Methods and apparatus for inspecting materials
OwnerWilliam T. Walters, Xiaowen Wuinventors
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a frame that supports a magnetic coil and a detector assembly, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors adapted to be spaced a first distance from the material being inspected by one or more substantially frictionless members. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
Claims23
A tubular member inspection apparatus comprising:
- (a) a frame;
- (b) a magnetic coil and a detector assembly supported by the frame;
- (c) the frame, magnetic coil, and detector assembly each having inlet and outlet openings for passing a tubular member there through, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors adapted to be spaced a first distance from the tubular member using one or more substantially frictionless members during an inspection;
- and
- (d) an actuator assembly comprising sensors adapted to sense wide portions of the tubular member and direct one or more actuators in the detector assembly to retract the detectors away from the tubular member a second distance greater than the first distance.
A tubular member inspection apparatus comprising:
- (a) a frame;
- (b) a magnetic coil, a detector assembly, and an actuator assembly supported by the frame;
- (c) the frame, magnetic coil, and detector assembly each having inlet and outlet openings for passing a tubular member there through, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors adapted to be spaced a first distance from the tubular member using one or more substantially frictionless members during an inspection;
- and
- (d) the actuator assembly comprising sensors adapted to sense wide portions of the tubular member and direct one or more actuators in the detector assembly to retract the detectors away from the tubular member a second distance greater than the first distance.
A method of inspecting a tubular member comprising:
- (a) passing a tubular member through an apparatus, or driving the apparatus past the tubular member, the apparatus comprising
- i. a frame,
- ii. a magnetic coil;
- and
- iii. a detector assembly;
- (b) detecting variations in the magnetic field produced by defects in the tubular member, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors spaced a first distance from the tubular member by one or more substantially frictionless members during;
- and
- (c) sensing a wide portion of the tubular member and directing one or more actuators in the detector assembly to retract the detectors away from the tubular member a second distance greater than the first distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.