Sensor positioning with non-dispersive guided waves for pipeline corrosion monitoring

Abstract

The ultrasonic sensor assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first and second flexible sets of transducers wrapped and permanently attached to the pipe at first and second locations, respectively. Each set of transducers includes at least transducers arranged in a row. The first set of transducers is configured to transmit a wave along the pipe. The second set of transducers is configured to receive the wave transmitted along the pipe. The ultrasonic sensor assembly includes a controller operatively connected to the second set of transducers for receiving information about the wave received by the second set of transducers. The controller is configured to analyze the information about the wave received by the second set of transducers to determine the presence of possible defects in the pipe. An associated method is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ultrasonic sensor assembly for a pipe, the ultrasonic sensor assembly comprising:
 a first set of transducers configured to be attached to the pipe at a first location, the first set of transducers being flexible and configured to wrap at least partially around the pipe matching a shape of the pipe at the first location, the first set of transducers being permanently attached to the pipe, the first set of transducers including at least transducers arranged in a first row, the first set of transducers being configured to transmit a wave along the pipe;   a second set of transducers configured to be attached to the pipe at a second, different location, the second set of transducers being flexible and configured to wrap at least partially around the pipe matching a shape of the pipe at the second location, the second set of transducers being permanently attached to the pipe, the second set of transducers including at least transducers arranged in a second, different row, the second set of transducers being configured to receive the wave transmitted along the pipe; and   a controller operatively connected to the second set of transducers for receiving information about the wave received by the second set of transducers, the controller being configured to analyze the information about the wave received by the second set of transducers to determine the presence of possible defects in the pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first set of transducers is configured to transmit the wave as a guided wave. 
     
     
         3 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first set of transducers is configured to transmit the wave as a non-dispersive guided wave having a generally constant velocity traveling through the pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the transducers arranged in the first row extend along a first circumferential periphery of the pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the transducers arranged in the second row extend along a second circumferential periphery of the pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the transducers arranged in the first row extend about a circumference of the pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the transducers arranged in the second row extend about a circumference of the pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first set of transducers is configured to transmit multiple waves along the pipe, the second set of transducers is configured to receive the multiple waves transmitted along the pipe, and the controller is configured to receive information about the multiple waves received by the second set of transducers and to analyze the information about the multiple waves received by the second set of transducers. 
     
     
         9 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pipe is configured to be at least one of linear, bent, undulating and curved at least one of the first and second location and has a cross-sectional shape, at least one of the first and second sets of transducers is flexible to match the cross-sectional shape at the respect first or second location. 
     
     
         10 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pipe has first and second pipe ends, the first location is near the first pipe end and the second location is near the second pipe end, such that the first set of transducers is permanently attached to the pipe near the first pipe end and the second set of transducers is permanently attached to the pipe near the second pipe end. 
     
     
         11 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pipe has first and second pipe ends, at least one of the first location is spaced a distance from the first pipe end and the second location is spaced a distance from the second pipe end, such that at least one of the first set of transducers is permanently attached to the pipe spaced from the first pipe end and the second set of transducers is permanently attached to the pipe spaced from the second pipe end. 
     
     
         12 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second sets of transducers includes transducers that are permanently attached to the pipe at spaced placements positioned substantially 360° around the pipe. 
     
     
         13 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pipe has a longitudinal extent and the first set of transducers is configured to transmit the wave to propagate longitudinally along the pipe. 
     
     
         14 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pipe has a longitudinal extent and the first set of transducers is configured to transmit the wave to propagate torsionally relative to the longitudinal extent. 
     
     
         15 . The ultrasonic sensor assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pipe has a longitudinal extent and the first set of transducers is configured to transmit the wave to propagate flexurally relative to the longitudinal extent. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing an ultrasonic sensor assembly on a pipe, the method comprising:
 providing a first set of transducers configured to be attached to the pipe at a first location, the first set of transducers being flexible and the first set of transducers including at least transducers arranged in a first row;   wrapping the first set of transducers at least partially around the pipe to match a shape of the pipe at the first location;   permanently attaching the first set of transducers to the pipe such that the first set of transducers is configured to transmit a wave along the pipe;   providing a second set of transducers configured to be attached to the pipe at a second, different location, the second set of transducers being flexible and the second set of transducers including at least transducers arranged in a second row;   wrapping the second set of transducers at least partially around the pipe to match a shape of the pipe at the second location;   permanently attaching the second set of transducers to the pipe such that the second set of transducers is configured to receive the wave transmitted along the pipe;   providing a controller; and   operatively connecting the controller to the second set of transducers for receiving information about the wave received by the second set of transducers, the controller being configured to analyze the information about the wave received by the second set of transducers to determine the presence of possible defects in the pipe.   
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the first set of transducers includes providing the first set of transducers to be configured to transmit the wave as a guided wave. 
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the first set of transducers includes providing the first set of transducers to be configured to transmit the wave as a non-dispersive guided wave having a generally constant velocity traveling through the pipe. 
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the first set of transducers includes providing the first set of transducers to be configured to transmit multiple waves along the pipe. 
     
     
         20 . The method as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the pipe has a longitudinal extent and the step of providing the first set of transducers includes providing the first set of transducers to be configured to transmit the wave to propagate longitudinally along the pipe.