G01N2291/0234

USE OF ACOUSTIC EMISSION TECHNOLOGY IN OILFIELD TUBULAR MAKE UPS
20170321502 · 2017-11-09 · ·

A threaded connection make up monitoring system includes an acoustic emission transducer operatively connected to one positioned to capture an acoustic signature associated with forming the threaded connection between a first member and a second member. A controller is operatively coupled to the acoustic emission transducer. The controller is operable to receive a signal from the acoustic emission transducer embodying the acoustic signature. The controller is operable to output a signal indicating whether the acoustic signature represents a properly made up threaded connection of the first member and the second member or whether the acoustic signature represents an improperly made up threaded connection of the first member and the second member.

Dead zone inspection with ultrasonic testing using signal integration

An ultrasonic inspection system, method, and software. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic inspection system includes an ultrasonic probe that directs ultrasound waves into a structure from a front wall, and receives reflected waves to generate a response signal. The system further includes a processor that rectifies the response signal to generate a rectified signal, integrates a portion of the rectified signal within a detection time window to determine an energy sum, and generates output based on the energy sum. The detection time window is restricted to a front wall reflection and at least a portion of a near-surface dead zone following the front wall reflection.

METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE NEUTRAL TEMPERATURE IN LONG-STRETCHED WORKPIECES
20170261449 · 2017-09-14 ·

The invention pertains to a method for respectively determining the neutral temperature or the stressfree state in a rail section (1), wherein an ultrasonic signal is coupled into a representative volume of the rail profile perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, wherein the volume is subjected to stresses in the longitudinal direction of the rail section (1), wherein the stresses are measured, wherein an ultrasonic signal influenced by these stresses is decoupled, wherein a function describing the functional dependence of the decoupled ultrasonic signal on the introduced stress is determined, and wherein the stressfree state is determined based on the course of this function.

System and method of dynamic gating in non-destructive weld inspection

A phased array ultrasonic inspection system configured for weld inspection includes a data analysis process with automated and optimized gating to take into account the actual distance between a phased array probe and a weld line. The system embodies a weld tracking module and a dynamic gating module. The tracking module produces dynamically corrected overlays of the weld line based on the echo signals, the dynamically corrected overlays having a series of offsets from the corresponding initial overlays. The dynamic gating module purposefully positions a plurality of data analysis gates to filter out noise signals caused by sources unrelated to the weld, and to provide dynamic target gating adjusted by at least part of the offset.

ULTRASONIC FLAW-DETECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BLADE GROOVE IN TURBINE ROTOR DISC

A method includes: an arrangement step of arranging a phased array probe including a plurality of oscillators each of which is capable of emitting ultrasonic waves on an end surface of the rotor disc, in a parallel state in which the plurality of oscillators are arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotor disc; a first transmission step of emitting ultrasonic waves from the plurality of oscillators in the parallel state, while a timing of emitting the ultrasonic waves from each of the oscillators is controlled in a first emission pattern, and receiving reflection waves of the ultrasonic waves; and a second transmission step of emitting ultrasonic waves from the plurality of oscillators in the parallel state, while the timing of emitting the ultrasonic waves from each of the oscillators is controlled in a second emission pattern different from the first emission pattern, and receiving reflection waves of the ultrasonic waves.

Electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) for corrosion mapping

Systems and methods for detecting corrosion in pipes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting corrosion in an object includes an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) having a ferromagnetic core and a plurality of permanent magnets arranged peripherally around the ferromagnetic core. The permanent magnets are arranged to produce a magnetic field through the ferromagnetic core. The apparatus also includes a coil between the ferromagnetic core and the object.

Repairing member, fastener, and collar

To provide a repairing member, a repair structure, and a damage detection method that enable accurate detection of damage that occurs in a repairing member and a repairing target member. The repair structure includes a skin in which an opening is formed, and a plate-like repairing member fixed to the skin to cover the opening. The repairing member has a recess formed on a contact face side in contact with the skin, and an ultrasonic search unit is placed inside the recess. The ultrasonic search unit is placed so as to be in contact with both the repairing member and the skin.

Inspection method for aluminum weld quality

A method for determining a quality of a friction stir welded seam is described. The method involves applying an impact to a welded plate and comparing its damping capacity with the damping capacity of a geometrically equivalent defect-free plate. Damping capacities that differ by a small percent difference indicate that the welded plate is also defect-free. This method is particularly advantageous when dealing with small defects, which produce miniscule changes in natural frequency which may not be measureable.

STRUCTURE EVALUATION SYSTEM, STRUCTURE EVALUATION APPARATUS, AND STRUCTURE EVALUATION METHOD

A structure evaluation system includes a plurality of sensors and an evaluator. The plurality of sensors detect elastic waves generated in prestressed concrete in which a prestressed concrete steel material is internally provided. The evaluator evaluates a breakage of the prestressed concrete steel material based on elastic waves detected for a second period, which is a period after the elapse of a first period from a point in time when a magnitude of the elastic waves detected by the plurality of sensors is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

Network wavefield imaging methods for quantification of complex discontinuity in plate-like structures

Network wavefield imaging methods are able to image significantly complex discontinuities or shapes in plate-like structures for superior ultrasonic structural health monitoring (SHM)/nondestructive evaluation (NDE). The imaging provides high-resolution location, shape and/or size images of a structure, and for discontinuities with more complicated profiles. Guided wave (GW) network wavefield imaging methods combine tomography and wavefield/wavenumber imaging algorithms. Metallic plate damage detection uses guided ultrasonic waves and non-contact laser vibrometry. Guided waves are generated by piezoelectric transducers (PZT). A non-contact scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV) measures the full velocity plate guided wave wavefields. Developed network wavefield imaging algorithms account for multiple-actuator excitations from different angles enclosing the discontinuity, with algorithms using intrinsic wave characteristics such as wavefield, wavenumber, or reconstructed wave energy. Determined locations, sizes and shapes of highlighted areas in wavefield, wavenumber and/or filter reconstructed energy-based images correlate with location, size and shape of damage in metallic plates.