Ultrasonic detection of flaws in tubular members

A method for ultrasonically inspecting a tubular member, comprising

• transmitting sonic beams through the tubular member with at least one transducer so that sonic beams are reflected from an inner surface of the tubular member, from an outer surface of the tubular member, and from defects of the tubular member, if any,
• receiving with the at least one transducer reflected beams from the surface defects of the tubular member, if any, from the inner surface and from the outer surface of the tubular member,
• sensing an end distance from the at least one transducer to an end of the tubular member, and
• ceasing inspection of the tubular member when the end distance is less than a pre-set value.

An ultrasonic inspection device useful for inspecting a tubular member comprising

• transducers for transmitting sonic beams and for receiving reflected beams thereof from inner and outer surfaces of the tubular member, from ends of the tubular member including a first end spaced apart from a second end, and from defects of the tubular member,
• the reflected beams including beams reflected from an outer surface of the tubular member, from an inner surface of the tubular member, from the first end of the tubular member, and from an inner surface defect of the tubular member, and
• means for differentiating the reflected beams,
• means for producing signals corresponding to information about the reflected beams, including a defect signal having information about the inner surface defect, and an end signal having information about the end of the tubular member, and
• means for continuing inspection of the inner surface of the tubular member for inner surface defects until the end distance is less than a pre-set value.