David E Siverling

US Patent:

20030233880, Dec 25, 2003

Filed:

Jun 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/179085

Inventors:

David Siverling - Houston TX, US
Bill McWhorter - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G01N029/00

US Classification:

073/622000

Abstract:

The present technique provides a system and method for ultrasonically testing a tubular good through a fluid medium using a movable ultrasonic test assembly. The movable ultrasonic test assembly has a fluid chamber, which is open to an outer surface of the tubular good. Ultrasonic transducers are mountable in the movable ultrasonic test assembly, such that ultrasound waves are transmittable through fluid between the tubular and the ultrasonic transducers. The movable ultrasonic test assembly also may have a removable interface structure, which serves as a replaceable wear surface for movably supporting the ultrasonic test assembly on the outer surface of the tubular. A variety of positioning and control system also may be provided to perform an ultrasonic test of the tubular. For example, the positioning and control system may have drive assemblies for rotating the tubular and moving the ultrasonic test assembly along the tubular.

US Patent:

56000693, Feb 4, 1997

Filed:

Apr 26, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/429517

Inventors:

Richard J. Girndt - Spring TX
David E. Siverling - Houston TX

Assignee:

ICO, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01N 2904

US Classification:

73622

Abstract:

Ultrasonic testing apparatus 10 and method for ultrasonically scanning an oilfield tubular 42,56. The apparatus includes four ultrasonic arrays 12, 14, 16, 18 each containing a plurality of individual watertight ultrasonic transducers 20. Axially adjustable ultrasonic arrays 100, 121 include axially spaced sockets 102, 106, and 122, 124, 126, respectively, for controlling an axial movement thereof to preferably discrete positions associated with each selected range of diameters of oilfield tubulars to be tested. Within that range of diameters, the ultrasonic testing apparatus 10 reliably provides for a constant 100% coverage of the tubular to be tested. During scanning, the tubular 56 is moved axially and rotationally with respect to an ultrasonic testing apparatus 50 to provide a helical scan pattern along the length of the tubular 56.