JP4009172B2 - Pipe inspection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pipe inspection apparatus and a pipe inspection method for inspecting pipe thickness and defects.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a power plant or the like, piping covered with a heat insulating material or the like causes outer surface corrosion due to intrusion of rainwater or the like at the outer surface portion, and inner surface thinning due to friction due to fluid or the like at the inner surface portion. In addition, cracks occur in the piping at locations where there is a lot of vibration. In order to inspect this pipe, it was necessary to install a scaffold to the pipe, particularly in a pipe laid at a high place.
[0003]
In order to cope with the occurrence of the trouble, piping defects are regularly inspected, and radiation insulation with radioactive isotopes (RI) that emit γ-rays and the like is performed on heat insulating piping. However, in the conventional radiation inspection, when the image is taken from above the heat insulating material, the radiation radiated from the collimator 5 passes through the piping 6 to be inspected, and the radiation image data of the piping is applied to the X-ray film, which is a radiation photoconductor, as a shadow picture. When recording, the distance is increased by the heat insulation thickness, so that the image data is recorded on the X-ray film in a blurred state. Since the obtained image is not so clear, the inspection pipe main body 6b is often inspected with the heat insulating material removed.
[0004]
When the pipe inspection is performed after removing the heat insulating material, there is a drawback of being restricted during operation, and it takes time and cost to remove the heat insulating material and to re-heat it. Furthermore, the removed heat insulating material needs to be treated as industrial waste.
[0005]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique has been established in which radiation isotope (RI) radiation such as γ rays is emitted to a radiation photoreceptor 29 and transmission image data of an object is recorded on the radiation photoreceptor 29. In the method using the radiation photoconductor 29, even when the image is taken from above the heat insulating material, it is possible to correct the influence of the heat insulating material in an apparatus (computed radiography) that processes the radiation photoconductor 29.
However, when photographing with these heat insulating materials removed or when photographing from above the heat insulating material, the measurement pipe is positioned so that the pipe 6 to be inspected is placed between the collimator 5 and the radiation photosensitive member 29. A means of fixing was needed. However, these methods are difficult to align, and are not a method of measuring in a state in which the pipe 6 to be inspected is sandwiched by any means, and thus have a drawback that they are easily affected by vibration, wind, and the like.
Further, as a conventional positioning means, a method has been proposed in which an articulated arm is used to move the measuring section to the pipe to be inspected 6 (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). It is considered that it is affected by vibrations and winds. In addition, the use of a multi-joint arm complicates the entire apparatus, and an electric motor is used to extend and retract the multi-joint arm, and it may be necessary to use an explosion-proof product for the electric motor.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 9-89810 A [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-89811
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above circumstances, the object of the present invention is to fix the position by pinching the pipe 6 to be inspected by the measuring unit, and to remove the influence of vibration, wind, etc. during photographing, and can be easily used even in high places. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pipe inspection apparatus and a pipe inspection method that are light and easy to handle.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
That is, the present invention
(1) In a pipe inspection apparatus having a measuring unit composed of a radiation photoconductor 29 that records a radiation transmission image of the collimator 5 and the pipe 6 to be inspected.
A fixing member 20 and a presser member 19 that can be fixed by sandwiching the pipe 6 to be inspected are added to the measurement unit.
(2) In the above (1), the fixing member 20 provided on the radiation photoconductor 29 side and the pressing member 19 provided opposite to each other are urged so that the fixing member 20 and the pressing member 19 approach each other. An elastic member 22 may be provided.
(3) In the above (1) and (2), in order to sandwich the pipe 6 to be inspected, compressed air may be used as power for separating the fixing member 20 and the pressing member 19 from each other.
(4) In the above (1), (2), and (3), it is preferable to add a moving means for bringing the measuring section closer to the pipe 6 to be inspected.
(5) In the above (4), a multiple arm 7 that can be expanded and contracted may be used as the moving means.
