Wireless Operation in the Toughest
of Conditions

"connectBlue has been very easy to work with, and their Bluetooth modules have performed flawlessly for us."
Gordon Brandly, Electronics Engineering Technologist, Russell NDE

For over 35 years, Russell NDE Systems Inc. has provided world class NDT (Non-Destructive Evaluation) services and products worldwide in diverse industries such as oil and gas, pulp and paper, military, municipals, and more. Russell NDE markets instruments and probes for a variety of NDT applications. The company also supplies NDT training and designs special tools for applications such as well casing, pipeline, heat exchanger, and boiler tube.

Wireless Provides Peace of Mind

Wireless connections on the Russell NDE Remote-Field Technology (RFT) pipeline inspection tools make life easier for the operators. They can instantly check the tool and adjust its parameters before an inspection run, and check that the tool is still operating properly after the run. "This means more peace of mind for the operator since they can check the health of the tool even after the tool's final preparation for launch into a pipeline," says Gordon Brandly, Electronics Engineering Technologist, who has worked for 27 years at Russell NDE Systems.

Brandly has worked with connectBlue for seven years and has found that "connectBlue provides first-rate support and documentation during the process of integrating Bluetooth modules into our instruments. Supplies of modules have always been readily available when we needed them, which hasn't always been true for some of their competitors."

Wireless Remote-Field Technology (RFT)

Since many pipelines have internal deposits on the pipe walls, traditional condition analysis tools often cannot operate effectively in such lines. "Our RFT pipeline tools are unique in that they require no contact with the pipe wall and can measure through scale, wax, and non-magnetic liners," explains Brandly. The Russell NDE pipeline tools have a clearance of 0.250" (6.35mm) to allow the tool to travel past weld roots, dents, and internal deposits. The tool's operator can confirm or adjust operating parameters and check the tool's operational health via Bluetooth technology.

Brandly concludes that he can "truly endorse connectBlue. connectBlue has been very easy to work with, and their Bluetooth modules have performed flawlessly for us."

Key Benefits

• Easy pin-compatible upgrades from one generation of Bluetooth modules to the next.
• Small size of module that fits in the tiny space available inside Russell NDE's small inspection tools.
• Freedom from worry about international approvals.

connectBlue Products Used

• Bluetooth Serial Port Module OBS433i

About connectBlue

connectBlue™ is a leading provider of wireless solutions for demanding applications in segments industrial automation, medical, measurement & data acquisition, diagnostics, logistics / transportation, professional vehicles and point of sales. Based on Bluetooth technology, Wireless LAN (WLAN) and IEEE 802.15.4 / ZigBee, connectBlue provides ready-to-use products and modules as well as custom design solutions in both hardware and software. connectBlue has its head office in Sweden and local offices in Germany and USA. For more information, please visit www.connectblue.com. The connectBlue word mark and logo are owned by connectBlue AB.

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