JP2018013332A - Probe movement device and movement method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a probe movement device with which it is possible to move a probe even when the diameter of a metal tube changes and for which the freedom of installation is improved.SOLUTION: A probe movement device 1 is designed to move a probe 2 in the circumferential direction of a metal tube P that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave to and from the metal tube P in order to detect a defect occurring in the metal tube P. The device comprises a probe holder 4 having a structure to enable the probe 2 to move in the circumferential direction of the metal tube P, a linear substance 5 connected to the probe holder 4, and a traction mechanism 6 for winding the linear substance 5 and thereby drawing the probe holder 4. The traction mechanism 6 is constructed so as to wind the linear substance 5 wound one round or more around the metal tube P and thereby move the probe holder 4 in the circumferential direction of the metal tube P one round or more of the metal tube P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a probe moving device and a moving method.

  Conventionally, an ultrasonic probe has been used to detect defects in metal pipes, for example, defects such as metal pillars for road lighting, or those embedded in concrete or on the ground. Detection methods are known. In this detection method, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of defects in the entire circumference of the metal tube by moving a probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to the metal tube in the circumferential direction of the metal tube.

  As a device for moving such a probe in the circumferential direction of the metal tube, for example, a moving device described in Patent Document 1 includes a circumferential guide unit that guides the probe so as to be movable in the circumferential direction, A circumferential guide having both ends connected to the circumferential guide, a transmission gear, and a motor for rotating the transmission gear are provided. The circumferential guide is attached along the circumferential direction of the metal tube, and has a shape extending in an arc shape corresponding to the circumferential surface of the metal tube. Teeth that mesh with the transmission gear are formed on the outer peripheral side of the circumferential guide. In this moving device, when the transmission gear is rotated by the motor, the circumferential guide having teeth meshing with the transmission gear moves in the circumferential direction of the metal tube, thereby moving the probe in the circumferential direction together with the circumferential guide portion. It is possible to make it.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-90430 (FIG. 22)

  In the mechanism for moving the probe in the circumferential direction as described above, a thrust in the circumferential direction is applied to the circumferential guide portion and the probe via the circumferential guide attached along the circumferential direction of the metal tube. ing. Therefore, every time the diameter of the metal tube that is the subject changes, there is a problem that it must be changed to an arcuate circumferential guide having a curvature corresponding to the peripheral surface of the metal tube.

  In addition, a lid that covers an inspection hole for inspecting the inside of the subject may be attached to the surface of the metal tube of the subject, so the circumferential guide cannot be attached along the surface of the metal tube. In some cases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and provides a probe moving device that can move a probe even when the diameter of a metal tube changes, and has improved installation flexibility. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the probe moving device of the present invention provides a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to the metal tube in order to detect defects generated in the metal tube. A probe moving device that moves in the circumferential direction, the probe holder having a configuration that allows the probe to move in the circumferential direction of the metal tube, and a line connected to the probe holder And a traction mechanism that pulls the probe holder by winding the linear body, and the traction mechanism is wound in a range of one or more rounds of the metal tube. The probe holder is configured to move one or more times around the metal tube in the circumferential direction of the metal tube by winding up the body.

  According to this configuration, the linear body is connected to the probe holder on which the probe is mounted. The probe holder can be moved one or more times around the metal tube in the circumferential direction of the metal tube by being wound up by the pulling mechanism in a state where the linear body is wound around the metal tube at least once. Is possible. Therefore, even if the diameter of the metal tube changes, if the linear body having a corresponding length is pulled out of the pulling mechanism, the probe holder can be pulled by winding the linear body around the metal tube. . Therefore, there is no need to replace parts such as a circumferential guide corresponding to the diameter of the metal tube as in the prior art, and the probe can be moved corresponding to metal tubes of all diameters.

  In addition, even if the surface of the metal tube is uneven, such as a cover for inspection holes attached to the surface of the metal tube, it is possible to wind the linear body along the surface of the metal tube. The degree of freedom of installation of the probe moving device is improved.

  It is preferable that a fixing portion for fixing the traction mechanism to the metal pipe is further provided.

  According to such a configuration, since the traction mechanism can be fixed to the metal tube, the probe can be moved without being affected by the surface of the installation location of the metal tube.

  It is preferable that the fixing portion includes a belt-like body that is hung around the metal tube and fixes the traction mechanism to the metal tube, and a tightening portion that tightens the belt-like body.

  According to such a configuration, the traction mechanism is fixed by the belt-like body wound around the metal tube, and the belt-like body is tightened using the tightening portion, so that the traction mechanism uses the tension of the belt-like body. It is possible to strengthen the surface.

  It is preferable that the fixing portion further includes a turning connection portion that connects the tightening portion so as to be able to turn in a direction approaching and separating from the side surface of the metal tube with respect to the traction mechanism.

