Patent ID: 7940061
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: G01M,G01N

Abstract:
1. An anomaly detection system for detecting an anomaly on an internal surface of a metallic pipe structure, where the pipe structure is hollow, elongate, and conducting, the anomaly detection system comprising: an access port formed at least one location along the pipe structure, where the access port allows physical access to an interior of the pipe structure; an antenna extending into the interior of the pipe structure through the access port; a signal source operatively connected to the antenna, where the signal source is capable of causing the antenna to transmit a test signal along the pipe structure; and a signal analyzer operatively connected to the antenna, where the signal analyzer analyzes signals received by the antenna in a frequency domain; wherein when the test signal encounters the anomaly, the anomaly causes a reflected signal to be transmitted back towards the antenna.