DE102016102921A1 - connecting element - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector for articulating two segments of a pipe inspection system, comprising a first end (12, 72) and a second end (14, 74); a ball joint seat (16, 76) at the first end (12, 72), wherein between the first end (12, 72) and the second end (14, 74) passes through the ball joint seat (16, 76) passing through passage (18, 82) permitting passage of cables or hoses from the first end (12, 72) to the second end (14, 74), and wherein a ball joint head (60, 78) to be stored in the ball joint seat (16, 76) at the first End (12, 72) of the connecting element (10, 70) in the passage (18, 82) inserted and in the ball joint seat (16, 76) can be inserted; at least one holding element (26) which is adapted to project into the passage (18, 82) such that a cross-section of the passage (18, 82) only decreases at a respective part of the edge of the cross-section associated with the respective holding element is.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to fasteners and systems for use in systems for conducting pipe inspections.

background

Pipelines are used in many areas to transport fluids between a starting point and an end point. In order to ensure a lossless transport, it is essential, in addition to a final inspection of the pipeline after its installation, to inspect the pipeline for defects at certain intervals or after detection of a leak.

For this purpose, the pipeline to be examined can be tested non-destructively and in situ, for example by means of ultrasound or eddy current. In such a test, an assembly of, for example, ultrasonic sensors and sensors is mounted on a so-called pig and the pig used in the line. The pig then moves through the pipeline and receives the sensor signals as a function of the distance covered. After completion of the examination, the stored sensor signals can be read out and analyzed.

A newt typically consists of several segments. The individual segments of the pig are coupled together for the transmission of signals and energy supply via cables and hose lines. However, when traveling through the pipeline to be inspected, these cables / hoses may be exposed to physical stresses which may reduce their and thus the life of the pig or even lead to (partial) failure of the pig during use in the pipeline.

Mechanically, the individual segments of a pig are connected to each other either via rigid axes or joints. In order to be suitable for as many different types of pipelines and in particular bends in such pipelines, such a pig should be as articulated as possible and be able to adapt to different bends in the pipe. On the other hand, it is necessary to avoid tilting or sticking of the pig in the pipeline.

Outline of the invention

A first aspect of the invention relates to a connection element for the articulated connection of two segments of a system for pipeline testing, which comprises
a first end and a second end;
a ball joint seat at the first end, wherein between the first end and the second end, a passage passing through the ball joint seat enabling the passage of cables or hoses from the first end to the second end, and wherein a ball joint head to be supported in the ball joint seat at the first Inserted end of the connecting element in the passage and can be inserted into the ball joint seat;
at least one holding element which is adapted to project into the passage such that a cross-section of the passage is reduced only at a respective part of the edge of the cross-section which is associated with the respective holding element.

In this case, a part of the edge is to be understood as a less, ie a subset, in comparison to the whole edge.

The connecting element may comprise at least two holding elements, wherein the holding elements associated parts of the edge of the cross section do not touch. As a result, it is achieved that the cross section is not reduced by the two holding elements, at least from the remaining part (s) of its edge.

Concretely, the connecting element may comprise exactly two retaining elements, wherein the two parts of the edge of the cross section, which are assigned to the two retaining elements, essentially lie opposite one another. For example, the connecting element may thus comprise a first holding element and a second holding element, wherein the first holding element is adapted to project into the passage such that the cross section of the passage decreases only at a first part of the edge of the cross section, and wherein the second holding element is adapted to project into the passageway such that the cross-section of the passageway only decreases at a second, opposite portion of the edge of the cross-section.

The at least one retaining element may be substantially arcuate. As a result, an adaptation to the edge of the cross section is achieved in the case of a substantially circular cross section of the passage.

On the ball joint seat can follow in a direction away from the second end of a hollow cylindrical section having at least one recess in its lateral surface, wherein the at least one retaining element in the respective recess can be used, that the holding element protrudes into the passage. According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting element comprises two recesses, in each of which a holding element can be inserted. The hollow cylindrical portion may have an end face in which holes are provided, can be used by the fastening elements to secure the at least one retaining element.

