines are normally made out of metal and are commonly joined together with welds. In refineries, pipelines are used to transport material from one portion of the refinery to another. The pipeline may (or may not) be covered with insulation.
- Such pipelines may corrode and, if the corrosion is not detected early enough, the pipelines may start to leak. If the leak is not detected early, catastrophic results may occur, including fires and/or explosions. Preferably, the corrosion is detected before a leak ever occurs.
- Non-destructive testing including the use of x-rays or gamma rays penetrating the pipeline, is used to determine if a pipeline has defects therein as may typically be caused by corrosion.
- U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2012/0201347 A1 published on Aug. 9, 2012 by Prentice et al. and assigned to Shawcore Ltd. shows a method and apparatus for inspecting pipelines to determine if there are any defects in a pipeline.
- the Prentice patent is difficult to install and requires access to the entire circumference of the pipeline. If a pipeline is in a refinery and is supported on support beams, the Prentice invention cannot inspect the pipe where the pipe touches the support beam.
- non-destructive testing of the buried pipeline is normally made by sending a pig through the pipeline.
- the pig is typically made up of (a) a drive package, (b) a flux loop that does the sensing and (c) a recorder package. Using such a pig, the entire Trans Alaska Crude Oil Pipeline was tested in 1997. However, for many pipelines, especially in refineries or processing plants, a pig cannot be run through the pipeline. Also, many of the pipelines are covered with insulated material which prevents direct access to the pipeline.
- non-destructive testing is to use a non-invasive technique to determine the integrity of a pipe or quantitatively measure any corrosions or defects in the pipe.
- Non-destructive testing inspects and measures without doing harm to the pipe.
- There are many different ways of non-destructive testing including, but not limited to, (a) acoustical emissions, (b) ultrasonic, (c) eddy current, (d) magnetic measurements, (e) microwave, (f) flux leakage or (g) x-ray.
- x-rays or gamma rays is one of the more common techniques for non-destructive testing.
- the pipe being tested is placed between the radiation source and a detector.
- the less radiation that reaches the detector the better the pipe.
- the more radiation that reaches the detector the more wear or corrosion in the pipe.
- IHI Southwest Technologies, Inc. located in San Antonio, Tex., assignee of this invention IHI has developed digital radiograph tools for detecting internal and external corrosion in insulated piping.
- a radiation source will create a radiation beam that penetrates a pipe under test. The radiation beam will penetrate not only the pipe, but also insulation there-around.
- a detector array is located on generally the opposing side of the pipe being inspected using a radiation source. In this manner, the detector array can determine if there is any corrosion and the severity of the corrosion.
- the prior systems developed by IHI were very complex and hard to move along a pipe being inspected to give good results. Also, dead zones would occur that were not being penetrated by the radiation. Because of the difficulty in installation and maneuverability of the prior digital radiographic imaging by IHI, it was difficult to eliminate the dead zones.
- the prior developed digital radiographic tool requires a lot of time to install and operate.
- a radiation source of x-rays or gamma rays is projected through a pipe under test.
- a digital detector array is also moved along the pipeline, but on an opposing side from the radiation source.
- the amount of radiation that hits the digital detector array determines, after processing, if there is corrosion or other defects at predetermined points along the pipe. The more of the radiation signal that passes through the pipe, the greater the probability is of a defect in the pipe, such as corrosion. The stronger the signal reaching the digital detector array, the greater the probability of a defect.
- the digital radiograph tool of the present invention has a track assembly attached to the pipe being inspected.
- a car assembly which has attached thereto an arm assembly.
- an arm assembly On the opposite end of the arm assembly is a linear digital array that is located adjacent to the pipe being inspected.
- a collimater assembly Also connected to the car assembly is a collimater assembly which is located as close as possible to the opposing side of the pipe being tested from the linear digital array.
- the arm assembly expandable and the collimater assembly adjustable, different size pipes can be accommodated.