  According to such a configuration, the tightening portion is connected to the traction mechanism so as to be capable of turning via the turning connection portion. Therefore, even if the diameter of the metal tube changes, the traction mechanism is fixed to the metal tube. The tightening portion can be swung in a direction approaching and separating from the side surface of the metal tube. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the tightening portion in contact with the side surface of the metal tube while maintaining the state where the traction mechanism is fixed to the metal tube. Therefore, the tightening part can perform the tightening of the belt-shaped body in a stable state.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the fixing portion further includes a temporary fixing portion that temporarily fixes the traction mechanism to the metal tube by a magnetic force.

  According to such a configuration, the traction mechanism can be temporarily fixed to the metal tube by the temporary fixing portion before the operation of hanging the belt-shaped body around the metal tube, so that the operator does not support the traction mechanism with his hand. Work to hang the body around the metal tube becomes possible. Therefore, the workability of attaching the traction mechanism is improved.

  The pulling mechanism is disposed at a position away from the metal tube in the radial direction of the metal tube relative to the probe holder, the winding shaft capable of winding the linear member, and the linear member. It is preferable to further include a guide portion that guides the winding shaft along the axial direction of the metal tube.

  According to such a configuration, the linear body can be guided to the winding shaft of the traction mechanism along the axial direction of the metal tube by the guide portion. Therefore, the winding shaft and the surrounding mechanism can be arranged at a position away from the probe holder in the axial direction of the metal tube, and the degree of freedom of installation of the probe moving device is further improved. In addition, since the guide portion is arranged at a position farther away from the metal tube than the probe holder in the radial direction of the metal tube, contact with the probe holder that moves in the circumferential direction of the metal tube is avoided. It is possible.

  It is preferable that the guide portion has an abutting portion that abuts against the linear body at an end portion near the probe holder and changes the direction of the linear body in the axial direction of the metal tube.

  According to this configuration, the abutment portion abuts the linear body at a position close to the probe holder, and the linear body is reliably wound by changing the direction of the linear body in the axial direction of the metal tube. It is possible to guide to the take-off shaft.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the guide portion has a rotation support portion that rotatably supports the contact portion around a rotation axis parallel to the axial direction of the metal tube.

  According to such a configuration, even if the diameter of the metal tube changes, it is possible to change the direction of the contact portion following the direction of the linear body from the side surface of the metal tube toward the contact portion. Therefore, it becomes possible to smoothly feed the linear body to the winding shaft via the contact portion even if the diameter is any metal pipe, and as a result, the linear body can be smoothly wound. .

  It is preferable that the guide portion has a configuration capable of changing the length.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily align the end of the guide portion with the probe holder in the axial direction of the metal tube by changing the length of the guide portion. As a result, even if the take-up shaft and the surrounding mechanism are arranged at a position away from the probe holder in the axial direction of the metal tube, the linear body connected to the probe holder is moved along the side surface of the metal tube. It is possible to guide to the end portion of the guide portion without fail. As a result, the degree of freedom of installation of the probe moving device is further improved.

  It is preferable that the traction mechanism has a release portion that releases a state where the linear body is wound up.

  According to such a configuration, the linear body can be easily pulled out from the traction mechanism by releasing the state where the linear body of the traction mechanism is wound up by the release unit.

  The probe holder preferably includes a magnet that generates a magnetic force that can be attracted to the metal tube, and includes a rolling member that can roll on the peripheral surface of the metal tube.

  According to this configuration, the rolling member included in the probe holder can roll while being attracted to the metal tube by the magnetic force of the magnet. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly move the probe holder in the circumferential direction of the metal tube.

  The linear body is preferably a ball chain having a plurality of spherical portions and a plurality of link portions connecting the spherical portions.

  According to such a configuration, the ball chain is less likely to be deteriorated (curled or the like) due to use than the wire, and therefore the probe holder can be pulled at a stable speed even when used for a long time.

  It is preferable that the traction mechanism further includes a driving unit that generates a rotational driving force for winding the linear body.

  According to such a configuration, the linear body can be automatically wound using the rotational driving force of the drive unit, and the circumferential scanning of the probe can be automatically performed.

  It is preferable to further include a manual input unit having a configuration capable of inputting a manual operation force for winding the linear body.

  According to such a configuration, the linear body can be wound using a manual operation force input via the manual input unit, and the scanning in the circumferential direction of the probe can be performed manually. is there.

  The probe moving method of the present invention is a probe moving method for moving a probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a metal tube in the circumferential direction in order to detect defects generated in the metal tube. A step of mounting the probe on a probe holder movable in the circumferential direction of the metal tube, a step of connecting a linear body to the probe holder, and one or more rounds of the metal tube A step of moving the probe holder one or more times in the circumferential direction of the metal tube by winding up the linear body wound in a range.

