JP2001091503A - Ultrasonic probe-scanning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably set a scan mechanism for automatically supporting an ultrasonic probe at the outer periphery of a pipe body. SOLUTION: The device is equipped with a support frame body 1 that is formed in a square, a plurality of magnet rollers 2 and 2 that are rotatably supported by the support frame body at specific distance while a pipe body 24 to be inspected is embraced, and an ultrasonic probe 9 that is mounted to an engagement member 5 being rotatably supported outside the support frame body for pressing onto the surface of the pipe body, the magnet rollers 2 and 2 are attracted to the pipe body to be inspected, at the same time the engagement member 5 is rotated, and the ultrasonic probe 9 is pressed onto the surface of the pipe body for contacting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus mainly used for measuring the thickness of a small diameter pipe or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, air-conditioning pipes, pipes for water supply and sewerage, and other pipes for various purposes are provided in ducts, underground cavities, and the like of high-rise buildings. If the thickness changes, the required function cannot be maintained or the risk of causing an accident increases. Therefore, the thickness of the pipe is measured periodically or at an arbitrary time.

Therefore, conventionally, when mainly measuring the wall thickness of a small diameter tube, as shown in FIG. 5, a measurer presses an ultrasonic probe 51 with a hand 52 against the outer peripheral surface of a small diameter tube 53. In general, the thickness is measured.

[0004]

However, when the small-diameter pipe 53 is disposed near an obstacle 54 such as a duct or a wall of a hollow passage, the ultrasonic probe 51 can be appropriately pressed. Often difficult. That is, the small-diameter pipe 53
The hand 52 is inserted between the ultrasonic probe 5 and the obstacle 54.
Even if there is not enough space to press the probe 1, or even if the ultrasonic probe 51 manages to come into contact with the measurement site, it is necessary to manually press the probe 51 at an appropriate angle. Often difficult.

[0005] As a result, the small diameter tube 53 cannot be properly installed, the accurate thickness data cannot be obtained even if the ultrasonic probe 51 is pressed, or the ultrasonic probe 5 cannot be obtained.
1 cannot be smoothly scanned along the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body.

[0006] Further, since the probe 51 is pressed by the human hand 52, the pressing force of the probe 51 may greatly change, and a measurement error may always occur.
In addition, there is a problem that the range of the measurement error greatly changes.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when there is a narrow portion due to an obstacle or the like,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic probe scanning device capable of stably pressing an ultrasonic probe against a tube.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe scanning device which enables an ultrasonic probe to scan smoothly along the outer peripheral surface of a tube.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus which maintains the pressing force of the ultrasonic probe at a substantially constant level and improves the measurement accuracy.

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, an ultrasonic probe scanning apparatus according to the present invention includes a rectangular support frame and a tube to be inspected. A plurality of magnet rollers rotatably supported by the support frame at a predetermined distance, and an engagement member rotatably supported outside the support frame and attached to the engagement member by rotation of the engagement member. And an ultrasonic probe pressed against the surface of the tubular body.

According to the present invention, by taking the above measures, the plurality of magnet rollers are attracted so as to embrace the tube to be inspected, so that the ultrasonic probe can be securely held without being pressed by hand. Can be set around the body.

Further, the ultrasonic probe scanning device according to the present invention has a rectangular support frame provided with slidable support sides, and a non-slide support side of the support frame opposite to the support frame. The main magnet roller rotatably supported, the auxiliary magnet roller rotatably supported on the slide supporting side disposed at equal distances on both sides of the main magnet roller, and the diameter of the tube to be inspected. A slide mechanism that slides the slide support side in a predetermined direction to adjust a distance between the auxiliary magnet rollers, and a rotation mechanism that is attached to an engagement member rotatably supported outside the support frame and rotates the engagement member. An ultrasonic probe pressed against the surface of the tubular body by movement.

According to the present invention, by taking the above measures, if the slide support side is slid in a predetermined direction by the slide mechanism depending on the outer diameter of the tube to be inspected, the distance between the auxiliary magnet rollers can be reduced. It can be adjusted, so that the auxiliary magnet roller can contact the outer periphery of the tube with a large contact area, and the scanning mechanism can be stably installed on the surface of the tube.

The width of the structure including the scanning mechanism including the support frame and the magnet roller and the ultrasonic probe is substantially equal to the diameter of the tube to be inspected, or is smaller than the diameter. If the tube is formed small, the wall thickness of the tube can be measured by stably pressing the ultrasonic probe against the surface of the tube even when there is a narrow portion due to an obstacle or the like.