- the collimater assembly, track assembly, car assembly and linear digital array can be adjusted on the pipe as necessary to overcome obstructions that may be adjacent to (or touching) the pipe being inspected.
- the digital radiographic tool By keeping the digital radiographic tool small and fully adjustable, it is much easier to inspect pipes with a minimum of cost and personnel.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital radiographic tool made according to the present invention being used to inspect a pipe.
- FIG. 2 is a left end view of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is an elevated side view of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic controls of the digital radiographic tool illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 a is a top view of the track assembly.
- FIG. 5 b is an elevated side view of the track assembly.
- FIG. 5 c is a top view of separate sections of the track assembly.
- FIG. 5 d is an end view of FIG. 5 a.
- FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of the car assembly.
- FIG. 6 b is an elevated side view of FIG. 6 a.
- FIG. 6 c is a side view of FIG. 6 a with the car body being separated from the linear bearing chassis.
- FIG. 6 d is an end view of FIG. 6 a , but with the removable pins removed.
- FIG. 6 e is an exploded side view of FIG. 6 a.
- FIG. 7 a is an end view of the fully collapsed arm assembly.
- FIG. 7 b is a side view of FIG. 7 a.
- FIG. 7 c is the opposite end view of the fully collapsed arm assembly from the one shown in FIG. 7 a.
- FIG. 7 d is the same view as FIG. 7 c , but with the arm assembly fully extended.
- FIG. 8 a is an end view of a collimator assembly.
- FIG. 8 b is a side view of the collimator assembly.
- FIG. 9 is a bottom sectional view of two tracks of the track assembly connected together.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the stepper motor illustrating the gear connections thereto.
- a pipe 10 is being inspected by a digital radiographic tool 12 .
- the digital radiographic tool 12 has a track assembly 14 with a drive car 16 mounted thereon.
- the drive car 16 can move back and forth along the track assembly 14 .
- Attached to one side of the drive car 16 is an arm assembly 18 .
- a linear digital array 20 On the distal end of the arm assembly 18 is mounted a linear digital array 20 .
- the collimator assembly 22 On the opposite side of the drive car 16 from the arm assembly 18 is attached the collimator assembly 22 .
- the drive car 16 of the digital radiographic tool 12 moves back and forth along pipe 10 on the track assembly 14 .
- the drive car 16 moves back and forth, it carries the collimator assembly 22 which generates x-rays or gamma rays projected towards the pipe 10 .
- the x-rays or gamma rays are collected in the linear digital array 20 .
- the digital radiographic tool 12 includes the arm assembly 18 and the collimator assembly 22 .
- 115V power supply 24 which connects to a power supply and control box 26 via 115 VAC power line 28 . Simultaneously, the 115V power supply 24 supplies power to a user laptop 30 via power line 32 .
- the power supply and control box 26 has a joy stick 34 connected to a stepper motor 36 within the drive car 16 (see FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3 ) via drive signal connection 38 .
- the stepper motor 36 provides a 75 V drive signal 40 to stepper motor 42 .
- the stepper motor 42 through a gear box 44 drives gears 46 that mechanically connect with track assembly 14 .
- the collimator assembly 22 emits x-rays (or gamma rays) 48 which penetrate pipe 10 .
- the x-rays 48 that penetrate the pipe 10 are then collected by the linear digital array 20 .
- the signals collected by the linear digital array 20 are fed via Ethernet data connection 50 to the user laptop 30 .
- USB data connection 52 connects to power supply and control box 26 .
- the linear digital array 20 receives its power from power supply and control box 26 via power connection 54 .
- the user laptop 30 can give the commands to the power supply and control box 26 to move the digital radiographic tool 12 a certain distance along pipe 10 and it will occur.
- the collimator assembly 22 emit x-rays 48 as the digital radiographic tool 12 is moved along the track assembly 14 , radiated signals will be detected by the linear digital array 20 .
