The COBRA® manual scanner, combined with the OmniScan® PA flaw detector, is used to perform circumferential weld inspections on small-diameter pipes. The COBRA scanner holds up to two PA probes for inspections on pipes with outside diameters ranging from 0.84 in. to 4.5 in.
With its slim design, this manual scanner inspects pipes in limited access areas where minimal clearance is required. Adjacent obstructions, such as piping, supports, and structures, can be as close as 12 mm (0.5 in.). This spring-loaded scanner is designed to clasp carbon steel and stainless steel pipes of various diameters using multiple links. This unique feature enables the scanner to be installed and operated from one side of a row of pipes.The COBRA scanner is characterized by its smooth-rolling encoded movement, which enables precise data acquisition. The scanner holds up to two phased array probes for complete inspection of the weld in one pass. For pipe-to-component inspections, the scanner can be configured quickly to perform one-sided inspections using a single probe.
This Olympus solution uses low-profile phased array probes with optimized elevation focusing, which enhances detection of small defects in thin-wall pipes. Specially designed low-profile wedges fitting each pipe diameter covered by the scanner are also available for a complete solution. The COBRA scanner ensures stable, constant, and strong pressure, thus providing good UT signals and precise encoding around the full circumference of the pipe.