JP2024060335A - Sensor mounting device and measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To realize detection by a sensor at various points in a pipe. [Solution] An attachment device 10 includes a holder 1 that holds a probe 8 in a state facing a pipe 9, a first actuator 3 that moves the holder 1 in a circumferential direction centered on an axis X of the pipe 9, and a second actuator 4 that moves the holder 1 in the direction of the axis X. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to a sensor mounting device and a measurement device.

Sensors that detect physical quantities related to piping are known. Such sensors are attached to piping in various ways. For example, in the sensor attachment device described in Patent Document 1, a sensor is attached to one of a number of segments that are connected to each other. The segments are provided with wheels. The wheels are in contact with the outer surface of the piping. The attachment device runs on the outer surface along the axis of the piping.

JP 2005-156184 A

Incidentally, there are cases where detection of physical quantities related to a pipe is performed at various points in the pipe. In such cases, it is conceivable to place many sensors at various locations. However, placing many sensors increases costs and makes sensor installation complicated.

The technology disclosed here has been developed in light of these issues, and its purpose is to enable detection using sensors at various points in the piping.

The sensor mounting device disclosed herein includes a holder that holds the sensor facing the pipe, a first actuator that moves the holder in a circumferential direction around the axis of the pipe, and a second actuator that moves the holder in the direction of the axis.

The measuring device disclosed herein includes a sensor, a holder that holds the sensor facing the pipe, a first actuator that moves the holder in a circumferential direction about the axis of the pipe, and a second actuator that moves the holder in the direction of the axis.

The sensor mounting device allows the sensor to perform detection at various points in the piping.

The measuring device allows for sensor detection at various points in the piping.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a measuring device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the piping. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a probe. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the mounting device as viewed in the direction of the axis of the pipe. FIG. 5 is a front view of the fixture. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first divided body. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the control device.

An exemplary embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the measurement device 100.

-Outline of the measuring device-
The measuring device 100 includes a probe 8 and an attachment device 10 that attaches the probe 8 to a pipe 9. The probe 8 is used to measure the thickness of an object by pulsed eddy current (PEC). The probe 8 generates an eddy current in the object and detects the generated eddy current. The measuring device 100 may further include a control device 6 that controls the probe 8 and the attachment device 10. The probe 8 is an example of a sensor. In this example, the object of the probe 8 is the pipe 9.

-Piping-
In this example, the pipe 9 is a metal pipe through which steam or drain flows. For example, the pipe 9 is bent or curved. That is, the axis X of the pipe 9 is bent or curved. The pipe 9 is, for example, a circular pipe.

2 is a schematic diagram of the pipe 9. In this example, a part of the pipe 9 is curved in an arc shape around the axis Y. Specifically, the pipe 9 includes a first straight pipe 91, an elbow 93 connected to the first straight pipe 91, and a second straight pipe 92 connected to the elbow 93. The elbow 93 is disposed between the first straight pipe 91 and the second straight pipe 92. The axis X of the first straight pipe 91 and the axis X of the second straight pipe 92 are substantially linear. An extension line of the axis X of the first straight pipe 91 and an extension line of the axis X of the second straight pipe 92 are substantially perpendicular to each other. The axis X of the elbow 93 is substantially arc-shaped. The center of curvature of the axis X of the elbow 93 is the axis Y. The axis Y is also referred to as the center of curvature Y. The pipe 9 has dimensions defined by standards such as JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) or ISO (International Organization Standardization). For example, the outer diameter of the pipe 9 and the radius of curvature of the elbow 93 are specified by standards.

For ease of explanation, the central axis is defined as a straight line perpendicular to both the axis X and the radius of curvature (i.e., a straight line passing through the axis X and parallel to the axis Y in a cross section perpendicular to the axis X of the pipe 9). The neutral plane is defined as a surface formed by connecting the central axes at different points on the axis X. The neutral plane is a surface on which neither tension nor compression occurs when bending stress is generated in the pipe 9. The axis X is also called the neutral axis. With the axis X or the neutral plane as the reference, the side of the center of curvature Y is called the "inside of the bend" and the side opposite the center of curvature Y is called the "outside of the bend". A plane including the axis X and perpendicular to the neutral plane is called the reference plane. The direction of the axis X of the pipe 9 is also simply called the "axial direction".