- the user through the user laptop 30 , will set the start point to determine the distance of movement and speed while recording data. The recorded data will indicate whether pipe 10 does (or does not) have defects therein such as would be caused by corrosion.
- an emergency stop button 56 is provided on the power supply and control box 26 .
- Track assembly 14 is made up of modular sections 58 and 60 (see FIG. 5 c ). As many more sections as may be necessary can be used. Applicants have found that section links of 2 ft. and/or 4 ft. to be ideal.
- the modular sections 58 and 60 are aligned by alignment pins 62 at each end of the linear rails 64 . Opposing ends of the linear rail 64 from the alignment pins 62 have holes therein (not shown) to receive the alignment pins 62 .
- the modular sections 58 and 60 are held together by latch 66 .
- the linear rails 64 are mounted on a track frame 68 . Contained within the track frame 68 is a gear rack 70 for meshing with a gear as will be subsequently described. On each end of the modular sections 58 and 60 are located idle roller wheels 72 .
- the idle roller wheels 72 may be held on the track frame 68 by any conventional means such as by bearings and axles.
- Each of the modular sections 58 and/or 60 are held to the pipe 20 by tie-downs 75 that extend through tie-down slots 74 and around pipe 10 (see FIGS. 1-4 ).
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5( b ) along section lines 9 - 9 .
- the latch 66 is pivotally mounted on pivot pin 76 . If a user presses release button 78 , the latch 66 will be pivoted about pivot pin 76 so that it disengages from latch stop 80 .
- the idle roller wheels 72 are shown threadably connected to the track frame 68 by wheel screws 82 .
- the drive car 16 has a stepper motor 42 that connects through a coupler 82 to drive the worm 84 that will mesh with worm gear 86 (see FIG. 6 e ).
- the worm gear 86 is connected by drive shaft 88 to the spur gear 90 .
- Spur gear 90 meshes with the gear rack 70 (shown in FIGS. 5( a ), ( c ) and ( d )) to drive the entire drive car 16 .
- Power for the stepper motor 42 is received through the drive signal connection 38 connecting through the drive signal input 92 .
- stepper motor driver 36 Attached to the top of the car body 94 is the stepper motor driver 36 .
- a waterproof cover 96 seals the stepper motor driver 36 inside of car body 94 .
- Front cap 98 enclosed the front of car body 94 .
- Pin holes 100 and 102 extend through car body 94 to receive removable pins 104 and 106 , respectively, there through.
- Removable pin 104 and 106 are spring-loaded to be removed upon pushing end buttons 108 or 110 , respectively (see FIGS. 6 d and 6 e ).
- T-slots 112 are formed on both sides and in the top of the car body 94 .
- the T-slots 112 allow T-bolts (not shown) to be inserted therein on which items can be attached to the drive car 16 .
- the stepper motor driver 36 is contained in stepper motor driver housing 114 by means of T-slots 112 in the car body 94 , which T-slots are located directly below the stepper motor driver housing 114 .
- a linear bearing chassis 116 is shown disconnected and below from the car body 94 .
- the linear bearing chassis 116 is connected to the car body 94 by removable pins 104 and 106 extending through pin holes 100 and 102 , respectively (see FIG. 6 d ).
- the spur gear 90 extends below the drive car 16 as is illustrated in FIG. 6 b .
- the spur gear 90 meshes with the gear rack 70 of the track assembly as shown in FIGS. 5 a, c and d.
- the bottom of the linear bearing chassis 66 has linear bearings 118 mounted there below.
- the linear bearings 118 receive the linear rails 64 (see FIGS. 5 a, b, c and d and FIG. 6 d ) therein.
- the linear bearings 118 have bearing liners 120 therein.
- the arm assembly 18 has a radial arm plate 122 on either side thereof.
- the arm assembly 18 is fully collapsed.
- the arm assembly 18 is fully extended with an intermediate telescoping T-slot frame 124 and an upper telescoping T-slot frame 126 .