  According to the above probe moving method, the linear body is connected to the probe holder on which the probe is mounted. The probe holder can be moved one or more times around the metal tube in the circumferential direction of the metal tube by being wound up by the pulling mechanism in a state where the linear body is wound around the metal tube at least once. Is possible. Therefore, even if the diameter of the metal tube changes, if the linear body having a corresponding length is pulled out of the pulling mechanism, the probe holder can be pulled by winding the linear body around the metal tube. . Therefore, there is no need to replace parts such as a circumferential guide corresponding to the diameter of the metal tube as in the prior art, and the probe can be moved corresponding to metal tubes of all diameters.

  In addition, even if the surface of the metal tube is uneven, such as a cover for inspection holes attached to the surface of the metal tube, it is possible to wind the linear body along the surface of the metal tube. The degree of freedom of installation of the probe moving device is improved.

  As described above, according to the probe moving device and the moving method of the present invention, the probe can be moved even if the diameter of the metal tube is changed. Moreover, the degree of freedom of installation of the probe moving device is improved.

It is an isometric view explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the abnormality detection apparatus provided with the probe moving apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the probe holder of FIG. It is arrow D1 figure of the probe holder of FIG. It is arrow D2 figure of the probe holder of FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the wheel of FIG. (A) is a front view of the ball chain of FIG. 1, (b) is a sectional view of the ball chain of (a). It is a perspective view of the assembly of the traction mechanism and fixing | fixed part of FIG. FIG. 8 is an arrow D3 view of the assembly of FIG. 7. FIG. FIG. 8 is an arrow D4 view of the assembly of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 9. FIG. 8 is an arrow D5 view of the assembly of FIG. 7. FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11. It is a figure which shows the state with which the assembly of the pulling mechanism of FIG. 1, and the fixing | fixed part, and the probe holder were attached to the metal tube, (a) was the figure seen from the downward direction of a metal tube, (b) is the figure of a metal tube It is the figure seen from diagonally upward. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a state in which the probe holder moves in the circumferential direction of the metal tube, where FIG. 13A is a view seen from below the metal tube, and FIG. It is the figure seen from diagonally upward. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a state in which the probe holder moves in the circumferential direction of the metal tube, where FIG. 13A is a view seen from below the metal tube, and FIG. It is the figure seen from diagonally upward. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a state in which the probe holder moves in the circumferential direction of the metal tube, where FIG. 13A is a view seen from below the metal tube, and FIG. It is the figure seen from diagonally upward. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a state in which the probe holder moves in the circumferential direction of the metal tube, where FIG. 13A is a view seen from below the metal tube, and FIG. It is the figure seen from diagonally upward.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a probe moving device and a moving method of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the probe moving device 1 is a device that moves an ultrasonic probe 2 (hereinafter referred to as a probe 2) probe 2 in a circumferential direction A of a metal tube P. The metal pipe P that is erected in a state where it is partially embedded in the installation surface such as soil or concrete may have a defect C (for example, a corroded portion or a crack that has occurred underground or on the ground). is there. Therefore, in order to detect this defect C, the probe moving device 1 scans the probe 2 that transmits and receives the ultrasonic wave S to the metal tube P in the circumferential direction A of the metal tube P.

  The probe moving device 1 includes a probe holder 4 on which a probe 2 is mounted, a ball chain 5 that is a linear body connected to the probe holder 4, and winds the ball chain 5 to search. A pulling mechanism 6 that pulls the contact holder 4 in the circumferential direction A of the metal tube P and a fixing portion 10 that fixes the pulling mechanism 6 to the side surface of the metal tube P are provided.

  The probe holder 4 of this embodiment is equipped with a rotary encoder 3 that measures the moving distance of the probe holder 4. The probe 2 and the rotary encoder 3 are connected to a measuring instrument 7 via signal lines. The measuring instrument 7 includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the motor 23 of the traction mechanism 6.

  The probe 2, the rotary encoder 3, the probe moving device 1, and the measuring instrument 7 constitute an abnormality detection device for the metal tube P. In this abnormality detection device, the probe 2 is scanned in the circumferential direction A of the metal tube P while transmitting the ultrasonic wave S downward, and the measuring instrument 7 is based on the reflected wave data received by the probe 2. Defect C is analyzed. Thereby, it is possible to detect the defect C over the entire circumference of the metal pipe P.