As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting device 10 mounts the probe 8 to the pipe 9. In this example, the mounting device 10 mounts the probe 8 to the elbow 93 of the pipe 9. The outer peripheral surface of the pipe 9 may be covered with a heat insulating material 95. The outer surface of the elbow 93 is covered with the heat insulating material 95. The mounting device 10 mounts the probe 8 from above the heat insulating material 95.

-probe-
The probe 8 is a non-contact type probe and is placed close to the pipe 9. Note that the term "non-contact type" means that it can be used without contact, and does not exclude use in a contact state. The probe 8 generates an eddy current in the target object by forming a fluctuating magnetic field. The probe 8 also detects the change in the eddy current generated in the target object as an induced voltage.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the probe 8. The probe 8 includes an excitation coil 81 that generates eddy currents in the pipe 9 using magnetic flux generated by an excitation current, and a detection coil 82 that detects the eddy currents in the pipe 9. The probe 8 may further include a casing 83 that houses the excitation coil 81 and the detection coil 82. The probe 8 generates eddy currents in the pipe 9 using the excitation coil 81, and detects the generated eddy currents using the detection coil 82. In this example, the probe 8 has two sets of excitation coils 81 and detection coils 82, with the excitation coil 81 and detection coil 82 forming one set.

In this example, the excitation coils 81 and detection coils 82 are arranged so that the axis of each set of excitation coils 81 and detection coils 82 are aligned in a straight line. In this case, the detection coils 82 are arranged closer to the pipe 9.

When a current is applied to the excitation coil 81, the coil forms a magnetic field in the direction of its axis. A current is applied to one excitation coil 81 and the other excitation coil 81 so that they form magnetic fields in opposite directions in the direction of the axis. For example, a magnetic flux is generated from one excitation coil 81 toward the pipe 9, and a magnetic flux is generated from the pipe 9 toward the other excitation coil 81. As a result, most of the magnetic flux emitted from one excitation coil 81 exits toward the axis of the one excitation coil 81 and enters the pipe 9, passes through the pipe 9 in an approximately arc shape, and then enters the other excitation coil 81 toward the axis of the other excitation coil 81. By varying the current applied to the excitation coil 81, the magnetic field generated in the pipe 9 varies, and eddy currents are generated in the pipe 9.

Meanwhile, eddy currents generated in the portion of the pipe 9 near the detection coil 82 form a magnetic flux that passes through the detection coil 82. When the magnetic flux that passes through the detection coil 82 changes, an induced electromotive force is generated in the detection coil 82. The detection coil 82 detects the eddy currents in the pipe 9 by detecting this induced electromotive force.

-Mounting device-
Next, the mounting device 10 will be described in detail. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the mounting device 10 as viewed in the direction of the axis X of the pipe 9. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the mounting device 10 includes a holder 1 that holds a probe 8 facing the pipe 9, a first actuator 3 that moves the holder 1 in a circumferential direction about the axis X of the pipe 9, and a second actuator 4 that moves the holder 1 in the direction of the axis X. The probe 8 held by the holder 1 faces the outer surface of the pipe 9. Note that a heat insulating material 95 may be interposed between the probe 8 and the pipe 9.

=Mounting fixture=
The mounting device 10 may further include a mounting fixture 5 attached to the pipe 9 as shown in FIG. 1. The mounting fixture 5 includes a first mounting fixture 5A and a second mounting fixture 5B. The first mounting fixture 5A and the second mounting fixture 5B are attached to the pipe 9 at different positions in the axial direction of the pipe 9. In this example, the second mounting fixture 5B is attached to a portion of the pipe 9 having an axis X that is not aligned in a straight line with the axis X of the portion to which the first mounting fixture 5A is attached. Specifically, the first mounting fixture 5A is attached to a first straight pipe 91, and the second mounting fixture 5B is attached to a second straight pipe 92. In other words, the first mounting fixture 5A and the second mounting fixture 5B are attached to portions of the pipe 9 whose axis X directions are different by 90 degrees, with an elbow 93 interposed therebetween.

The first mounting fixture 5A and the second mounting fixture 5B have the same configuration. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the first mounting fixture 5A and the second mounting fixture 5B, they will simply be referred to as "mounting fixture 5."

