Integrated Diagnostic Measurement Corporation

Other

Scientific Measurement Systems, Inc.

Scientific Measurement Systems I, Ltd.

Ira L Morgan

Joseph E Bolger

Robert H Rice

Hunter D Ellinger

Donald G Schindler

E C Sudarshan

James W Jagger

Robert M Crane

Alvin L Mitchell

James P Coose

Morris Taylor

Forrest F Hopkins

Thomas Stephens

A mobile apparatus for and a method of non-contacting, nondestructive, on-line inspection of installed components of plants, facilities or other systems. The apparatus and method use penetrating radiation sources and detectors which can be placed about vertical or horizontal components while they remain in place and in use. The apparatus can operate in multiple scanning modes and the resulting data collected can be processed using both gauging and computerized axial tomographic (CAT) algorithms and techniques. In a gauging analysis, the apparatus and method make use of both a computer-implementable model of the general shape of the component scanned and a computer-generated model of the specific component scanned.

Mobile, multi-mode apparatus and method for nondestructively inspecting

An apparatus and method for controlling the quality of cylindrical or other geometrically regular-shaped products, such as tube or rounds, through high precision, continuous, real-time three-dimensional analysis of hot or cold products during their manufacture are disclosed. The apparatus includes multiple penetrating radiation sources and detectors. The apparatus is able to continuously and in real time perform a three-dimensional analysis of hot or cold products, detect cross-sectional and longitudinal flaws in the products, determine the processing steps causing the flaw, and modify the production process through feedback and/or feedforward control of the processing equipment. In performing the analysis on hot or cold products, the apparatus can determine the dimensional measurements of the products at other temperatures and take these measurements into consideration while controlling the manufacturing process in order to produce products of consistent dimensional quality.

Automated system for controlling the quality of geometrically

A mobile apparatus for and a method of non-contacting, nondestructive, on-line inspection of installed components of plants, facilities or other systems. The apparatus and method use penetrating radiation sources and detectors mounted on a ring assembly which can be placed about vertical or horizontal components while they remain in place and in use. The ring assembly is held in place by a yoke assembly in a manner that allows the ring to be rotated relative to the yoke assembly so that multiple scans of the same component cross-section can be performed from different angles. The apparatus is also capable of sub-positioning the detectors relative to the source while the ring assembly is stationary to increase the number of scans that can be taken from different angles. The yoke assembly, in turn, is mounted on a beam assembly in a manner that allows the yoke assembly to move relative to the beam assembly. The apparatus can operate in multiple scanning modes and the resulting data collected can be processed using both application-specific, real-time data analysis techniques and available computerized axial tomographic (CAT) scanning data processing algorithms and techniques.

An apparatus and method for determining the shape specific contraction and expansion of cylindrical or otherwise geometrically regular-shaped products as a function of time and temperature through high precision, continuous, nondestructive dimensional analysis of a cross-section of the object as the object is heated and/or cooled. The apparatus includes multiple penetrating radiation sources and detectors. In performing the analysis on an object as its temperature changes over a certain temperature range, the apparatus generates curves or formulas representing the changes in a dimension of the object as a function of temperature and/or time.

Nondestructively determining the dimensional changes of an object as a

Automated system for controlling the quality of regularly-shaped

An apparatus and method of non-contacting, non-destructive, on-line dimensional analysis and flaw detection of tubular products are disclosed. The apparatus includes penetrating radiation sources and detectors arranged about the product to be examined and a high-speed data processing system which employs novel computed tomography techniques to provide high precision dimensional estimates and flaw detection. The apparatus is capable of continuously determining the outside diameter, inside diameter, wall thickness, ovality, eccentricity, and weight-per-foot over a wide range of temperatures for essentially tubular products produced on a unit or continuous basis. The apparatus can also detect process-induced flaws in the products.

Method and apparatus for dimensional analysis and flaw detection of

An apparatus for determining the intensity of radiation passing through an object as a set of planar beams from a radiation source is disclosed. The radiographic apparatus includes a detector array of adjoining scintillators having wall linings suitable for absorbing radiation, thereby functioning as self-colliminating detectors. The apparatus is also capable of counting the number of individual photons of primary radiation passing through an object along each path from a radiation source operating at the very high count rates used in computer-assisted tomography applications.

Method and apparatus for measuring radiation in computer-assisted

Apparatus and method for the tomographic examination of planar sections of an object is disclosed which includes a plurality of sources spaced about an object at fixed intervals which emit a set of planar beams of penetrating radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, through a planar section of the object and a plurality of self-collimating detector arrays positioned to receive only photons of radiation which pass through the planar section of the object from the source directly opposite the array. The sources and detector arrays are mounted on a mounting apparatus to prevent movement relative to each other. Each of the detector arrays includes a plurality of self-collimating detectors which count the number of individual primary radiation photons passing through the object along the path from the source to the detector without absorption or deflection.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Ira L Morgan