A fluid analysis system for characterizing a multiphase fluid includes a first set of acoustic probes disposed at a first angular position about a central axis of the fluid analysis system and oriented to direct first sound waves along a first direction that is parallel to the central axis, a second set of acoustic probes disposed at a second angular position about the central axis that is opposite to the first angular position and oriented to direct second sound waves along the first direction, a third set of acoustic probes spanning the central axis and oriented to direct third sound waves along a second direction that is perpendicular to the central axis, and an analysis unit. The analysis unit is configured to determine a location of a fluid interface within the multiphase fluid based on first, second, and third parameters respectively associated with the first, second, and third sounds waves.

A method and apparatus for detecting and classifying cracks in pipelines is disclosed. The method for detecting and classifying cracks comprises the steps of: emitting a first shear wave along a region of inspection, the first shear wave being polarized in a first direction; receiving the first shear wave; emitting a second shear wave along the region of inspection, the second shear wave being polarized in a second direction at a minimal angle of about 10° different from the first direction, preferably at an angle of about 30° or more; receiving the second shear wave; examining the anisotropy of the first and second received shear waves by comparing at least one wave property of said first and second received shear wave for detecting and classifying cracks in the region of inspection. Said apparatus as disclosed herein comprises emitting and receiving EMATs, and is configured to carry out said method.

Described are a transducer made of at least three transducer elements which approximate a sector of an elementary wave with a virtual point source, and a transducer arrangement with three transducers made of at least three transducer elements, wherein the transducers, in the cross section, are disposed along the shorter base and the two non-parallel legs of a virtual trapezoid. Moreover, the invention relates to an ultrasonic probe system comprising the transducer arrangement according to the invention and an inspection method using a transducer made of at least three transducer elements, with the number of transducer elements experiencing a virtual increase.

A fluid analysis system for characterizing a multiphase fluid includes a first set of acoustic probes disposed at a first angular position about a central axis of the fluid analysis system and oriented to direct first sound waves along a first direction that is parallel to the central axis, a second set of acoustic probes disposed at a second angular position about the central axis that is opposite to the first angular position and oriented to direct second sound waves along the first direction, a third set of acoustic probes spanning the central axis and oriented to direct third sound waves along a second direction that is perpendicular to the central axis, and an analysis unit. The analysis unit is configured to determine a location of a fluid interface within the multiphase fluid based on first, second, and third parameters respectively associated with the first, second, and third sounds waves.

A system for measuring a number of layers in a layered environment includes an ultrasound transducer positioned at an exterior surface of a first layer at a first location. At least one receiving sensor is positioned perpendicular to the exterior surface of the first layer at a second location. The ultrasound transducer and the at least one receiving sensor are in communication with a computer processor, power source, and computer-readable memory. The ultrasound transducer is configured to emit a first ultrasound signal into the first layer at the first location. The at least one receiving sensor is configured to receive a plurality of propagated ultrasound signals. The processor is configured to determine a total number of layers in the layered environment based on at least one from the set of: a number of signals received and a number of propagation direction changes only of the first ultrasound signal.

A flaw detection apparatus for use with a tubular has a helixing conveyor adapted to receive the tubular thereon, a frame positioned over a center section of the helixing conveyor, and a plurality of inspection devices retained by the frame so as to detect flaws in the tubular as said helixing conveyor moves the tubular through the frame. The helixing conveyor has a plurality of sets of rollers that are angularly adjustable relative to a longitudinal axis of the helixing conveyor. The plurality of inspection devices include a longitudinal inspection device, a Hall Effect wall thickness inspection device, an oblique inspection device, a transverse inspection device, and a grade verification/comparator device.

A method is provided of inspecting a nested multi-layer structure including a first and second electrically conductive layer and a third layer disposed behind the second conductive layer. The method includes deploying a sensor device including an electromagnetic acoustic transducer to a borehole location proximate to the structure, generating a drive signal including a plurality of frequencies, applying an electrical current signal to the sensor device based on the drive signal and inducing currents in the first conductive layer that induce currents generating acoustic signals having the plurality of frequencies, detecting a first set of resonant frequencies based on received electromagnetic signals, detecting a second set of resonant frequencies based on received acoustic signals, estimating a property of the first and/or the second conductive layer based on the first set of resonant frequencies, and estimating a property of the third layer based on the second set of resonant frequencies.

A method is provided of inspecting a nested multi-layer structure including a first and second electrically conductive layer and a third layer disposed behind the second conductive layer. The method includes deploying a sensor device including an electromagnetic acoustic transducer to a borehole location proximate to the structure, generating a drive signal including a plurality of frequencies, applying an electrical current signal to the sensor device based on the drive signal and inducing currents in the first conductive layer that induce currents generating acoustic signals having the plurality of frequencies, detecting a first set of resonant frequencies based on received electromagnetic signals, detecting a second set of resonant frequencies based on received acoustic signals, estimating a property of the first and/or the second conductive layer based on the first set of resonant frequencies, and estimating a property of the third layer based on the second set of resonant frequencies.

Example embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems, and a computer program product for acquiring phased array ultrasonic testing data leveraging a sliding receiver aperture defined according to a principle of acoustic reciprocity. The method includes triggering each of a set of ultrasonic probe elements to pulse as a pulser element. For each pulser element, a respective subset of the ultrasonic probe elements may be defined as the sliding receiver aperture according to a principle of acoustic reciprocity to act as receiver elements to receive response signals. Data corresponding to the respective response signals for each pair of pulser element and receiver element then may be stored.

An ultrasonic probe comprises a transmitting transducer, a receiving transducer, an absorber, a transmitting and receiving transducer including a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, and a wedge. The wedge includes a first holding part holding the transmitting transducer, a second holding part holding the receiving transducer, an absorber holding part disposed between the first holding part and the second holding part and holding the absorber, and a third holding part disposed on the opposite side of the first holding part from the absorber holding part and holding the transmitting and receiving transducer at an angle allowing ultrasound transmitted from the transmitting and receiving transducer to propagate as surface waves along a surface area of a test object.