The fixture 5 is attached to the pipe 9 by gripping the pipe 9. The fixture 5 is formed in a ring shape along the outer periphery of the pipe 9. FIG. 5 is a front view of the fixture 5. More specifically, the fixture 5 is formed in a ring shape centered on the axis A. The outer peripheral shape of the fixture 5 is a substantially regular octagon centered on the axis A. The inner peripheral shape of the fixture 5 is a substantially circular shape centered on the axis A. In the description of the fixture 5, "radial direction" means the radial direction centered on the axis A, "circumferential direction" means the circumferential direction centered on the axis A, and "axial direction" means the direction of the axis A.

The mounting fixture 5 has a divided structure divided into a first divided body 51 and a second divided body 52. Specifically, the first divided body 51 and the second divided body 52 are symmetrical with respect to a plane including the axis A. Each of the first divided body 51 and the second divided body 52 is formed in a bow shape, more specifically, in a substantially semicircular arc shape centered on the axis A. Both ends of the first divided body 51 in the longitudinal direction are referred to as the first end 55 and the second end 56, respectively. Similarly, both ends of the second divided body 52 in the longitudinal direction are referred to as the first end 55 and the second end 56, respectively.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first division 51. For example, each of the first division 51 and the second division 52 is formed from sheet metal. Each of the first division 51 and the second division 52 has four outer peripheral walls 53 that define the outer periphery of the mounting fixture 5. The four outer peripheral walls 53 are aligned roughly in the circumferential direction. Each of the four outer peripheral walls 53 is connected to the adjacent outer peripheral walls 53. The four outer peripheral walls 53 of the first division 51 and the four outer peripheral walls 53 of the second division 52 essentially form the side peripheral surfaces of a regular octagonal prism.

The first end 55 of the first division 51 and the first end 55 of the second division 52 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around the axis B that is approximately parallel to the axis A. The first division 51 and the second division 52 rotate relatively around the axis B, changing the distance between the second end 56 of the first division 51 and the second end 56 of the second division 52. The second end 56 of the first division 51 and the second end 56 of the second division 52 are connected by a bolt 21 or the like. By connecting the second end 56 of the first division 51 and the second end 56 of the second division 52, the mounting device 5 becomes annular about the axis A.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first divided body 51 has a plurality of first screw holes 57 formed therethrough in the radial direction. Although not shown, the second divided body 52 also has a plurality of first screw holes 57 formed therethrough in the radial direction. In more detail, two first screw holes 57 are formed in the first divided body 51, and two first screw holes 57 are formed in the second divided body 52. The four first screw holes 57 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction when the mounting device 5 is in an annular state.

For example, the nut is joined to the outer peripheral wall 53 from the radially inner side by welding or the like. A first screw hole 57 is formed in the nut. A through hole that communicates with the first screw hole 57 of the nut is formed in the outer peripheral wall 53.

As shown in Figures 1 and 5, a bolt 22 for fixing the mounting fixture 5 to the pipe 9 is screwed into each first screw hole 57 from the radially outer side. The bolt 22 can protrude radially inward beyond each of the first division body 51 and the second division body 52.

As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of second screw holes 59 are formed through the first divided body 51. Although not shown, a plurality of second screw holes 59 are also formed through the second divided body 52. More specifically, two second screw holes 59 are formed through each outer peripheral wall 53 in the thickness direction. For example, a nut is joined to the outer peripheral wall 53 from the radially inner side by welding or the like. The nut has a second screw hole 59 formed therein. The outer peripheral wall 53 has a through hole that communicates with the second screw hole 59 of the nut. A bolt 46 for attaching the second base 41 to the mounting fixture 5, which will be described later, is screwed into the second screw hole 59 from the radially outer side.

The mounting fixture 5 is arranged around the piping 9 so that the distance between the second end 56 of the first division 51 and the second end 56 of the second division 52 is expanded with the first end 55 of the first division 51 and the first end 55 of the second division 52 as the center of rotation, and the piping 9 is positioned between the first division 51 and the second division 52. The second end 56 of the first division 51 and the second end 56 of the second division 52 are then connected by bolts 21 or the like. As a result, the first division 51 and the second division 52 surround the piping 9. Then, the bolts 22 are screwed into each of the first screw holes 57 from the outside in the radial direction. The tip of the bolt 22 compresses the insulation material 95 and substantially reaches the piping 9. The tip of the multiple bolts 22 substantially reaches the piping 9, and the mounting fixture 5 is fixed to the piping 9.

