A method and system for scanning an elongate structure. A scanner in a scanning system is moved axially along the elongate structure using a translating structure in the scanning system. The elongate member is scanned axially as the scanner moves axially along the elongate structure. The scanner is moved rotationally around the elongate structure at a location in which an inconsistency is detected at the location during an axial scan. The elongate structure is scanned rotationally at the location while the scanner moves rotationally around the elongate structure.

A flexible DR detector assembly bendable along one axis and not bendable along a second axis is used with an x-ray source for radiographic imaging of a human anatomy, veterinary anatomy, or industrial equipment.

A device for determining at least one substance parameter of a substance flowing in a pipeline, wherein the device includes electromagnetic wave transmitting means and receiving means for transmitting and receiving, respectively, electromagnetic waves through the substance. The device includes an outer metal chamber, which is lined at least partly with an interior layer of electromagnetic wave absorber material, and an inner transfer pipeline element configured with at least two opposed wall segments that are essentially parallel with each other. The electromagnetic wave transmitting means and receiving means includes two antennas, preferably linear polarized antennas, each positioned at a respective one of the at least two opposed wall segments, such that electromagnetic waves pass through the substance flowing via the inner transfer pipeline element in a planar way. A method of determining at least one substance parameter of a substance flowing in a pipeline is disclosed.

An apparatus for steerable x-ray inspection of a sample includes an outer housing that can be inserted into an interior of the sample via a flexible insertion member; an x-ray source within the outer housing that can output source x-rays into the sample; an x-ray detector within the housing and capable of detecting fluorescence x-rays emitted from the sample upon excitation by the source x-rays; and a steering device coupled to an end of the insertion member and configured to adjust, selectively, a position of the flexible insertion member for steering the outer housing within the sample.

A method, apparatus, and system for scanning an elongate structure. A scanner in a scanning system is moved axially along the elongate structure using a translating structure in the scanning system. The elongate structure is scanned axially using an x-ray beam emitted by the scanner as the scanner moves axially along the elongate structure to perform an axial scan. The x-ray beam has a first orientation. A location on the elongate structure having an inconsistency is detected while scanning the elongate structure axially. The elongate structure is scanned at the location with the x-ray beam in a second orientation.

A scanning apparatus for measuring the attenuation of radiation passing from a radiation source along a radiation path to a radiation detector includes a source of radiation; at least one radiation detector capable of detecting radiation emitted by the source a data processor associated with the at least one radiation detector for calculating a property of material present in a linear radiation path between the source and the at least one detector; and a spacer arranged between the source and the at least one detector. The spacer defines a space which is capable of excluding water and having an average density which is less than 1 gcm.sup.3. The provision of a spacer in the radiation path enables more radiation to be passed along the radiation path because water can be replaced with a material which is less attenuating to radiation.

Systems, methods, and computer readable medium are provided for determining a wall loss measurement associated with corrosion and/or erosion present within an insulated pipe. A inspection image is acquired for a pipe wall of an insulated pipe at a first location and used to determine an inspection thickness of the pipe wall at the first location. An amount of wall loss measurement can be determined based on a difference of a nominal thickness for the pipe wall at the first location and the determined inspection thickness. The wall loss measurement can characterize an amount of wall material lost due to corrosion and/or erosion present in the pipe wall at the first location. The wall loss measurement can be output for further processing and/or display.

Systems and methods are provided for physically labeling structural features, such as weld joints in a pipeline, with pattern-based codes that uniquely identify respective features. The systems and methods are also provided for identifying the features based on imagery of the codes captured during subsequent inspection of the weld joints. In particular, the weld joints can be uniquely identified by encoding measured geographic coordinates within two distinguishable circular patterns that correspond to latitude and longitude, respectively. In addition, the pattern-based codes can be applied to respective weld joints using a contrast material such that the codes are revealed in the images of the weld joints captured during inspection. Furthermore, the systems and methods include analyzing the images captured during inspection to identify the inspected weld joints for the purpose of verifying that each weld joint was properly inspected in the field.

A method, a system, and an apparatus for scanning an elongate structure. A scanner in a scanning system is moved on a helical path around the elongate structure. The scanner is moved on the helical path around the elongate structure using a helical track system attached to the elongate structure using a translating structure. An x-ray beam is emitted from the scanner while the scanner moves on the helical path. Backscatter is detected from the x-ray beam encountering the elongate structure.

A method and a system for scanning an elongate structure. A scan of the elongate structure with a fluid in a cavity of the elongate structure is received. The scan is generated by a scanner using an x-ray beam. Data in the scan is filtered to remove a portion of the data in the scan attributable to the fluid to form filtered data, enabling detecting an inconsistency on a wall of the elongate structure in the filtered data.