A method of forming parts uses a forming tool having a forming surface, and an ultrasonic transducer array on the forming surface.

Disclosed is a method for determining a whole macro-micro process of rock deformation and failure based on a four-parameter test, including following steps: firstly, obtaining acoustic emission data and deformation data of a sample in a compression test, and then calculating the deformation data according to a finite deformation theory to obtain a mean rotation angle θ at each stress level; using Grassberger-Procaccia (G-P) algorithm to calculate the acoustic emission data, and obtaining a fractal dimension of a temporal distribution D.sub.T of an acoustic emission signal and calculating a fractal dimension of a spatial distribution D.sub.S; obtaining a microscopic morphology of a fracture surface by scanning electron microscope (SEM) test after the compression test, and calculating a fractal dimension D.sub.A of the fracture surface; finally, obtaining a mathematical trend relationship between θ and D.sub.T, D.sub.S and D.sub.A according to a comprehensive analysis of D.sub.T, D.sub.S, D.sub.A and θ.

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 inspection apparatus inspects a pressure vessel using laser ultrasound. The apparatus includes an oscillation device that oscillates an excitation laser for exciting the pressure vessel and a conduit to guide the excitation laser oscillated from the oscillation device to inside the pressure vessel. The conduit is inserted into the pressure vessel with one conduit end located inside the pressure vessel and an opposite end located outside the pressure vessel. The apparatus includes a reflector at one conduit end inside the pressure vessel to reflect the excitation laser guided by the conduit and a detector that detects ultrasonic waves generated in the pressure vessel by the excitation laser reflected by the reflector by oscillating a receiving laser from outside of the pressure vessel. At least the conduit, reflector, or detector moves to correct an optical path of the excitation laser or the receiving laser.

A system and method of predicting impending failure of a pressure vessel include a pressure vessel, a fluid source, a line coupled to the pressure vessel and to the fluid source, an apparatus, a sensor and a controller. The apparatus includes a conduit and a containment structure. The containment structure includes a cavity separated from an interior of the conduit by a portion of a conduit wall of the conduit. The sensor is configured to determine a value of a physical property in the cavity. The controller is in signal communication with the sensor and configured to detect a change in the value. The method includes determining a first value of a physical property in the cavity, experiencing a failure of the conduit wall, determining a second value of the physical property in the cavity, and detecting a difference between the first and second values.

Provided in some embodiments are systems and methods for preparing oriented samples of a laminated rock having different lamination orientations, for each of different stress-levels, transmitting an acoustic pulse through each oriented sample while tri-axially compressing the oriented sample at the stress-level to generate test data indicative of acoustic velocities through the laminated rock at different combinations of lamination orientations and stress levels, determining acoustic velocities through the laminated rock at the different combinations of lamination orientations and stress levels based on the test data, generating a rock model for the laminated rock based on the acoustic velocities, and determining a property of a second laminated rock (e.g., total organic carbon (TOC) content) based on the rock model for the laminated rock.

A system for determining the position of a piston in a subsea accumulator, comprising: a sensor module comprising: a housing; an ultrasonic transducer facing the piston and configured to transmit an ultrasonic pulse through a fluid medium toward a surface of the piston; a pressure sensor configured to; and a temperature sensor; a control connector coupled to the sensor module capable of providing hardware and software functions to measure transit time of the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transducer to the surface of the piston, comprising electronics for controlling the ultrasonic transducer, pressure sensor and temperature sensor; wherein the transit times of the ultrasonic signals across the fluid medium are measured and combined with a computed velocity of sound as a function of temperature/pressure to determine the distance between the ultrasonic transducer and the surface of the piston.

Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.

A method for testing solid acid hydrolysis in a formation. The method includes introducing a test sample into a test cell, where the test sample includes an upper structure, a lower structure, and a solid acid disposed between the upper and lower structures. The pressure and temperature of the test cell are increased to simulate downhole conditions. A velocity of an acoustic p-wave and/or acoustic s-wave is through the test sample is measured while the temperature is increasing from an initial temperature to a final temperature. A temperature of onset of solid acid hydrolysis based on the measured velocity is determined.

An ultrasonic probe assembly includes an ultrasonic probe having a housing, an ultrasonic sensor, at least one magnet, and rotatable joint portions. The housing extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends and includes a base surface. The sensor is secured adjacent a housing base surface configured to emit ultrasonic signals and receive ultrasonic echoes reflected from a target. The magnet is secured within the housing and configured to apply a magnetic force urging the base surface into contact with a surface of the target. The magnetic force frictionally maintains the housing at a stationary position with respect to the target surface. A first rotatable joint portion is positioned on a first lateral side of the housing. A second rotatable joint portion is positioned on a second lateral side of the housing, opposite the first lateral side.