Ultrasonic tubulars inspection device and method

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus for ultrasonic detection of flaws or defects in oil field tubulars utilizing composite transducers. An array of composite transducers are utilized to detect anomalies in the tubulars, such as transverse, wall or longitudinal defects. The use of the composite transducers allow for a greater inspection area over traditional transducers thereby reducing the number of channels needed for inspection of the tubulars.

1 . An ultrasonic tubular inspector for inspecting tubulars comprising:
 a curved transducer, said transducer having a proximate curved surface with a radii of curvature greater than or equal to the radii of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of said tubular, wherein said curved transducer is adapted for inspecting for abnormalities in the tubular utilizing said transducers.   
   
   
       2 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 1 , wherein the curved transducer includes piezocomposite material. 
   
   
       3 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 1 , wherein said curved transducer is adapted for inspecting a portion of the circumference of said tubular. 
   
   
       4 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 1 , wherein said curved transducer is adapted to maintain an effective beam. 
   
   
       5 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 4 , wherein said curved transducer is adapted to maintain an effective beam over approximately 80 to 85 percent of the area of said proximate curved surface of said tubular. 
   
   
       6 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 1 , wherein said curved transducer is adapted for detecting abnormalities in tubulars moving in a longitudinal direction past said curved transducer without rotating the tubular in a circumferential direction. 
   
   
       7 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 1 , wherein said curved transducer is adapted for detecting abnormalities in tubulars from a stationary position. 
   
   
       8 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 1 , wherein said curved transducer is adapted for detecting abnormalities in tubulars moving in a longitudinal direction past said curved transducer and rotating in a circumferential direction. 
   
   
       9 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 1 , wherein said transducer is used for detecting tubular abnormalities in ovality, wall thickness, longitudinal flaw and/or transverse flaw types. 
   
   
       10 . An ultrasonic tubular inspector for inspecting tubulars comprising:
 a plurality of curved transducers, said plurality of curved transducers having a proximate curved surfaces with a radii of curvature greater than or equal to the radii of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of said tubular, wherein said plurality of curved transducers are adapted for inspecting for abnormalities in the tubular utilizing said transducers.   
   
   
       11 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of transducers are spaced equidistant from the said tubular. 
   
   
       12 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of curved transducers include piezocomposite material. 
   
   
       13 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of curved transducers are adapted for inspecting a portion of the circumference of said tubular. 
   
   
       14 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of curved transducers are adapted to maintain an effective beam. 
   
   
       15 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of curved transducers are adapted for detecting abnormalities in tubulars moving in a longitudinal direction past said curved transducer without rotating the tubular in a circumferential direction. 
   
   
       16 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of curved transducers are adapted for detecting abnormalities in tubulars from a stationary position. 
   
   
       17 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of curved transducers are adapted for detecting abnormalities in tubulars moving in a longitudinal direction past said curved transducer and rotating in a circumferential direction. 
   
   
       18 . The ultrasonic tubular inspector of  claim 10 , wherein plurality of curved transducers are used for detecting tubular abnormalities in ovality, wall thickness, longitudinal flaw and/or transverse flaw types.