US 12,422,412 B2Granted

Method for assessing level of inclusions in steel tubes using high frequency transducer in the automatic ultrasound inspection

AssigneeVallourec Tubos Do Brasil Ltda.

InventorsAmarildo Jose Ferreira, Edson Jose Eufrásio, Fabricio Araujo Torres

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Abstract

The present invention refers to a method for assessing the level of inclusions in steel tubes using high frequency transducer (2) in the automatic ultrasound inspection, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: transporting a tube (1) through a bed (10) to an acoustic coupling unit (3); coupling the acoustic coupling unit (3) with the tube (1) through a radial movement (16) of transducer approximation (2) regarding the tube external surface (1); detecting inclusions information in at least one sweep region (11) along the length of the tube (1); sending the inclusions information to a sonic emitting and receiving unit (9); determining an inclusions index for the tube (1) or specific region; continuing the tube transportation (1) in an inspection line; and giving continuity to the inspection cycle with the next tube (1) in the production flow.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method for assessing a level of inclusions in steel tubes during a production flow using a high frequency transducer in an automatic ultrasonic inspection, the method comprising:

(a) transporting a tube through a bed to an acoustic coupling unit in an inspection line of the production flow, wherein at least one ultrasonic transducer outputting a sonic beam is arranged in the acoustic coupling unit;
(b) coupling the acoustic coupling unit with the tube through a radial movement approximating the transducer in relation to an external surface of the tube;
(c) detecting inclusions information in at least one sweep region along a length of the tube;
(d) sending the inclusions information to a sonic emitting and receiving unit;
(e) determining an inclusions index for the tube or specific region, wherein the sonic emitting and receiving unit determines the inclusions index through the relation of a sum of sonic pulses with signals above a monitoring threshold of inclusions indications by summing the total sonic pulses emitted in the tested length based on the formula:
FI
[
%
]
=
100
×
[
A
×
N
Ind
.
N
Pulsos
]
wherein:
FI=Impurity factor (Index of inclusions);
NPulses=Total amount of pulses emitted in the volume tested;
NInd=Amount of signals with amplitudes above the monitoring threshold;
and
A=Multiplier factor for signals with amplitudes above the monitoring threshold;
(f) continuing the transportation of the tube in the inspection line of the production flow;
and
(g) successively conducting steps (a) to (f) with subsequent tubes in the production flow,
wherein a test sensitivity for the inclusions index is defined using artificial reflectors machined in an internal surface of the tube, and
wherein artificial reflectors are also machined in a reference tube having substantially similar nominal dimensions of the tube and substantially similar acoustic characteristics of a material to be tested of the tube, for comparison to the artificial reflectors machined in the internal surface of the tube.

29 more elements

A method for assessing a level of inclusions in steel tubes during a production flow using a high frequency transducer in an automatic ultrasonic inspection, comprising:

(a) transporting a tube through a bed to an acoustic coupling unit, wherein at least one ultrasonic transducer outputting a sonic beam is arranged in the acoustic coupling unit;
(b) coupling the acoustic coupling unit with the tube through a radial movement approximating the transducer in relation to an external surface of the tube;
(c) detecting inclusions information in at least one sweep region along a length of the tube;
(d) sending the inclusions information to a sonic emitting and receiving unit;
(e) determining an inclusions index for the tube or specific region, wherein the sonic emitting and receiving unit determines the inclusions index for the tube based on amplitudes of signals of inclusions with amplitudes above a monitoring threshold, and wherein the sonic emitting and receiving unit determines the inclusions index through the relation of a sum of sonic pulses with signals above a monitoring threshold of inclusions indications by summing the total sonic pulses emitted in the tested length based on the formula:
FI
[
%
]
=
100
×
[
A
×
N
Ind
N
Puιlses
]
wherein:
FI=Impurity factor (Index of inclusions);
NPulses=Total amount of pulses emitted in the volume tested;
NInd=Amount of signals with amplitudes above the monitoring threshold;
and
A=Multiplier factor for signals with amplitudes above the monitoring threshold;
(f) continuing the transportation of the tube in an inspection line;
and
(g) successively conducting steps (a) to (f) with subsequent tubes in the production flow,
wherein a test sensitivity for the inclusions index is defined using artificial reflectors machined in an internal surface of the tube, and
wherein artificial reflectors are also machined in a reference tube having substantially similar nominal dimensions of the tube and substantially similar acoustic characteristics of a material to be tested of the tube, for comparison to the artificial reflectors machined in the internal surface of the tube.

28 more elements

A method for assessing a level of inclusions in steel tubes during a production flow using a high frequency transducer in an automatic ultrasonic inspection, comprising:

(a) transporting a tube through a bed to an acoustic coupling unit, wherein at least one ultrasonic transducer outputting a sonic beam is arranged in the acoustic coupling unit;
(b) coupling the acoustic coupling unit with the tube through a radial movement approximating the transducer in relation to an external surface of the tube;
(c) detecting inclusions information in at least one sweep region along a length of the tube, wherein the detection of inclusions information is performed by outputting a sonic beam by the at least one ultrasonic transducer, and wherein the inclusions information is defined by a number of sonic pulses with signals with amplitudes above a monitoring threshold of inclusions;
(d) sending the inclusions information to a sonic emitting and receiving unit;
(e) determining an inclusions index for the tube or specific region, wherein the sonic emitting and receiving unit determines the inclusions index through the relation of a sum of sonic pulses with signals above a monitoring threshold of inclusions indications by summing the total sonic pulses emitted in the tested length based on the formula:
FI
[
%
]
=
100
×
[
A
×
N
Ind
N
Puιlses
]
wherein:
FI=Impurity factor (Index of inclusions);
NPulses=Total amount of pulses emitted in the volume tested;
NInd=Amount of signals with amplitudes above the monitoring threshold;
and
A=Multiplier factor for signals with amplitudes above the monitoring threshold;
(f) continuing the transportation of the tube in an inspection line;
and
(g) successively conducting steps (a) to (f) with subsequent tubes in the production flow,
wherein a test sensitivity for the inclusions index is defined using artificial reflectors machined in an internal surface of the tube, and
wherein artificial reflectors are also machined in a reference tube having substantially similar nominal dimensions of the tube and substantially similar acoustic characteristics of a material to be tested of the tube, for comparison to the artificial reflectors machined in the internal surface of the tube.

28 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/263,018Filed 18 Jul 2019
Priority: BR 102018015331-526 Jul 2018
Published: US 2021/0172911 A110 Jun 2021
Granted: 23 Sep 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

G01N 29/275
Arrangements for orientation or scanning by relative movement of the head and the sensor: by moving both the sensor and the material
G01N 29/043
Analysing solids: in the interior, e.g. by shear waves
G01N 29/11
Analysing solids: by measuring attenuation of acoustic waves
G01N 29/225
Details , e.g. general constructional or apparatus details: supports, positioning or alignment in moving situation