TECHNOLOGY OF INTRATUBE ULTRASONIC FLAW DETECTION Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: ultrasonic flaw detection in long-length pipe-lines. SUBSTANCE: capacity of data storage circuits is calculated depending on length of pipe-line. Overflow of data storage circuits can be avoided if inspection tool carrying ultrasonic sensors, measurement, processing and storage units is slowly moved inside pipe-line, sounding ultrasonic pulses are sent in process of movement and reflected pulses corresponding to above-mentioned sounding pulses are received and measurement data are processed and stored. Velocity of inspection tool is found in process of movement with period not less than pulse repetition period. Pulse repetition period is set as function of at least two values of velocity of inspection tool in process of movement. Average velocity of inspection tool in certain time interval not exceeding period of determination of specified average velocity is established. Period of determination of velocity of inspection tool is 200-2000 repetition periods of sounding pulses. Repetition period of sounding pulses is taken from series of discrete values which number is not less than 3. EFFECT: improved operational reliability of proposed technology. 15 cl, 6 dwg, 2 tbl