Robert J Buhl

US Patent:

45412782, Sep 17, 1985

Filed:

Apr 23, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/602970

Inventors:

Glenn A. Marsh - Fullerton CA
Robert F. Buhl - Fullerton CA

Assignee:

Union Oil Company of California - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

G01N 2904
G01B 528

US Classification:

73592

Abstract:

The invention provides a sensing device and method to determine irregularities of a pipeline wall arising from corrosion, pitting, gouges, scale and deposits, and dents causing out of round conditions. This sensing device may be carried through a pipeline by a pipeline pig and comprises radial, movable spring-loaded sensing fingers adapted to continuously contact the pipeline inner surface, said sensing fingers preferably being secured to a fluid-tight drum. The sensing fingers are acoustically connected to one or more microphones, which may be confined within the interior chamber of the fluid-tight drum. The microphones, in turn, are electrically connected to a recording device for recording the audio signal the sensing fingers make as they move through the pipeline.