(6) In the above (5), compressed air may be used as a power source for expanding and contracting the multiple arms 7.
(7) In the above (4), (5), and (6), the measuring section is attached to the moving means so that the angle can be varied, so that horizontal and vertical pipes can be inspected.
(8) In a pipe inspection method comprising a pipe inspection apparatus having a measuring section comprising a radiation photoconductor 29 for recording a radiation transmission image of the collimator 5 and the pipe 6 to be inspected, the pipe to be inspected 6 is sandwiched between the measuring sections. By using the fixing member 20 and the holding member 19 that can be fixed by the above, the inspection pipe 6 is inspected and held.
(9) In the pipe inspection method of (8), when the pipe 6 to be inspected is clamped, the measuring section may be moved to the pipe 6 to be inspected using the multiple arms 7 that can be expanded and contracted.
(10) In the above (9), compressed air may be used as a power source for expansion and contraction of the multiple arm 7.
[0009]
The measurement unit includes a collimator 5 for performing pipe inspection and a radiation photosensitive member 29, and is a central part of measurement. In the present application, a fixing member 20 and a holding member 19 that can directly fix the measuring part to the pipe 6 to be inspected by sandwiching the pipe 6 to be inspected are added to the measuring part.
[0010]
The pipe 6 to be inspected refers to a pipe itself (inspected pipe main body 6b) subjected to an inspection from which the heat insulating material is removed or a pipe in which the heat insulating material 6a is coated.
[0011]
The multiple arm 7 used in the present invention has a structure in which an arm having the same outer shape is built in an arm whose inside is hollow, and the arm built in by an external operation is an object to be inspected. It is a machine part having a mechanism for pushing out to the side.
Since the multiple arm 7 has such a mechanism, it is possible to easily bring the measuring unit close to the pipe 6 to be inspected at a high place.
[0012]
Compressed air is used to extend the multiple arm 7. When compressed air is supplied, the arm housed inside extends to the outside and stops at a substantially constant position due to the balance between air leakage and supply.
To contract the extended arm, if the supply of compressed air is stopped, the arm contracts due to air leakage and gravity. Although the air leakage and the supply of compressed air are balanced here, the measuring part is clamped and fixed to the pipe 6 to be inspected by the holding member 19 and the fixing member 20. Measurement will not be hindered.
[0013]
The collimator 5 is a lead shielding tool used by being attached to the distal end of the radiation source transmission tube 23, and is intended to limit the irradiation direction and irradiation range necessary for transmission photography. As a radiation source, radioisotope (RI) gamma rays (iridium 192, cobalt 60) are mainly used. The period during which the radiation transmission ability is halved is 74 days for iridium 192 and 5.3 years for cobalt 60, and this period is the period of use of γ rays. One of the advantages of using gamma rays is that electricity is not used in nondestructive inspection, which is a great advantage in measurements where combustible materials with a high fire risk are handled.
[0014]
FIG. 1 shows an image diagram of a pipe inspection apparatus according to the present invention. In the present invention, radiation is irradiated from the collimator 5 toward the pipe 6 to be inspected, and radiation transmission image data of the pipe is recorded on the radiation photoconductor 29 accommodated in the film holder 13. In FIG. 1, 6b is a pipe body to be inspected, and 6a is a heat insulating material for pipe to be inspected.
The radioisotope (RI) that emits radiation in the collimator 5 is stored in the radiation source container 26 as a capsule. By rotating the handle of the operation device (controller) 28, the capsule is sent through the radiation source transmission tube 23 by sending out a wire built in the operation tube 30, and is transferred to the collimator 5 to start imaging. This image data is extracted by a digital radiographic image inspection system as a light signal from the radiation photosensitive member 29 by laser beam scanning, converted into an electrical signal (digital), and image processing suitable for the inspection purpose is performed on a CRT screen. The inspection result information of the pipe 6 to be inspected can be obtained. This image data is converted into a transmission photograph by computer processing of the digital radiographic image inspection system. It can also be stored on a recording medium such as an optical disk. Further, a radiation film is used for the radiation photoconductor 29, and a transmission photograph can be obtained by development processing.
