A stationary electromagnetic inspection (EMI) apparatus and method are disclosed which includes a base; a plurality of hydraulic clamping rollers, connected to that base, operable to move a test pipe forward and backward in a translational direction only; a transverse flaw detection module comprising a plurality of sensor arms each equipped with rows of magnetic sensor arrays arranged in a stagger manner along an axis of a test pipe; and a longitudinal flaw detection module comprising magnetizers and magnetic sensor arrays each respectively arranged orthogonal to one another.

A method and a device for evaluating the distribution and orientation of ferromagnetic, electrically conductive fibres in a composite material are disclosed. The principle consists in repeatable evaluation of the density of ferromagnetic, electrically conductive fibres at the measured location, and such evaluation is performed within a guaranteed scatter range of the measured data and at a guaranteed accuracy rate. A device to perform the method comprises a C, U or E-shaped ferromagnetic core (1) with distributed or uniform winding of the electric coil (2), where the ferromagnetic core (1) exhibits dimensions A, B, and C, for which we have C≧3B and B≈A, where A denotes the width of an arm (1.2), B represents the depth of an arm (1.2), and C is the length of the base (1.1). The ferromagnetic core (1) is equipped with at least two electric coils (2) and, to ensure strong electromagnetic coupling on the ferromagnetic core (1), the winding of the electric coil (2) is configured on both arms of the ferromagnetic core (1). The leads of the electric coil (2) winding are, at the winding terminals (3), connected to an external electric circuit (17) including an electric voltage generator (16) with adjustable frequency f and a measuring device (18).

A method and a device for evaluating the distribution and orientation of ferromagnetic, electrically conductive fibres in a composite material are disclosed. The principle consists in repeatable evaluation of the density of ferromagnetic, electrically conductive fibres at the measured location, and such evaluation is performed within a guaranteed scatter range of the measured data and at a guaranteed accuracy rate. A device to perform the method comprises a C, U or E-shaped ferromagnetic core (1) with distributed or uniform winding of the electric coil (2), where the ferromagnetic core (1) exhibits dimensions A, B, and C, for which we have C≧3B and B≈A, where A denotes the width of an arm (1.2), B represents the depth of an arm (1.2), and C is the length of the base (1.1). The ferromagnetic core (1) is equipped with at least two electric coils (2) and, to ensure strong electromagnetic coupling on the ferromagnetic core (1), the winding of the electric coil (2) is configured on both arms of the ferromagnetic core (1). The leads of the electric coil (2) winding are, at the winding terminals (3), connected to an external electric circuit (17) including an electric voltage generator (16) with adjustable frequency f and a measuring device (18).

An inspection robot incudes a robot body, at least two sensors, a drive module, a stability assist device and an actuator. The at least two sensors are positioned to interrogate an inspection surface and are communicatively coupled to the robot body. The drive module includes at least two wheels that engage the inspection surface. The drive module is coupled to the robot body. The stability assist device is coupled to at least one of the robot body or the drive module. The actuator is coupled to the stability assist device at a first end, and coupled to one of the drive module or the robot body at a second end. The actuator is structured to selectively move the stability assist device between a first position and a second position. The first position includes a stored position. The second position includes a deployed position.

The invention relates to a method for the nondestructive testing of steel rope parameters, particularly for predicting a residual operating life of a steel rope. The method for predicting the residual operating life of the steel rope comprises: —continuously monitoring and diagnosing a technical condition of the rope by continuously and simultaneously taking readings of Hall sensors, inductive coils, an eddy current sensor, a temperature sensor, a rope tension sensor and an odometer; —providing the readings to a control display unit (CDU) for cooperative processing; —based on the readings, determining an operating time and a safety factor of the rope; —comparing, by the CDU, the obtained values with allowable values; —making a conclusion on the technical condition of the rope; and—predicting the residual operating life of the rope.

The invention relates to a method for the nondestructive testing of steel rope parameters, particularly for predicting a residual operating life of a steel rope. The method for predicting the residual operating life of the steel rope comprises: —continuously monitoring and diagnosing a technical condition of the rope by continuously and simultaneously taking readings of Hall sensors, inductive coils, an eddy current sensor, a temperature sensor, a rope tension sensor and an odometer; —providing the readings to a control display unit (CDU) for cooperative processing; —based on the readings, determining an operating time and a safety factor of the rope; —comparing, by the CDU, the obtained values with allowable values; —making a conclusion on the technical condition of the rope; and—predicting the residual operating life of the rope.

A contactless odometer system can include a sensor array. The sensor array can include a plurality of sensing elements adjacent to a target surface and configured to receive signals based on a distance separating the sensing element from the adjacent surface and a defect present below the adjacent surface of the target. The system can also include a controller configured to receive the signals from first and second locations within the target and to generate first and second defect maps corresponding to the first and second locations. The controller can identify overlapping portions of first and second defect maps and can determine a translation distance in at least one direction. Related methods of determining a distance traveled by a contactless odometer system are also provided.

A method of detecting faults and ensuring integrity of membranes having magnetically functionalized particles, including moving a magnetometer over the membrane to measure at least one magnetic property, mapping the location of the measured properties, identifying anomalies among measured properties including the location of such anomalies, and repairing the membrane at the location where anomalies are identified.

A method of detecting faults and ensuring integrity of membranes having magnetically functionalized particles, including moving a magnetometer over the membrane to measure at least one magnetic property, mapping the location of the measured properties, identifying anomalies among measured properties including the location of such anomalies, and repairing the membrane at the location where anomalies are identified.

A technique facilitates tracking and assessing a fatigue life of a tubing string utilizing, for example, estimation of cycles to failure when used in a wellbore operation. The technique may comprise initially determining a fatigue life of a tubing string. Additionally, the technique comprises utilizing a sensing device, e.g. a magnetic flux leakage (MFL) device, to monitor the tubing string. When an anomaly, e.g. a new defect, is detected by the sensing device, a new fatigue life of the tubing string is determined based on the change. The new fatigue life may be used to estimate a fatigue life in terms of cycles to failure.