- the intermediate telescoping T-slot frame 124 is held in position by thumb screws 128 .
- the upper telescoping T-slot frame 126 is held in position by thumb screws 130 .
- a T-slot clamp 132 may be pivoted by loosening clamping L-handles 134 . By loosening clamping L-handles 134 , the T-slot clamp 132 may be pivotally adjusted (see FIG. 7 b ).
- the linear digital array 20 has an Ethernet data connection 50 and a power connection 54 .
- the first angle adjustment 138 of the collimator assembly 22 is provided by loosening clamping L-handle 140 .
- held in position by first clamping L-handle 140 is a first collimator arm 142 and a second collimator arm 144 , on either of which can be mounted collimator housing 146 .
- Thumb screw 148 secures the collimator housing via slot 150 on the second collimator arm 144 .
- the thumb screw 148 allows for linear adjustment 152 of the collimator housing 146 .
- the collimator housing 146 could be mounted in slot 154 of first collimator arm 142 .
- a second angle adjustment 156 is provided between first collimator arm 142 and second collimator arm 144 by a second clamping L-handle 158 . Inside of the collimator housing 146 is located the collimator 160 . A shim slot 162 is also provided if minor adjustments to the collimator 160 need to be made.
- the adjustability of the digital radiographic tool 12 is illustrated.
- This adjustability feature allows either the collimator 160 or the linear digital array 20 to be adjusted to reach under and/or around pipe supports. Due to the adjustability features, various diameter pipes can be accommodated.
- the adjustability features of the digital radiographic tool 12 allow a single person to operate the tool and to inspect a greater percentage of the pipe than prior inspection devices.
- connection of the stepper motor 42 through coupler 82 to the worm 84 is illustrated in more detail.
- the worm 84 meshes with the worm gear 86 mounted on drive shaft 88 .
- the worm gear 86 also turns and rotates drive shaft 88 on which spur gear 90 is also mounted.
- the turning of the spur gear 90 which meshes with the gear rack 70 (see FIG. 2 ), moves the drive car 16 and the entire digital radiographic tool 12 along the track assembly 14 .
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to the inspection of pipes, and more particularly, to a device and/or method of using x-rays or gamma rays transmitted through a pipe and collected on the other side of the pipe in a digital detector array to determine if there are defects in the pipe.
- Pipelines are commonly used to transport material such as gas, oil, slurry or similar substances over long distances. Such pipelines are normally made out of metal and are commonly joined together with welds. In refineries, pipelines are used to transport material from one portion of the refinery to another. The pipeline may (or may not) be covered with insulation.
- Such pipelines may corrode and, if the corrosion is not detected early enough, the pipelines may start to leak. If the leak is not detected early, catastrophic results may occur, including fires and/or explosions. Preferably, the corrosion is detected before a leak ever occurs.
- Non-destructive testing, including the use of x-rays or gamma rays penetrating the pipeline, is used to determine if a pipeline has defects therein as may typically be caused by corrosion. U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2012/0201347 A1, published on Aug. 9, 2012 by Prentice et al. and assigned to Shawcore Ltd. shows a method and apparatus for inspecting pipelines to determine if there are any defects in a pipeline. However, the Prentice patent is difficult to install and requires access to the entire circumference of the pipeline. If a pipeline is in a refinery and is supported on support beams, the Prentice invention cannot inspect the pipe where the pipe touches the support beam.
- In pipelines, if the pipeline is buried, non-destructive testing of the buried pipeline is normally made by sending a pig through the pipeline. The pig is typically made up of (a) a drive package, (b) a flux loop that does the sensing and (c) a recorder package. Using such a pig, the entire Trans Alaska Crude Oil Pipeline was tested in 1997. However, for many pipelines, especially in refineries or processing plants, a pig cannot be run through the pipeline. Also, many of the pipelines are covered with insulated material which prevents direct access to the pipeline.
