Texaco Inc.

David A Morris

Norman E Flournoy

Thomas W Langley

Robert J Agnew

A system employing a plurality of electronic oscillators for generating test signals at spaced locations remote from a selection point. The oscillators are coupled to a gathering line for petroleum products, each being located adjacent to an acoustic detector coupled to the line for signaling the presence of a leak within its range. A digital selector which manually generates a given number of pulses is located at the selection point. There is a binary counter at each oscillator to receive the pulses. And, there is also a binary encoder at each oscillator to determine which one will be energized, depending upon the number of pulses generated by the selector.

Gathering line leak detection system tester

A method and system for improving the pulse-echo type of testing to determine wall thicknesses. It is particularly applicable to pipes. There is a pulse directed transversely to the wall so that reflections from the inner and outer surfaces will indicate the thickness, and another pulse is directed at an angle to the wall with time spacing. The angled pulse path permits penetration so that the presence of an undesirable type of discontinuity will cause an additional reflection which distinguishes this type of discontinuity.

Pulse-echo method and system for testing wall thicknesses

An ultrasonic transducer that employs a piezoelectric crystal which is made of lead metaniobate so that it has good sensitivity while also having a low Q. The transducer includes a backing support for one face of the crystal which provides damping of the acoustic energy being generated in the reverse direction. The backing support includes an epoxy resin with heavy metal objects moulded therein.

Growing community of inventors

Richmond, VA, United States of America

David A Morris