Further, according to the present invention, a spring mechanism is interposed between the support frame and the engaging member, one end of the spring is fixed to the support frame, and the other end of the spring is connected to the engaging member. If the ultrasonic probe is rotatably mounted on the tube, the ultrasonic probe can be pressed against the outer periphery of the tube with a uniform pressing force, and the wall thickness of the tube can be measured with high accuracy.

Further, according to the present invention, a wire attachment member is attached to both support sides constituting a support frame on a side orthogonal to the magnet roller, the wires are bound to these wire attachment members, and one of the wires is wound up. If the operation is performed so that the other wire is extended, the ultrasonic probe can be rotated and scanned clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the surface of the tubular body, and the work can be smoothly performed even in a narrow portion.

Further, according to the present invention, if the holder of the ultrasonic probe is attached to the engaging member and the holder is provided with an angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting the ultrasonic incident angle of the ultrasonic probe, Irrespective of the diameter of the tube, the direction of incidence of the ultrasonic wave can be transmitted to the center of the tube, and the thickness of the tube can be measured with high accuracy.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a rectangular support frame, and two support frames 1 are arranged in parallel in the support frame 1 at a predetermined distance capable of holding a tube (not shown). The magnet rollers 2 are rotatably supported.

The width of the support frame 1 (the width in the depth direction as viewed from the front) may be any width as long as the magnet rollers 2 and 2 can be supported, and the magnet rollers 2 and 2 are cylindrical rather than solid. This is preferable from the viewpoint of weight reduction and operability. Further, the magnet rollers 2 and 2 may be formed entirely of a magnet material. However, in consideration of material saving and operability, at least one magnet roller is provided in the circumferential direction of the roller base.
It is desirable to provide one or more ring-shaped magnets 12a. Reference numeral 3 denotes a flange provided on both side edges of the magnet roller 2.

At substantially the center of the two magnet rollers 2, 2, a shaft body 4 for reinforcing the support frame 1 and suppressing vibration during rotation of the roller is disposed. The support frame 1 is penetrated and fixed by screws or the like.

An engaging member 5 is rotatably attached to one end of the shaft 4 protruding from the support frame 1 to the outside, and prevents the engaging member 4 from being pulled out. For this purpose, a screw 6 is screwed.

The support frame 1 and the engaging member 5 are arranged with a required gap, and a spiral mechanism 7 such as a spiral or a plate is interposed in the gap. One end of the spring mechanism 7 is engaged with a pin 8 protruding outside from the support member 1, and the other end is engaged to rotate the engaging member 5 in a predetermined direction by the spring force of the spring mechanism 7. Yes.

A probe holder 10 for holding an ultrasonic probe 9 having a transmitting element and a receiving element is attached to the outside of the end of the engaging member 5, and the ultrasonic probe 9 has a connector. The cable 11 is connected via a cable (not shown).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a probe angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting the ultrasonic probe 9 to a required angle. The components 1 to 4 shown in FIG. 1 are referred to as a scanning mechanism because they are used for stably supporting and turning the ultrasonic probe 9 around the outer periphery of the tube to be inspected.

The width W in the depth direction of the paper including the scanning mechanisms 1 to 4 and the ultrasonic probe 9 can scan a narrow portion between the tube to be inspected and the obstacle as shown in FIG. Therefore, the diameter of the tube to be inspected is set to be substantially equal to or smaller than the diameter of the tube to be inspected. Incidentally, in the case of a small-diameter pipe having a diameter of 15 mm, the width W in the depth direction is formed to be 15 mm.

Next, the operation of the above-described scanning device will be described.

For example, by setting a part of the support frame 1 by hand or the like and setting the outer peripheral surface of the tube in such a state that the tube to be inspected (not shown) is held by the two magnet rollers 2 and 2. , Ring-shaped magnet 2 of both rollers 2
a and 2a are adsorbed on the outer periphery of the tubular body and can be stably fixed. At this time, the spring mechanism 7 is rotating the engagement member 5 in a direction facing the tube body surface.
By the spring force, the ultrasonic probe 9 can be stably pressed against the outer periphery of the tube with a predetermined pressing force.