- The purpose of the non-destructive testing is to use a non-invasive technique to determine the integrity of a pipe or quantitatively measure any corrosions or defects in the pipe. Non-destructive testing inspects and measures without doing harm to the pipe. There are many different ways of non-destructive testing, including, but not limited to, (a) acoustical emissions, (b) ultrasonic, (c) eddy current, (d) magnetic measurements, (e) microwave, (f) flux leakage or (g) x-ray. The use of x-rays or gamma rays is one of the more common techniques for non-destructive testing. In the use of x-ray or gamma ray technology for non-destructive testing, the pipe being tested is placed between the radiation source and a detector. The less radiation that reaches the detector, the better the pipe. The more radiation that reaches the detector, the more wear or corrosion in the pipe.
- In industrialized countries such as the United States, many refineries or processing facilities were built years ago. Over time, corrosion or erosion can cause the pipes in the plant to wear thin and eventually leak. If a pipe leaks, depending upon what is being moved through the pipe, the leak can cause catastrophic results. The detection of a thin section of pipe before it leaks can be very critical.
- The use of non-destructive testing for pipelines has become so common that standards have been developed by ASTM International. A collection of ASTM standards under “Radiology (X and Gamma) Method” have been developed.
- One of the entities that has performed non-destructive testing on insulated pipes in the past is IHI Southwest Technologies, Inc. located in San Antonio, Tex., assignee of this invention. IHI has developed digital radiograph tools for detecting internal and external corrosion in insulated piping. Generally, a radiation source will create a radiation beam that penetrates a pipe under test. The radiation beam will penetrate not only the pipe, but also insulation there-around. A detector array is located on generally the opposing side of the pipe being inspected using a radiation source. In this manner, the detector array can determine if there is any corrosion and the severity of the corrosion. However, the prior systems developed by IHI were very complex and hard to move along a pipe being inspected to give good results. Also, dead zones would occur that were not being penetrated by the radiation. Because of the difficulty in installation and maneuverability of the prior digital radiographic imaging by IHI, it was difficult to eliminate the dead zones. The prior developed digital radiographic tool requires a lot of time to install and operate.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide for digital radiographic imaging of pipes.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a simplified, easy to use, structure for a digital radiograph tool that can be used for inspection of pipes.
- It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for using a digital radiograph tool for the inspection of pipes, particularly pipes that are insulated.
- It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for the inspection of pipes using x-rays or gamma rays, which x-rays or gamma rays after passing through a pipe being inspected are detected and collected in a digital detector array. After processing the images received in the digital detector array, a determination of defects, location of defects, and severity of the defects is made.
- A radiation source of x-rays or gamma rays is projected through a pipe under test. As the radiation source is moved along the pipe, a digital detector array is also moved along the pipeline, but on an opposing side from the radiation source. The amount of radiation that hits the digital detector array determines, after processing, if there is corrosion or other defects at predetermined points along the pipe. The more of the radiation signal that passes through the pipe, the greater the probability is of a defect in the pipe, such as corrosion. The stronger the signal reaching the digital detector array, the greater the probability of a defect.
- The digital radiograph tool of the present invention has a track assembly attached to the pipe being inspected. On the track assembly is mounted a car assembly which has attached thereto an arm assembly. On the opposite end of the arm assembly is a linear digital array that is located adjacent to the pipe being inspected. Also connected to the car assembly is a collimater assembly which is located as close as possible to the opposing side of the pipe being tested from the linear digital array.
