The invention relates to geophysics and can be utilised for monitoring integrity of casings, tubings and other tubular strings in oil and gas wells. The essence of this invention is an apparatus for defectoscopy of downhole casings, which comprises an electromagnetic field generation unit, pick-up sensor unit, and data acquisition and processing unit, with all these units mounted in a housing. The technical result consists in enhancing the informative value of measurements in surveyed pipes both longitudinally and azimuthally, thus improving the defectoscopy accuracy.

A detecting device includes a first coil, a third coil, a second coil, and a fourth coil. The first coil generates a first magnetic field on a to-be-measured object. The third coil generates a third magnetic field under the to-be measured object. The second coil generates a second magnetic field. After the fourth coil receives the second magnetic field, a voltage is induced. The induced voltage is amplified by an amplify circuit to drive the third coil. The directions of the currents generated by the first coil and the third coil, respectively, are the same.

An eddy current probe providing a first sensor element having a first body and a first induction coil mounted onto a distal portion of the first body, a second sensor element having a second body and a second induction coil mounted onto a distal portion of the second body, a probe casing provided with first and second through-holes inside which are respectively mounted proximal portions of the first and second bodies of the first and sensor elements, the distal portions of the first and second bodies protruding outwards with regard to the probe casing, and a cap mounted onto the probe casing and covering the distal portions of the first and second bodies and the first and second induction coils.

A one-step method of cleaning a girth gear set of a mill in preparation for inspection is provided, the method comprising: substantially emptying the mill; inching the gear; spraying a low, very low or non-Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) cleaning formulation at high pressure onto the gear, the cleaning formulation comprising a non-VOC aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent, an extreme pressure lubricant, a fretting wear lubricant, a non-ionic surfactant, and a mixture of non-VOC unsaturated fatty alcohols; and continuing to spray the low or very low VOC cleaning formulation on the gear for sufficient time for the formulation to clean the gear, thereby providing a so cleaned gear.

Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for inspection. Removable sensors are installed on equipment used in hydrocarbon facilities at locations susceptible to high temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA). Attachment uses adaptable hybrid pads. Surface data captured using the sensors includes surface temperatures, per hydrogen (Ph) measurements, and methane measurements for methane escaping from external surfaces of the equipment. A presence of cracks in the equipment base metal is determined. An HTHA susceptibility analysis of the equipment is performed based on the presence of the cracks and by analyzing the surface data and mapping potential HTHA cracks and early signs of methane formation. The steps are repeated on other locations. An inspection result and assessment, generated using the captured surface data, includes a final analysis of assessment reports indicating a likelihood of cracks propagation and a presence of fissuring inside the equipment base metal.

A method of detecting defects or deterioration in the sidewalls of can bodies during production of the can bodies within a can bodymaker. Each can body is formed by pushing a cup, mounted on a punch of a reciprocating ram, through one or more dies contained within a tool pack of the bodymaker. The method comprises: obtaining output signals from one or more eddy current sensors arranged around the ram axis outside of the tool pack and adjacent to an exit end of the tool pack; processing the output signals to detect passage of open ends of can body sidewalls past the sensor(s) and thereby determine measures of the heights or thicknesses of can body sidewalls; and analysing the determined measures to identify can body sidewall defects or deterioration.

A system and method for determining fiber orientation within a layered composite using an eddy current probe is discussed. The eddy current probe includes an array of coils that are excited such that an effective pole of the end effector of the probe moves in a ring pattern. The eddy current probe is moved across the surface of a part such that a two-dimensional scan of the part is generated, analogous to a C-scan in ultrasonic testing. The eddy current probe is able to be used to determine the fiber orientation of a layered composite material by scanning at a single point on the material. The eddy current data is able to be fused with data from an ultrasonic transducer to produce a comprehensive view of the part.

A method may include positioning an eddy current probe proximate to a coated portion of an article. The coated portion of the article includes a conductive substrate and a ceramic coating overlying the conductive substrate. The method includes generating, using the eddy current probe, a first primary magnetic field to induce eddy currents in the coated portion of the article and measuring, using the eddy current probe, a strength of a first secondary magnetic field created by the eddy currents in the coated portion of the article to obtain a first secondary magnetic field measurement. The method includes determining, by a computing device, one or more properties or one or more changes in properties of the article based on the first secondary magnetic field measurement.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a magnetic sensor includes a first sensor part. The first sensor part includes a first magnetic member, a first counter magnetic member, and a first magnetic element. A direction from the first magnetic member to the first counter magnetic member is along a first direction. The first magnetic element includes one or a plurality of first extending portions. A first portion of the first extending portion overlaps the first magnetic member in a second direction crossing the first direction. A first counter portion of the first extending portion overlaps the first counter magnetic member in the second direction. A first direction length along the first direction of the first extending portion is longer than a third direction length along a third direction of the first extending portion. The third direction crosses a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

Eddy current sensing is governed by the diffusion equation of magnetoquasistatic fields. As such the eddy current sensor's proximity to the object to be inspected (i.e., “liftoff”) significantly affects the sensor's response signal. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improving performance for an eddy current sensor, though they may also be used for other sensor types. These solutions are beneficial for both single channel eddy current sensors and arrays, and are particularly beneficial for measuring parts with complex surfaces. In some aspects improved performance is achieved by varying the stiffness of the mechanical support for the sensor. Some mechanical supports may exhibit anisotropic stiffness. After performing a scan with an eddy current array, a multi-channel shape filtering module is applied to improve defect detection. The module reduces the variability of defect response measured due to the unpredictability of the defect location transverse to the scan direction.