US 2021/0010951 A1 · System and Method for Inspecting Fused Plastic Pipes

Abstract

A method and apparatus for testing a fuse between two plastic pipes without destroying the fuse is performed in the field. The method and apparatus include a source of X-ray radiation and a scanning plate that has pixels that change state when exposed to this radiation. The source of the X-ray radiation is positioned on one side of the fuse and the scanning plate is positioned on another side so that the x-ray radiation passes through the fuse. The x-ray image from the scanning plate makes visible internal voids, weak fuses, and evidence of movement after the plastic of the fitting/pipes melted and flowed together. With such, the quality of the fitting is evident without cutting or otherwise destroying the fitting and, therefore, only weak or otherwise compromised fittings need be cut and redone.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for non-destructive testing of a fuse between two plastic pipes, the apparatus comprising:

a source of radiation selectively operated to emit an x-ray radiation;
a scanning plate for receiving the x-ray radiation;
a scanner, the scanner operatively coupled to a computer;
a display operatively coupled to the computer;
whereas the source of radiation is positioned on one side of the fuse between the two plastic pipes and the scanning plate receives the x-ray radiation that passes through the fuse while the source of radiation is selectively operated to emit the x-ray radiation;
and
whereas after the source of radiation is discontinued, the scanning plate is moved to the scanner and scanned into an x-ray image by the scanner for storage by the computer and for display on the display.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and Method for Inspecting Fused Plastic Pipes

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System and Method for Inspecting Fused Plastic Pipes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20