- By making the arm assembly expandable and the collimater assembly adjustable, different size pipes can be accommodated. Also, the collimater assembly, track assembly, car assembly and linear digital array can be adjusted on the pipe as necessary to overcome obstructions that may be adjacent to (or touching) the pipe being inspected. By keeping the digital radiographic tool small and fully adjustable, it is much easier to inspect pipes with a minimum of cost and personnel.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital radiographic tool made according to the present invention being used to inspect a pipe. -
FIG. 2 is a left end view ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is an elevated side view ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic controls of the digital radiographic tool illustrated inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 a is a top view of the track assembly. -
FIG. 5 b is an elevated side view of the track assembly. -
FIG. 5 c is a top view of separate sections of the track assembly. -
FIG. 5 d is an end view ofFIG. 5 a. -
FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of the car assembly. -
FIG. 6 b is an elevated side view ofFIG. 6 a. -
FIG. 6 c is a side view ofFIG. 6 a with the car body being separated from the linear bearing chassis. -
FIG. 6 d is an end view ofFIG. 6 a, but with the removable pins removed. -
FIG. 6 e is an exploded side view ofFIG. 6 a. -
FIG. 7 a is an end view of the fully collapsed arm assembly. -
FIG. 7 b is a side view ofFIG. 7 a. -
FIG. 7 c is the opposite end view of the fully collapsed arm assembly from the one shown inFIG. 7 a. -
FIG. 7 d is the same view asFIG. 7 c, but with the arm assembly fully extended. -
FIG. 8 a is an end view of a collimator assembly. -
FIG. 8 b is a side view of the collimator assembly. -
FIG. 9 is a bottom sectional view of two tracks of the track assembly connected together. -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the stepper motor illustrating the gear connections thereto. - Referring now to
FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3 in combination, apipe 10 is being inspected by a digitalradiographic tool 12. The digitalradiographic tool 12 has atrack assembly 14 with adrive car 16 mounted thereon. Thedrive car 16 can move back and forth along thetrack assembly 14. - Attached to one side of the
drive car 16 is anarm assembly 18. On the distal end of thearm assembly 18 is mounted a lineardigital array 20. On the opposite side of thedrive car 16 from thearm assembly 18 is attached thecollimator assembly 22. - The
drive car 16 of the digitalradiographic tool 12 moves back and forth alongpipe 10 on thetrack assembly 14. As thedrive car 16 moves back and forth, it carries thecollimator assembly 22 which generates x-rays or gamma rays projected towards thepipe 10. On the opposite side of thepipe 10 from thecollimator assembly 22, the x-rays or gamma rays are collected in the lineardigital array 20. - Referring now to
FIG. 4 , a pictorial block diagram of thepipe 10 being inspected by a digitalradiographic tool 12 is shown. The digitalradiographic tool 12 includes thearm assembly 18 and thecollimator assembly 22. - Power is supplied to the digital
radiographic tool 12 by115V power supply 24 which connects to a power supply and control box 26 via 115VAC power line 28. Simultaneously, the115V power supply 24 supplies power to auser laptop 30 viapower line 32. - The power supply and control box 26 has a
joy stick 34 connected to astepper motor 36 within the drive car 16 (seeFIGS. 1 , 2 and 3) viadrive signal connection 38. Thestepper motor 36 provides a75 V drive signal 40 tostepper motor 42. Thestepper motor 42 through agear box 44 drives gears 46 that mechanically connect withtrack assembly 14. - As the drive car 16 (see
FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3) is driven alongtrack 14, thecollimator assembly 22 emits x-rays (or gamma rays) 48 which penetratepipe 10. Thex-rays 48 that penetrate thepipe 10 are then collected by the lineardigital array 20. The signals collected by the lineardigital array 20 are fed viaEthernet data connection 50 to theuser laptop 30. From thelaptop 30,USB data connection 52 connects to power supply and control box 26. Also, the lineardigital array 20 receives its power from power supply and control box 26 viapower connection 54. - While many different types of software can be used, Applicants have found that iX-Control by Shaw Pipeline Systems to be a good software to use. Using the iX-Control software, the
