Test apparatus and instrumented conduit for use with same

A test apparatus comprising:

• (a) a first conduit extending along a conduit axis and having a first sidewall with a first inner surface and an opposing first outer surface spaced apart from the first inner surface in a radial direction;
• (b) a second conduit disposed within the first conduit and comprising a second sidewall with a second inner surface and an opposed second outer surface radially spaced apart from and facing the first inner surface;
• (c) a heater disposed within the second conduit;
• (d) at least a first cavity disposed in the second sidewall, the first cavity comprises an inner cavity surface comprising a first base surface portion and an opposing first cover surface portion disposed radially between the base surface portion and the first inner surface so that a first portion of the second sidewall is provided radially between the first cover surface portion and the heater;
• (e) a first aperture in the second inner surface, the first aperture being in communication with the first cavity and being axially spaced apart from the first cover surface portion;
• and a first sensor having a transducer portion insertable through the first aperture and positioned within the first cavity, the transducer portion being disposed radially between the first base surface portion and the first cover surface portion and being axially spaced apart from the first aperture whereby the first portion of the sidewall shields the transducer from heat radiating from the heater.

A method of making an instrumented elongate conduit, the method comprising:

• (a) axially inserting a tool into an interior of an elongate conduit, the tool comprising a boring tool;
• (b) forming a bore in a sidewall of the conduit using the a boring tool, the bore extending from an aperture in an inner surface of the sidewall to a closed end within the sidewall and comprising a cavity that is axially spaced apart from aperture and comprises an inner cavity surface that has a base surface portion and a cover surface portion positioned radially between the base surface portion and the inner surface of the conduit;
• (c) inserting a transducer portion of a sensor through the aperture and into the cavity;
• (d) positioning the transducer portion within the cavity to be radially between the base surface portion and the cover surface whereby a portion of the sidewall is disposed radially between the transducer portion and the inner surface.