CN209782251U - Gas leakage inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Gas leakage inspection apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
CN209782251U
CN209782251U CN201821935055.1U CN201821935055U CN209782251U CN 209782251 U CN209782251 U CN 209782251U CN 201821935055 U CN201821935055 U CN 201821935055U CN 209782251 U CN209782251 U CN 209782251U
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China
Prior art keywords
inspection apparatus
gas leak
leak inspection
gas
propeller
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Withdrawn - After Issue
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CN201821935055.1U
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Chinese (zh)
Inventor
杨培正
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Hong Kong and China Gas Co Ltd
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Hong Kong and China Gas Co Ltd
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Abstract

A gas leak inspection apparatus (10) for inspecting gas leaks from gas fixtures (30) on exterior walls of a building includes an inspection unit (100) movable along an elongated guide (200), the elongated guide (200) being arranged to extend through an upper position and a lower position immediately adjacent a wall (20). The inspection unit (100) comprises: a body (110) having at least one outer member (112), the outer member (112) being in sliding engagement with the elongated guide (200) for movement along the elongated guide (200); a gas detector (120) supported by the body (110) for movement therewith; an image capturing unit (130) associated with the body (110) for capturing an image of the gas fixation device (30); and a propeller mechanism (140) for moving the main body (110) up and down along the elongated guide (200).

