JP4848013B2 - Piping identification system and piping identification method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe specifying system and a pipe for specifying any one pipe from a plurality of pipes laid close to each other between a first point and a second point in a site such as a plant or a factory. It relates to a specific method.

In the conventional pipe identification method, an operator hits the pipe with a hammer or the like at the first point to generate vibration or sound, and is familiar with pipe identification at a second point that is far from the first point. Based on the vibrations and sounds propagating through the piping group, another experienced worker who has been identified identifies the pipe to which the vibrations or sounds are applied at the first point.
In general, in a site such as a plant or a factory, a plurality of pipes are laid in parallel with each other in close proximity or in close contact with each other, and the pipes are long and a member (wall, Floor, support member, etc.).
In addition, piping is not straight but may be bent and laid in the middle, and piping is identified based on the vibration and sound that is transmitted to the piping (vibration and sound) (first point). The line of sight between the points (second points) may be poor.

As described later, the present invention uses ultrasonic waves as confirmation of pipe conduction (pipe identification).
In the non-destructive field, there are many devices and documents that utilize ultrasonic waves, but ultrasonic waves are used to check the continuity of a pipe (that is, to identify the pipe), just as to check the continuity of a cable by measuring electrical resistance. There is no literature (including patent literature) that discloses the use of a pipe identification device or the use of ultrasonic waves for pipe identification.
In addition, when performing pipe identification work, there may be a demand to measure the length of the pipe to be identified at the same time, but in the pipe identification device, it is disclosed that the pipe length is further measured using ultrasonic waves. There is no literature (including patent literature).

When a plurality of pipes laid in parallel are not in close contact with each other and are not electrically in contact with other pipes, the pipes can be identified by confirming continuity with a tester or the like.
However, if the pipes are in close contact, the pipe cannot be identified by confirming continuity by electricity, and vibration / sound is generated at one end of one of the plurality of pipes, and vibration / sound is generated at the other end. Arbitrary pipes were identified by judging pipes through which sound was transmitted.
In other words, piping was specified by relying on human power.
However, because of the close state, vibration and sound are transmitted to adjacent pipes, and vibration and sound are attenuated by pipe propagation, so that it is difficult to specify the target pipe, and its specific accuracy is also poor.
In addition, it is necessary to communicate with each other between a point (first point) where vibration and sound are generated in the pipe and a point (second point) where piping is specified based on the transmitted vibration and sound. There were problems such as poor work efficiency.
In addition, the distance (pipe length) between the point where vibration and sound are generated in the pipe (first point) and the point where the pipe is specified (second point) must be measured using a measure. Measurement was difficult with piping that penetrated walls and floors.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and by using the propagation characteristics of ultrasonic waves, an arbitrary pipe is specified from a plurality of pipe groups laid in close proximity or closely together. To improve the efficiency and accuracy of pipe identification work, and to provide a pipe identification system and pipe identification method that allows anyone to easily identify pipes with the same accuracy without relying on the experience of pipe identification workers. Objective.

The pipe identification system according to the present invention is a pipe identification system for identifying an arbitrary pipe from a plurality of pipes laid close or closely in a plant or factory,
A transmitting device for applying an ultrasonic signal to a predetermined pipe among the plurality of pipes at a first position and transmitting the applied ultrasonic signal to the second position via the pipe ; A filter processing unit that performs filtering in a frequency band effective for discrimination of an ultrasonic signal, and a receiving device that detects the level of the ultrasonic signal received by each of the plurality of pipes at the second position;
Based on the level of the signal detected by the receiving device, the pipe to which the ultrasonic signal is applied at the first position is specified.

Further, the pipe specifying method according to the present invention is a pipe specifying method for specifying a desired pipe from a plurality of pipes laid close or closely in a plant or factory, wherein the plurality of pipes are located at a first position. In a frequency band effective for applying an ultrasonic signal to a predetermined pipe, transmitting the applied ultrasonic signal to the second position via the pipe, and determining the received ultrasonic signal. A receiving step for performing a filtering process and detecting levels of ultrasonic signals received by the plurality of pipes at the second position, respectively, based on the level of the signal detected in the receiving step. In this position, the pipe to which the ultrasonic signal is applied is specified.