At least one retaining element may be adjustably fastened in order to be able to adapt and change the projection of the adjustable retaining element into the passage. As a result, the angle of movement of a ball joint head used in the ball joint seat can be changed and adapted to the requirements of the line to be examined.

At least one groove adapted to receive a respective projection formed on the ball joint head may be provided at the first end of the connecting element. As a result, an anti-rotation of the mounted in the ball joint seat ball joint head can be effected. Preferably, the connecting element comprises two opposing grooves at the first end, wherein each of the two grooves is adapted to receive one of two projections formed on the ball joint head, so - in addition to a rotation - mounted in the ball joint seat ball joint head about an axis defined by the two projections is pivotable. Preferably, the groove (s) are / are associated with a part of the edge of the cross section which is not assigned to a retaining element.

In one embodiment, the connecting element comprises a flange at its second end.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a connection system comprises a first connection element according to the first aspect of the present invention and a second connection element having a flange at a first end and a ball joint head at a second end, wherein between the first end and the second end of the second connecting element extends a further passage and the ball joint head of the second connecting element is mounted in the ball joint seat of the first connecting element such that cables or hoses can be passed through the passage and the further passage.

In this case, between the first connecting element and the second connecting element at least a third connecting element may be arranged, which is designed like a connecting element according to the first aspect, but is provided with a ball joint head at the second end having an opening for the passage of cables or hoses.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a pipe inspection system, in particular a pig, comprises at least two segments which are coupled by a connection system according to the second aspect.

Brief description of the figures

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following figures:

1 shows a perspective view of a connecting element according to an embodiment of the invention;

2 shows a retaining element for use in the in 1 embodiment shown;

2a shows a section through the in 2 shown holding element;

3 shows a view of the in the 1 shown connecting element from the first end toward the second end looking;

3a / 3b are sectional views of the connecting element along in the 3 indicated lines AA and BB;

4 is a perspective view of a connecting element, which together with the in 1 connecting element shown forms an embodiment of a connection system according to the invention;

5 is a side view of the in 4 shown connecting element;

6 shows a perspective view of another connecting element;

7 shows a further embodiment of a connection system according to the invention, wherein the lower half of the figure shows a section through the connection system.

Detailed description

A first embodiment of a connecting element according to the present invention is shown in FIGS 1 . 2 . 3 . 3a and 3b shown.

The first connecting element shown therein 10 has a first end 12 and a second end 14 on. At the first end 12 there is a ball joint seat 16 , being a passage 18 through the ball joint seat 16 through from the first end 12 to the second end 14 of the connecting element 10 extends. To the ball joint seat 16 closes in one direction away from the second end 14 a hollow cylindrical section 20 on, with an end face 22 concludes. The connecting element 10 thus forms a hollow body through which the passage 18 extends. Through the passage 18 For example, cables or hoses can be protected.

In the lateral surface of the hollow cylindrical section 20 are two recesses 24 provided, in each case an arcuate holding element 26 can be used. The recesses 24 are on the circumference of the hollow cylindrical portion 20 arranged substantially symmetrically and opposite to each other, wherein between the two recesses in the circumferential direction of the lateral surface of the hollow cylindrical portion 20 Stege 25 remain. The recesses 24 thus provide access to only a part but not the entirety of the edge of the substantially circular cross-section of the passageway 18 in the region of the hollow cylindrical section 20 ,

After inserting one of the retaining elements 26 in one of the recesses 24 protrudes the holding element 26 in the passage 18 thus reducing the cross section of the passageway only at this part of the rim 18 ,

It can be seen that in the holding element 26 holes 28 are provided, in the inserted state of the holding element 26 with corresponding holes between face 22 and the recesses 24 as well as from the recess 24 further into the lateral surface of the hollow cylindrical section 20 towards the second end 14 into it. This allows screws (not shown) from the end face 22 be used to hold the retaining elements 26 in the recesses 24 (releasably) to attach. The holes in the arc-shaped holding element can in this case also have an elongated shape, so that the holding elements in the radial direction adjustable and thus the Hineinragen the holding elements is controllable in the passage.

