US4164150A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for inspecting tubes or pipes by means for ultrasonics
Assignee: Vodafone GmbH
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Filing: 1977-06-03
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Granted: 1979-08-14
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Expires: 1997-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of water tanks hold a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, each providing a different angle of incidence for ultrasonic radiation for a tube or pipe passing through the tank. Water of a specific temperature is fed to the particular tank being used and in conjunction with a particularly oriented transducer, a particular test angle of refraction is established. Through a particular range of different transducer orientations in conjunction with a temperature range from about 5° to 40° C., a rather wide range of possible refraction angles can be established.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Ries
- 👤 Kurt Hannoschock
- 👤 Gunter Simoneit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/24; G01N29/2487; G01N29/30; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/35; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/04; G01N2291/042; G01N2291/0422
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
In a system for ultrasonic inspection of tubes or pipes using transducer means for providing ultrasonic radiation through a fluid coupler medium towards the surface of a pipe or tube to be refracted at the surface upon entering material of the tube or pipe under a particular test angle of refraction, comprising: the transducer means being a plurality of transducers having different orientations to an axial plane normal through the surface of a pipe so that radiation launched by the transducers of the plurality have different angles of incidence upon the surface; tank means in which said transducers are disposed and holding said coupler medium for establishing a refracting interface for ultrasonic radiation with the pipe as directed by the transducers at said orientations; and means for providing coupler fluid to said tank means at adjustable temperatures, so that for each of said transducers and for a similar range of adjustable temperatures, different ranges for the set of refraction result in the pipe, only one transducer of the plurality being used for a particular pipe of particular dimensions to obtain a particular test angle of refraction in one of said ranges of angles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a system for ultrasonic inspection of tubes or pipes using transducer means for providing ultrasonic radiation through a fluid coupler medium towards the surface of a pipe or tube to be refracted at the surface upon entering material of the tube or pipe under a particular test angle of refraction, comprising: the transducer means being a plurality of transducers having different orientations to an axial plane normal through the surface of a pipe so that radiation launched by the transducers of the plurality have different angles of incidence upon the surface; tank means in which said transducers are disposed and holding said coupler medium for establishing a refracting interface for ultrasonic radiation with the pipe as directed by the transducers at said orientations; and means for providing coupler fluid to said tank means at adjustable temperatures, so that for each of said transducers and for a similar range of adjustable temperatures, different ranges for the set of refraction result in the pipe, only one transducer of the plurality being used for a particular pipe of particular dimensions to obtain a particular test angle of refraction in one of said ranges of angles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a system as in claim 1, wherein said means for providing coupler fluid includes a first source for hot water, a second source for cold water, a mixing tank for connection to said first and second sources, and means for connecting the mixing tank to the tank means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a system as in claim 2, wherein the transducers of the plurality in the different orientations establish angle of incidences which differ by less than 2°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a system as in claim 1, said tank means including a plurality of individual tanks, each holding at least one transducer; the system including means for positioning at least one tank of the plurality in a particular position to the pipe being tested.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a system as in claim 1, wherein said means for providing coupler fluid includes means for establishing a coupler fluid temperature from about 5° C. to about 40° C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-08-13 | 1983-02-12 | 1983-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-08-13 | 1987-02-12 | 1987-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-08-13 | 1991-02-12 | 1991-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |