DE102004059892A1 - Radiation source for irradiation of inner walls of elongated cavities, and method for introducing a radiation source in an elongated cavity - Google Patents

Abstract

A radiation source (1) for irradiating inner walls of elongated cavities, in particular for curing radiation-curable synthetic resin laminates by means of UV or IR radiation, having a plurality of articulated modules (2a, 2b, 2c) with light sources (6) received thereon Basic body (2) on which wheels (26) for guiding the base body (2) are accommodated within a cavity, which via an adjusting element (30) in the radial direction relative to the base body from a contracted, radially inner first position into an extended, radially outer second position are movable, characterized in that the wheels (26) on the base body (2) are received on pivotable arms (24) and pivotable together by the adjusting element (30), such that the ratio of the Spaced diameter wheels (26) in the first position to the diameter spanned by the wheels (26) in the second position tion is greater than 1: 1.5.

Description

The The invention relates to a radiation source for irradiating inner walls of elongate cavities, in particular for radiation curing liners in pipe rehabilitation, as well as a method of introduction such a radiation source in an elongated cavity according to the generic term of claims 1 and 23.

radiation sources for irradiation of the inner walls of elongated cavities are known to be used in the rehabilitation of pipeline and duct systems made of a synthetic resin laminate lining hoses (liner) to cure with UV light, after the liners in the interiors pulled the pipeline to be rehabilitated and, for example by means of Compressed air were expanded.

From the DE 200 12 893 U1 a generic radiation source is known which has a base body having a plurality of rods and ball joints coupled together modules, on each of which wheels and UV light sources are arranged. The wheels are movably received in the radial direction on associated telescopic arms and are extended by introducing a radiation barrier in the liner by removing a locking pin by means of a Bowden cable by associated compression springs in the radial direction outward to the inner wall. before the radiation source is pulled through the interior of the liner to cure the UV curable resin laminate. Due to the comparatively large basic length of the telescopic arms in the contracted state, the described radiation source has a comparatively large diameter which, despite the articulated connection, does not allow the modules to bend when they are inserted into the liner. Accordingly, the modules must be introduced one after the other into the channel area and coupled together before insertion, which is sometimes time consuming.

Furthermore is the described radiation source due to the comparatively low travel of the telescopic arms not in channel systems with different inner diameters and shapes can be used, so that for every Channel shape and each diameter range a correspondingly adapted Module needed becomes.

A further difficulty exists with the known radiation sources in that the modules with larger pipe diameters usually only with big ones Trouble in the liners can be pushed in, because the liner due to their own weight after expansion by means of Compressed air collapse again, and the radiation sources due their comparatively large Diameter in the contracted state not further into the liner can be inserted, without having previously not to expand it again with compressed air.

by virtue of the considerable amount of time, thereby contributing to the introduction of modular sources of radiation is required in the liner especially for very large ones Channel systems with a variety of inlets the problem that, for example by intermittent rain larger amounts of liquid between the outer wall the liner and the inner wall of the channel system can pass, the after curing of the liner to cavities to lead, which undesirably degrade the strength of the liner.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention, a method and a Radiation source for implementation of the method, which involves introducing the radiation source as well in tight spaces in a simple way and in a short time.

These The object is achieved by the Characteristics of claim 1 and 23 solved.

Further Features of the invention are described in the subclaims.

According to the invention comprises a radiation source for irradiation of the inner walls of elongated cavities in particular of liners made of UV-curable synthetic resin laminates, a basic body, composed of several mutually articulated coupled modules is, in each case one or more light sources, preferably UV lamps are arranged.

At Each module also has at least two, but preferably three or more wheels to lead of the basic body arranged inside the cavity, which are accommodated on arms, which is arrow-shaped away from the tip of the body first inserted into the liner extend to the end, the wheels have an acting on this Control element in the radial direction, i. perpendicular to the direction of movement or longitudinal axis of the Liners, mechanically or jointly driven apart can be to the diameter of the radiation source to the cross section of the to adapt to the rehabilitation canal.

According to the invention, the articulated connection between each two modules of the base body is formed in such a way that the modules relative to each other by at least 70 °, but preferably by 90 ° are bendable.