After setting the ultrasonic probe 9 as described above, when the probe excitation signal is received through the cable 11, the probe ultrasonic probe 9 moves the required frequency to the tube. Of ultrasonic waves and receives reflected waves from inside the tube,
The wall thickness of the tube can be measured from the ultrasonic reflection time.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, two magnet rollers 2, 2 having a predetermined distance are provided.
Is adsorbed so as to embrace the tube to be inspected, so that the scanning mechanism can be installed in a stable state, and as a result, the ultrasonic probe 9
Can be stably moved and scanned while contacting the outer peripheral surface of the tube.

The spring mechanism 7 is interposed in the gap between the support frame 1 and the engaging member 5, and the engaging member 5 is rotated in a predetermined direction by the spring force of the spring mechanism 7. The ultrasonic probe 9 supported by the engaging member 5 can be pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the tube with a substantially constant pressing force, so that a measurement error by the ultrasonic probe 9 can be significantly reduced, and thus the measurement accuracy is improved. Can be achieved.

Further, since the width W in the depth direction of the structure including the scanning mechanisms 1 to 4 and the ultrasonic probe 9 is formed to be substantially equal to the diameter of the tube to be inspected, an obstacle is formed around the tube. Even in a narrow portion, it is possible to move and scan in a stable state without requiring any manpower.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the ultrasonic probe scanning device according to the present invention, and more specifically, is a diagram when viewed from below in FIG. .

In this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 9 shown in FIG.
This is an example in which a pulling mechanism for rotating and scanning the scanning mechanism including the above is provided, and the pulling mechanism is a wire mounting member mounted on both outer sides of the support frame 1 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the magnet roller 2. 21 and 21 (see FIG. 1), turning scanning wires 22 and 22 each having one end bound to each wire mounting member 21 and 21 for turning and scanning the scanning mechanism, and these turning scanning wires 22 and 22. Is wound around, and is constituted by traction machines 23, 23 which perform winding and unwinding operations of the wire.

One of the towing machines 23, 23 has a turning scanning wire 22 at predetermined intervals or at an arbitrary speed.
Is wound, the other side has a function of feeding the revolving scanning wire 22 while applying a required tension.

In the figure, reference numeral 24 denotes a tube to be inspected, and 25 denotes an obstacle. As shown in the drawing, an obstacle 22 exists near the tube 21 to be inspected.
It is a narrow part that does not have enough room to turn while pressing against the tube.

Next, the operation of the above-described scanning device will be described.

At this time, the wire 22 is
Is wound by a predetermined distance every predetermined period, and an indexing operation is performed by applying a constant tension to the wire 22 with the indexing device 23 on the upper side of the drawing, and the scanning mechanism that supports the ultrasonic probe 9 If ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received from the ultrasonic probe 9 while rotating the outer peripheral surface of the tube 24 to be inspected rightward in the drawing, that is, clockwise, the wall thickness of the tube 24 can be reduced while rotating clockwise. The indexer 23 on the upper side of the figure can be measured.
The ultrasonic probe 9 is supported by winding the wire 22 by a predetermined distance at predetermined intervals at a predetermined interval, and performing an indexing operation such that the wire 22 is unwound while applying a constant tension by a lower indexer 23 in the drawing. When the scanning mechanism transmits and receives ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe 9 while rotating the outer peripheral surface of the tube 24 to be inspected in the leftward direction in the drawing, that is, in the counterclockwise direction, the tube rotates while scanning counterclockwise. The thickness of the body 24 can be measured.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the indexing operation is performed by the indexers 23, 23, so that the scanning mechanism can be moved clockwise or counterclockwise along the outer peripheral surface of the tube 24. As compared with the conventional measurement in which a hand is put into a narrow portion and the ultrasonic probe 9 is pressed against the tube, the measurement operation of the outer periphery of the tube in the narrow portion can be smoothly performed.

Further, since the ultrasonic probe 9 can be rotated and scanned using the magnet rollers 2 and 2 and the spring mechanism 7 while maintaining a predetermined contact pressure on the surface of the tube, the inspection can be performed stably and with high accuracy. The thickness of the tube 24 can be measured.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the ultrasonic probe scanning device according to the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

This embodiment is an effective example when the diameter of the tube 24 to be inspected is relatively large and changes.

This scanning device has a particularly improved scanning mechanism, and has a rectangular slide support frame 31 that slides in the direction of the arrow (a) in the drawing, and a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the support frame 31. A main magnet roller 32 disposed in the direction of rotation and rotatably supported at a substantially central portion of the support frame 31, and attached to a slide support side positioned in parallel with the main magnet roller 32; An auxiliary magnet roller 33 movable at an equal distance from the main magnet roller 32 with the sliding operation of the main magnet roller 32
And is constituted by.