Description

Gas leakage inspection apparatus
Technical Field
The present invention relates in particular to a gas leak inspection apparatus, but not only to inspecting gas pipelines for maintenance and/or gas leaks.
Background
Fixtures mounted on high walls, and particularly on walls or sides of buildings, such as gas pipes and fittings, are inconvenient, if not difficult to inspect for faults or damage or general maintenance purposes.
If there are windows or openings nearby, the gas pipes on the outer wall of the building may be approached from nearby windows or openings, or must be lowered from the roof in a hanging platform or cradle, otherwise scaffolding would be required as a last resort. All these processes have disadvantages or disadvantages in terms of ease of handling, effort and time for preparation and/or in particular workplace safety.
The present invention seeks to obviate or at least mitigate these disadvantages or shortcomings by providing a new or otherwise improved gas leak inspection apparatus.
SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL
According to the present invention, a gas leak inspection apparatus is provided for inspecting gas leaks from gas fixtures on the exterior wall of a building, comprising an inspection unit movable along an elongated guide arranged to extend through an upper position and a lower position in close proximity to a side wall. The inspection unit includes: a body having at least one outer member in sliding engagement with the elongated guide for movement along the elongated guide; a gas detector supported by the body for movement therewith; an image capture unit associated with the body for capturing an image of the gas fixture; and a propeller mechanism associated with the main body for moving the main body up and down along the elongated guide.
preferably, the propeller mechanism comprises a plurality of propeller units.
More preferably, the propeller mechanism comprises a central body to which the propeller unit is attached, the central body providing or serving as the main body.
More preferably, the propeller mechanism comprises a central body to which the propeller units are attached, the central body being connected with the main body to move simultaneously.
Further preferably, the image capturing unit is attached to the central body.
Preferably, the propeller mechanism comprises a quadcopter.
In a preferred embodiment, the body has two said outer parts on opposite sides thereof, each said outer part being in sliding engagement with a respective elongate part of the elongate guide.
More preferably, the body comprises an arm connecting the two external parts to the body.
Further preferably, each arm supports a respective propeller unit of the propeller mechanism.
Still further preferably, the propeller is protected by at least one guard providing or supporting the outer component.
In a preferred embodiment, the body has two outer parts on opposite sides thereof, each outer part being in sliding engagement with a respective elongate part of the elongate guide for movement therealong, and the propeller mechanism is protected by at least one guard providing or supporting the respective outer part.
More preferably, the propeller mechanism comprises four propeller units, one pair of propeller units on the left and the other pair of propeller units on the right, each propeller unit being protected by a respective guard, the guards of each pair of propeller units being interconnected by a link providing or supporting the respective said external component.
Preferably the or each outer member has a hollow cross-section through which an elongate guide or its respective elongate member extends.
Preferably the body includes a bracket connected below the propeller mechanism and carrying the gas detector.
Preferably the gas detector is extendable and retractable relative to the body.
It is further preferred that the inspection unit comprises a motor drive adapted to extend and retract the gas detector.
It is further preferred that the gas detector comprises a detector probe supported at one end of a shaft which is slidable through or past the body.
In a preferred embodiment, the elongate guide comprises a pair of flexible elongate members arranged to be tensioned in a side-by-side manner.
More preferably, each flexible elongate member comprises a cable.
More preferably, the elongate guide comprises a crane assembly from which the elongate member is suspended.
More preferably, the elongate guide comprises an anchor connected to a lower end of the elongate member, the anchor providing a support from which the elongate member can be tensioned.
Further preferably, the anchor comprises a receptacle for receiving an object to obtain sufficient weight.
Drawings
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gas leak inspection apparatus according to the present invention, comprising an inspection unit that can be moved along an elongated guide on an outer wall of a building in close proximity to a vertical duct for gas to inspect a gas leak thereof.
FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the inspection unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top exploded perspective view of the inspection unit of FIG. 1;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view corresponding to fig. 1 showing a crane assembly for setting the elongated guide and how the crane assembly is mounted on the top end of the wall.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view substantially the same as FIG. 1, including the crane assembly of FIG. 4; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 showing an alternative crane assembly for positioning the elongated guide.
Detailed Description
Referring initially to fig. 1 to 5 of the drawings, there is shown a gas leak inspection apparatus 10 embodying the present invention for detecting gas leaks from gas fixtures on an external wall 20 of a building 21. The gas leak inspection apparatus 10 comprises an inspection unit 100, the inspection unit 100 being movable along an elongated guide 200, the elongated guide 200 extending through an upper position immediately adjacent to the wall 200 and a lower position, for example an upper position on the roof of the building 21 and a lower position on the ground.
the fixture to be inspected may be a gas pipeline, e.g. a gas vertical pipeline 30, extending upwards on the wall 20 for supplying a gas fuel, such as gas (also known as city gas) or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or natural gas as described herein. The uptake pipe 30 needs to be inspected regularly for maintenance or for emergency maintenance whenever gas leaks. The gas pipelines installed at high levels are not readily accessible, for which the gas leak inspection apparatus 10 of the subject invention is to be dispatched to the field.
in general, the elongate guide 200 comprises a pair of flexible elongate members 210, said elongate members 210 being arranged in use to extend taut and vertically alongside and adjacent the wall 20 and across an upper location (e.g. the top) and a lower location (e.g. the ground). The pliable elongated member 210 is positioned to extend proximate to the gas vertical duct 30. The flexible elongate members 210 are preferably provided by respective cables 210, in particular stranded steel cables 210.
The elongate guide 200 includes a crane assembly 220 in an upper position from which an elongate member, i.e. a cable 210, is lowered or suspended. The elongate guide 200 further includes an anchor 230 that is operable or positionable in use at a lower location. An anchor 230 is connected to the lower end of the cable 210 so as to provide a support from which the cable 210 may be sufficiently tensioned or taut for guiding movement of the inspection unit 100.
The anchor 230 is preferably provided by a container 230, which container 230 may be filled with a substance, such as water (or sand) in the case of the described embodiment, in order to obtain sufficient weight. The container 230 preferably has a body that is collapsible due to, for example, the flexibility of the body material, and when the container 230 is empty, its size (and weight) is greatly reduced, thereby facilitating transportation and storage.
As for the crane assembly 220, it is provided by a rectangular box-like frame 221 which carries clips for riding and clamping to secure itself to the top end of the wall 20 on the roof of the building and includes a crane rod 222 which can extend outwardly from the frame 221 in a cantilevered fashion away from the wall 20. The crane bar 222 is connected across its outer ends with a crossbar 223, and opposite left and right ends of the crossbar 223 are fitted with respective pulleys 224 for running the cable 210.
