Apparatus for pipeline inspection

摘要

An apparatus (10) for pipeline inspection includes a sensor unit (14) having an array of ultrasonic sensors (16) for inspecting a pipe wall. The sensor unit (14) has a skid (18) with an outer surface (20) intended to run adjacent or in contact with a pipe wall. The sensors (16) are mounted at a predetermined stand off from the outer surface (20) of the skid (18). The ultrasonic sensors (16) are mounted in a chamber (44) filled with ultrasonic couplant (e.g. a liquid or gel), for permitting communication between the sensors and the inner surface of a pipe wall. The skid (18) defines a membrane region (52) over the sensors (16). The membrane region (52) is intended to be pushed against an internal wall of a pipeline, and has a rigid periphery for maintaining a predetermined stand off between the outer surface (20) of the skid (18) and the upper surface (42) of the sensors.