user laptop 30 can give the commands to the power supply and control box 26 to move the digital radiographic tool 12 a certain distance alongpipe 10 and it will occur. By having thecollimator assembly 22 emitx-rays 48 as the digitalradiographic tool 12 is moved along thetrack assembly 14, radiated signals will be detected by the lineardigital array 20. The user, through theuser laptop 30, will set the start point to determine the distance of movement and speed while recording data. The recorded data will indicate whetherpipe 10 does (or does not) have defects therein such as would be caused by corrosion. Even if thepipe 10 is surrounded by insulation, thex-rays 48 will penetrate the insulation and thepipe 10 sufficient to give a table recording or a pictorial recording as illustrated in theuser laptop 30. If an emergency stop is necessary, anemergency stop button 56 is provided on the power supply and control box 26. - Referring now to
FIGS. 5( a), (b), (c) and (d), thetrack assembly 14 will be explained in more detail.Track assembly 14 is made up ofmodular sections 58 and 60 (seeFIG. 5 c). As many more sections as may be necessary can be used. Applicants have found that section links of 2 ft. and/or 4 ft. to be ideal. Themodular sections alignment pins 62 at each end of the linear rails 64. Opposing ends of thelinear rail 64 from the alignment pins 62 have holes therein (not shown) to receive the alignment pins 62. Themodular sections latch 66. - The
linear rails 64 are mounted on atrack frame 68. Contained within thetrack frame 68 is agear rack 70 for meshing with a gear as will be subsequently described. On each end of themodular sections idle roller wheels 72. Theidle roller wheels 72 may be held on thetrack frame 68 by any conventional means such as by bearings and axles. Each of themodular sections 58 and/or 60 are held to thepipe 20 by tie-downs 75that extend through tie-downslots 74 and around pipe 10 (seeFIGS. 1-4 ). - Referring now to
FIG. 9 in conjunction withFIGS. 5( a), (b), (c) and (d), a bottom view with thelatch 66 is illustrated.FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view ofFIG. 5( b) along section lines 9-9. Thelatch 66 is pivotally mounted onpivot pin 76. If a user pressesrelease button 78, thelatch 66 will be pivoted aboutpivot pin 76 so that it disengages fromlatch stop 80. Theidle roller wheels 72 are shown threadably connected to thetrack frame 68 by wheel screws 82. - Referring now to
FIGS. 6( a)-(e), thedrive car 16 will be discussed in detail. Thedrive car 16 has astepper motor 42 that connects through acoupler 82 to drive theworm 84 that will mesh with worm gear 86 (seeFIG. 6 e). Theworm gear 86 is connected bydrive shaft 88 to thespur gear 90.Spur gear 90 meshes with the gear rack 70 (shown inFIGS. 5( a), (c) and (d)) to drive theentire drive car 16. Power for thestepper motor 42 is received through thedrive signal connection 38 connecting through thedrive signal input 92. - Attached to the top of the
car body 94 is thestepper motor driver 36. Awaterproof cover 96 seals thestepper motor driver 36 inside ofcar body 94.Front cap 98 enclosed the front ofcar body 94. Pin holes 100 and 102 extend throughcar body 94 to receiveremovable pins Removable pin end buttons FIGS. 6 d and 6 e). - T-
slots 112 are formed on both sides and in the top of thecar body 94. The T-slots 112 allow T-bolts (not shown) to be inserted therein on which items can be attached to thedrive car 16. For example, thestepper motor driver 36 is contained in steppermotor driver housing 114 by means of T-slots 112 in thecar body 94, which T-slots are located directly below the steppermotor driver housing 114. - Referring to
