X-ray imaging system for pipe weld

An x-ray imaging system for generating images of a pipe weld from which weld quality defects may be detected, the system comprising:

• an x-ray emitter for emitting a beam of x-ray photons in a projection pattern;
• a first photon detector for sensing a first detection pattern of photons emitted from the x-ray emitter and passing through a portion of the weld;
• a second photon detector for sensing a second detection pattern of photons emitted from the x-ray emitter and passing through the portion of the weld;
• an orbital travel assembly for supporting the x-ray emitter and the first and second photon detectors as they travel along an orbital weld path of the weld at least partly around the pipe in a direction of travel;
• wherein the second photon detector is positioned behind the first photon detector in the direction of travel along the orbital weld path, such that the second photon detector is configured to sense the second detection pattern after the first photon sensor detects the first detection pattern,
• wherein the x-ray imaging system further comprise a memory device configured to receive and record data representing the first detection pattern of photons and data representing the second detection pattern of photons, and
• wherein the x-ray imaging system is configured such that the data representing the first detection pattern of photons is projected onto a visual display and the data representing the second detection pattern of photons is simultaneously also projected onto the visual display to superimpose the first and second detection patterns.

A method of generating an x-ray image of a pipe weld for detecting a defect in the weld by inspection of the x-ray image, including the steps of:

• providing an x-ray photon emitter;
• providing a first photon detector for sensing a first detection pattern of photons projected from the x-ray photon emitter;
• providing a second photon detector for sensing a second detection pattern of photons projected from the x-ray photon emitter;
• causing the first and second photon detectors to travel along an orbital weld path of the weld at least partly around the pipe in a direction of travel;
• projecting photons from the x-ray photon emitter through a portion of the weld and onto the first photon detector to sense the first detection pattern and to generate data representing the first detection pattern;
• after detecting the first detection pattern, projecting photons from the x-ray photon emitter through the portion of the weld and onto the second photon detector to sense the second detection pattern and to generate data representing the second detection pattern;
• and
• superimposing the first and second detection patterns onto each other and adjusting the two patterns for offset so that the first detection pattern is synced with the second detection pattern.

An x-ray imaging system for generating images of a pipe weld from which weld quality defects may be detected, the system comprising:

• an x-ray emitter for emitting a beam of x-ray photons in a projection pattern;
• a photon detector for sensing a first detection pattern of photons emitted from the x-ray emitter and passing through a portion the weld;
• an orbital travel assembly for supporting the x-ray emitter and the photon detector as they travel along an orbital weld path of the weld at least partly around the pipe in a direction of travel;
• an image processing computer;
• wherein the photon detector is configured to sense the first detection pattern of photons passing through the portion of the weld and the image processing computer is configured to store data associated with the first detection pattern;
• wherein the image processing computer is configured to process data from the first detection pattern and a geometry of the relative positions of the portion of the weld and the photon detector to generate a second detection pattern;
• and
• wherein the second detection pattern is associated with a location of a portion of the weld in a direction of thickness of the pipe that is a distance from an outer surface of the pipe.