The Invention has the advantage that radiation sources with a Variety of modules even with comparatively narrow access shafts in short Time with just a few steps in the respective liner introduced can be. This results from the inclusion of the wheels on pivotable arms in conjunction with the articulated coupling of the individual modules a very large adjustment path the wheels between retracted and extended state simultaneously short length of each module, which in turn opens up the possibility of more Modules - and so that light sources - per unit of length accommodate, so that the length of the body at reduce the same number of light sources in total.

moreover can by the construction according to the invention both cavities with very small diameters, e.g. with only 25 cm, as well as cavities with medium and large Diameters, e.g. 1.25 m, irradiated with one and the same radiation source be, since the arms are preferably infinitely adjustable.

Between two modules each - from depending on the required Power of the radiation source e.g. 6, 8 or more modules provided can be - are at the preferred embodiment the invention provides locking elements with which the articulated Connection between the relevant modules blocked in the way or it can be stiffened that a self-rigid basic body arises. This has the advantage that the common moving apart or expanding the radiation source very easily over one only pull or push rod can be done, as follows in detail even closer is described.

at the preferred embodiment the invention, the joints are formed by hinges, the preferably at a distance of a few centimeters on the outside of the basic body are arranged so that the associated modules at an angle preferably at least 90 ° relative to each other can be unfolded, and preferably a lateral bending of the modules relative to each other is prevented.

The Joints are in this case advantageously at the top of the used in the liner body arranged, whereby the introduction considerably easier, since the available standing room can be used much better.

To the Incorporation of the radiation source in the liner is the preferred stiffened body with all modules through a vertical shaft section or access shaft hanging up to the amount of to be rehabilitated horizontally extending channel section or cavity lowered and the blocking element between the first and the second module unlocked. Subsequently the first module is bent by 90 ° by hand, the blocking element between unlocked the second and third module and the first module as well a part of the second module by lowering the modules in the vertical shaft section inserted into the packer. the end of the liner in known Closes way to form a lock and fixed in the channel.

After this the first and second modules have been introduced into the packer, this is preferably Lock element designed as a latching element engages around the articulated connection between the first and the second module according to the invention to stiffen.

in the Following this, the other modules are successively successively successively opened by opening the Locking elements, bend the modules 90 °, insert them into the Packer and locking the locking elements inserted into the liner, where the already stiffened part of the body step by step is pushed further.

at the preferred embodiment The invention is the wheels while the entire implementation process in the radial direction preferably retracted as far as the base body that they to protect the light sources against damage slightly radially over this protrude. This leaves The radiation source also passes through narrow access shafts very easy to insert into the packer / liner, which is due to the preferred arrow-shaped Arrangement of the arms in addition favored becomes.

After all modules have been introduced into the liner according to the method described above, the wheels by a preferably acting jointly on all wheels actuator, preferably a hingedly connected to the lever arms of the wheels linkage or other train / pressure element, or a corresponding designed pneumatics or a Bowden cable by hand, or by a motor, in particular an electric motor, at the same time radially extended to expand the radiation source. In this case, it is possible to electronically determine and display the radial position of the wheels as a function of the position of the adjusting element, for example, by a sensor so that the distance between the light sources and the inner wall of the liner defined by the position of the wheels is precisely set and / or can be monitored, allowing a controlled and time-optimized curing of the Li Ners during subsequent pulling through the radiation source according to the invention allows.

The Invention will be described below with reference to the drawing based on preferred embodiments described.

In show the drawings:

1 a schematic cross-sectional view through a to be rehabilitated channel section when introducing a radiation source according to the invention,

2 a schematic representation of the radiation source according to the invention after introduction into the liner in the contracted state,

3 a schematic representation of the radiation source according to the invention in the liner after moving apart of the wheels,

4a a preferred embodiment of a rod-shaped adjusting element for adjusting the wheels in the latched state, and

4b the rod-shaped actuator of 4a in the unlatched state.

As in the 1 to 3 is shown comprises a radiation source according to the invention 1 a basic body 2 which consists of a variety of modules 2a . 2 B . 2c consists, which are preferably designed as rod-shaped hollow tubes with a circular cross-section, and on which hinge joints 4a . 4b and 4c are attached, over which the modules 2a . 2 B and 2c by an angle of at least 80 °, but preferably 90 to 120 ° can be pivoted against each other.

