Profile Technologies, Inc.

Other

Pipeline Profiles, Ltd.

Gale D Burnett

Charles A Frost

John T Kuo

A system or method of analyzing a conductive member for the presence an anomaly. A conductive pipe member is analyzed for the presence an anomaly the electromagnetic properties of which are non-linear. The electromagnetic properties of the pipe member at the anomaly are altered by applying a direct current perturbation signal to the pipe member. At least one test source signal is applied to a first test location on the pipe member remote from the anomaly to cause the at least one test source signal to travel along the pipe through the anomaly. At least one test return signal associated with the at least one test source signal traveling through the anomaly is detected. The at least one test return signal is analyzed for characteristics associated with the anomaly.

Systems and methods for testing conductive members employing electromagnetic back scattering

A system or method of analyzing a conductive member for the presence an anomaly. A test source signal is applied to a first test location on the elongate conductive member remote from the corrosion to cause the test source signal to travel along the pipe through the anomaly. At least one test return signal caused by the test source signal traveling through the anomaly is detected. The at least one test return signal for characteristics associated with the anomaly. Optionally, a perturbation may be applied to the elongate conductive member to place the conductive member in a perturbed state in which the electromagnetic characteristics of the conductive member at the anomaly are altered. The test source signal is applied to the first test location when the conductive member is in the perturbed stated.

Pulse propagation analysis to ascertain whether and anomaly such as surface corrosion exists on a section of conductive member such as pipe. Anomalies such as surface corrosion result in localized velocity changes of pulses propagating along a conductive member. These localized velocity changes exhibit themselves in changes in waveform, rise and fall time, amplitude, and time delay of a pulse with respect to a fixed time reference. To allow such anomalies to be located, two pulses are generated such that they intersect at intersecting locations along the conductive member. The resulting modified pulses are analyzed for perturbations indicative of localized velocity changes.

Detection of surface anomalies in elongate conductive members by pulse propagation analysis

A method of detecting corrosion on an elongate member, such as a pipe. Far side and near side electric pulses (waves) are transmitted into a magnetically permeable pipe at spaced locations to travel toward one another. These are synchronized to intersect at various locations on the pipe. The resulting wave forms are analyzed by combining adjacent wave forms resulting from pulses intersection at spaced locations. Two combined wave forms are analyzed by subtracting one from the other to produce a difference wave form and the difference wave forms are compared to detect corrosion.

Method of detecting corrosion in pipelines and the like by comparative pulse propagation analysis

A method and system for detecting corrosion on a pipe or a pipeline. An electrical or electromagnetic pulse is transmitted into a pipe or pipeline to travel as a propagating electromagnetic wave along the pipeline to a receiving location. Both the distance traveled from the transmitting and receiving location, and also the time interval for such travel are measured. Velocity of the wave is detected as a means of ascertaining whether corrosion is present. Various embodiments, using both multi-channel and single cables, are used to transmit the detected waves, and the waves are received at a plurality of spaced locations along the length of the pipe or pipeline. For an insulated pipeline, the signals can be received by a directional antenna, and the pulses can be transmitted into the pipeline by means of either an antenna placed directly adjacent to the pipeline or a magnet electrical contact member in direct contact with the pipeline.

Pipe testing apparatus and method using electrical or electromagnetic pulses transmitted into the pipe

Detection of surface anomalies in elongate conductive members by pulse

Method of detecting corrosion in pipelines and the like by comparative

Pulse propagation analysis to ascertain whether an anomaly such as surface corrosion exists on a section of conductive member such as pipe. Anomalies such as surface corrosion result in localized velocity changes of pulses, due to inherent nonlinearities, propagating along a conductive member. These localized velocity changes exhibit themselves in changes in waveform, rise and fall time, amplitude, and time delay of a pulse with respect to a fixed time reference. To allow such anomalies to be located, two pulses are generated such that they intersect at intersecting locations along the conductive member. The resulting modified pulses are analyzed for perturbations indicative of localized velocity changes.

A system for analyzing electrically conductive members such as pipelines, in which electrical pulses are transmitted through said member to intersect at predetermined locations. At least one of the pulses which intersects the other pulse is analyzed to determine whether there is a variation in the intersecting pulses at locations along the length of the member. With the member being tested being a pipeline, in some embodiments, a direct current is applied to the pipeline and this also is used to analyze the condition of the pipeline and also the information provided by the intersecting pulses. Amplitude, frequency, and wave form variations of the intersecting pulses are analyzed to detect anomalies or other conditions along the pipeline or other member.

Method of detecting a conductor anomaly by applying pulses along the

A method and apparatus of detecting an anomoly along an elongate, electrically conductive member comprising the steps of. An electrical pulse is so sent along the member from each of two locations towards an intersecting location between the two locations that the pulses intersect and are modified at the intersecting location. At least one of the modified pulses is analyzed to determine whether an anomoly exists at the intersecting location. The timing of at least one of the pulses is based at least in part on the propagation delay of an electrical pulse propagating between the two locations.

Methods of and apparatus for detecting the character and location of

A method of analyzing an electrically conductive member, such as a well casing, where one end of the member is more accessible, and a second end of the member is less accessible. A first electrical pulse is transmitted along the well casing toward a lower end of the well casing, where the first pulse is reflected as a reflected pulse to travel back up the casing. A second pulse is transmitted down through the well casing to intersect with the reflected pulse, after which the reflected pulse is detected and analyzed to determine conditions along the well casing. The timing of the pulses its synchronized so that the point of intersection is stepped along the well casing.

Method for pulse propagation analysis of a well casing or the like by

A system for ascertaining the existence and location of anomalies along the length of a member, such as an underground pipeline. Electrical pulses are imparted to the pipeline at opposite ends thereof, with these pulses being synchronized so that they meet at predetermined locations along the length of the pipeline. The wave form of one of the pulses which has passed through the point of intersection is analyzed to determine the possibility of an anomaly being present at the location of intersection. These readings can be correlated to half-cell readings which could be taken along the pipeline as a means of analyzing pipeline conditions.

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Lynden, WA, United States of America

Gale D Burnett