On the left and right sides of the box frame 221, a pair of reels 225 are mounted on the respective rotary supports 226 for holding the cables 210, and the cables 210 can be unwound from the reels 225 to pass through the respective pulleys 224 and extend downward along the wall. In use, the reel 225 is rotated to unwind the cable 210 until the anchor 230 lands on the ground and then rotates in the opposite direction until the cable 210 becomes sufficiently taut. The spool 225 is designed to be operated by an operator using a power screwdriver to turn a rotating member (having a hexagonal recessed hole) associated with the spool 225.
The inspection unit 100 has a body 110, the body 110 including at least one outer member 112, and preferably two outer members 112 on opposite sides of the body 110, the outer members 112 being in sliding engagement with respective cables 210 (i.e., elongated members) of the elongated guide 200 for movement along the elongated guide 200. Each of the outer members 112 is in the form of a short vertical tube 112 having a hollow cross-section through which a respective cable 210 of the elongate guide 200 extends.
The inspection unit 100 comprises a propeller mechanism 140 associated with the body 110 for moving the body 110 up and down along the elongated guide 200 and thus along the vertical duct 30. The inspection unit 100 further includes an image capture unit 130 associated with the body 110 for capturing video images of the vertical pipe 30, and a gas detector 120 supported by the body 110 for movement along and adjacent to the vertical pipe 30.
The propeller mechanism 140 is formed by a set of four propeller units 144, which are located at each corner of a central body 142, together constituting a quadcopter 141. The quadcopter 141 comprises four arms 143 extending radially from respective corners of the central body 142, each arm 143 connecting and supporting a respective propeller unit 144.
Each propeller unit 144 is protected by a respective guard 145, the guard 145 being in the form of a part-circular frame, the edges of which, at least on the outside thereof, are slightly larger than the footprint of the propeller unit 144 in operation. Each guard 145 is connected to, and therefore supported by, a respective arm 143, the arm 143 supporting an associated propeller unit 144. The guards 145 are divided into two left and right pairs, with each pair of guards 145 connected by a horizontal T-shaped link. On opposite sides of the quadcopter 141 there are two such connecting rods 146, which are respectively integral with the two vertical tubes 112, providing or supporting the vertical tubes 112 in substantially the leftmost and rightmost positions of the quadcopter 141. It should be noted that the vertical tube 112 is connected to the central body 142 by arms 143 via a guard 145.
As the largest part of the inspection unit 100, the quadcopter 141 may be regarded as a main body 110 having a central body 142 provided and/or serving as the inspection unit, to which other components (e.g., four arms 143) of the inspection unit 100 are attached.
The image capturing unit 130 is provided by a camera 145, which camera 145 is carried by the quadcopter 141, and more specifically, is fitted or attached to the central body 142 (i.e., the main body 110) and faces in the forward direction of the quadcopter 141.
The quadcopter 141 comprises an operating control circuit located inside the central body 142, which comprises a cargo control module for operating the propeller unit 144 and a radio communication module for wireless communication with a command console in the hands of the operator. The remote controller includes a screen for displaying an image captured by the camera 145 to enable a real-time visual inspection. This allows the operator to keep the gas detector 120 close enough to the vertical pipe 30 based on the live view, or stop the quadcopter 141 at a position where the damaged portion of the vertical pipe 30 is visually recognized for gas detection.
as regards the gas detector 120, it is carried by the quadcopter 141 and is therefore mobile. More specifically, the gas detector 120 is supported on a carrier provided in the form of a horizontal plate 111 attached below the propeller mechanism 140 and more particularly below the central body 142 of the quadcopter 141. The horizontal plate 111 is made as thin as possible and is made of a lightweight material to save weight.
The gas detector 120 includes a detector probe 121 supported at one end of a shaft 122, the shaft 122 being centrally supported on the horizontal plate 111 for sliding in the opposite direction. Through the sliding engagement of the shaft 122 thereof with the horizontal plate 111, the gas detector 120 is movable to extend and retract with respect to the central body 142 (i.e., the main body 110), facing in the forward direction of the quadcopter 141. The gas detector 120 is driven by a motor driver 123 and is extended and retracted under the control of a remote control circuit 124, which is also located on the horizontal plate 111. The control circuit 124 is in wireless communication with a remote control in the hand of the operator for operating the gas detector 120.
Fig. 6 illustrates a second crane assembly 220X suitable for use as an alternative to the first crane assembly 220 described above, including similar components to the first crane assembly 220, which similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. Referring to crane assembly 220X, frame 221 is currently flat (i.e., no longer box-shaped) and does not ride on wall 20, but is supported at the top by two posts 221A on a base frame 221B and above base frame 221B, which base frame 221B is quite large and has two legs 221C and two wheels 221D on the floor of the roof.
The base frame 221B not only supports the top frame 221, but also directly positions thereon a pair of reels 225 with respective rotation supports 226 on the left and right sides of the reels 225. The top frame 221 still holds the crane rod 222 and the crossbar 223 with the pulleys 224 in the same manner as previously described. There are two additional pairs of pulleys, a first pair of additional pulleys 224A at the near corners of the top frame 221 and a second pair of additional pulleys 224B on the base frame 221B, the second pair of additional pulleys 224B being vertically aligned with and aligned directly below the first pair of additional pulleys 224A. In each of the front and rear sides, the cable 210 from the spool 225 rises over the pulley 224A, then proceeds over the pulley 224A and finally descends over the pulley 224. From the roof downwards, a cable 221 extends along the wall 20 and the vertical duct 30 for guiding the inspection unit 100 along it in the opposite direction, as previously described.
This second crane assembly 220X is suitable for situations where the top of the wall 20 is not available or suitable for positioning the first crane assembly 220, and is simpler in construction and lighter in weight.
The gas leak inspection apparatus 10 is particularly suited for gas fixtures requiring inspection, such as vertical pipes 30, that are located on the wall 20 or extend to a high level where they are not easily accessible.
In operation, the elongate guide 200 is positioned using the crane assembly 220 with the anchor 230 to extend along the wall 20 through the roof and ground level and proximate the vertical duct 30, and the inspection unit 100 is slidingly engaged with the cable 210. The cables 210 should be passed through the tube 112 before they are stretched, whereby the quadcopter 141 is slidably engaged with the cables 210 so as to move up and down along the cables 210. When energized, the propeller unit 144 rotates to lift the entire quadcopter 141 and slowly travels up the cable 210. The on-board camera 130 is capable of inspecting the vertical pipe 30 in real time.
When a suspected gas leak is identified by referring to an abnormality in the physical state of the vertical pipe 30 (e.g., a damaged portion thereof), the operator may stop the quadcopter 141 and extend the gas detector 120 to be close to or closer to the damaged portion. If the gas detector 120 detects the presence of gas near the damaged portion, a gas leak is identified and the leak location is then recorded for repair at a later stage. The entire length of the vertical pipe 30 should be scanned and inspected to complete the inspection.
The quadcopter 141 may need to fly up and down through the suspicious portion of the vertical pipe 30 several times before a gas leak is identified or can be eliminated. By using the gas leak inspection apparatus 10, the process is practical, if not merely convenient, because the inspection unit 100 is able to fly by itself using its propeller mechanism 140 and follow a predetermined path, i.e. follow the gas fixture to be inspected, such as that defined by the elongated guide 200.
The invention has been given by way of example only, and various other modifications and/or alterations to the described embodiments may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (22)