  The probe holder 4 has a configuration that allows the probe 2 to move in the circumferential direction A of the metal tube P. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the probe holder 4 includes a main body case 11, four wheels 12, and an axle 13. The main body case 11 is a hollow case having an opening 11a on the side facing the metal tube P. The probe 2 is inserted into the main body case 11 so as to be able to appear and retract through the opening 11a. A spring 14 is sandwiched between the probe 2 and the inner wall of the main body case 11 in a compressed state. The probe 2 is pressed against the metal tube P by the biasing force of the spring 14.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the wheel 12 is attached to a cylindrical permanent magnet 12a that generates a magnetic force that can be adsorbed to a metal tube P made of iron or stainless steel, and magnetic poles 12c at both ends of the permanent magnet 12a. And a metal disk 12b. The wheel 12 has an axle 13 penetrating in the axial direction, and is rotatably attached to the main body case 11 by the axle 13. Since the wheel 12 can roll on the peripheral surface of the metal tube P in a state where it is adsorbed on the peripheral surface of the metal tube P, the magnetic force generated by the wheel 12 is reduced when the probe holder 4 is moved. Does not become resistance. Therefore, the probe holder 4 can be smoothly moved in the circumferential direction A of the metal tube P.

  The probe 2 mounted on the probe holder 4 is pressed against the surface of the metal tube P by a spring 14 and transmits an ultrasonic wave S downward while in contact with the metal tube P. A reflected wave reflected from the defect C or the like is received. The probe 2 may be one or plural. For example, the transmitting probe and the receiving probe may be arranged side by side in the axial direction B or the circumferential direction A of the metal tube P.

  The rotary encoder 3 is attached to the main body case 11. The rotary encoder 3 has a rotating disk 3a that contacts the circumferential surface of the metal tube P and rotates following the movement of the probe holder 4 in the circumferential direction A.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the ball chain 5 is a linear body having a plurality of spherical portions 5a and a plurality of link portions 5b connecting the spherical portions 5a. The spherical portion 5a and the link portion 5b are made of a hard metal material such as iron. Since the link portion 5b is slidably connected to each spherical portion 5a, the ball chain 5 is restricted from being expanded and contracted and allowed to be bent. The ball chain 5 is less likely to be deteriorated by use (curl or the like) than the wire, and is less likely to be stretched due to deterioration over time, so that the probe holder 4 can be pulled at a stable speed even when used for a long time. Is possible.

  A coupler 15 is connected to the spherical portion 5 a of the end of the ball chain 5. The coupler 15 is connected to the two axles 13 of the probe holder 13 through the wire 16 as shown in FIGS. Thereby, the ball chain 5 is positioned at a substantially intermediate position of the probe 2 in the axial direction B of the metal tube P.

  In the present invention, the ball chain 5 is employed as a linear body that pulls the probe holder 4, but other linear bodies such as a wire may be employed.

  The pulling mechanism 6 is a mechanism that pulls the probe holder 4 by winding the ball chain 5. The traction mechanism 6 winds up the probe holder 4 in the circumferential direction A of the metal tube P one or more times of the metal tube P by winding the ball chain 5 wound around the metal tube P one or more times. It is configured to move.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the traction mechanism 6 includes a main body 21, a winding shaft 22 that winds up the ball chain 5, and the ball chain 5 along the axial direction of the metal pipe P. A guide portion 27 for guiding the winding shaft 22, a motor 23 for rotating the winding shaft 22, and a handle 24 for manually rotating the winding shaft 22 are provided.

  The main body portion 21 includes a flat pedestal portion 21a and a bearing portion 21b provided on one surface of the pedestal portion 21a (a surface opposite to the surface facing the metal tube P). The motor 23 is attached to the other surface (the surface facing the metal tube P) of the pedestal portion 21a, but it may be attached to another location.

  The bearing portion 21b supports the winding shaft 22 in a rotatable manner. A worm wheel 33a is coaxially fixed to the winding shaft 22. A worm member 33b meshing with the worm wheel 33a is rotatably accommodated in the bearing portion 21b. The worm member 33b is connected to the drive shaft 23a of the motor 23 via a helical gear or the like. Thereby, the rotational driving force of the motor 23 is transmitted to the winding shaft 22 via the worm member 33b and the worm wheel 33a, and the winding shaft 22 is rotated to wind the ball chain 5 around the winding shaft 22. Make it possible. The motor 23 is electrically connected to the measuring instrument 7 via the cable 23b.

  The motor 23 starts driving when a start button 8 provided on the measuring instrument 7 is pressed. The motor 23 may continue to be driven for a predetermined time while the start button 8 is pressed or after the start button 8 is pressed.

  Further, the end portion of the worm member 33b protrudes to the outside of the bearing portion 21b, and the handle 24 is fixed. Thus, the operator can manually wind the ball chain 5 around the winding shaft 22 by gripping and rotating the handle 24.

