The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 08, 2009
Filed:
Apr. 19, 2007
Louis J. Wardlaw, Houston, TX (US);
Louis J. Wardlaw, Houston, TX (US);
Other;
Abstract
In a method and system for testing the integrity of pressure vessels, or welds on flanges or the like, at elevated temperatures, a pressurized mixture of a gaseous environmentally safe composition is formed within an indicator chamber in a housing receiving a pressurized gas and containing a surface in the chamber upon which is placed an indicator composition including a marker component, whereby the marker component is carried by the carrier gas from within the chamber and through a conduit to the pressure vessel or weld area. The carrier gas and the indicator or marker component are injected in an area between the inner and outer weld of a terminal flange welded to a tubular pipe section or casing. The pressurized composition includes a marker component or sub-composition which is detected by a detection apparatus which scans the pressure vessel area to be tested, or weld area. The pressure of the gas may also be monitored to observe losses in pressure indicative of flaws in the pressure vessel area or welds. The integrity of the pressure vessel or welds is tested at elevated temperature permitting remedial repairs to be made without reheating the work area of the pressure vessel or on a tubular pipe or casing.