The invention relates to an acoustic sensor system (1) for detecting a defect (2) of a pipeline wall (3), having: at least one transmitter unit (4) which is configured to emit ultrasound in the direction of a pipeline wall (3) and detect an ultrasound echo reflected by the pipeline wall (3); and a control unit (5) which is connected to the at least one transmitter unit (4) for signaling purposes and which is configured to detect a defect (2) of the pipeline wall (3) using a present change in he ultrasound echo. The invention additionally relates to an in-line inspection device comprising the sensor system (1), to a method for detecting a defect (2) in a pipeline wall (3), to a computer program, to a data carrier signal, and to a data storage unit.

An ultrasonic penetrometer may include an enclosure, an ultrasonic sensor, and a rod. The enclosure may include a channel having a first end and a second end. The ultrasonic sensor may be provided at the first end of the channel and may be configured to generate an ultrasound signal through the second end of the channel. An output from the ultrasound sensor may be used to determine a thickness or stiffness of sediment. The rod may have a proximal end facing the ultrasonic sensor and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The rod may be configured to move relative to the enclosure. The distal end may be configured to contact the sediment. The enclosure may be configured to be fluid-tight relative to an exterior of the enclosure such that the generated ultrasound signal travels in a single medium.

A method and device for processing ultrasonic data from an industrial inspection device. Ultrasonic reflections from a high-resolution phased array are sampled at high-frequency to create a large volume of data. The data are converted to I/Q data and compressed to a manageable size. An external computer can beamform and render an image without restoring the compressed data to raw form. This method may be used for in-line inspection, downhole inspection, or ultrasonic testing.

The present invention relates to a sensor module for detecting unevenness of a surface, especially for detecting bulging and bowing of the pipe external surface. The sensor module comprises an arm assembly comprising an arm body having at least two ends, one or more surface contacting element mounted to at least one end of the arm body; a magnet assembly comprising at least one magnet to generate magnetic lines of force; and a magnetic sensor assembly comprising a magnetic sensor being assembled adjacent to the magnet for sensing changes in the magnetic lines of force in response to movement of the arm body. The invention also relates to an apparatus comprising the said sensor module and a method for detecting unevenness of a surface using the said sensor module.

Provided herein are a pipeline inspection system for effectively managing a pipeline by inspecting a state of the pipeline while moving along the pipeline. Moreover, the pipeline inspection system and the maintenance method using the same can improve scale removal efficiency by removing scale accumulated on the inner wall of the pipeline with ultrasonic vibrations, and prevent water leakage due to the corrosion of the inner wall of the pipeline.

A system for inspecting flexible pipelines comprises a data analyzer, a data collector and an ultrasonic transducer. Further, the ultrasonic transducer is adapted to propagate shear wave into the annulus of the flexible pipeline. The data collector further comprises a data store and a communicator. Further, the system is capable of differentiating flooding and non-flooding condition of the annulus of the flexible pipeline which is subjected to high pressure. Using the system, an indicator of a flooded or non-flooded condition within the flexible pipeline may be calculated using transmitted and detected reflective waves or the lack of detected reflective waves.

An ultrasonic testing probe operable to perform an ultrasonic inspection on a workpiece, the workpiece having an interior region. The testing probe comprises a support; an ultrasonic testing element that is structured to generate an ultrasonic output that is directed toward the workpiece and to receive an ultrasonic input from the workpiece that is responsive to the ultrasonic output, the ultrasonic testing element being movably situated on the support; a motor apparatus structured to be electrically connected with a control apparatus, the motor apparatus comprising a motor that is connected with the ultrasonic testing element and is structured to rotate the ultrasonic testing element with respect to the support; and a bladder that is structured to be movable between an initial state and an expanded state, the expanded bladder structured to be engaged with the workpiece within the interior region and to center the support in the interior region.

A method for detecting faults in plates includes the steps of: transmitting an acoustic signal towards the plate from a transmitting transducer, and receiving the acoustical signal from the plate in a receiving transducer. The receiving transducer is mounted at a distance from the transmitting transducer. The method includes the further steps of identifying zones of the plate wherein energy levels of the received signals are attenuated compared to other zones of the plate, and comparing the energy levels of the A.sub.2 and S.sub.3 guided Lamb modes in the received signals in the identified zones.

A scanning device is provided. The scanning device includes a frame having a first portion and a second portion pivotably coupled to the first frame portion. The scanning device also includes a couplant source disposed in the first frame portion along with a couplant assembly. The couplant assembly includes a first couplant line disposed completely within the first frame portion and the second frame portion. The couplant assembly also includes a second couplant line extending from the first couplant line and out of the second frame portion at a first end of the second couplant line. The couplant assembly has a couplant line branch extending from the second couplant line where a sensor assembly of the ultrasound scanning device couples with the couplant line branch at an end opposite the second end of the second couplant line.

A device for examining the interior of a pipe using multi-element ultrasound technology, finding application in the detection of defects in the wall of a tubular pipe or the verification of the characteristics of the wall of a tubular pipe is disclosed. The device is designed to be placed inside a fluid transport pipe and to move under the action of the transported fluid, to detect defects in, or check characteristics of, the wall of the pipe. The device has a circumference and comprises a plurality of ultrasonic sensors distributed over its circumference and each formed by a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of reception antennas. The device also includes an electronic controller configured to control each sensor and to receive and record the information measured by the sensors.