[0015]
[Action]
The pipe inspection apparatus of the present invention can inspect not only horizontal pipes but also vertical pipes. Further, since compressed air is used as a power source for the multiple arms 7, no electric spark is generated as in the case of using an electric motor. Therefore, it is safe even where flammable gas exists. By using the multiple arm 7 in the pipe inspection device, the weight can be reduced. Thereby, workability can be improved.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows an image diagram of a pipe inspection apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the present pipe inspection apparatus,
FIG. 3 is a front view of the present pipe inspection apparatus.
In FIGS. 2 and 3, the state is shown in a state before the multiple arm 7 is extended.
FIG. 4 shows a handrail with a handrail for a pipe inspection apparatus.
The measuring section includes a collimator 5 and a presser member 19 and a fixing member 20 at a position sandwiching the test pipe 6 for clamping the test pipe 6, and the collimator 5 and the test pipe 6 when the test pipe 6 is clamped. And a film holder 13 that is a mounting plate for the radiation photosensitive member 29. In FIG. 2, the pipe 6 to be inspected is shown as having various shapes.
The fixing member 20 and the holding member 19 are made of, for example, metal pipes (hereinafter collectively referred to as a pipe clamp 12), and these metal pipes are covered with rubber or the like for deformation protection of the pipe insulation material 6a to be inspected. It has been broken. An elastic member 22 is provided between the fixing member 20 and the pressing member 19, and the elastic member 22 is biased so that the fixing member 20 and the pressing member 19 are close to each other. An air expansion member 27 made of an air piston into which compressed air for expanding the elastic member 22 and expanding the interval between the fixing member 20 and the pressing member 19 is introduced is provided between the fixing member 20 and the pressing member 19. As the elastic member 22, for example, a leaf spring, a coiled spring, rubber or the like is used. The elastic member 22 is energized and released as the air piston pressure reducing valve switch 11 is turned on and off, and the fixing member 20 and the holding member 19 sandwich or open the pipe 6 to be inspected.
Further, it is necessary to adjust the radiation irradiation distance between the collimator 5 and the film holder 13 according to the size of the pipe 6 to be inspected. For this reason, the collimator 5 is attached to the collimator attachment position expansion / contraction member 15.
The moving means of the measurement unit includes the multiplex arm 7, the support member 24 attached to the multiplex arm 7 via a movable shaft, the pipe inspection device main body fixture 1 attached to the support member 24, and the pipe inspection device main body fixture 1. A main body fixing handle 3 for attaching to a handrail pipe 2 of a boiler, a telescopic auxiliary support member 25 provided between the multiple arm 7 and the support member 24, and an auxiliary support in accordance with the angle adjustment of the multiple arm 7. The arm 25 includes an arm swing lock 8 for fixing / releasing expansion / contraction of the member 25. The measurement unit is attached to the tip drive unit 10 of the multiplex arm 7 so as to freely swing (variable angle), and the swing operation is performed by the swing operation handle 9. This makes it possible to inspect both horizontal and vertical piping. Further, below the multiple arm 7, an air inlet / outlet port 14 for introducing / extracting compressed air for expanding / contracting the multiple arm is provided.
In order to enable expansion and contraction of the multiple arm 7 and the air expansion member 27, the operation switch 4 of the multiple arm expansion / contraction pressure reducing valve is turned on in the multiple arm 7, and the operation switch 11 of the air piston pressure reducing valve is turned on in the air expansion member 27. Operate by cutting. Air for this purpose is supplied by a compressed air tank 17 installed for the purpose of primary storage of compressed air produced by a compressor.