As can be further seen from the drawings, are on each module 2a . 2 B . 2c at least one, but preferably several, for example, three, UV or IR light sources or lamps 6 arranged, which are supplied via a guided along within the modules, but not shown for illustrative technical reasons, power supply line with electric power, which is supplied in a known manner via a power supply cable from an external power source forth.

The modules 2a - 2c can be according to the invention via locking elements 8th to form a rigid body 2 Pair with each other, with the blocking elements 8th preferably locking means in the form of a spring-loaded pawl 10 comprise, in an associated recess or a correspondingly designed projection 12 engages the adjacent module.

The blocking elements 8th can be opened in the preferred embodiment of the invention by unlocking again, for example, a schematically illustrated in the figures pressure element 14 include. The pressure element 14 For example, it can be configured as a push button of rubber-elastic material that can be manually pressed from the outside by hand or finger, and acts on the pawl, for example via an incorporated rod in such a way that these from the projection 12 lifted, or is pushed out of the recess to release the articulated connection. By this embodiment of the stiffenable articulated connection between two modules 2a . 2 B . 2c There is the advantage that the entire radiation source 1 in the stiffened state, for example, hanging on a chain or on a rope, in a vertical shaft section 16 can be lowered, and then the individual modules by pressing the pressure element 14 successively unlocked successively with one hand and with the other hand in the packer 18 can be introduced, which is the end of the liner 20 in to be rehabilitated (horizontally) running channel section 22 fixed.

As the drawings continue to show, there are at each module 2a . 2 B . 2c of the basic body 2 poor 24 Taken pivotally about unspecified joints, wheels at the ends 26 are rotatably mounted in a known manner. The poor 24 are in the preferred embodiment of the invention via a hingedly connected thereto rod-shaped connecting element 28 coupled with an actuating element, which preferably as a longitudinal direction of the main body 2 sliding pull or pressure element 30 is configured, on which the rod-shaped connecting elements 28 are also attached via joints. The tension or pressure element 30 is preferred by an electric motor 32 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 2 moved back and forth to the arms 24 or, the wheels 26 from the in 1 and 2 shown collapsed or retracted position in which the main body in the liner 20 is introduced into the in 3 shown to move expanded position in which the wheels 26 moved radially outwards and preferably on the inner wall of the liner 20 issue.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the arms extend 24 at least one module 2a . 2 B . 2c , but preferably all modules, over the end of the respective module to which the arms 24 are pivotally mounted, out, leaving the wheels 26 eg as in 1 shown in the contracted state of the radiation source 1 are positioned above the adjoining module. In this way, advantageously, a particularly large difference between the diameter of the radiation source 1 obtained in the contracted state with respect to the diameter in the extended state.

The length of the arms 24 is substantially equal to or greater than the length of an associated module 2a . 2 B . 2c , which results in the advantage that at a given diameter ratio of collapsed to apart driven radiation source 1 reduces the length of the modules as compared to known prior art designs, and accordingly the radiation density per unit length can be increased. The increased radiation density per unit length in turn allows the passage speed of the radiation source 1 through the liner 20 increase and accordingly shorten the time for the curing process.

According to a further embodiment of the invention underlying idea are the arms 24 preferably made of a resilient to some extent or inherently elastic material, resulting in connection with the arrowhead-shaped arrangement of the arms 24 a module that gives the advantage that the arms when passing over an obstacle, such as a step or an offset in the pipeline, can be deflected resiliently to override the obstacle without the radiation source 1 stuck in the pipeline.

By the invention, shown in the figures arrowhead-shaped arrangement of the arms 24 This is especially for large arm lengths, or at large distances between the wheels 26 and the attack points 25 the connecting lever 28 on the arms 24 who receive additional benefit. that is a suspension of the radiation source 1 automatically results, without the need for extra spring elements must be provided on the arms, as they are known for example from the prior art.

Like that 1 and 2 can still be seen, are the arms 24 a first module - eg the module 2a in 1 to 3 - In the circumferential direction of the body 2 considered, preferably offset to the arms 24 a subsequent module - for example, the module 2 B - Arranged, which in the drawings by the dashed lines hidden portions of the arms 24 in the field of lamps 6 is indicated. The offset can be done alternately from module to module, thereby reducing the space requirement of the radiation source 1 is further reduced.