  In the present embodiment, the traction mechanism 6 has a release button 9 (see FIG. 1) for releasing the state where the ball chain 5 is wound up. The release button 9 is provided on the bearing portion 21 b of the main body portion 21. The state where the ball chain 5 of the traction mechanism 6 is wound can be released by pressing the release button 9.

  The guide part 27 for guiding the ball chain 5 is arranged at a position farther away from the probe holder 4 in the radial direction of the metal tube P than the metal tube P, and is arranged along the axial direction B of the metal tube P. The The guide portion 27 includes a cylindrical tube portion 28, a contact member 29, a rotation support portion 34, a support tube 30 that fits the tube portion 28 and supports the tube portion 28, and an adjustment screw 31. ing.

  The cylindrical tube portion 28 is disposed so as to extend in the same direction as the axial direction B of the metal pipe P. The cylinder part 28 is fitted in the support cylinder 30 so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the cylinder part 28. The adjustment screw 31 is fixed at a position where the cylindrical tube portion 28 is pulled out from the support tube 30 by an arbitrary length. Thereby, the guide part 27 can change length.

  The contact member 29 is a member that contacts the ball chain 5. As the contact member 29, a pulley, a fan-shaped guide or the like is used. When the contact member 29 contacts the ball chain 5, the end close to the probe holder 4 contacts the ball chain 5 and changes the direction of the ball chain 5 to the axial direction B of the metal tube P. It is possible to guide the ball chain 5 to the inside of the cylindrical portion 28.

  The length of the portion of the contact member 29 that contacts the ball chain 5 is set to be longer than the interval between the spherical portions 5 a of the ball chain 5. Therefore, since the contact member 29 is always in contact with the two or more spherical portions 5 a, the ball chain 5 is not easily detached from the contact member 29. The contact member 29 contacts the ball chain 5 at a position close to the probe holder 4, and the direction of the ball chain 5 is changed to the axial direction B of the metal tube P, so that the ball chain 5 is securely wound. It is possible to guide to 22.

  The rotation support portion 34 is attached to the distal end portion of the cylindrical portion 28 and supports the contact member 29 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction R of the cylindrical portion 28.

  According to the guide portion 27 configured as described above, the ball chain 5 connected to the probe holder 4 is brought into contact with the contact member 29 and can be turned in the axial direction B of the metal tube P. Further, the ball chain 5 is guided to the winding shaft 22 along the axial direction B of the metal pipe P through the inside of the cylindrical portion 28.

  The guide portion 27 has a cylindrical tube portion 28. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the guide portion 27 has a long shape capable of guiding the ball chain 5. If it is. For example, it may be a long metal part having an L-shaped cross section.

  The fixing part 10 has a configuration for fixing the traction mechanism 6 to the metal pipe P. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 13A, the fixing portion 10 includes a tightening belt 32, a tightening portion 26, a temporary fixing magnet 25, and a support plate that supports the tightening portion 26. 35 and a hinge portion 36.

  The tightening belt 32 is a belt-like member that is wound around the metal pipe P and fixes the traction mechanism 6 to the metal pipe P. A hook 32 a is provided at the end of the tightening belt 32 on the front end side. The hook 32 a is engaged with the pedestal portion 21 a of the main body case 21 of the traction mechanism 6. The end of the tightening belt 32 on the base side is wound around the tightening portion 26.

  The tightening portion 26 has a configuration for tightening the tightening belt 32 and includes, for example, a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism includes a drum that winds up the tightening belt 32 and a restricting portion that restricts rotation of the drum only in the winding direction. The tightening portion 26 is fixed to the support plate 35 with a bolt or the like.

  The hinge portion 36 connects the support plate 35 to be supported so as to be pivotable in the direction approaching and separating from the side surface of the metal pipe P with respect to the pedestal portion 21 a of the main body case 21. Thereby, the hinge part 36 connects the tightening part 26 with respect to the traction mechanism 6 so that turning is possible in the direction approaching and separating from the side surface of the metal pipe P. That is, the hinge part 36 can function as a turning connection part of the present invention.

  The temporary fixing magnet 25 is a temporary fixing portion that temporarily fixes the traction mechanism 6 to the metal pipe P by a magnetic force. The temporary fixing magnet 25 is preferably an electromagnet that can be switched between generation and stop of an applied magnetic force. The temporary fixing magnet 25 is fixed to a surface of the base portion 21a of the main body case 21 that faces the metal tube P.

  Next, a method of moving the probe 2 in the circumferential direction A of the metal tube P using the probe moving device 1 configured as described above will be described.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the traction mechanism 6 is fixed to the side surface of the metal pipe P by the fixing portion 10. Specifically, the pedestal 21 a of the main body case 21 of the traction mechanism 6 is temporarily fixed to the side surface of the metal pipe P by the temporary fixing magnet 25.