According to the present invention, pipes are identified by utilizing the propagation characteristics of ultrasonic waves that are difficult to propagate to adjacent pipes that are close to each other (including a close state) instead of using vibration / sound propagation due to impact. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency and accuracy of piping identification work that identifies any piping from multiple piping groups, and anyone can easily perform piping with the same accuracy without relying on the experience and feeling of the piping identification operator. Can be identified.
In addition, since the receiving device has filter processing means for performing filtering in a frequency band that is effective for discriminating the received ultrasonic signal, the pipes are in a state of being laid in close contact with each other. However, it is possible to efficiently determine the ultrasonic signal to be received, and to further improve the efficiency and accuracy of the pipe identification work.

It is a figure for demonstrating the basic concept of this invention. It is a figure which shows the whole piping specific system structure by Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the transmitter of the piping specific system by Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the receiver of the piping specific system by Embodiment 1. FIG. In the piping identification system by Embodiment 2, it is a figure for demonstrating the basic concept of piping length measurement. It is a figure which shows the structure of the transmitter of the piping specific system by Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation unit arranged in a transmission device of a piping identification system according to a second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the receiver of the piping specific system by Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation unit arranged in a receiving device of a piping identification system according to a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transmission side ultrasonic probe 2 Reception side ultrasonic probe 10 Operation part of transmission apparatus 11 Applied signal waveform generator 12 Signal amplifier 13 Synchronization signal generator 20 Operation part of reception apparatus 21 HP / LP filter (filter processing) means)
27 Display section (display means)
100, 101 Transmitting device 200, 201 Receiving device

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent ones.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the basic concept of the present invention.
As shown to Fig.1 (a), suppose that several piping (for example, metal piping P1-P4, such as stainless steel) for penetrating measurement wiring etc. is arrange | positioned in parallel.
The plurality of pipes P1 to P4 are assumed to have the same material, shape, and dimensions.
In this state, when an ultrasonic signal is applied to the pipe P2 by the transmitting ultrasonic probe 1 at the first point A, the applied ultrasonic signal propagates through the pipe, and at the second point B, the receiving side. An observation waveform 1 as shown in FIG. 1B is obtained by the ultrasonic probe 2.
The ultrasonic signal applied to the pipe P2 at the first point A is, for example, a “sine burst wave” in which a 10-cycle sine wave swept at a frequency of 200 kHz to 250 kHz is generated at a repetition period of 200 Hz. .
A wavy arrow indicates an ultrasonic signal propagating from the first point A to the second point B in the pipe P2.

On the other hand, when the received waveform is observed using the ultrasonic probe of the pipe P3 (or P1) adjacent to the pipe P2 at the second point B, the second noise-like second signal level is lower than that of the observed waveform 1. Only observed waveforms can be obtained. FIG. 1 (c) shows the second observed waveform.
This is because in the ultrasonic frequency band, the acoustic impedance between adjacent pipes is high, and the ultrasonic signal (plate wave) propagating in the pipe P2 is difficult to propagate to the adjacent pipe P3 (or pipe P1). is there.
In addition, a plate wave is an ultrasonic signal that propagates while reflecting the inside of a plate (that is, a tubular portion of a pipe).
The observed waveform 1 is applied at the first point A of the pipe P2 among the pipes laid in close contact, and an ultrasonic signal directly propagating through the pipe is transmitted at the second point B of the same pipe P2. This is the observed waveform when received.