The slide support frame 31 is disposed opposite to the vertical direction in the figure, and is a cylindrical base 34a, which is a non-slide support side formed in, for example, a substantially V-shape or inverted mountain shape.
34b is formed in a substantially U-shape, and both ends thereof are slidably inserted into the cylindrical portions of the bases 34a and 34b, and one or more auxiliary magnet rollers 3 are inserted into the body portion.
3 comprises U-shaped supports 35 which serve as slide support sides for rotatably supporting 3.

As shown in FIG. 3B, racks 36, 3 are provided at upper ends of the U-shaped supports 35, 35, respectively, which are slidably mounted on the cylindrical portion of the base 34a.
A gear 37 is meshed between the racks 36. The rotating shaft of the gear 37 protrudes out of the base 34a, and applies a rotating force to the gear 3 by a motor or artificially.
7 is provided.

An ultrasonic probe 9 is provided on the other base 34b via an engaging member 5 as in FIG. The probe 9 has a configuration in which the engagement member 5 rotates by receiving the spring force of the spring mechanism 7 and is pressed against the tube with a uniform pressing force.

In this scanning device, when the gear 37 is rotated in a required direction by the operation body 38 when the outer diameter of the tube to be inspected is large, the bases 34a and 34b supporting the main magnet roller 32 are moved. Since the U-shaped supports 35, 35 slide outward, the distance between the auxiliary magnet rollers 33, 33 on both sides is widened, the contact area of the auxiliary magnet rollers 33, 33 with the tube is increased, and the scanning mechanism is reduced. Can be installed in a stable state on the tube surface.

In this state, for example, when applied to a tube to be inspected having a small outer diameter, the auxiliary magnet roller 33,
33 is no longer in contact with the surface of the tube, but at this time, by rotating the gear 37 through the operating body 38 in a direction opposite to the above, the distance between the auxiliary magnet rollers 33 on both sides is reduced, and the tube The contact area of each of the auxiliary magnet rollers 33 with respect to the outer periphery of the tube becomes large, and the scanning mechanism can be similarly stably installed on the surface of the tube.

It is needless to say that the scanning device of this embodiment performs a turning scan using the traction mechanism shown in FIG.

Also in this scanning device, if the width W in the depth direction of the structure including the scanning mechanisms 31 to 33 and the ultrasonic probe 9 is substantially equal to the diameter of the tube to be inspected,
Even in a narrow portion where there is an obstacle around the tube, the scanning mechanism and, by extension, the ultrasonic probe 9 can be stably moved and scanned without requiring any manual operation.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a specific example of the angle adjusting mechanism 22 for adjusting the angle of the ultrasonic probe which is a part of the ultrasonic probe scanning device according to the present invention. (a) is a diagram viewed from the direction facing the longitudinal direction of the tube, and (b) is a diagram viewed from the axial direction of the tube.

The angle adjusting mechanism 12 has a small gap 1 with respect to the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe 9 located in the circumferential direction of the tube.
One side of a probe holder 10 holding the ultrasonic probe 9 so as to enclose it with 2a, that is, FIG.
A screw groove (not shown) is formed on the front surface of the probe. An angle adjusting screw 12b is screwed into the screw groove, and the rear end of the screw is fixed to the probe 9.

If an elastic member is interposed between the head of the screw body 12b and the probe holder 9, vibration caused by the movement of the scanning device main body is transmitted to the ultrasonic probe 9. Can be suppressed.

In FIG. 9A, 9a is an ultrasonic wave transmitting element for transmitting ultrasonic waves, 9b is an ultrasonic wave receiving element for receiving ultrasonic waves, and 41 is a connector for connecting the cable 11. ing.

Therefore, according to such a configuration, when the screw 12b for angle adjustment is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise using a driver, the angle of the ultrasonic probe 9 changes, and the tube to be measured is changed. The ultrasonic wave can be set to enter the body 24 at an appropriate incident angle.

That is, when the angle adjusting screw body 12b is rotated in the clockwise direction (D direction), the direction of the ultrasonic wave incident direction of the probe 9 is changed in the L direction about C, and conversely, When the screw body 12b is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (U direction), the direction of the ultrasonic wave incident direction of the probe 9 can be changed in the R direction around the C opposite to the L direction. This means that even when the ultrasonic wave incident direction of the ultrasonic probe 9 is deviated from the tube center axis due to the tube diameter or other factors, the angle adjusting screw 12
By rotating b in the required direction, the ultrasonic wave incident direction of the ultrasonic probe 9 can be adjusted to the center axis of the tube, and the thickness of the tube can be measured with high accuracy.

