A system and method for high-speed radiographic inspection of fluid transport
vessels
in which a radiation source and a radiation detector are positioned on opposite
sides of the outside surface of the vessel. A positioning system is provided for
moving and locating the radiation source and radiation detector longitudinally
with respect to the vessel and for moving the radiation source and radiation detector
circumferentially with respect to the vessel. In operation, the positioning system
causes the radiation source and radiation detector to spiral along the vessel in
a coordinated manner while the radiation source illuminates an adjacent region
of the vessel with radiation. The radiation is converted into corresponding electrical
signals used to generate images of objects in the radiation path. Finally, an operator
inspects the images for defects.