On the other hand, the observation waveform 2 is an observation waveform when the ultrasonic signal applied at the first point A of the pipe P2 is received at the second point B of the pipe P3 adjacent to the pipe P2. The ultrasonic wave propagating to the piping P3 is very small.
That is, the level of the ultrasonic wave received at the second point B of the adjacent pipe P3 is very small compared to the level of the observation waveform when received at the second point B of the pipe P2.
The present invention lays in close proximity (including close contact) by utilizing the difference between the propagation characteristics of the ultrasonic signal directly propagating in the pipe and the propagation characteristics of the ultrasonic signal propagating to the adjacent pipe. An arbitrary pipe is specified from the plurality of pipes.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the pipe identification system according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 2, pipes P <b> 1 to P <b> 4 are a target pipe group, and the plurality of pipes P <b> 1 to P <b> 4 are laid in parallel in a state of being close from the first point A to the second point B.
Usually, the distance from the first point A to the second point B is several tens of meters. As shown in the figure, the distance between the first point A and the first point A There is often no visibility between the second points.
FIG. 2 shows a case where the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 is attached to the pipe P3 at the first point A, and the transmission apparatus 100 has a pipe laying status and a pipe length as will be described later. In response to this, a signal is applied to the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 so that the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 generates an appropriate ultrasonic signal.
The receiving apparatus 200 displays the ultrasonic signal received by the reception-side ultrasonic probe 2 at the second point B by performing predetermined processing described later.
The pipe identification worker observes the waveform of the ultrasonic reception signal displayed on the receiving device 200 and determines the level of the reception signal, so that the received ultrasonic signal has directly propagated through the pipe, It is also evaluated whether it has been propagated from an adjacent pipe.
Thereby, it is determined whether or not the pipe receiving the signal at the second point B is the pipe to which the ultrasonic signal is applied at the first point A, and the pipe is specified based on the determination result. .

Next, a specific configuration and operation of the transmission device 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the transmission device 100.
As shown in the figure, the transmission device 100 includes an operation unit 10, an applied signal generator 11, and a signal amplifier 12.
The operation unit 10 includes a pipe laying status setting switch 10a for setting the pipe laying status, an arbitrary frequency setting device 10b for arbitrarily setting the frequency of a signal applied to the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1, and a specific target. The specific distance setting switch 10c for setting the specific distance of the pipe (that is, the distance between the first point A and the second point B), and the output peak value of the signal applied to the transmitting-side ultrasonic probe 1 It is composed of an output peak value setting switch 10d for setting.
The applied signal generator 11 is an applied signal for applying to the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 in accordance with the setting status of the pipe laying status setting switch 10a, the arbitrary frequency setting device 10b, and the specific distance setting switch 10c of the operation unit 10. Is generated.
That is, the applied signal generator 11 generates an applied signal waveform according to the setting conditions of the operation unit 10 and the arbitrary frequency setting device 10b.

Specifically, the frequency and repetition period of a signal waveform (for example, a sine burst wave swept at 200 kHz to 250 kHz) generated by the applied signal generator 11 depending on the settings of the pipe laying status setting switch 10a and the arbitrary frequency setting device 10b. And so on.
In this setting, the operator selects a waveform including a frequency that easily propagates in consideration of the pipe laying situation and state such as the bending of the pipe and the holding state of the pipe (for example, welding, concrete burying, putty burying, etc.).
The frequency of the applied signal generated by the applied signal generator 11 is swept at 200 kHz to 250 kHz as described above, and the signal generated by the applied signal generator 11 is applied to the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1. The ultrasonic signal generated by this includes a frequency that is easy to propagate even if there are various obstacles in the pipe laying situation.
Therefore, a signal for generating an ultrasonic signal having a frequency that easily propagates through the pipe in all pipe shapes and pipe laying conditions is applied to the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 from the applied signal generator 11.

Depending on the setting of the specific distance setting switch 10c, the pipe length of the pipe to be specified (distance between the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 and the reception-side ultrasonic probe 2, that is, the first point A and the second point The frequency of the applied signal generated by the applied signal generator 11 is set according to the distance between B).
The pipe length is selected from three of 0 to 10 m, 10 to 20 m, and 20 to 30 m.
The peak value of the signal output from the signal amplifier 12 is set by setting the output peak value setting switch 10d.
For the setting, for example, the peak value is selected from any of three values of 50 Vp-p, 100 Vp-p, and 150 Vp-p.
The signal amplifier 12 amplifies the applied signal generated by the applied signal generator 11 in accordance with the setting of the output peak value setting switch 10d, and transmits the amplified ultrasonic probe in contact with the pipe. 1 is applied.
The transmission side ultrasonic probe 1 generates an ultrasonic signal according to the applied signal.

