Method and apparatus for automated, digital, radiographic inspection of piping

A system for radiographic inspection of piping comprising:

• a) an inner carriage rotatably mounted on an outer carriage such that the inner carriage is concentric with the outer carriage and with the piping on which the outer carriage rests;
• b) an x-ray source and a radiation detector mounted on the inner carriage, the x-ray source and the radiation detector being positioned on opposite sides of the piping;
• c) rotating means for moving the inner carriage circumferentially around the piping in clockwise and counter clockwise directions;
• d) positioning means for moving the outer carriage longitudinally in relationship to the piping;
• e) balancing means for aligning the outer carriage during longitudinal movement on the piping;
• f) sensing means for tracking the position of the inner carriage and ensuring one complete circumferential revolution of the inner carriage around the piping;
• g) a controller for controlling the rotating means, the positioning means, the balancing means and the sensing means in a coordinated manner so that the outer carriage is moved only after the inner carriage has made one complete circumferential rotation, the outer carriage remains in alignment during longitudinal movement and the locations of the images around the circumference of the piping received by the radiation detector are identifiable;
• h) an imaging unit that receives data signals from the radiation detector and archives the images.