In addition, according to another, not shown in the figures embodiment of the invention, the possibility of the maximum diameter on which the wheels 26 in the radial direction of the radiation source 1 can be moved apart, by extending the arms 24 expand, for example, when cavities are to be irradiated with more than 1.2 m diameter.

This can be the length of the arms 24 by an exchange of the same or else by on the arms 24 fastened, in particular attachable, wheel extensions are increased, which are not shown in the figures.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention - in an advantageous manner 3 or 4 Wheels in preferably uniform angular intervals in the circumferential direction about the rod-shaped or tubular body of a module 2a . 2 B . 2c are arranged around - to be able to move at the same time is on the outside of each module 2a . 2 B . 2c preferably a guide device 34 taken up, on the one hand both articulated with the actuator 30 and on the other hand with the rod-shaped connecting elements 28 is coupled, so all the lever arms 24 a module 2a . 2 B . 2c can be moved simultaneously from the retracted position to the extended position after the radiation source 1 completely in the liner 20 inserted and stiffened.

The guide device can in the case of a constructed of tubular elements body 2 are formed by sliding rings which are slidably moved along the outside of the tubular elements when the pulling or pushing element 30 through the electric motor 32 is moved back and forth. To the position of the wheels 26 relative to the main body 2 to determine, and thereby the distance of the light sources 6 from the inner wall of the liner 20 to set to a desired value, a mechanical, preferably by the tensile or compressive element 3U operated display device may be provided, for example in the form of a pointer, which the operator when expanding the radiation source 1 the previously determined by calibration position of the wheels.

In the same way, an electrical sensor, for example a proximity sensor, can be used, which receives its position signals for the wheels 26 preferably transmitted to an arranged outside the shaft display device to the distance between the light sources 6 and the inner wall of the liner 2U also during the pulling of the switched-on radiation source 1 to be able to monitor through the liner.

To simplify the handling of the radiation source according to the invention 1 to allow, it may further be provided that the tension or compression element 30 , or generally the actuator, in several segments 30a . 30b . 30c is divided, which is preferably one of the length of a module 2a . 2 B . 2c have corresponding length and articulated via hinges also unspecified are coupled together.

As in the 4a and 4b shown are the segments 30a . 30b . 30c the rod-shaped tensile or compressive element 30 this advantageously with mouth-shaped joint recordings 36 provided, preferably with resilient locking means 38 are designed. This has the advantage that the segments 30a . 30b . 30c in the area of the joints easily with one hand and, for example, in the in 1 shown position with each other at right angles to each other modules 2a . 2 B be able to fix again what the introduction of the radiation source 1 very relieved.

The joint axes of the segments 30a . 30b . 30c interconnecting joints are in this embodiment of the invention preferably in the region of the hinge axes of the hinge joints 4a . 4b . 4c when the tension or compression element 30 in the in 2 shown retracted position for the wheels 2fi This results in the advantage that the tension or compression element 30 when folding the modules 2a . 2 B . 2c does not have to be solved by the basic body.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, stiffening of the articulated connection between two modules 2a . 2 B . 2c also be done by a blocking element 8th in the form of a union nut is used, which is screwed over the joint area of the two associated modules, which are designed in this case as preferably tubular elements with a corresponding threaded portion on the outside.

1

radiation source

2

body

2a, b, c

modules

4a, b, c

joints

6

light source

8th

blocking element

10

pawl

12

Recess / projection

14

pressure element

16

Vertical extending channel section

18

packer

20

liner

22

Horizontal extending channel section

24

poor

25

attackpoint

26

wheel

28

Bar-shaped connecting element

30

actuator

32

electric motor

34

guide means

36

Mouth-shaped joint recording

38

springy latching means

Claims (23)