As described above, the transmission apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment generates a desired application signal (for example, a sine burst wave) in the application signal generator 11 according to the setting conditions of the operation unit 10 and applies the signal by the signal amplifier 12. After amplifying the signal, the signal amplified by the signal amplifier 12 is applied to the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 attached to any one of a plurality of pipes to be specified.
The transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 attached to the pipe P3 generates an ultrasonic signal corresponding to the applied signal and directly propagates as a plate wave in the cylindrical portion of the pipe P3 without being greatly attenuated.
At this time, since the acoustic impedance of the adjacent pipe is high, the propagation rate of the ultrasonic signal is higher than that of the pipe (the pipe P3 to which the ultrasonic signal is applied at the first point A). Is small and has a clear difference from the plate wave propagating to the pipe.

Next, a specific configuration and operation of receiving apparatus 200 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a receiving device of the pipe identification system according to the first embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the operation unit 20 of the receiving apparatus 200 includes an HP / LP setting switch 20a, an amplification factor setting switch 20b, a specific distance setting switch 20c, and a display switching / data deletion setting switch 20d.
The reception-side ultrasonic probe 2 receives an ultrasonic signal that has been applied to the pipe at the first point and has propagated to the second point.
The HP / LP filter 21 selects a specific frequency band for the ultrasonic signal received by the reception-side ultrasonic probe 2.
The HP / LP filter 21 passes through the same frequency band as the frequency of the ultrasonic signal applied to the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 by the transmission device 100 by the HP / LP setting switch 20a of the operation unit 20. Set to.

The signal whose specific frequency band is selected by the HP / LP filter 21 is amplified by the amplifier 22 with the gain set by the gain setting switch 20b of the operation unit 20.
The signal (analog signal) amplified by the amplifier 22 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 23.
The threshold value 1 generated by the reference value generator 24 based on the maximum peak value of the data converted into the digital signal and the setting of the specific distance setting switch 20c of the operation unit 20 is compared by the comparator 25, and the difference is determined. The corresponding voltage is output.
The threshold value 1 is a voltage value for comparing the signal converted into the digital signal by the A / D converter 23 and the peak value of the received waveform measured by the reception-side ultrasonic probe 2.
As another process, the reception waveform received by the reception-side ultrasonic probe 2 (the waveform of the signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 23) is displayed on the display unit 27 via the memory 26, and The image data is saved (stored) in the memory 26.

Further, the data converted into the digital signal by the A / D converter 23 is subjected to spectrum analysis by an FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) analyzer 28, and the voltage of the frequency having the largest peak and the specific distance setting of the operation unit 20 are set. Based on the setting of the switch 20 c, the threshold value 2 generated by the reference value generator 24 is compared by the comparator 29, a voltage corresponding to the difference is output, and the image data is stored in the memory 26.
Note that the threshold value 2 is “the intensity (peak value) of the most frequently included frequency signal” obtained by performing the FFT analysis with the signal converted into the digital signal by the A / D converter 23 and the FFT analyzer 28. This is a voltage value for comparison.
These threshold values are set by a three-step distance setting. The three-stage setting is determined by the piping distance to be specified.
An approximate distance between the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 and the reception-side ultrasonic probe 2 is selected by the specific distance setting switch 10c.
At this time, the threshold value 1 and the threshold value 2 are also automatically determined. For example, when the distance is 5 m, the threshold value 1 is 1.0 V and the threshold value 2 is 0.5 V.

Of the data stored in the memory 26, the display unit 27 displays the mode data set by the display switching / data deletion setting switch 20d.
The display unit 27 displays (a) a received waveform display in real time, (b) an FFT waveform display, (c) a peak value level display based on the voltage compared to the threshold 1, and (d) a specific frequency. There is a level display in which the specific frequency of the FFT compared with the threshold value 2 is compared.
(A), (c), (b), and (d) are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 27.
The displayed waveform and level display are stored as data in an arbitrary location of the memory 26 having a plurality of channels (for example, 8 channels).
In the pipe identification system according to the present embodiment, at the second point, the reception-side ultrasonic probe 2 is sequentially brought into contact with a plurality of pipes to collect data, and the collected data is displayed.
When the pipe identification cannot be easily performed by the data received by the reception-side ultrasonic probe 2, the data obtained from a plurality of pipes is stored in the memory 26 as data of a plurality of channels (for example, 8 channels), and each stored data By comparing the channel data (that is, each received data obtained from a plurality of pipes) with each other, the pipe can be specified with high accuracy.
The data stored in the memory 26 is displayed with a display button.
The data stored in the memory 26 is deleted in any memory by the deletion operation of the display unit 27.