1. A gas leak inspection apparatus for inspecting a gas leak of a gas fixture on an exterior wall of a building, the gas leak inspection apparatus comprising an inspection unit movable along an elongated guide arranged to extend through an upper location and a lower location proximate the side wall, characterized in that the inspection unit comprises:
A body having at least one outer member in sliding engagement with the elongated guide for movement along the elongated guide;
A gas detector supported by the body for movement with the body;
An image capture unit associated with the body for capturing an image of the gas fixture; and
A propeller mechanism associated with the body for moving the body up and down the elongated guide.
2. The gas leak inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the propeller mechanism includes a plurality of propeller units.
3. The gas leak inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the propeller mechanism includes a central body to which the propeller unit is attached, the central body providing or serving as the main body.
4. The gas leak inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the propeller mechanism includes a central body to which the propeller unit is attached, the central body being connected with the main body to move simultaneously.
5. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the image capturing unit is attached to the central body.
6. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the propeller mechanism comprises a quadcopter.
7. the gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body has two of the outer members on opposite sides thereof, each of the outer members being in sliding engagement with a respective elongated member of the elongated guide.
8. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 7, wherein the body includes an arm connecting the two external components to the body.
9. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 8, wherein each arm supports a respective propeller unit of the propeller mechanism.
10. A gas leak inspection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the propeller is protected by at least one guard which provides or supports the external component.
11. A gas leak inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body has two outer components on opposite sides thereof, each outer component being in sliding engagement with a respective elongate component of the elongate guide for movement therealong, and the propeller mechanism is protected by at least one guard which provides or supports the respective outer component.
12. a gas leak inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the propeller mechanism comprises four propeller units, one pair of propeller units on the left and the other pair of propeller units on the right, each propeller unit being protected by a respective guard, the guards of each pair of propeller units being interconnected by a link that provides or supports the respective said external component.
13. A gas leak inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each outer component has a hollow cross-section through which the or its respective elongate member extends.
14. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a bracket connected below the propeller mechanism and carrying the gas detector.
15. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas detector is extendable and retractable with respect to the body.
16. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 15, wherein the inspection unit includes a motor drive adapted to extend and retract the gas detector.
17. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 15, wherein the gas detector includes a detector probe supported at one end of a shaft that is slidable through or past the body.
18. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated guide comprises a pair of pliable elongated members arranged to be tensioned in a side-by-side manner.
19. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 18, wherein each pliable elongate member comprises a cable.
20. A gas leak inspection apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the elongate guide comprises a crane assembly from which the elongate member is suspended.
21. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 18, wherein the elongated guide includes an anchor connected to a lower end of the elongated member, the anchor providing a support from which the elongated member may be pulled taut.
22. The gas leak inspection apparatus of claim 21, wherein the anchor comprises a receptacle for receiving an object to obtain sufficient weight.
CN201821935055.1U 2017-11-22 2018-11-22 Gas leakage inspection apparatus Withdrawn - After Issue CN209782251U (en)