=Holding tool=
As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the holder 1 has a main body 11 and an attachment portion 12 to which the probe 8 is attached. The main body 11 is formed in a substantially annular shape, more specifically, a substantially cylindrical shape, centered on the axis X. The diameter of the main body 11 is larger than the outer diameter of the pipe 9. In other words, the main body 11 is disposed around the pipe 9. The main body 11 has gear grooves arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 11. The holder 1 has two attachment portions 12. The two attachment portions 12 are disposed at different positions in the circumferential direction of the main body 11. Specifically, the two attachment portions 12 are disposed at positions in the main body 11 that are offset from each other by approximately 180 degrees.

The probe 8 is attached to the mounting portion 12 by a bolt. More specifically, the mounting portion 12 is formed with an installation hole into which the probe 8 is fitted and a screw hole for attaching the probe 8. The installation hole penetrates the mounting portion 12 in the thickness direction. A number of screw holes are arranged around the installation hole. The probe 8 is attached to the mounting portion 12 with the bolt screwed into the screw hole while fitted into the installation hole.

=First Actuator=
The first actuator 3 supports the holder 1 and rotates the holder 1 in a circumferential direction about the axis X. The first actuator 3 has a first base 31 that supports the holder 1 movably in the circumferential direction, and a first driver 32 that drives the holder 1 in the circumferential direction. Hereinafter, the circumferential direction about the axis X is also referred to as the "circumferential direction" of the pipe 9.

In this example, the first actuator 3 has two first bases 31. The two first bases 31 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the reference plane P. Each first base 31 extends in a radial direction centered on the center Y of the curvature of the pipe 9. The first base 31 has a first end 33 which is the radially outer end and a second end 34 which is the radially inner end. The first base 31 is formed, for example, from sheet metal. The second end 34 of one first base 31 and the second end 34 of the other first base 31 are connected by a shaft 35. The axis of the shaft 35 coincides with the center Y of the curvature of the pipe 9.

The first driver 32 is disposed at the first end 33. As shown in FIG. 4, the first driver 32 has a guide 37 that guides the holder 1 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9, an electric motor 38, and a drive gear 39 that is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor 38 and engages with the gear groove of the holder 1. The guide 37 slidably supports the body 11 of the holder 1. When the electric motor 38 operates, the drive gear 39 rotates, and the holder 1 rotates about the axis X. The probe 8 attached to the holder 1 also rotates about the axis X. In this way, the first actuator 3 moves the probe 8 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9.

The first driver 32 may be provided on only one of the first bases 31. In this case, only the guide 37 is provided on the first end 33 of the other first base 31. In other words, the electric motor 38 and the drive gear 39 provided on one of the first bases 31 drive the holder 1 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9, and the guides 37 provided on the two first bases 31 guide the holder 1 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9.

=Second Actuator=
The second actuator 4 moves the holder 1 and the first actuator 3 in the direction of the axis X. More specifically, the second actuator 4 has a second base 41 fixed to the piping 9 and supporting the first base 31 of the first actuator 3 so as to be movable in the direction of the axis X, and a second driver 42 driving the first base 31 in the direction of the axis X. Since the first base 31 supports the holder 1, the second actuator 4 moves the first base 31, thereby moving the holder 1.

In this example, the second actuator 4 has two second bases 41 as shown in FIG. 4. The two second bases 41 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the reference plane P. The second bases 41 are formed in a flat plate shape. The second bases 41 are formed of, for example, sheet metal. The second bases 41 are attached to the first mounting fixture 5A and the second mounting fixture 5B as shown in FIG. 1. In this way, the second bases 41 are indirectly fixed to the piping 9 via the first mounting fixture 5A and the second mounting fixture 5B. In detail, the second bases 41 are formed with two mounting holes for mounting the second bases 41 to the first mounting fixture 5A and two mounting holes for mounting the second bases 41 to the second mounting fixture 5B.

The distance between each of the two mounting holes is approximately the same as the distance between the two second screw holes 59 provided in each outer peripheral wall 53 of the mounting fixture 5. The second base 41 is attached to one of the outer peripheral walls 53 via the mounting holes. The second base 41 is placed on the outer peripheral wall 53 so that the two mounting holes communicate with the two second screw holes 59, and the bolt 46 passes through the mounting hole and is screwed into the second screw hole 59. The second base 41 is attached to the mounting fixture 5 by tightening the bolt 46. This fixes the second base 41 to the piping 9.