  Next, the fastening band 32 is wound around the metal pipe P and engaged with the pedestal 21 a of the main body 21 of the traction mechanism 6. Thereafter, the tightening band 26 is tightened by the tightening portion 26 and the traction mechanism 6 is finally stopped. As a result, the support plate 35 that supports the tightening portion 26 turns in a direction approaching the metal pipe P with the hinge portion 36 connected to the pedestal portion 21a as a turning center. The support plate 35 is pressed against the side surface of the metal pipe P via a buffer member 37 such as rubber.

  The attachment position of the pulling mechanism 6 to the metal tube P may be a height that does not hinder the movement of the probe holder 4 in the circumferential direction A and is easy to attach to the metal tube P.

  Next, the probe holder 4 on which the probe 2 and the rotary encoder 3 are mounted is attached to the side surface of the metal pipe P and below the traction mechanism 6. Specifically, the probe holder 4 is attracted to the metal tube P by the magnetic force of the wheel 12 (specifically, the permanent magnet 12a (see FIG. 5)). At this time, the rolling direction of the wheel 12 is matched with the circumferential direction A of the metal pipe P.

  And the length of the guide part 27 is changed so that the contact member 29 of the lower end part of the cylinder part 28 may be located in the intermediate position of the probe holder 4 in the height direction. Specifically, the cylinder portion 28 of FIG. 9 is slid in the vertical direction inside the support cylinder 30 and fixed with the adjusting screw 31.

  Thereafter, the release button 9 is pressed to release the state where the ball chain 5 of the traction mechanism 6 is wound up, whereby the ball chain 5 is pulled out from the winding shaft 22 of the traction mechanism 6.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the ball chain 5 is hung around one or more rounds of the metal tube P, and then the end of the ball chain 5 on the tip side is connected to the probe holder 4. Specifically, the ball chain 5 that is exposed to the outside from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 28 of the guide portion 27 is hung around the metal tube P, and the tip of the ball chain 5 is connected to the ball chain 5 and the metal tube P. the center O ₁ and the guide portion 27 positions the center O ₂ and the line connecting the L of the cylindrical portion 28 intersect the axle 13 coupler 15 and the wire 16 (FIG. (see FIG. 2) of the probe holder 4 2). At this time, the contact member 29 of the guide portion 27 rotates around the center O ₂ of the cylindrical portion 28 and contacts the ball chain 5 while facing the direction in which the ball chain 5 extends.

  After completing the operation of attaching the pulling mechanism 6 and the probe holder 4 to the metal tube P, the start button 8 in FIG. When the ball chain 5 is wound by the traction mechanism 6 in a state where the ball chain 5 is wound in the range of one or more rounds of the metal tube P, the probe holder 4 is moved from the start position S shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to move the entire circumference of the metal pipe P in the circumferential direction A of the metal pipe P and return to the start position S as shown in FIG. Further, if the starting position of the probe holder 4 and the number of times the probe holder 4 is hung around the metal tube P of the ball chain 5 are appropriately changed, the probe holder 4 is moved more than one turn of the metal tube P (for example, 1.5 turns or 2 rounds).

  Therefore, even if the diameter of the metal tube P changes, if the ball chain 5 having a corresponding length is pulled out from the pulling mechanism 6, the probe holder 4 is pulled by winding the ball chain 5 around the metal tube P. Is possible. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace parts such as a circumferential guide corresponding to the diameter of the metal pipe P as in the prior art, and the probe 2 can be moved corresponding to the metal pipe P of all diameters.

  Further, even if the surface of the metal tube P is uneven, such as a cover for the inspection hole attached to the surface of the metal tube P, the ball chain 5 can be wound along the surface of the metal tube P. Therefore, the degree of freedom of installation of the probe moving device 1 is improved.

  Since the probe moving device 1 according to the present embodiment has the fixing portion 10, the traction mechanism 6 can be fixed to the metal pipe P. As a result, the probe 2 can be moved without being affected by the surface of the place where the metal pipe P is installed.

  In the fixing portion 10, the traction mechanism 6 is fixed by the tightening belt 32 that is wound around the metal pipe P, and the tightening belt 32 is tightened by using the tightening portion 26, so that the traction mechanism 6 is tightened by the tightening belt 32. It is possible to strengthen the surface of the metal tube P by using the tension of. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the traction mechanism 6 from falling off the surface of the metal pipe P even if the traction mechanism 6 receives a reaction force in the direction of being pulled back from the ball chain 5 when the ball chain 5 is wound up.

