Method and apparatus for ultrasonic testing of tubes and rods

Claim 2

Method of continuous testing of rods or pipes, progressively in axial direction and by means of ultrasonic pulses to be received for detection of defects, comprising the steps of, using a plurality of at least three test units arranged in a plane transverse to said axis and in angularly spaced apart relation to each other; rotating the units on the axis relative to the pipe or rod to be tested; providing for axial movement as between the pipe or rod and the units for progressively testing the pipe or rod; and sequencing the units so that each unit alternates between transmission of ultrasonic energy and responsiveness for receiving such energy, a unit of the plurality operating for receiving being spaced apart from a unit operating for transmission in angular direction corresponding to the direction of transmission into the rod or pipe to be tested.

Claim 3

Method as in claim 1, wherein the units of the plurality are operated as transmitters in a sequence corresponding to an order of arrangements of the units about said axis.

Claim 4

Method as in claim 1, wherein a unit of the plurality operated for receiving is disposed angularly next to a unit operated for transmitting in the same instant.

Claim 5

Method as in claim 1, wherein the plurality includes more than three units, the units operated in groups, one unit of a group being operated as transmitTer, another unit of the group being operated as receiver, the formation of groups progressing angularly about the axis by operation of the alternation between transmission and receiving of each unit.

Claim 6

In an apparatus for continuous testing of rods or pipes progressively in axial direction and by means of ultrasonic pulses to be received for detection of defects, the improvement comprising a plurality of at least three transmitter-receiver units arranged in a plane transverse to said axis and angularly arranged in spaced apart relation to each other, and means for supporting the units of the plurality and for rotating on the axis relative to the pipe or rod to be tested, there being axial movement between the pipe or rod and the unnits as disposed for rotation; means for sequencing the units so that each unit alternates between transmission of ultrasonic energy and responsiveness for receiving such energy, a unit of the plurality operating for receiving being spaced apart in angular direction from a unit of the plurality operating for transmission, the angular direction corresponding to the direction of transmission into the pipe or rod to be tested.

Claim 7

In an apparatus for continuous testing of rods or pipes progressively in axial direction and by means of ultrasonic pulses to be received for detection of defects, the improvement comprising a plurality of at least three transmitter-receiver units arranged in a plane transverse to said axis and angularly arranged in spaced apart relation to each other, and means for supporting the units of the plurality and for rotating on the axis relative to the pipe or rod to be tested, there being axial movement between the pipe or rod and the unnits as disposed for rotation; means for sequencing the units so that each unit alternates between transmission of ultrasonic energy and responsiveness for receiving such energy, a unit of the plurality operating for receiving being spaced apart in angular direction from a unit of the plurality operating for transmission, the angular direction corresponding to the direction of transmission into the pipe or rod to be tested.

Claim 8

Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the means for supporting is a ring rotating on the axis.

Claim 9

Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein each unit is mounted on the means for supporting so that the direction of transmission is at an angle to a radial direction on the axis, corresponding to said angular direction, said angle being similar for all units of the plurality.

Claim 10

Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the means for sequencing operates whereby half of the units operate for transmission, the other half operates for receiving, the units alternating between transmitting and receiving accordingly.