Patent ID: 6578422
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for ultrasonically inspecting a tubular member, the tubular member having an inner surface, an outer surface, and two spaced-apart ends including a first end of the tubular member, the method comprisingtransmitting sonic beams to the tubular member with transducers such that sonic beams are reflected from: the inner surface of the tubular member, the outer surface of the tubular member, and from the first end of the tubular member, completing inspection of the outer surface of the tubular member for outer surface defects while continuing to inspect the inner surface of the tubular member for inner surface defects, while continuing to inspect the inner surface of the tubular member for inner surface defects, sensing a distance from the transducers to the first end of the tubular member, and, the transducers continuing to transmit sonic beams for the inspection of the inner surface of the tubular member until the transducers are near the first end of the tubular member.