# US 9,784,716 B2 · Scanning method and apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,784,716 B2 - Document ID: US9784716B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/350,279 - Filed: 2012-10-05 - Published: 2014-08-28 - Granted: 2017-10-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-10-05 - Assignees: Flexlife Limited - Applicants: Flexlife Limited - Inventors: Craig Keyworth - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9784716B2 ## CPC - G01N 29/04: Analysing solids (using acoustic emission techniques G01N29/14) - G01M 3/00: Investigating fluid-tightness of structures - G01N 29/043: {in the interior, e.g. by shear waves} - G01N 2291/044: Internal reflections (echoes), e.g. on walls or defects - G01N 2291/2634: cylindrical from outside - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A method of assessing the condition of a tubular member comprises driving an ultrasonic probe to fire a short pulse ultrasonic beam at the outer surface of the tubular member and analyzing the reflected signals from the tubular member to assess the condition of the tubular member. The apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe (22), means for driving the probe to fire a short pulse ultrasonic beam at the outer surface of the tubular member and means for converting the reflected ultrasonic beam into image signals which can be analyzed to assess the condition of the tubular member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for assessing a condition of an annulus of a flexible pipe, the apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe; an ultrasonic transducer element that drives the ultrasonic probe to fire a short pulse ultrasonic beam at an external sheath of the flexible pipe; a control pack that converts reflected ultrasonic beam into image signals, the image signals including front and back walls of the flexible pipe; and which can be analysed to assess the condition of the flexible pipe; and wherein at least one of natural frequencies and mechanical behaviors of materials of the ultrasonic probe and the external sheath of the flexible pipe are matched. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a display that displays the image signals. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein an umbilical is provided between the probe or probes and the display device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is adapted to be driven at a voltage of around 700V to 1 Kv. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe fires pulses of between 4 and 6 Mhz with a focal length of between 5 and 100 mm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a frame adapted to be mounted adjacent to or around an outer surface of the flexible pipe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the ultrasonic probe is mounted upon the frame in an orientation perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6 comprising a rack and pinion for moving the frame relative to the flexible pipe. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6 comprising a rack and pinion for moving the frame along or across the outer surface of the flexible pipe. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the frame comprises a hinged collar which can open to allow the frame to be mounted around a flexible pipe. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein means are provided on the frame for moving the probe or probes vertically and/or horizontally over a surface of the flexible pipe. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of probes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the apparatus comprises a pair of probes mounted in a frame in opposing diametric alignment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein a second pair of probes is provided perpendicularly to the first pair such that a longitudinal axes of the two pairs of probes cross within the flexible pipe when the frame is mounted on a flexible pipe and the ultrasonic beams fired by the probes converge on a centre of the flexible pipe. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus according to claim 14 comprising a collar of the frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the probe has a front face diameter of between 9 and 12 mm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the probe comprises polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF).