JP2019049485A - Water leakage inspection device for water pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

To detect a water leakage spot in a water pipe.SOLUTION: A shell 16 is inserted into a water pipe 12 in order to detect a water leakage spot 40 in the water pipe 12. The shell 16 is attached to a tip of a cable 14. A floating body 38 changes its swinging direction according to a flow of tap water in the water pipe 12. If there is a water leakage spot in the water pipe 12, the floating body 38 changes its direction toward a direction of that spot. Alternatively, the floating body performs a characteristic deformation. This is monitored with a monitor 22 in order to specify the water leakage spot 40. Simply by monitoring with a camera 18, presence/absence of water leakage and a position thereof are estimated, and in addition a degree of the leakage is estimated from a deformation manner of the floating body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a water leakage inspection apparatus for detecting a water leakage point of a water pipe.

  A technique has been introduced in which the damage to a water pipe is photographed and inspected by a camera traveling inside the water pipe (Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique has also been introduced in which the inside of a water pipe is photographed, and a pull string is attached to a capsule having a function of detecting pressure, temperature, sound and the like to travel in the water pipe (Patent Document 2).

JP-A-8-262332 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-21435 JP 2008-64494 A

If the main pipe of the water pipe is broken or the connection is disconnected due to an earthquake etc., the surrounding facilities will be seriously damaged. There is also the possibility of water supply over a wide area. As for what has been a long time since construction, an inspection as early as possible is desired. Although an apparatus as shown to patent document 1 is suitable for such a test | inspection, it is difficult to detect a minute pinhole and a crack only by imaging the inner surface of a large diameter water pipe with a camera.
The present invention has been made to solve the above points.

  The following configurations are means for solving the above-mentioned problems.

<Configuration 1>
It is for detecting water leak of water pipe, and
A cable that is fed into or withdrawn from the water pipe while measuring,
A shell attached to the end of the cable and traveling through the water pipe;
Camera and lights housed in a shell,
A float supported at one end by a shell and flexibly deformed by the flow of tap water;
What is claimed is: 1. A water leakage detection device comprising: a monitor for acquiring an image of a floating body illuminated by illumination and captured by a camera through a cable and displaying the image.

<Configuration 2>
It is for detecting water leak of water pipe, and
A cable that is fed into or withdrawn from the water pipe while measuring,
A shell attached to the end of the cable and traveling through the water pipe;
Camera and lights housed in a shell,
A float supported at one end by a shell and flexibly deformed by the flow of tap water;
What is claimed is: 1. A water leakage detection device comprising: a storage device for storing an image of a floating body irradiated by illumination and captured by a camera together with length measurement data.

<Configuration 3>
The floating body is supported near the tip of the support fixed at one end to the shell,
The water leak detection device according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the support supports the floating body within a range that can be photographed by the camera.

<Configuration 4>
4. A water leak detection device according to any one of constitutions 1 to 3, wherein air is discharged from the shell into the inside of a water pipe.

<Effect of Configuration 1>
If the condition of the floating body is started while moving the shell in the water pipe, it is possible to easily detect the leakage point of the tap water of the water pipe.
<Effect of Configuration 2>
If the photographed image and the length measurement data are combined and stored in the storage device, then the image can be analyzed to detect the leakage point of the tap water of the water pipe.
<Effect of Configuration 3>
By monitoring the condition of the floating body supported near the front end of the support, it is possible to reliably detect a water leak location by photographing only the vicinity of the front end of the support on one side of the shell with a camera.
<Effect of Configuration 4>
Air can be released inside the water pipe and the movement of the air can be photographed with a camera to reliably detect a water leak.

(A) is a water pipe longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the use condition of the leak detection apparatus of Example 1, (b) is a perspective view which shows the components structure of this apparatus, (c) is a principal part side view of this apparatus . A specific example sectional view of a penetration type introduction mechanism 30 is shown. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the water pipe which shows the state which the shell 16 moves in the water pipe 12. As shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a water pipe which shows an example in case the direction of movement of shell 16 and the direction of a flow of tap water are reverse. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a water pipe in case the water leak location 40 exists under the shell 16. FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the water pipe which shows the operation example of the water leak detection apparatus of Example 2. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail for each example.

Fig.1 (a) is a water pipe longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the use condition of the leak detection apparatus of Example 1, (b) is a perspective view which shows the components structure of this apparatus, (c) is a principal part side view of this apparatus It is.
As shown in FIG. 1 (a), this device inserts a shell 16 into the water pipe 12 to detect a water leak point 40 of the water pipe 12. The shell 16 is attached to the end of the cable 14.

  The cable 14 is wound around the drum 26 and is fed into the water pipe 12 via the length measuring device 28. The water pipe 12 has a hole for inserting the cable 14 in advance. A penetration type introduction mechanism 30 is attached here. The penetration type introduction mechanism 30 is structured such that the cable 14 can be fed in such a state that tap water does not overflow from the water pipe 12. This is known and illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (b), a camera 18 and a light 20 are accommodated in the shell 16. As shown in FIG. 1C, the camera 18 in the shell 16 is attached, for example, with a wide-angle lens so as to be able to take an image as shown by the broken line in the figure. The floating body 38 is attached and supported in a range of the shell 16 where the camera 18 can shoot.

  The floating body 38 is constituted by a linear body such as a flexible cord or ribbon which floats up in tap water and is deformed or changed its direction by the flow of water. The entire floating body 38 may not be a material that floats in water. A part of the floating body 38 may be a material having a property of floating by leaving it to the flow of water in water.

  The illumination 20 illuminates the floating body 38 to enable the camera 18 to capture the state of the floating body 38. When the shell 16 is inserted into the water pipe 12, the floating body 38 moves in various ways according to the flow of tap water. This is taken by the camera 18 and the signal is taken out through the cable 14 and is displayed on the monitor 22 so that it can be monitored.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, a monitor 22 and a power supply 24 are disposed beside the drum 26 around which the cable 14 is wound. A water leak point is detected from the characteristic movement of the floating body 38. The cable 14 is delivered via the length measuring device 28. Thereby, the position of the shell 16 in the water pipe 12 can be measured.

  That is, the floating body 38 changes its swinging direction by the flow of tap water in the water pipe 12. If there is a water leak in the water pipe 12, the float 38 will turn in that direction. Or make characteristic changes. This can be monitored by the monitor 22 to identify the location of the water leak 40.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a specific example of the penetration type introduction mechanism 30 shown in FIG.
This structure is known. As shown in this figure, the introduction mechanism 30 is composed of a clamp 36 fixed to the water pipe 12, a valve 32, and an introduction pipe 34. The valve 32 is attached so as to close the hole opened in the water pipe 12 when the valve 32 is closed. An inlet pipe 34 is mounted on the valve 32.

  In the state of FIG. 2 (a), the valve 32 blocks the flow so that tap water does not spout out of the water pipe 12. Here, the valve 32 is opened to push the shell 16 and the cable 14 into the water pipe 12 through the introduction pipe 34. The introductory tube 34 is penetrated by packing around the cable 14 to prevent water leakage.

  Thus, the shell 16 and the cable 14 can be inserted into the water pipe 12 without stopping the flow of the tap water in the water pipe 12. In addition, the shell 16 and the cable 14 can be inserted into the water pipe 12 in this way from various places such as a fire hydrant and a branched portion of the water pipe, for example.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the water pipe showing the above-described shell 16 moving in the water pipe 12.
In the example of this figure, it is assumed that tap water is flowing from the left of the water pipe 12 to the right. The shell 16 is pushed into the water pipe 12 by the cable 14 and travels from left to right.

  Here, the floating body 38 attached to the head of the shell 16 is blown forward by the flow of tap water, and moves in the water pipe 12 in this state. A camera 18 provided inside the shell 16 captures the state of the floating body 38. A monitor 22 monitors this on the ground.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), it is assumed that a water leak point 40 exists in the water pipe 12. At this time, part of the tap water leaks in the direction of the arrow in the figure. As the shell 16 approaches the water leak 40, the float 38 bends in the direction of the water leak 40 by the leaking water flow.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, when the shell 16 comes close to the water leak point 40, the floating body 38 rises with its tip directed toward the water leak point 40. If this is monitored by the camera 18, it can be recognized that there is a water leak point 40 in the direction in which the floating body 38 faces on the ground.

  If the feeding length of the cable 14 when the water leak site 40 is detected is confirmed and recorded by the length measuring device 28, then it is possible to identify the repair site of the water leak site with high accuracy. Further, if the image taken by the camera 18 is stored, it can be used for the work plan of the restoration work.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a water pipe showing an example in which the direction of movement of the shell 16 and the direction of the flow of tap water are reversed.
As shown in FIG. 4A, when the shell 16 is pushed by the cable 14 and travels from left to right, when the traveling direction and the flow direction of the tap water are reversed, the floating body 38 is It bows in the direction of the flow.

