An acoustic while drilling receiving transducer array adopts a full-digital structure and a non-oil-filled rubber encapsulation arrangement mode, and the full-digital device of the acoustic while drilling receiving transducer array includes first modules, configured to carry out acoustic-to-electric conversion on weakly received acoustic signals of strata; second modules, configured to carry out amplification, filtering, gain control and digital-to-analog conversion on the weakly received acoustic signals; and a third module, configured to control interfaces of the device and convert external input and output signals.

A system includes an inspection robot having a plurality of input sensors, the plurality of input sensors distributed horizontally relative to an inspection surface and configured to provide inspection data of the inspection surface at selected horizontal positions; a controller, comprising: a position definition circuit structured to determine an inspection robot position of the inspection robot on the inspection surface; a data positioning circuit structured to interpret the inspection data, and to correlate the inspection data to the inspection robot position on the inspection surface; and wherein the data positioning circuit is further structured to determine position informed inspection data in response to the correlating of the inspection data with the inspection robot position.

[Problem] When a beam is emitted from inside a pipe onto an inside surface of the pipe using an ultrasonic probe in which flat plate-like transducers are arranged, since the transduces are in the shape of flat shape, signals reflected from the tubular pipe wall do not always return straight to the transducers, and scattering and interferences occurs in the returning waves.

[Solution] An ultrasonic transducer according to the present application is curved to match the internal shape of the pipe, and therefore ultrasonic waves emitted from the transducers are radiated perpendicular to the pipe wall, and reflected echo signals thereof are also reflected and return perpendicularly from the irradiated pipe wall, and thus scattering and interference occur less than with ultrasonic waves and reflected waves emitted from flat plate-like transducers arranged in positions at oblique angles with respect to the pipe wall, and it is therefore possible to obtain clear data by selecting ultrasonic waves having a wavelength corresponding to the thickness of the pipe.

In accordance with an embodiment, a method for inspecting pipe is provided. The method includes transmitting an ultrasound pulse through a pipe or a fluid container from inside the pipe or the fluid container. The method further includes receiving echoes via a plurality of sensors, based on the ultrasound pulse, and combining echo data from the plurality of sensors. The method additionally includes deriving an environmental assessment based on the combining the echo data.

Method and system for determining a wall thickness of an object such as a pipeline using ultrasound. A pig is used comprising at least one first ultrasonic transducer which is attached to the pig for transmitting ultrasound in the object. Using at least one second ultrasonic transducer, a receiving signal is generated representing reflections of the ultrasound on the object received by the at least one second transducer. The received signals are processed employing a processor provided at the pig to obtain a compressed receiving signal. In use, the processor determines in the signal maximal N peaks having the largest amplitudes and associated information on the moment on which these peaks occur within the receiving signal. Information about the maximal N peaks and associated information on the moment on which these peaks occur is stored in a storing device of the pig.

A scanning apparatus for imaging an object, the scanning apparatus comprising: a transmitter for transmitting ultrasound signals towards an object, a receiver for receiving ultrasound signals from an object, and a support, the transmitter and the receiver being coupled to the support; the scanning apparatus being capable of being operated with the support in a non-planar configuration thereby to scan a non-planar surface of an object.

A scanning system for imaging an object, the scanning system comprising: a scanning apparatus configured to transmit ultrasound signals towards an object and to receive ultrasound signals reflected from an object whereby data pertaining to an internal structure of an object can be obtained; a location sensor for sensing a location of the scanning apparatus; and an instruction unit arranged to provide instructions to a user of the scanning system in dependence on the sensed location.

Dynamic pressure wave propagation can be used in pipelines to provide information about the available, unobstructed diameter and any partial or complete blockages in the pipeline. Based on this information, a system can automatically determine optimal times to launch pipeline inspection gauges for cleaning or other purposes. A pipeline inspection gauge is sometimes referred to as a pig. Certain aspects and features include a system that can launch pigs as needed automatically by activating an automatic multiple pig launcher at appropriate times.

The invention relates to a method for acoustic measuring in technical hollow spaces, for example, for measuring reflection points along long pipelines. The method begins with establishing a broadband exciter frequency range. This is followed by establishing interference frequencies which should not be in the exciter signal, and generating a precursor signal over the frequency range with the omission of the interference frequencies. Then, the precursor signal is coupled into the pipeline and a precursor reflection signal reflected out of the pipeline is received. The precursor signal is compared with the precursor reflection signal and damping frequencies are determined at which the precursor signal on the measuring path along the pipeline is damped much more than the average damping of the entire precursor signal. Then, an exciter signal is generated over the exciter frequency range with the omission of the interference frequencies and the damping frequencies. This is followed by coupling the exciter signal into the pipeline and receiving a measuring signal reflected out of the pipeline, as well as evaluating the reflected measuring signal using suitable evaluation methods.

The invention also relates to a method for generating an exciter signal and a device for carrying out this method.

The invention is embodied in a crawler that measures alignment, distance, grade, and vertical deflection of underground conduits. The crawler drives through the conduit and collects data that is used to inspect and evaluate whether the construction meets the grade and alignment according to the construction documents and specifications and spot locations of culvert deflections from material defect and/or bedding deficiencies. The preferred crawler is moved into and out of a conduit via remote control. The preferred crawler comprises a deck for carrying electronic sensors, a battery, and other devices. A computer located on the deck communicates with the electronic sensors and the other devices. Most importantly, the preferred crawler comprises at least one wheel that rides on the invert of the conduit. The guide wheel is a key element of the invention because having at least one wheel ride on the invert provides referential location for other measurements.