Will, as will be described in more detail below, a connecting element, such as those in the 4 to 6 shown connectors 50 . 70 , with a ball joint seat 16 matching ball joint head 60 . 78 in the connecting element 10 about its substantially circular cross-section at the first end 12 inserted and into the ball joint seat 16 used, so put the holding elements used 26 sure that the ball joint head 60 . 78 in the ball joint seat 16 remains stored and against pulling out of the first end 12 of the first connecting element 10 is secured. Specifically, can be with the help of the holding elements 26 define the angle of movement between the two connecting elements and - as far as the holding elements 26 are adjustable - adjust.

At the first end 12 are also two grooves 30 on the way to the passage 18 facing inside of the lateral surface of the hollow cylindrical portion 20 provided, extending from the first end 12 to the second end 14 extend and the elongated webs 25 cross. The grooves 30 are opposite each other and in the circumferential direction of the lateral surface of the hollow cylindrical portion 20 arranged substantially offset by 180 degrees.

At the second end 14 of the first connecting element 10 is a flange 32 educated. About the flange 32 can the connecting element 10 be attached to, for example, a first segment of a pig.

In the 4 and 5 is a second connecting element 50 shown. It has a first end 52 and a second end 54 with a passage 56 between the first end 52 and second end 54 on. At the first end 52 is a flange 58 intended. At the second end 54 is a ball joint head 60 intended. At the ball joint head 60 are, in particular in 5 it can be seen, two pin-shaped projections 62 on opposite sides of the outer surface of the ball joint head 60 arranged.

The first connection element 10 can with the second connecting element 50 be coupled to a connection system according to the invention. This is done with removed holding elements 26 the ball joint head 60 of the second connecting element 50 through the substantially circular cross-section of the passage 18 at the first end 12 of the first connecting element 10 inserted and into the ball joint seat 16 pushed the first connecting element. Here are the two projections 62 on the ball joint head 60 of the second connecting element 50 in the two grooves 30 at the first end 12 of the first connecting element 10 used and in the grooves 30 guided until the ball joint head 60 in the ball joint seat 16 is applied.

Subsequently, the two holding elements 26 in the recesses 24 inserted and fastened with screws. As a result, the two holding elements protrude 26 in a substantially radial inward direction into the passageway 18 into it, making it the cross section of the passageway 18 only at a part of the edge of before the insertion of the holding elements 26 essentially round cross section of the passage 18 at the first end 12 of the first connecting element 10 reduce. Furthermore, the two holding elements occur 26 in contact with the surface of the ball joint head 60 , This will cause the ball joint head 60 of the second connecting element 50 against pulling out of the ball joint seat 16 of the first connecting element 10 secured. Furthermore, this causes the (maximum) movement angle between the first connecting element 10 and the second connection element 50 one by the two projections 62 defined axis determined. On top of that, through the two into the grooves 30 engaging projections 62 a twisting of the ball joint head 60 along a circumferential direction between the two projections 62 is prevented. To achieve an anti-rotation of the ball joint head 60 in the ball joint seat 16 Alternatively, only one groove can be used 30 in combination with a lead 62 be sufficient (not shown).

In 6 is a third connector 70 shown, which is a first end 72 and a second end 74 having. At the first end 72 is like the first connector 10 into a hollow cylindrical section 86 opening ball joint seat 76 with two recesses 78 and two grooves 80 arranged, wherein the hollow cylindrical portion 86 again in a face 88 ends. At the second end 74 is - instead of the flange 32 at the first connection element 10 - a ball joint head 78 with two opposing protrusions 82 arranged. Between the first end 72 and the second end 74 runs the ball joint seat 76 passing passage 84 ,

In 7 is an embodiment of a connection system according to the invention 100 shown, which is a first connecting element 10 , two third fasteners 70 and a second connecting element 50 includes. The two third connecting elements 70 increase the degrees of freedom of the connection system 100 and in particular serve to increase the total angle of movement of the connection system 100 ,

