Movable detector and methods for inspecting elongated tube-like objects in equipment

{
  "publication_number": "US10656120B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Movable detector and methods for inspecting elongated tube-like objects in equipment",
  "abstract": "The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for inspecting an elongated tube-like object. The apparatus comprises a body (1, 2) for moving along the elongated tube-like object by clamping the object; and a sensor frame (15, 15 b, 15 c) supporting one or more sensors (20) for measuring a state indication property. One or more one or more body-to-sensor-frame connections (39, 40, 43, 72 b, 72 c) connect the sensor frame (15, 15 b, 15 c) to the body (1, 2), wherein the one or more body-to-sensor-frame connections (39, 40, 43, 72 b, 72 c) are arranged to allow an adjustable relative position between the sensor frame and the body, while the sensor frame can position itself with respect to the tube.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An apparatus mounted around an elongated tube-like object for inspecting said elongated tube-like object, the apparatus comprising: a body (1, 2) for moving along the elongated tube-like object while clamping an outer surface of the tube-like object; and a sensor frame (15, 15 b, 15 c) supporting one or more sensors (20) for measuring a state indication property, wherein the sensor frame (15, 15 b, 15 c) comprises two or more engaging elements at different positions on the sensor frame, wherein the engaging elements are configured to engage the elongated tube-like object at different locations, wherein the engaging elements comprise one or more biasing elements (23 c) for exerting a force onto a surface of the elongated tube-like object and position the sensor frame with respect to the elongated tube-like object; and one or more body-to-sensor-frame connections (39, 40, 43, 72 b, 72 c) for connecting the sensor frame (15, 15 b, 15 c) to the body (1, 2), wherein the body-to-sensor-frame connections (39, 40, 43, 72 b, 72 c) are arranged to allow an adjustable relative position between the sensor frame and the body and arranged to allow maintaining a position of the one or more sensors (20) with respect to the tube-like object.",
    "2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises means for maintaining a predetermined distance between the one or more sensors (20) and the tube-like object, wherein the distance is measured in a radial direction from the pipe.",
    "3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor frame comprises a positioning unit that allows positioning the sensor frame with respect to the tube.",
    "4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body that clamps the tube is arranged to position the body along a non-linear tube in a first direction, and wherein the body-to-sensor-frame connections are arranged to position the sensor frame at a position in that first direction at a position ahead or behind the body.",
    "5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body-to-sensor-frame connections are arranged to hold the sensor frame rotationally fixed with respect to the body and/or the tube.",
    "6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more biasing elements (23 c) is one or more springs (23 c), for asserting a restoring force against the elongated tube-like object.",
    "7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more sensor units (3), each comprising the sensor (20), are mounted on the sensor frame (15), wherein the sensor unit (3) comprises an elongated tube-like object engaging element, that also comprises a biasing element that are arranged to position the sensor at a predetermined distance from the surface of the elongated tube-like object.",
    "8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises: a first part (1) comprising a first set of tube-like object clamping means; a second part (2) comprising a second set of tube-like object clamping means; a connection arm (36) for connecting the first part and the second part at a distance adapted to the size of the tube.",
    "9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first part (1) comprises: a first wheel frame (4) comprising a first subset of wheels (5); a second wheel frame (7) comprising a second subset of wheels (8), wherein the first and second wheel frames are pivotably connected to each other or to a connection arm (36), and/or wherein the first wheel frame (4) and/or the second wheel frame (7) comprises a pushing element (10) for asserting a biasing force against the second wheel frame, the first wheel frame and/or the first part.",
    "10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first part (1) comprises: the first wheel frame (4) comprising the first subset of wheels (5); the second wheel frame (7) comprising the second subset wheels (8); a motor (6) for driving the first subset of wheel; and a transmission (9) for transferring power from the first subset of wheels to the second subset of wheels, wherein the transmission (9) is arranged on the same shaft as the first subset of wheels.",
    "11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first set of tube-like object clamping means is wheels (5) and the second set of tube-like object clamping means is wheels (27, 28).",
    "12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a magnet element (23) is mounted on the sensor frame (15, 15 b, 15 c) for generating a magnetic field and the one or more sensors (20) are arranged to measure a change in the magnetic field.",
    "13. A method for inspecting an elongated tube-like object, the method comprising: inspecting the elongated tube-like object using an apparatus of claim 1 that is clamped onto the tube-like object; driving the apparatus along the elongated tube-like object; positioning one or more sensors (20) to inspect the elongated tube-like object by connecting the sensor to the driven apparatus for following the driving along the elongated tube-like object and engaging the elongated tube-like object to maintain a distance between the sensor and the elongated tube-like object.",
    "14. The method of claim 13, wherein maintaining the distance between the sensor and the elongated tube-like object comprises asserting a restoring force against the elongated tube-like object."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates to an apparatus or movable detector and the method for inspecting elongated tube-like objects in an equipment, such as tubes, pipes or coils. The invention also relates to program code for identification of a status property (e.g. expected remaining life time) of an elongated tube-like objects, such as pipes or coils.\n\nElongated tube-like objects, such as a pipe or a coil need to be investigated for leakage. Elongated tube-like objects, such as pipes, (radiant) coils or tubes, can require inspection on its outer surface. In some cases inspection is necessary during operation. Inspection can comprise measuring a status property that can be used to calculate a status property.\n\nTo estimate the remaining lifetime of coils/pipes a sensor can check the thickness of carburization diffused in the coils/pipes, which are used in furnaces of Olefins production for evaluating the remaining life time. The invention can be applied to any combustion chambers for cracking hydrocarbon. In an example the amount of carbon of each coil is measured. Carbon will seep into the metal due to the combustion process. The measure value is called “Carburization” which is unit less. It is about the changing of magnetic intensity and has been developed and patented this measurement by Kubota company. Factors that can be used to determine the lifetime are the “Carburization” and “Creep calculation” (Material damage theory).\n\nReference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,613, which is included by reference in its entirety. Any of the indicated sensors, read-out and processing devices mentioned in U.S. Pat. No.",
  "cpc": [
    "G01N 27/82",
    "G01M 3/40",
    "G01N 2021/9518",
    "G01N 21/9515",
    "G01N 21/952",
    "G01N 2291/02854",
    "G01N 2291/262",
    "G01N 2291/269",
    "G01N 29/265"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G01M 3/40",
    "G01N 21/95",
    "G01N 21/952",
    "G01N 27/82",
    "G01N 29/265"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Rayong Engineering and Plant Services Co Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Pawin RUTTANASUPA",
    "Terdsak YANANONT",
    "Santipap UMPAWANWONG",
    "Paisal PANDUM",
    "Kanjanas SEANBUNSIRI"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-01-16",
  "publication_date": "2020-05-19",
  "grant_date": "2020-05-19",
  "priority_date": "2016-01-15",
  "application_number": "US-201715755306-A",
  "family_id": "55754375",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
  "citations": [
    "US4843884A",
    "US20090038398A1",
    "US20100275694A1",
    "US20120306483A1",
    "US20120215348A1",
    "US20140260705A1",
    "US20160238565A1"
  ]
}