Sonoscope Rack Inspection

This semi-automated inspection defects on sucker rods to determine their compliance to established specifications. The inspection is performed as follows:

1. Each rod is visually inspected from end to end for defects. It is then rolled on three-leveled supports o find bent or kinked upset end rods. Defective rods are graded number 5, and no further inspection is performed on this grade rod.
2. The rod is then conveyed through the first stage of the Sonoscope inspection unit, which utilizes heat cleaning to loosen or remove paraffin and deposited scale.
3. Next, the rod is conveyed through the brush cleaning station, where stiff brushes are used to mechanically clean the rod. A clean surface is essential to a high degree of inspection accuracy.

1. Then, a centering device grips each rod firmly to assure inspection in all quadrants and allows inspection detectors to stay firmly on the rod.
2. The rod is then magnetized with an active magnetic field for maximum inspection sensitivity. The body of the rod is inspected for variations in magnetic field resulting from fatigue cracks, corrosion pits and other transversely oriented service-induced defects.
3. Magnetic flux variations are detected, amplified and recorded at a solid state electronic console where the inspector interprets the defect indications and classifies them according to pre-established specifications.

Magnetic Particle Inspection of Couplings and / or Pins

Sucker rods are magnetized in the couplings or pin area and sprinkled with magnetic powder to locate defects in the rod couplings and pins. Defects located by this type inspection are coupling cracks, pin fatigue cracks, hammer marks and other mechanical damage.