  The fixing part 10 has a structure in which the tightening part 26 is connected to the traction mechanism 6 via a hinge part 36 so as to be turnable. Therefore, even if the diameter of the metal pipe P changes, the tightening portion 26 can turn in a direction toward and away from the side surface of the metal pipe P with respect to the traction mechanism 6 fixed to the metal pipe P. Is possible. Therefore, it is possible to place the tightening portion 26 in contact with the side surface of the metal pipe P while maintaining the state where the traction mechanism 6 is fixed to the metal pipe P. Therefore, the tightening portion 26 can perform the tightening of the tightening belt 32 in a stable state. In the present embodiment, the tightening portion 26 is in contact with the side surface of the metal tube P via the support plate 35 and the buffer member 37, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the tightening portion 26 is The metal tube P may be brought into direct contact with the side surface.

  Since the fixing portion 10 includes the temporary fixing magnet 25, the traction mechanism 6 can be temporarily fixed to the metal pipe P by the temporary fixing magnet 25 before the operation of winding the fastening belt 32 around the metal pipe P. It is. Therefore, the operator can work to hang the tightening belt 32 around the metal pipe P without supporting the traction mechanism 6 by hand. As a result, the mounting workability of the traction mechanism 6 is improved.

  The pulling mechanism 6 of this embodiment includes a guide portion 27 that guides the ball chain 5 to the winding shaft 22 along the axial direction B of the metal pipe P. Therefore, it is possible to guide the ball chain 5 to the winding shaft 22 of the traction mechanism 6 along the axial direction of the metal pipe P by the guide portion 27. Therefore, the winding shaft 22 and the surrounding mechanism can be disposed at a position away from the probe holder 4 in the axial direction of the metal tube P, and the degree of freedom of installation of the probe moving device 1 is further improved. To do. In addition, since the guide portion 27 is disposed at a position farther away from the probe holder 4 in the radial direction of the metal tube P than the probe holder 4, the probe holder moves in the circumferential direction A of the metal tube P. It is possible to avoid contact with 4.

  The guide portion 27 includes a contact member 29 that contacts the ball chain 5. The contact member 29 contacts the ball chain 5 at the end near the probe holder 4 and changes the direction of the ball chain 5 to the axial direction B of the metal tube P, so that the ball chain 5 is reliably wound. It is possible to guide to the take-up shaft 22.

  Further, since the contact member 29 of the guide portion 27 is attached to the cylindrical portion 28 via the rotation support portion 34 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction R of the cylindrical portion 28, the axial direction B of the metal pipe P It is possible to rotate around a rotation axis parallel to the axis. Thereby, even if the diameter of the metal tube P changes, it is possible to change the direction of the contact member 29 following the direction of the ball chain 5 from the side surface of the metal tube P toward the contact member 29. Therefore, the ball chain 5 can be smoothly fed to the take-up shaft 22 via the contact member 29 even if the diameter of the metal pipe P is any. As a result, the ball chain 5 can be taken up smoothly. It becomes possible. Since the contact member 29 follows the direction of the ball chain 5 while rotating in the circumferential direction R of the cylindrical portion 28 while the probe holder 4 is moving in the circumferential direction A of the metal tube P, the ball The chain 5 can be received reliably.

  The length of the guide portion 27 can be changed by moving the tube portion 28 in the axial direction with respect to the support tube 30. Therefore, by changing the length of the guide portion 27, the end portion of the guide portion 27 (specifically, the contact member 29) in the axial direction of the metal tube P and the probe holder 4 can be easily aligned. It is possible. As a result, even if the winding shaft 22 and the surrounding mechanism are arranged at a position away from the probe holder 4 in the axial direction of the metal tube P, the ball chain 5 connected to the probe holder 4 is connected to the metal tube. It is possible to reliably lead to the end of the guide portion 27 along the side surface of P. As a result, the degree of freedom of installation of the probe moving device 1 is further improved.

  Further, the traction mechanism 6 of the present embodiment has a release button 9 for releasing the state where the ball chain 5 is wound up. Accordingly, by releasing the state where the ball chain 5 of the traction mechanism 6 is wound up by the release button 9, the ball chain 5 can be easily pulled out from the traction mechanism 6.

  The traction mechanism 6 further includes a motor 23 that generates a rotational driving force for winding the ball chain 5. Therefore, it is possible to automatically wind the ball chain 5 using the rotational driving force of the motor 23, and it is possible to automatically scan the probe in the circumferential direction.

  The traction mechanism 6 includes a handle 24 capable of inputting a manual operation force for winding the ball chain 5. Therefore, the ball chain 5 can be wound using the manual operation force input via the handle 24, and the scanning of the probe 2 in the circumferential direction A can be performed manually. For example, when winding the ball chain 5 faster than the winding speed of the ball chain 5 of the winding shaft 22 driven by the motor 23, the handle 24 can be manually rotated to rotate the winding shaft 22 quickly. Thus, the ball chain 5 can be wound up quickly.