The second base 41 supports the first base 31 so that it can rotate in the circumferential direction around the center of curvature Y of the pipe 9, that is, so that it can move in the axial direction of the pipe 9. Specifically, the second base 41 supports the second end 34 of the first base 31, more specifically, the shaft 35, so that it can rotate around the center of curvature Y.

The second base 41 is also formed with a guide hole 43 that extends in a generally arc shape centered on the center of curvature Y. The first base 31 has a pin 36 that fits into the guide hole 43. In other words, the pin 36 of the first base 31 fits into the guide hole 43 of the second base 41. The guide hole 43 guides the first base 31 in the circumferential direction centered on the center of curvature Y.

The second driver 42 has an electric motor 44 and a drive gear 45 connected to the output shaft of the electric motor 44. A driven gear is provided on the shaft 35. The drive gear 45 meshes with the driven gear of the shaft 35.

When the electric motor 44 operates, the drive gear 45 rotates, and the shaft 35 rotates around the center of curvature Y. The first base 31 rotates around the center of curvature Y. The holder 1 and the probe 8 rotate together with the first base 31 around the center of curvature Y, and as a result, move in the axial direction of the pipe 9. In this way, the second actuator 4 moves the holder 1 and the probe 8 in the axial direction of the pipe 9. The second actuator 4 moves the holder 1 and the probe 8 in the axial direction of the curved pipe 9 by rotating the first base 31 around the center of curvature Y of the pipe 9.

-Control device-
7 is a functional block diagram of the control device 6. The control device 6 has an exciter 61 that applies an excitation current to the excitation coil 81, a detector 62 that detects a transient change in an eddy current in the piping 9, a driver 63 that drives the electric motors 38 and 44, a communicator 64 that communicates with external devices, a memory 65 that stores various information, and a controller 66 that controls at least the exciter 61, the detector 62, the driver 63, the communicator 64, and the memory 65.

The exciter 61 supplies a pulsed excitation current to the excitation coil 81. The exciter 61 has a pulse generator 61a that generates a pulse signal, and a transmission amplifier 61b that amplifies the pulse signal from the pulse generator 61a and outputs it as an excitation current.

The detector 62 detects an induced electromotive force generated in the detection coil 82 in response to the eddy current in the pipe 9. The transient change in the induced electromotive force generated in the detection coil 82 is related to the transient change in the eddy current generated in the pipe 9. The detector 62 has at least a receiving amplifier 62a that amplifies the voltage generated in the detection coil 82. The detector 62 may further have a filter that filters the voltage signal.

A command signal is input to the driver 63 from the controller 66. The driver 63 converts the command signal into a drive current and applies the drive current to the electric motor 38 or the electric motor 44.

The communicator 64 performs wireless communication with an external device. For example, the communicator 64 transmits a voltage signal (i.e., a detection signal) detected by the detector 62 to the computing device 7.

The controller 66 is formed of a processor. For example, the controller 66 outputs a command signal corresponding to the target position of the probe 8 to the driver 63 to move the probe 8 to the target position. Furthermore, the controller 66 causes the exciter 61 to output an excitation current for a predetermined period of time, while acquiring a detection signal from the detector 62 after the output of the excitation current is stopped. The controller 66 stores the detection signal from the detector 62 together with the position of the probe 8 in the memory 65, and transmits the detection signal and position information of the probe 8 stored in the memory 65 to the calculation device 7 via the communication device 64 at a predetermined timing.

The calculation device 7 is formed by a computer or a computer network (so-called cloud). The calculation device 7 has a communication device 71 that communicates with external devices, a memory device 72 that stores various information, and a calculator 73 that calculates the thickness of the pipe 9 based on the transient change in the detected eddy current.

The communicator 71 performs wireless communication with an external device. For example, the communicator 71 receives a detection signal from the control device 6 (i.e., a detection signal from the probe 8).

The memory 72 stores the detection signal of the probe 8 and information necessary to calculate the thickness of the pipe 9.