Claims (14)

Connecting element for the articulated connection of two segments of a system for pipeline testing, which comprises a first end ( 12 . 72 ) and a second end ( 14 . 74 ); a ball joint seat ( 16 . 76 ) at the first end ( 12 . 72 ), between the first end ( 12 . 72 ) and the second end ( 14 . 74 ) through the ball joint seat ( 16 . 76 ) passage ( 18 . 82 ), which allows the passage of cables or hoses from the first end ( 12 . 72 ) to the second end ( 14 . 74 ), and wherein one in the ball joint seat ( 16 . 76 ) to be stored ball joint head ( 60 . 78 ) at the first end ( 12 . 72 ) of the connecting element ( 10 . 70 ) in the passage ( 18 . 82 ) and into the ball joint seat ( 16 . 76 ) can be used; at least one retaining element ( 26 ), which is adapted to be in the passage ( 18 . 82 ), that a cross section of the passage ( 18 . 82 ) reduced only at a respective part of the edge of the cross section, which is associated with the respective holding element. Connecting element according to claim 1, which comprises at least two retaining elements ( 26 ), wherein the holding elements ( 26 ) associated parts of the edge of the cross section do not touch. Connecting element according to claim 2, which exactly two holding elements ( 26 ), wherein the two of the two holding elements ( 26 ) are substantially opposite to associated parts of the edge of the cross section. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one retaining element ( 26 ) is substantially arcuate. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the ball joint seat ( 16 . 76 ) in a direction away from the second end ( 14 . 74 ) a hollow cylindrical section ( 20 . 86 ), which in its lateral surface at least one recess ( 24 . 78 ), wherein the at least one retaining element ( 26 ) in such a way in the respective recess ( 24 . 78 ) can be used, that the holding element ( 26 ) in the passage ( 18 . 82 ) protrudes. Connecting element according to claim 5, wherein the hollow cylindrical portion ( 20 . 86 ) an end face ( 22 . 88 ), in the holes ( 28 . 89 ) are provided, can be used by the fasteners to the at least one retaining element ( 26 ) to fix. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one retaining element ( 26 ) is adjustably attached. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at the first end ( 12 . 72 ) of the connecting element ( 10 . 70 ) at least one groove ( 30 . 80 ), which is adapted to a respective on the ball joint head ( 60 . 78 ) trained advantage ( 62 . 82 ). Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element ( 10 . 70 ) two opposing grooves ( 30 . 80 ) at the first end ( 12 . 72 ), each of the two grooves ( 30 . 80 ) is adapted to one of two on the ball joint head ( 60 . 78 ) formed projections ( 62 . 82 ), so that in the ball joint seat ( 16 . 76 ) mounted ball joint head ( 60 . 78 ) one by the two projections ( 62 . 82 ) defined axis is pivotable. Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, with a flange ( 32 ) at the second end ( 14 ) of the connecting element ( 10 ). Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 9, with a ball joint head ( 78 ) at the second end ( 74 ), which has an opening for the passage of cables or hoses. Connection system for use in a pipeline inspection system, comprising a first connection element ( 10 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and a second connecting element ( 50 ) with a flange ( 58 ) at a first end ( 52 ) and a ball joint head ( 60 ) at a second end ( 54 ), between the first end ( 52 ) and the second end ( 54 ) of the second connecting element ( 50 ) another passage ( 56 ), wherein the ball joint head ( 60 ) of the second connecting element ( 50 ) in the ball joint seat ( 16 ) of the first connecting element ( 10 ) is mounted such that cables or hoses through the passage ( 18 ) and the further passage ( 56 ) can be performed. A connection system according to claim 12, wherein between the first connection element ( 10 ) and the second connecting element ( 50 ) at least one third connecting element ( 70 ) is arranged according to claim 11. Pipe inspection system comprising two segments connected by a connection system ( 100 ) are hinged together according to claim 12 or 13.

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