  This condition can be monitored if the entire floating body 38 is always in view by the wide-angle lens of the camera 18. Here, the shell 16 is further advanced in the right direction of the figure. As shown in FIG. 4 (b), when there is a water leak point 40 in the water pipe 12, the floating body 38 curves its tip in the direction of the water leak point 40. As described above, even if the shell 16 is moved in the direction opposite to the flow direction of the tap water, if the state of the floating body 38 is monitored, the shape becomes a characteristic, and the water leak point 40 is easily detected. can do.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the water pipe when the water leak point 40 exists under the shell 16.
As shown in this figure, the presence of a water leak 40 below the shell 16 can cause the camera 18 in the shell 16 to lose sight. However, as shown, the float 38 attached to the head of the shell 16 can be detected because it characteristically bends before the shell 16 passes the water leak 40.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a water pipe showing an operation example of the water leak detection device of the second embodiment.
In the case of this embodiment, the floating body 38 is supported on the head of the shell 16 via the support 42. The support 42 may be rod-like. It is preferable that the tip be positioned near the central axis of the water pipe 12 as forward as possible of the shell 16.

  Then, in the vicinity of the tip of the support 42, a floating body 38 made of a short flexible cord or ribbon is attached. For example, it may be of a windsock-like structure for examining wind direction or wind force. By adopting such a structure, the camera 18 can be directed forward of the shell 16 so that the entire floating body 38 can be photographed and monitored at all times. That is, only the vicinity of the tip of the support on one side of the shell may be photographed by the camera.

  FIG. 6A shows the case where the flow direction of the tap water is the same as the traveling direction of the shell 16. The floating body 38 at the tip of the support 42 is fluctuating in the traveling direction of the shell 16. On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows the case where the flow direction of the tap water is opposite to the traveling direction of the shell 16. The floating body 38 at the tip of the support 42 swings in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the shell 16.

  Here, if there is a water leak point 40 in the water pipe 12, the floating body 38 attached to the tip of the support 42 is shown in FIG. 6 (c) regardless of where the water leak point 40 is. Face in the direction of the water leak 40. If the support 42 in front of the shell 16 can be photographed by the camera 18, the movement of the floating body 38 can be surely monitored in the range of a viewing angle such as a broken line to detect a water leak point.

  According to the water leak detection device of the present invention, it is possible to detect and detect the presence of a minute water leak location or the like simply by inserting a camera with a simple mechanism and an accessory into the water pipe. . By eliminating the need for various devices such as a current meter and a sound collection microphone and monitoring the image taken by the camera, it is possible to estimate not only the presence or absence of water leakage but also the degree of leakage from the deformation of the floating body.

  Although the camera 18 and the illumination 20 have been illustrated separately, they may be integrated. Further, in the above example, the shell 16 is pushed out by the relatively rigid cable 14, but the shell 16 may be moved by being pulled out by the cable 14. Further, the length measurement data by the length measuring device 28 is displayed on the monitor 22 together with the image taken by the camera 18. Therefore, these images may be synthesized and stored in a storage device incorporated in the camera 18 or the monitor 22. This also enables automatic processing.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the operating state of the apparatus of the third embodiment.
In this embodiment, air is supplied to the inside of the shell 16 through the air pipe 44. Air should be supplied from the ground. The support 42 is, for example, cylindrical and discharges this air into the tap water of the water pipe 12. Normally, the released air bubbles 46 move in the direction of the tap water flow. However, when the water leak point 40 exists in the water pipe 12 as shown in this figure, the floating body 38 points in the direction of the water leak point 40 and the air bubbles 46 start to flow intensively in the direction of the water leak point 40. If this phenomenon is photographed by the camera 18, the presence of the water leakage point 40 can be confirmed more clearly. The air may be jetted directly from the shell 16 to the front of the shell by a nozzle or the like, and the support may not be used. A large number of air bubble flows can detect water leaks.

12 water pipe 14 cable 16 shell 18 camera 20 illumination 22 monitor 24 power source 26 drum 28 length measuring device 30 penetration introduction mechanism 32 valve 34 introduction tube 36 clamp 38 floating body 40 water leak point 42 support 44 air pipe 46 air bubble

Claims (4)

It is for detecting water leak of water pipe, and
A cable that is fed into or withdrawn from the water pipe while measuring,
A shell attached to the end of the cable and traveling through the water pipe;
Camera and lights housed in a shell,
A float supported at one end by a shell and flexibly deformed by the flow of tap water;
What is claimed is: 1. A water leakage detection device comprising: a monitor for acquiring an image of a floating body illuminated by illumination and captured by a camera through a cable and displaying the image. It is for detecting water leak of water pipe, and
A cable that is fed into or withdrawn from the water pipe while measuring,
A shell attached to the end of the cable and traveling through the water pipe;
Camera and lights housed in a shell,
A float supported at one end by a shell and flexibly deformed by the flow of tap water;
What is claimed is: 1. A water leakage detection device comprising: a storage device for storing an image of a floating body irradiated by illumination and captured by a camera together with length measurement data. The floating body is supported near the tip of the support fixed at one end to the shell,
The water leak detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support supports the floating body in a range which can be photographed by the camera.   The water leak detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein air is discharged from the shell to the inside of a water pipe.

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