US 12,247,948 B1
Height adjustable inspection shoes, apparatus and methods for inspecting tubulars
Danny Uselton, Spring, TX (US)
Assigned to SCAN SYSTEMS, CORP., The Woodlands, TX (US)
Filed by SCAN SYSTEMS, CORP, The Woodlands, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/186,843.
Int. Cl. G01N 27/90 (2021.01); G01N 27/87 (2006.01); G01N 27/9013 (2021.01); G01N 27/904 (2021.01); G01N 27/9093 (2021.01)
CPC G01N 27/9093 (2013.01) [G01N 27/87 (2013.01); G01N 27/9026 (2013.01); G01N 27/904 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electromagnetic inspection (EMI) shoe comprising:
(a) a generally arcuate body (2) having a non-working major face (16), a working major face (17), a trough (4) configured to hold one or more sensor coils embedded in a potting material (34), and at least one through hole (14) for mechanical connection of the generally arcuate body (2) to an EMI apparatus;
(b) the generally arcuate body (2) including at least one non-central through hole (6, 8, 42, 46) in which are positioned respective adjustable externally threaded cylindrically-shaped set screws (10, 12, 40, 44), each of the at least one non-central through holes (6, 8, 42, 46) having a wear-resistant friction member (18, 20, 30, 32) movably secured therein and positioned such that a distal portion of each wear-resistant friction member (18, 20, 30, 32) protrudes away from the major working face (17) an initial distance (d1) and configured to wear down over time to a generally arcuate surface (21) that is a distance d2 from the major working face (17), where d2<d1, forming worn friction members (18A, 20A, 30A, 32A), the adjustable externally threaded cylindrically-shaped set screws (10, 12, 40, 44) configured to be advanced further into the generally arcuate body (2) and thus advance the generally arcuate surface (21) to a distance d3, where d1≥d3>d2.