Radiation source ( 1 ) for the irradiation of inner walls of elongate cavities, in particular for curing radiation-curable synthetic resin laminates by means of UV or IR radiation, with a plurality of mutually articulated modules ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) with light sources ( 6 ) having basic body ( 2 ), on the wheels ( 26 ) for guiding the basic body ( 2 ) are received within a cavity, which via an actuating element ( 30 ) in the radial direction relative to the base body from a contracted, radially inner first position in an extended, radially outer second position are movable, characterized in that the wheels ( 26 ) on the base body ( 2 ) on pivotable arms ( 24 ) and by the actuator ( 30 ) are pivotable together, such that the ratio of the wheels ( 26 ) spanned diameter in the first position to that of the wheels ( 26 ) spanned diameter in the second position is greater than 1: 1.5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the arms ( 24 ) at least one module ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) extend beyond the end of the module to a subsequent module. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the length of the arms ( 24 ) is substantially equal to or greater than the length of an associated module ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ). Device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the arms ( 24 ) of a first module ( 2a . 2 B ) in the circumferential direction of the main body ( 2 ) considered spatially offset to the poor ( 24 ) of a subsequent module ( 2 B . 2c ) are arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the arms ( 24 ) Can be enlarged in particular by attachable to the arms wheel extensions. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that blocking elements ( 8th ) are provided, with which the articulated Connection between two modules each ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) to form a rigid body ( 2 ) is lockable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case two modules ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) of the basic body ( 2 ) via hinge joints ( 4a . 4b . 4c ) are hinged together. Device according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the blocking elements ( 8th ) Locking elements ( 10 ) in the modules ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) provided recordings ( 12 ) intervene. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the latching elements one at a first end of a first module ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) arranged spring-loaded pawl ( 10 ) formed in an associated recess formed at a second end of an adjacent second module ( 12 ) is latched. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that unlocking means ( 14 ) for releasing the locking elements ( 8th ) are provided. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the unlocking means arranged on the outside of the body in the region of the receptacle for the pawl pressure element ( 14 ), which in the manner of the pawl ( 10 ) acts, that these in the pressed state of the pressure element ( 14 ) from the recording ( 12 ) is pushed out. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element ( 30 ) hinged with sliding on the modules ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) ( 34 ) is coupled via rod-shaped connecting elements ( 28 ) on the arms ( 24 ) Act. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the attack points ( 25 ) of the rod-shaped connecting elements ( 28 ) on the arms ( 24 ) are arranged such that the distance between a guide device ( 34 ) and a point of attack ( 25 ) is less than one third of the length of the arms ( 24 ). Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the of the wheels ( 26 ) spanned diameter in the second position by means of the actuating element ( 30 ) is infinitely variable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element is a rod-shaped tension element and / or pressure element ( 30 ). in the longitudinal direction of the basic body ( 2 ) relative to this in particular pneumatically and / or hydraulically and / or by an electric motor ( 32 ) is displaceable. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the rod-shaped tension element and / or pressure element ( 30 ) several segments ( 30a . 30b . 30c ), each one of the length of the modules ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) have corresponding length and are hinged together via joints. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the segments ( 30a . 30b . 30c ) jaw-shaped joint recordings ( 36 ) for latching and releasing the joints between the segments ( 30a . 30b . 30c ) with resilient locking means ( 38 ) are provided. Device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the joints of the segments ( 30a . 30b . 30c ) in the region of the articulation axis of the articulated connection between the modules ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) of the basic body ( 2 ) lie. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) are designed as in particular rod-shaped hollow body, in whose interior cables for the supply of light sources ( 6 ) and / or further electrical devices of the radiation source. Device according to claims 6 and 19, characterized in that the modules ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) are designed as tubes with a circular cross-section, and that the blocking elements ( 8th ) comprise on the outside of the tubes arranged union nuts, which are used to connect two modules ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) can be screwed on assigned threaded sections. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body ( 2 ) at least 4 modules with at least 3 Has lamps. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light sources ( 6 ) are dimmable light sources. Method for introducing a radiation source ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims in an elongated, with a substantially vertically extending access shaft ( 16 ) communicating cavity ( 22 ), characterized by the following process steps: Moving the wheels of the radiation source ( 1 ) in the first radially inner position, lowering the radiation source ( 1 ) in the access shaft ( 16 ) until a first module ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) of the basic body ( 2 ) at the level of the cavity ( 22 ), bending the first module ( 2a ) of the body and inserting it into the cavity ( 22 ), successive lowering of the main body ( 2 ) by a path length substantially the length of one of the remaining modules ( 2 B . 2c ) of the body and inserting it into the cavity ( 22 ) to all modules ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) of the radiation source ( 1 ) are introduced into the cavity, and common radial divergence of the wheels ( 26 ) in the second radially outer position by actuating the actuating element ( 30 ).