The pipe inspection apparatus includes a radiation source transmission pipe 23, a measurement unit, and a moving means. The measuring unit can be detached from the moving means. When a person can lift the measuring unit and install it on the pipe 6 to be inspected, the moving means is removed and the radiation source comprising the radiation source transmission tube 23 and the radiation source container 26 is removed. Pipe inspection can be performed at the supply section and the measurement section. A compressed air tank 17 is mounted on the main body 18 with a handrail for pipe inspection apparatus, and a handrail 16 for attaching a pipe inspection apparatus which is used as appropriate is also mounted.
[0017]
When the measurement unit can be manually set on the pipe 6 to be inspected, the following procedure is used.
Set 1. The radiation photoconductor 29 accommodated in the film cassette is attached to the film holder 13. The attachment is performed by a method of attaching a magic tape (registered trademark) to the film cassette or restraining the film holder 13 with a gummed tape or a rubber band.
2. Point the measurement part at the position to be inspected.
3. Compressed air is supplied to the air piston of the air expansion member 27, the elastic member 22 is extended, and the space between the fixing member 20 and the pressing member 19 is opened.
4). The variable stopper 21 is adjusted according to the thickness of the pipe 6 to be inspected. Next, if the pipe 6 to be inspected is sandwiched between the holding member 19 and the fixing member 20 of the measuring section and the air of the air expansion member 27 is released, the pipe 6 to be inspected is held by the urging of the elastic member 22. .
Shooting 5. The handle of the operation device (controller) 28 is turned to transmit a radioisotope (RI) that emits γ rays and the like to the collimator 5 via the radiation source transmission tube 23.
6). The pipe 6 to be inspected is irradiated by the radiation from the collimator 5 and the data is recorded on the radiation photoconductor 29.
7). Simultaneously with the end of imaging, the handle of the controller (controller) 28 is turned to store the radioisotope (RI) that emits γ rays and the like in the radiation source container 26.
8). Data of the radiation photoconductor 29 is taken out as an image on a CRT (not shown) or recorded on a film or the like.
[0018]
In the inspection at a high place, the pipe inspection device is set on the pipe 6 to be inspected by the following procedure.
(1) Insert the concave portion of the pipe inspection apparatus main body fixture 1 into the pipe inspection apparatus handrail 16 of the pipe main body 18 with a pipe inspection apparatus handrail, and tighten and fix the main body fixing handle 3. The same method is used when attaching to the existing handrail pipe 2.
(2) While moving the carriage main body 18 with a handrail for a pipe inspection apparatus, the pipe inspection target 6 is directed in the photographing direction. When the photographing position is determined, the tire fixing lever (not shown) of the main body 18 with a handrail for pipe inspection device is locked.
(3) Compressed air is supplied to the air piston of the air expansion member 27, the elastic member 22 is extended, and the space between the fixing member 20 and the pressing member 19 is opened.
(4) The arm swing lock 8 is opened, the angle of the multiple arm 7 is adjusted in the direction of the pipe 6 to be inspected, and the arm swing lock 8 is locked.
(5) Operate the operation switch 4 of the multi-arm expansion / contraction pressure reducing valve to introduce compressed air into the multi-arm 7 and extend the multi-arm 7 until the measuring unit such as the collimator 5 comes close to the pipe 6 to be inspected.
(6) The angle of the tip drive unit 10 is adjusted by the head swing operation handle 9.
(7) Operate the operation switch 11 for the air piston pressure reducing valve to push the pipe clamp 12 wide by air pressure, adjust the position so that the pipe to be inspected can be sandwiched, and then operate the operation switch 11 for the air piston pressure reducing valve. The air pressure is shut off, and the pipe 6 to be inspected is clamped and fixed by the pipe clamp 12 by the force of the elastic member 22.
The inspection preparation is completed by the above operation.
Radioactive isotopes (RI) emitting γ rays and the like are transmitted from the radiation source transmission tube 23 to the collimator 5, and the inspected pipe 6 is irradiated by the radiation from the collimator 5, and data is recorded on the radiation photoconductor 29. Become.
[0019]
When shooting is complete, follow the steps below.