The calculator 73 is formed of a processor. The calculator 73 calculates the thickness of the pipe 9 based on the detection signal (i.e., eddy current) of the probe 8. A known technique is used to measure the thickness based on the eddy current. For example, the eddy current attenuates as it penetrates into the pipe 9. The eddy current gradually attenuates from the front surface of the pipe 9 (the surface facing the probe 8) to the back surface, and then rapidly attenuates when it reaches the back surface. The voltage detected by the detection coil 82 also changes in the same way as the eddy current. There is a correlation between the thickness of the pipe 9 and the time until the detection voltage rapidly attenuates. The calculator 73 calculates the thickness of the pipe 9 based on the time until the detection voltage rapidly attenuates.

- Operation of the measuring device -
As described above, the control device 6 controls the mounting device 10 to move the probe 8 to a desired detection position, and controls the probe 8 to detect eddy currents at the detection position.

For example, the control device 6 causes the probe 8 to scan a wide area of the surface of the pipe 9 and detect eddy currents at various positions on the pipe 9. Specifically, the control device 6 operates the electric motor 44 of the second actuator 4 to move the holder 1 and the first actuator 3 to desired positions in the axial direction of the pipe 9. Furthermore, the control device 6 operates the electric motor 38 of the first actuator 3 to move the holder 1 to a desired position in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9. In this way, the control device 6 moves the probe 8 to the desired detection position. Thereafter, the control device 6 causes the excitation coil 81 to generate eddy currents in the pipe 9 and causes the detection coil 82 to detect the eddy currents in the pipe 9.

Then, the control device 6 does not operate the second actuator 4, but operates the electric motor 38 of the first actuator 3 to move the probe 8 to a detection position that is a different circumferential position of the pipe 9. In other words, the position of the probe 8 in the axial direction of the pipe 9 does not change. The control device 6 causes the probe 8 to detect the eddy current of the pipe 9 at the new detection position. By repeating this process, the control device 6 fixes the position of the probe 8 in the axial direction of the pipe 9, and causes the probe 8 to scan in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9 and detect the eddy current of the pipe 9 at each position. The control device 6 causes the probe 8 to scan approximately 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9. Since the two probes 8 are arranged at positions 180 degrees different in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9, each probe 8 operates around half a circumference of the pipe 9. The two probes 8 detect eddy currents over the entire circumference of the pipe 9 centered on the axis X.

Next, the control device 6 operates the electric motor 44 of the second actuator 4 to move the probe 8 in the axial direction of the pipe 9. At different positions in the axial direction, the control device 6 causes the probe 8 to scan in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9 and detect eddy currents in the pipe 9 at each detection position.

In this way, the control device 6 scans the probe 8 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9 at each position in the axial direction while changing the position of the probe 8 in the axial direction of the pipe 9. In this way, eddy currents are detected at various positions over a wide range of the surface of the pipe 9. The control device 6 links each detection position with the eddy current at that position and stores them in the memory 65.

The control device 6 periodically detects eddy currents at all detection positions in the pipe 9. The detection period for the eddy currents is, for example, one day, one week, or one month. The control device 6 periodically transmits the eddy currents and detection positions stored in the memory 65 to the calculation device 7. The transmission period may be, for example, the same as the detection period for the eddy currents, or it may be different.

The calculation device 7 calculates the thickness at each detection position of the pipe 9 based on the periodically detected eddy currents.

With this mounting device 10, the position of the probe 8 can be flexibly adjusted in the axial and circumferential directions of the pipe 9 by moving the probe 8 with the first actuator 3 and the second actuator 4. As a result, eddy currents can be detected at many detection positions in the pipe 9 even with a small number of probes 8.

By dividing the movement of the probe 8 between the first actuator 3 and the second actuator 4, the movement of the probe 8 in the axial and circumferential directions of the pipe 9 can be easily realized. Specifically, the first actuator 3 is responsible for moving the probe 8 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9, and the second actuator 4 is responsible for moving the probe 8 in the axial direction of the pipe 9. By combining the movement of the probe 8 by the first actuator 3 and the movement of the probe 8 by the second actuator 4, the three-dimensional movement of the probe 8 can be easily realized. In particular, even if the axis X is bent or curved like the pipe 9, the second actuator 4 only needs to move the probe 8 in the axial direction, so the movement of the probe 8 in the axial direction can be easily realized.