  The traction mechanism 6 includes both the motor 23 and the handle 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes only one of the motor 23 and the handle 24. Also good.

(Modification)
In the embodiment described above, the probe moving device 1 includes the fixing unit 10 that fixes the traction mechanism 6 to the metal pipe P, and an example in which the probe movement apparatus 1 is used in a state where the traction mechanism 6 is fixed to the metal pipe P is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The probe moving device 1 does not have to include the fixing unit 10. In that case, the probe moving device 1 may be used in a state where the traction mechanism 6 is installed on the ground or placed on a table or the like installed on the ground.

  The probe holder 4 of the above embodiment includes the wheel 12 having the permanent magnet 12a, but the present invention is not limited to this. The probe holder 4 may have a configuration in which a magnet and a wheel are separately provided. In this case, the probe holder 4 can travel while being attracted to the side surface of the metal tube P. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the contact member 29 is a pulley or a fan-shaped guide as a contact portion that contacts the ball chain 5 (linear body) in the holder portion 27, and is attached to the distal end portion of the cylindrical portion 28. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. As another example of the contact portion, for example, a portion formed by smoothly enlarging the edge on the lower end side of the cylindrical portion 28 in a trumpet shape may be used as the contact portion.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Probe moving apparatus 2 Ultrasonic probe 4 Probe holder 5 Ball chain (linear body)
6 Pulling mechanism 9 Release button 10 Fixing part 12 Wheel 22 Winding shaft 23 Motor 24 Handle 25 Temporary fixing magnet (temporary fixing part)
26 Tightening part 27 Guide part
28 Tube part 29 Contact member (contact part)
32 Tightening belt 34 Rotation support part 35 Hinge part P Metal tube

Claims (15)

A probe moving device that moves a probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to the metal tube in order to detect defects that have occurred in the metal tube in the circumferential direction of the metal tube,
A probe holder having a configuration that allows the probe to move in the circumferential direction of the metal tube;
A linear body connected to the probe holder;
A pulling mechanism for pulling the probe holder by winding the linear body;
With
The traction mechanism moves the probe holder in the circumferential direction of the metal tube one or more times in the circumferential direction of the metal tube by winding up the linear body wound around the metal tube. Configured as
Probe moving device. A fixing portion for fixing the traction mechanism to the metal pipe;
The probe moving device according to claim 1. The fixing part is
A belt-like body that is wound around the metal tube and fixes the traction mechanism to the metal tube;
A tightening portion for tightening the belt-like body,
The probe moving device according to claim 2. The fixing portion further includes a turning connecting portion that connects the tightening portion so as to be turnable in a direction approaching and separating from the side surface of the metal tube with respect to the traction mechanism.
The probe moving device according to claim 3. The fixing portion further includes a temporary fixing portion that temporarily fixes the traction mechanism to the metal tube by a magnetic force.
The probe moving device according to claim 3 or 4. The traction mechanism is
A winding shaft capable of winding the linear body;
A guide portion that is disposed at a position farther away from the metal tube than the probe holder in the radial direction of the metal tube and guides the linear body to the winding shaft along the axial direction of the metal tube; In addition,
The probe moving device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. The guide part has an abutting part that abuts the linear body at an end near the probe holder and changes the direction of the linear body in the axial direction of the metal tube.
The probe moving device according to claim 6. The guide portion includes a rotation support portion that rotatably supports the contact portion around a rotation axis parallel to the axial direction of the metal tube.
The probe moving device according to claim 7. The guide part has a configuration capable of changing the length,
The probe moving device according to any one of claims 6 to 8. The traction mechanism has a release portion that releases the state of winding the linear body.
The probe moving device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The probe holder includes a magnet that generates a magnetic force that can be attracted to the metal tube, and includes a rolling member that can roll on the peripheral surface of the metal tube.
The probe movement apparatus of any one of Claims 1-10. The linear body is a ball chain having a plurality of spherical portions and a plurality of link portions connecting the spherical portions.
The probe moving device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The traction mechanism further includes a driving unit that generates a rotational driving force for winding the linear body.
The probe moving device according to claim 1. A manual input unit having a configuration capable of inputting a manual operating force for winding the linear body;
The probe moving device according to any one of claims 1 to 13. A probe moving method for moving a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to the metal tube in order to detect defects generated in the metal tube in the circumferential direction of the metal tube,
Mounting the probe on a probe holder movable in the circumferential direction of the metal tube;
Connecting a linear body to the probe holder;
A step of moving the probe holder in the circumferential direction of the metal tube one or more times in the circumferential direction of the metal tube by winding the linear body wound in a range of one or more rounds of the metal tube. Tentacle movement method.

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