It is needless to say that the present invention can be carried out in various modifications without departing from the gist thereof, irrespective of the above embodiment.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, the scanning mechanism can be stably set on the surface of the tube even when a narrow portion due to an obstacle or the like exists, and the ultrasonic probe can be pressed uniformly. Can be pressed with pressure.

Further, according to the present invention, by making the distance between the two auxiliary magnet rollers freely adjustable, the contact area of each auxiliary magnet roller can be increased with respect to the surface of the tube body having an arbitrary diameter. It can be set to a stable state on the tube surface.

Further, since the scanning mechanism including the ultrasonic probe is rotated and scanned by using the pulling mechanism, the ultrasonic probe can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the outer periphery of the tubular body, and can be rotated at a narrow portion. Even if there is, the measurement work can proceed smoothly.

Further, by making the angle of the ultrasonic wave incident direction of the ultrasonic probe adjustable, the ultrasonic probe can be appropriately set even when the condition of the tube shape changes, and the tube body can be accurately adjusted. Can be measured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram viewed from the front showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe scanning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of one side of the scanning device when a traction mechanism is provided in the scanning device illustrated in FIG. 1;

3 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the ultrasonic probe scanning device according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 3 (a) is a front view, and FIG. 3 (b) is a tube of FIG. 3 (a). FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the internal configuration of a substrate.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an angle adjusting mechanism of the ultrasonic probe, which is a part of the ultrasonic probe scanning device according to the present invention, and FIG. The figure which looked at the angle adjustment mechanism from the longitudinal direction of the tube when the acoustic probe was installed, and the figure (b) which looked at the angle adjustment mechanism from the tube axial direction.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a conventional work condition for measuring the wall thickness of a pipe.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Support frame 2 ... Magnet roller 5 ... Engaging member 7 ... Spring mechanism 9 ... Ultrasonic probe 10 ... Probe holder 12 ... Probe angle adjustment mechanism 22 ... Rotation scanning wire 23 ... Pulling machine 24 ... Tube to be inspected 25. Obstacle 31. Slide support frame 32. Main magnet roller 33. Rack 37 ... gear 38 ... operation body

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic probe scanning device for measuring the thickness of a tube to be inspected, wherein the supporting frame is formed at a predetermined distance so as to embrace the rectangular support frame and the tube. A plurality of magnet rollers rotatably supported by the frame; and an engagement member rotatably supported outside the support frame, and pressed against the surface of the tube by rotation of the engagement member. An ultrasonic probe scanning device comprising: an ultrasonic probe to be used. 2. An ultrasonic probe scanning device for measuring the thickness of a tube to be inspected, comprising: a rectangular support frame having opposing support sides slidably provided; A main magnet roller rotatably supported on the side of the non-slide support side, an auxiliary magnet roller rotatably supported on the slide support side disposed at equal distances on both sides of the main magnet roller, and the tube A slide mechanism that slides the slide support side in a predetermined direction in accordance with the diameter of the body to adjust a distance between the auxiliary magnet rollers, and is attached to an engagement member rotatably supported outside the support frame, An ultrasonic probe which is pressed against the surface of the tubular body by the rotation of the engagement member. 3. The ultrasonic probe scanning device according to claim 1, wherein a scanning mechanism including the support frame and a magnet roller and the ultrasonic probe are included. An ultrasonic probe scanning device characterized in that the width is substantially equal to or smaller than the diameter of the tube. 4. The ultrasonic probe scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is interposed between the support frame and the engaging member, and one end of the ultrasonic probe is supported by the support frame. An ultrasonic probe fixed to the frame side, the other end portion of which is rotatably attached to the engaging member, and a spring mechanism for pressing the ultrasonic probe against the surface of the tubular body is provided. Tactile scanning device. 5. The ultrasonic probe scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is attached to both support sides of a support frame on a side orthogonal to the magnet roller. A wire attachment member, and a traction device for operating one of the wires bound to the wire attachment member to take up one of the wires and unwind the other wire; An ultrasonic probe scanning device, characterized in that it can be rotated and scanned with respect to. 6. The ultrasonic probe scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe scanning device is provided on a holder of the ultrasonic probe attached to the engaging member. An ultrasonic probe scanning device, comprising an angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting an ultrasonic incident angle of the ultrasonic probe.