Patent US5043663A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5043663A
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Method and apparatus for detecting angular defects in a tubular member
Assignee: Varco LP
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Filing: 1990-05-10
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Granted: 1991-08-27
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Expires: 2010-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for determining the extent of defects in tubular elements for use in an oil or gas well is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic or other suitable inspection device, cooperating with longitudinal and circumferential position detectors for determining the position and configuration of all defects within a tubular member. Signal generating means are provided for producing signals corresponding to the configuration, longitudinal position, and circumferential position of the defects located within the wall of the tubular member. The signals are processed, preferably by a computer, so that the presence, nature, and precise location of each defect is determined and visually displayed at a suitable display means. Display means are provided for generating a two-dimensional visual display wherein the circumferential and longitudinal positions of the defects are selectably displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Clive C. Lam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/72; G01N27/82; G01N27/90; G01N27/9013; G01N27/902; G01N27/9073; G01N27/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of determining the angular orientation of a defect in a tubular member having a longitudinal axis comprising the steps of: providing a sensor means for detecting defects in said tubular member; moving said sensor means and said tubular member relative to one another along said longitudinal axis by moving at least one of said sensor means and said tubular member; detecting, with said sensor means, the presence of a plurality of discrete points on said defect; comparing said discrete points to a common frame of reference, thus establishing the relative position of each of said discrete points with respect to the remainder of said plurality of discrete points; correlating said relative position of each of said discrete points with the longitudinal orientation of said tubular member; and determining the angular orientation of said plurality of discrete points with respect to said longitudinal axis of said tubular member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of determining the angular orientation of a defect in a tubular member having a longitudinal axis comprising the steps of: providing a sensor means for detecting defects in said tubular member; moving said sensor means and said tubular member relative to one another along said longitudinal axis by moving at least one of said sensor means and said tubular member; detecting, with said sensor means, the presence of a plurality of discrete points on said defect; comparing said discrete points to a common frame of reference, thus establishing the relative position of each of said discrete points with respect to the remainder of said plurality of discrete points; correlating said relative position of each of said discrete points with the longitudinal orientation of said tubular member; and determining the angular orientation of said plurality of discrete points with respect to said longitudinal axis of said tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying at a display means said angular orientation of said plurality of discrete points.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of detecting the presence of a plurality of discrete points on said defect comprises: generating a plurality of signals indicative of said plurality of discrete points, wherein each of said discrete points is represented by one corresponding signal; and processing said signals to establish the position of each of said discrete points indicated by each of said signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said step of comparing said discrete points to a common frame of reference comprises: establishing the point in time at which each of said signals indicates the presence of a corresponding discrete point; measuring the time lag separating the detection of each adjacent discrete point on said defect; and applying said time lag to calculate the relative position of each of said adjacent discrete points.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating a time signal, wherein said step of detecting the presence of a plurality of discrete points on said defect comprises: generating a first signal indicative of a first discrete point; generating a second signal indicative of a second discrete point; and said step of comparing said discrete points to a common frame of reference comprises calculating the time lag between said first and second signals.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for determining the angular orientation of a defect in a tubular member defining a cylindrical circumferential surface, and having a longitudinal axis, comprising: sensor means for detecting the presence of a plurality of discrete points on said defect; means cooperating with said sensor means for generating at least one signal indicative of said plurality of discrete points; means for processing said at least one signal to determine the relative position of each of said plurality of discrete points with respect to said longitudinal axis of said tubular member, and for determining the angular orientation of said defect with respect to said longitudinal axis; and a display means, composed of a plurality of discrete points arranged in orthogonal horizontal and vertical relationship to one another, including a first axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member and a second axis corresponding to said circumferential surface, for displaying said defect, including said angular orientation of said defect.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for determining the angular orientation of a defect in a tubular member defining a cylindrical circumferential surface, and having a longitudinal axis, comprising: sensor means for detecting the presence of a plurality of discrete points on said defect; means cooperating with said sensor means for generating at least one signal indicative of said plurality of discrete points; means for processing said at least one signal to determine the relative position of each of said plurality of discrete points with respect to said longitudinal axis of said tubular member, and for determining the angular orientation of said defect with respect to said longitudinal axis; and a display means, composed of a plurality of discrete points arranged in orthogonal horizontal and vertical relationship to one another, including a first axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member and a second axis corresponding to said circumferential surface, for displaying said defect, including said angular orientation of said defect.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising clock means for generating a time signal, wherein: said processing means comprise a computer for receiving and correlating said time signal and said at least one signal indicative of said plurality of discrete points, wherein said relative position of each of said plurality of discrete points is determined by establishing the time lag within said at least one signal indicative of adjacent discrete points and applying said time lag to calculate the longitudinal and circumferential spacing between said adjacent discrete points.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising clock means for generating a time signal, wherein: said sensor means comprises at least one first sensor for detecting the position of a first discrete point, and at least one second sensor for detecting the position of a second discrete point, and said signal generating means comprises a first means for generating a first signal indicative of said first discrete point, and second means for generating a second signal indicative of said second discrete point; wherein said prpcessing means measures the time lag between said first and second signals, thus determining the relative positions of said first and second discrete points with respect to said longitudinal axis.
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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) | 1994-08-26 | 1995-02-25 | 1995-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-26 | 1999-02-25 | 1999-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-26 | 2003-02-25 | 2003-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |