Method and apparatus for displaying defects in tubular members on a two-dimensional map in a variety of display modes

A method for mapping defects in a tubular member having a longitudinal central axis, said defects including a first subset of long defects having a length above a predetermined length value, a second subset of short defects having a length below a predetermined shortness value, and a third subset of angular defects out of axial alignment with said longitudinal central axis by a predetermined angular value, comprising the steps of:

• generating a first signal corresponding to each of said defects;
• generating a second signal corresponding to the longitudinal position of each of said defects;
• generating a third signal corresponding to the circumferential position of each of said defects;
• correlating said first signal with said second signal and said third signal to obtain defect data, said defect data including the longitudinal position and circumferential position of each of said defects;
• and
• selectively displaying the presence of said defect as at least one indication on a two-dimensional map having a first axis corresponding to the longitudinal central axis of said tubular member and a second axis corresponding to the circumference of said tubular member in the following alternative modes;
• a long defect mode in which only said first subset of long defects having a length above said predetermined length value are emphasized on said two-dimensional map and all other defect types are not emphasized;
• a short defect mode in which only said second subset of short defects having a length below said predetermined shortness value are emphasized on said two-dimensional map and all other defect types are not emphasized;
• an angle defect mode in which only said third subset of angular defects out of axial alignment with said longitudinal central axis by said predetermined angular value are emphasized on said two-dimensional map and all other defect types are not emphasized;
• a full defect mode in which said first subset of long defects, said second subset of short defects, and said third subset of angular defects are simultaneously displayed on said two-dimensional map.

An apparatus for mapping a plurality of defects of differing shapes, lengths, and angular orientations in a tubular member having a plurality of discrete segments, comprising:

• means for generating at least one defect signal representing a defect in at least one discrete segment of said tubular member, for each of said plurality of defects, each of said at least one defect signal having an amplitude value;
• means for generating a longitudinal signal indicating the longitudinal position of said at least one discrete segment of said tubular member;
• means for generating a circumferential signal indicating the circumferential position of said at least one discrete segment of said tubular member;
• means for correlating said defect, longitudinal, and circumferential signals to obtain defect data, said defect data including the longitudinal position and circumferential position of said defects in said at least one discrete segment of said tubular member;
• and
• display means for selectively displaying said defect data on a two-dimensional map independently of said amplitude value of each of said at least one defect signal, said map including:
• a first axis corresponding to the length of said tubular member;
• a second axis corresponding to the circumference of said tubular member;
• wherein the relative number and position of said at least one defect signal with respect to said first and second axes indicate the location, shape, length and angular orientation of each of said plurality of defects relative to said tubular member and relative to others of said plurality of defects, all without regard to said amplitude value of each of said at least one defect signal.

A method of mapping a plurality of defects, said plurality of defects being classified into a plurality of differing types of defects, including defects of differing shapes, lengths, and angular orientations, in a tubular member having a plurality of discrete solid segments, the sum of which comprise the entire solid volume of said tubular member, comprising the steps of:

• generating at least one defect signal representing a defect in at least one discrete solid segment of said tubular member for each of said plurality of defects, each of said at least one defect signal having an amplitude value;
• generating a longitudinal signal indicating the longitudinal position of said at least one discrete solid segment of said tubular member;
• generating a circumferential signal indicating the circumferential position of said at least one discrete solid segment of said tubular member;
• correlating said defect, longitudinal, and circumferential signals to obtain defect data, said defect data including the longitudinal position and circumferential position of said defect in said at least one discrete solid segment of said tubular member;
• selectively displaying the presence of a selected one of said plurality of said differing types of defects as a plurality of indications in a two-dimensional map, said map including:
• a first axis corresponding to the length of said tubular member;
• a second axis corresponding to the circumference of said tubular member.