(1) The operation switch 11 of the air piston pressure reducing valve is operated to spread the pipe clamp 12 by air pressure and remove the pipe clamp 12 from the pipe 6 to be inspected.
(2) The angle of the tip drive unit 10 is returned to the original by the head swing operation handle 9. Next, the arm swing lock 8 is released.
(3) The operation switch 4 of the multi-arm expansion / contraction pressure reducing valve is operated to contract the multi-arm 7 and return the measuring unit such as the collimator 5 to the original position.
(4) Loosen the main body fixing handle 3 and move the handrail pipe 2 away from the concave portion of the main body fixing tool 1.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
(1) Since the pipe inspection device of the present invention is inspected by being clamped and fixed to the pipe 6 to be inspected, the influence of vibration and wind can be removed, and the alignment and installation of the inspection device are simple and easy. It becomes easy.
(2) The pipe inspection apparatus according to the present invention can perform the pipe inspection without installing a scaffold to the pipe, particularly in the pipe laid at a high place by using the multiple arm 7.
(3) The pipe inspection apparatus of the present invention can inspect as it is without removing the pipe insulation material 6a to be inspected of the pipe, and it is possible to save the trouble associated with the removal.
(4) By introducing this inspection method, there is no generation of industrial waste due to waste due to the removal of the pipe insulation material 6a to be inspected.
(5) Since the heat insulating material is not removed and the inspection can be performed easily, the number of inspections can be increased, and the maintenance inspection can be easily performed even in the operating equipment.
[0021]
Since the pipe inspection apparatus of the present invention has various excellent performances as described above, it is possible to inspect many pipes such as thermal power plants, petrochemical plants, chemical synthesis plants, and the like. It contributes greatly to industry.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an image diagram of a pipe inspection apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the pipe inspection device.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the pipe inspection device.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a handrail with a handrail for a pipe inspection device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pipe inspection apparatus main body fixing tool 2 Handrail pipe 3 Main body fixing handle 4 Multiple arm expansion / contraction pressure reducing valve operation switch 5 Collimator 6 Inspected pipe 6a Inspected pipe heat insulating material 6b Inspected pipe main body 7 Multiple arm 8 Arm swing lock 9 Head swing operation handle 10 Tip drive unit 11 Air piston pressure reducing valve operation switch 12 Pipe clamp 13 Film holder 14 Air inlet / outlet port 15 Collimator mounting position telescopic member 16 Pipe inspection device mounting handrail 17 Compressed air tank 18 Pipe inspection Carriage body with handrail 19 for apparatus 19 Holding member 20 Fixing member 21 Variable stopper 22 Elastic member 23 Radiation source transmission tube 24 Support member 25 Auxiliary support member 26 Radiation source container 27 Air expansion member 28 Controller (controller)
29 Radiation photoconductor 30 Operation tube

Claims (3)

In a pipe inspection apparatus having a collimator and a measurement unit made of a radiation photosensitive member that records a radiation transmission image of a pipe to be inspected,
A fixing member and a pressing member that can be fixed by sandwiching the pipe to be inspected are added to the measurement unit, and a fixing member provided on the radiation photoconductor side and a pressing member provided facing the measurement member, In order to fix the pipe to be inspected, an elastic member for urging the fixing member and the pressing member to approach each other, and between the fixing member and the pressing member to sandwich the pipe to be inspected. An expansion member for expanding the elastic member by using compressed air, and separating the interval between the fixing member and the pressing member, a moving means for bringing the measurement unit close to the pipe to be inspected, and the measurement A piping inspection device provided with a swing operation handle for making the angle of the section variable. The pipe inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit is a multiple arm that can be expanded and contracted to bring the measuring unit close to the pipe to be inspected, and uses compressed air as a power source. 3. The measuring unit according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit is attached to the moving means so that the angle is variable, and can be inspected in both horizontal and vertical piping by changing the angle by the swing operation handle. The piping inspection device described.

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