Automatic inspection unit determining state of pipe and its coating, e.g. subsea or over land, has coaxial sensing unit with resilient electrodes driven along pipe

摘要

The inspection unit (5) includes a sensor device (7) scanning the casing of the pipe (1). It (5) is set on the pipe coaxially and at least partially surrounds it. A drive advances the sensor along the pipe. The sensor detects test signals fed into the pipe casing. It contacts the outer surface of the pipe through resiliently-deforming, conductive electrodes. At least one section of the sensor unit pivots. An independent claim is included for the corresponding method.