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HK17112241 2017-11-22
HK17112241.3 2017-11-22

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109812712A (en) * 2017-11-22 2019-05-28 香港中华煤气有限公司 Gas leak test equipment

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112304508B (en) * 2019-07-31 2024-02-13 中国石油化工股份有限公司 VOCs leak detection device and system

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CN100580385C (en) * 2008-01-18 2010-01-13 天津大学 Architecture physical data rapid three-dimensional sampling method
CN101381002B (en) * 2008-10-24 2011-04-27 华北电力大学 Flying robot for detecting transmission line insulator
CN203090471U (en) * 2013-01-11 2013-07-31 河南科技大学 Airframe of four-rotor aircraft
HK1196747A2 (en) * 2014-07-09 2015-02-27 香港中華煤氣有限公司 Inspection apparatus and inspection method
CN104279425A (en) * 2014-09-05 2015-01-14 河南汉威电子股份有限公司 Pipeline-leakage detecting system and method on basis of infrared imaging and unmanned aircraft
CN205916338U (en) * 2016-08-25 2017-02-01 河北国呈电子科技有限公司 Aircraft with nacelle
CN109812712B (en) * 2017-11-22 2023-04-07 香港中华煤气有限公司 Gas leakage inspection apparatus

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109812712A (en) * 2017-11-22 2019-05-28 香港中华煤气有限公司 Gas leak test equipment

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Granted publication date: 20191213

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