Furthermore, the measuring device 100 can realize automatic scanning of the probe 8 by automatically operating the first actuator 3 and the second actuator 4. As a result, it becomes easy to monitor the thickness of the pipe 9 at many detection positions over the long term.

Other Embodiments
As described above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are appropriately performed. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiment to form a new embodiment. In addition, among the components described in the attached drawings and detailed description, not only components essential for solving the problem but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to exemplify the technology may be included. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are described in the attached drawings and detailed description should not immediately lead to the determination that these non-essential components are essential.

For example, the pipe 9 to which the mounting device 10 is attached is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. The portion of the pipe 9 between the first mounting fixture 5A and the second mounting fixture 5B may not be curved or bent, but may extend generally straight. Alternatively, the pipe 9 may be curved or bent at multiple points between the first mounting fixture 5A and the second mounting fixture 5B. The mounting fixture 5 may be attached to the pipe 9 without the insulation material 95 interposed therebetween.

When the probe 8 is attached to a straight portion of the pipe 9, the second actuator 4 moves the first actuator 3 along the axis of the pipe 9. For example, the second actuator 4 translates the first base 31 parallel to the axis of the pipe 9 by using a guide such as a rail. In this case, the second actuator 42 may be a rack and pinion or a feed screw mechanism. Alternatively, the second actuator 42 may be an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. Even when the probe 8 is attached to a pipe 9 that is curved or bent in a complex manner, the second actuator 4 translates the first actuator 3 parallel to the axis of the pipe 9 by using a guide such as a rail along the axis of the pipe 9.

In the above-mentioned mounting device 10, the second actuator 4 moves the first actuator 3 relative to the pipe 9 in the axial direction of the pipe 9, and the first actuator 3 moves the holder 1 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9 relative to the first actuator 3. Alternatively, the positions of the first actuator 3 and the second actuator 4 may be reversed. In other words, the first actuator 3 may move the second actuator 4 relative to the pipe 9 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9, and the second actuator 4 may move the holder 1 in the axial direction of the pipe 9 relative to the second actuator 4.

The attachment of the mounting device 10 to the pipe 9 is not limited to the attachment of the second base 41 to the pipe 9 via the mounting fixture 5. For example, the second base 41 may be attached directly to a bolt arranged on the pipe 9. Alternatively, the second base 41 may be attached directly to the pipe 9 by welding or the like.

The configuration of the mounting fixture 5 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. For example, the mounting fixture 5 may be divided into three or more parts instead of two parts. One end of the first divided body 51 and one end of the second divided body 52 are rotatably connected, but may be separable. For example, the first divided body 51 and the second divided body 52 may be completely separated, and the mounting fixture 5 may be attached to the pipe 9 so that the first divided body 51 and the second divided body 52 sandwich the pipe 9. The mounting fixture 5 does not have to be formed in a ring shape as a whole.

The number of mounting portions 12 of the holder 1 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. In other words, the number of probes 8 held by the holder 1 is not limited to two. The number of probes 8 may be one or three or more.

For the first actuator 3, the number of first bases 31 may be one. For the second actuator 4, the number of second bases 41 may be one.

The sensor is not limited to the probe 8. It may be a temperature sensor or other sensor. The sensor may be placed in contact with the sensing object, such as the pipe 9, or may be placed without contact.

The control device 6 and the calculation device 7 may be a single unit, not separate. Furthermore, the periodic scanning and detection by the control device 6 is merely one example. The control device 6 may execute scanning of the probe 8 and detection by the probe 8 every time it receives an external command.

The scanning order of the probe 8 is not limited to the above example. That is, in the above example, the probe 8 is scanned in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9 while the position of the probe 8 in the axial direction of the pipe 9 is fixed, and when the scanning in the circumferential direction is completed, the probe 8 is moved in the axial direction of the pipe 9 and the probe 8 is scanned again in the axial direction of the pipe 9 at another axial position. This process is repeated. On the other hand, the probe 8 is scanned in the axial direction of the pipe 9 while the position of the probe 8 in the axial direction of the pipe 9 is fixed, and when the scanning in the axial direction is completed, the probe 8 is moved in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9 and the probe 8 is scanned again in the axial direction of the pipe 9 at another circumferential position. This process may be repeated.

