US 5,043,663 A · Method and apparatus for detecting angular defects in a tubular member

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining the extent of defects in tubular elements for use in an oil or gas well is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic or other suitable inspection device, cooperating with longitudinal and circumferential position detectors for determining the position and configuration of all defects within a tubular member. Signal generating means are provided for producing signals corresponding to the configuration, longitudinal position, and circumferential position of the defects located within the wall of the tubular member. The signals are processed, preferably by a computer, so that the presence, nature, and precise location of each defect is determined and visually displayed at a suitable display means. Display means are provided for generating a two-dimensional visual display wherein the circumferential and longitudinal positions of the defects are selectably displayed.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A method of determining the angular orientation of a defect in a tubular member having a longitudinal axis comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor means for detecting defects in said tubular member;
moving said sensor means and said tubular member relative to one another along said longitudinal axis by moving at least one of said sensor means and said tubular member;
detecting, with said sensor means, the presence of a plurality of discrete points on said defect;
comparing said discrete points to a common frame of reference, thus establishing the relative position of each of said discrete points with respect to the remainder of said plurality of discrete points;
correlating said relative position of each of said discrete points with the longitudinal orientation of said tubular member;
and
determining the angular orientation of said plurality of discrete points with respect to said longitudinal axis of said tubular member.

4 more elements

An apparatus for determining the angular orientation of a defect in a tubular member defining a cylindrical circumferential surface, and having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

sensor means for detecting the presence of a plurality of discrete points on said defect;
means cooperating with said sensor means for generating at least one signal indicative of said plurality of discrete points;
means for processing said at least one signal to determine the relative position of each of said plurality of discrete points with respect to said longitudinal axis of said tubular member, and for determining the angular orientation of said defect with respect to said longitudinal axis;
and
a display means, composed of a plurality of discrete points arranged in orthogonal horizontal and vertical relationship to one another, including a first axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member and a second axis corresponding to said circumferential surface, for displaying said defect, including said angular orientation of said defect.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for detecting angular defects in a tubular member

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for detecting angular defects in a tubular member

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8