FIG. 6 c, alinear bearing chassis 116 is shown disconnected and below from thecar body 94. Thelinear bearing chassis 116 is connected to thecar body 94 byremovable pins pin holes FIG. 6 d). Thespur gear 90 extends below thedrive car 16 as is illustrated inFIG. 6 b. Hence, thespur gear 90 meshes with thegear rack 70 of the track assembly as shown inFIGS. 5 a, c and d. - The bottom of the
linear bearing chassis 66 haslinear bearings 118 mounted there below. Thelinear bearings 118 receive the linear rails 64 (seeFIGS. 5 a, b, c and d andFIG. 6 d) therein. To reduce friction between thelinear bearings 118 and thelinear rail 64, thelinear bearings 118 havebearing liners 120 therein. - Referring now to
FIGS. 7 a-d, thearm assembly 18 is shown in more detail. Thearm assembly 18 has aradial arm plate 122 on either side thereof. InFIGS. 7 a, b and c, thearm assembly 18 is fully collapsed. InFIG. 8 d, thearm assembly 18 is fully extended with an intermediate telescoping T-slot frame 124 and an upper telescoping T-slot frame 126. The intermediate telescoping T-slot frame 124 is held in position by thumb screws 128. The upper telescoping T-slot frame 126 is held in position by thumb screws 130. On the upper end of thearm assembly 18, a T-slot clamp 132 may be pivoted by loosening clamping L-handles 134. By loosening clamping L-handles 134, the T-slot clamp 132 may be pivotally adjusted (seeFIG. 7 b). - At the bottom of the
arm assembly 18 and mounted betweenradial arm plates 122 is the lineardigital array 20. The lineardigital array 20 has anEthernet data connection 50 and apower connection 54. - Connected in the T-
slot clamp 134 is the T-slot mount 136 of the collimator assembly 22 (seeFIGS. 8 a and b). Thefirst angle adjustment 138 of thecollimator assembly 22 is provided by loosening clamping L-handle 140. Held in position by first clamping L-handle 140 is afirst collimator arm 142 and asecond collimator arm 144, on either of which can be mountedcollimator housing 146.Thumb screw 148 secures the collimator housing viaslot 150 on thesecond collimator arm 144. Thethumb screw 148 allows forlinear adjustment 152 of thecollimator housing 146. Also, thecollimator housing 146 could be mounted inslot 154 offirst collimator arm 142. - A
second angle adjustment 156 is provided betweenfirst collimator arm 142 andsecond collimator arm 144 by a second clamping L-handle 158. Inside of thecollimator housing 146 is located thecollimator 160. Ashim slot 162 is also provided if minor adjustments to thecollimator 160 need to be made. - By use of the
arm assembly 18 as described inFIGS. 7 a-d and thecollimator assembly 22 as described inFIGS. 8 a and b, the adjustability of the digitalradiographic tool 12 is illustrated. This adjustability feature allows either thecollimator 160 or the lineardigital array 20 to be adjusted to reach under and/or around pipe supports. Due to the adjustability features, various diameter pipes can be accommodated. The adjustability features of the digitalradiographic tool 12 allow a single person to operate the tool and to inspect a greater percentage of the pipe than prior inspection devices. - Referring now to
FIG. 10 , connection of thestepper motor 42 throughcoupler 82 to theworm 84 is illustrated in more detail. Theworm 84 meshes with theworm gear 86 mounted ondrive shaft 88. As theworm 84 turns, theworm gear 86 also turns and rotates driveshaft 88 on whichspur gear 90 is also mounted. The turning of thespur gear 90 which meshes with the gear rack 70 (seeFIG. 2 ), moves thedrive car 16 and the entire digitalradiographic tool 12 along thetrack assembly 14.
Claims (20)
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US14/449,271 US9244024B1 (en) | 2014-08-01 | 2014-08-01 | Apparatus and method for digital radiographic inspection of pipes |
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US14/449,271 US9244024B1 (en) | 2014-08-01 | 2014-08-01 | Apparatus and method for digital radiographic inspection of pipes |
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US20160084967A1 (en) * | 2014-09-23 | 2016-03-24 | Sharpxview AS | Low-Rate Inexpensive Digital Gamma-Ray Imaging/Inspection System |
US9753150B2 (en) * | 2014-09-23 | 2017-09-05 | Sharpxview AS | Low-rate inexpensive digital γ-ray imaging/inspection system |
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