The technology disclosed herein can be summarized as follows:

[1] The mounting device 10 includes a holder 1 that holds a probe 8 (sensor) facing a pipe 9, a first actuator 3 that moves the holder 1 in a circumferential direction about an axis X of the pipe 9, and a second actuator 4 that moves the holder 1 in the direction of the axis X.

With this configuration, the probe 8 can be moved in the circumferential and axial directions of the pipe 9 by the first actuator 3 and the second actuator 4. This allows the probe 8 to be easily moved three-dimensionally around the pipe 9. As a result, detection by the probe 8 can be achieved at various points on the pipe 9.

[2] In the mounting device 10 described in [1], the second actuator 4 moves the holder 1 and the first actuator 3 in the direction of the axis X.

This configuration makes it easy to combine the movement of the holder 1 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9 by the first actuator 3 and the movement of the holder 1 in the axial direction of the pipe 9 by the second actuator 4. In detail, the holder 1 is moved in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9 by the first actuator 3. The second actuator 4 moves both the holder 1 and the first actuator 3 in the axial direction of the pipe 9. As a result, the holder 1, i.e., the probe 8, is moved in the circumferential and axial directions of the pipe 9.

[3] In the mounting device 10 described in [1] or [2], the first actuator 3 has a first base 31 that supports the holder 1 so as to be movable in the circumferential direction, and a first driver 32 that drives the holder 1 in the circumferential direction, and the second actuator 4 has a second base 41 that is fixed to the piping 9 and supports the first base 31 so as to be movable in the direction of the axis X, and a second driver 42 that drives the first base 31 in the direction of the axis.

According to this configuration, the second base 41 of the second actuator 4, which is fixed to the pipe 9, supports the first base 31 of the first actuator 3 so that it can move in the axial direction of the pipe 9. The first base 31 then supports the holder 1 so that it can move in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9. In other words, the first base 31 is supported so that it can move in the axial direction relative to the pipe 9, while supporting the holder 1 so that it can move in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9. This allows the holder 1 to move in the circumferential and axial directions of the pipe 9.

[4] In the mounting device 10 described in any one of [1] to [3], the second actuator 4 moves the holder 1 in the direction of the axis of the curved pipe 9.

With this configuration, even for a curved pipe 9, the second actuator 4 can move the holder 1, i.e., the probe 8, in the axial direction of the pipe 9. As described above, the movement of the holder 1 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 9 is achieved by the first actuator 3, so the second actuator 4 can be designed taking into consideration only the movement of the holder 1 in the axial direction of the pipe 9. This makes it easier to move the holder 1 in the axial direction of the pipe 9 for pipes 9 of various shapes.

[5] The measuring device 100 includes a probe 8 (sensor), a holder 1 that holds the probe 8 facing the pipe 9, a first actuator 3 that moves the holder 1 in a circumferential direction about the axis X of the pipe 9, and a second actuator 4 that moves the holder 1 in the direction of the axis X.

With this configuration, the probe 8 can be moved in the circumferential and axial directions of the pipe 9 by the first actuator 3 and the second actuator 4. This allows the probe 8 to be easily moved three-dimensionally around the pipe 9. As a result, detection by the probe 8 can be achieved at various points on the pipe 9.

100 Measuring device 10 Mounting device 1 Holder 3 First actuator 31 First base 32 First driver 4 Second actuator 41 Second base 42 Second driver 8 Probe (sensor)
9 Pipe X axis

Claims (5)

a holder for holding the sensor in a state facing the piping;
A first actuator that moves the holder in a circumferential direction around an axis of the pipe;
and a second actuator that moves the holder in the direction of the axis. 2. The sensor mounting device according to claim 1,
The second actuator is a sensor mounting device that moves the holder and the first actuator in the direction of the axis. 2. The sensor mounting device according to claim 1,
the first actuator includes a first base that supports the holder movably in the circumferential direction, and a first driver that drives the holder in the circumferential direction;
The second actuator is a sensor mounting device having a second base fixed to the piping and supporting the first base movably in the direction of the axis, and a second driver driving the first base in the direction of the axis. The sensor mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The second actuator is a sensor mounting device that moves the holder toward the axis of the curved pipe. A sensor;
a holder for holding the sensor in a state facing the piping;
A first actuator that moves the holder in a circumferential direction around an axis of the pipe;
and a second actuator that moves the holder in the direction of the axis.

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