Although there is a part overlapping with the above description, the signal processing of receiving apparatus 200 in the present embodiment will be described.
The ultrasonic wave propagating through the pipe is received by the reception ultrasonic probe 2, and the received signal waveform is processed and displayed to identify the pipe.
And a specific result is displayed by the level display of a received waveform, lamp display, LED display, sound, voice, etc.
The received waveform of the pipe to which no ultrasonic wave is applied is observed only at a signal level lower than that when directly propagating through the pipe, and is different from the received signal of the pipe to which ultrasonic wave is applied. .
Therefore, the pipe to which the ultrasonic wave is applied is specified by detecting the difference in signal level.

For the received waveform, the frequency band to be processed is filtered by the HP / LP filter 21, the signal to be processed is extracted, subjected to FFT processing, and the intensity of the signal in the same frequency band as the applied frequency band is measured.
The specific processing method sets a threshold value 1, compares it with the maximum peak value of the received waveform, and outputs a voltage corresponding to “maximum peak value−threshold 1”.
Further, when the peak voltage value exceeds the threshold value 1, contact output is performed.
Display functions such as an LED level meter, an analog meter, sound, and voice are operated by the output voltage or contact signal.
The threshold value 2 is set, the peak voltage value in the same frequency band as the applied signal of the waveform obtained by performing the FFT processing on the received waveform is compared with the set threshold value, and a voltage corresponding to “peak voltage value−threshold value 2” is output.
Further, when the peak voltage value exceeds the threshold value, contact output is performed.
Display functions such as LED level meter, analog meter, sound, and voice are operated by the output voltage or contact signal.

The received waveform is filtered by the HP / LP setting switch 20a, and the signal waveform after passing through the filter is displayed.
It also has a function of observing a difference between ultrasonic signal waveforms propagating to a pipe to which ultrasonic waves are applied and other pipes and identifying the pipe visually.
The reception side ultrasonic probe 2 observes the ultrasonic signal waveform propagating through a plurality of pipes, and stores the measurement data of each pipe (for example, eight pipes) with a plurality of (for example, eight) memory functions. Or select to redisplay.
Thereby, it becomes easy to compare the received data / waveforms with a plurality of pipes, and the basis for pipe identification can be confirmed. That is, the piping can be specified with high accuracy.

As described above, the pipe identification system according to the present embodiment is a pipe identification system that identifies an arbitrary pipe from a plurality of pipes laid close to each other in a plant or factory,
An ultrasonic signal is applied to a predetermined pipe among a plurality of pipes at a first position (for example, the first point A), and the applied ultrasonic signal is passed through the pipe to a second position (for example, the first position A). , A transmission device 100 that transmits to the second point B), and a reception device 200 that detects the level of the ultrasonic signal received by each of the plurality of pipes at the second position (for example, the second point B). Based on the level of the signal detected by the receiving device 100, the pipe to which the ultrasonic signal is applied at the first position (for example, the first point A) is specified.
Further, the ultrasonic signal transmitted by the transmission apparatus 100 via the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 is a plate wave.
In addition, the receiving apparatus 200 includes filter processing means (HP / LP filter) that performs filtering in a frequency band that is effective for discriminating received ultrasonic signals.
Moreover, it has the display means (display part 27) which displays the ultrasonic signal which the receiver 200 receives, or its level.

Moreover, the pipe specifying method according to the present embodiment is a pipe specifying method for specifying a desired pipe from a plurality of pipes laid close to each other in a plant or factory,
At a first position (for example, the first point A), an ultrasonic signal is applied to a predetermined pipe among the plurality of pipes, and the applied ultrasonic signal is passed through the pipe to a second position (for example, the first position A). A transmitting step for transmitting to the second point B), and a receiving step for detecting levels of ultrasonic signals respectively received by the plurality of pipes at the second position (for example, the second point B), Based on the level of the signal detected in the reception step, the pipe to which the ultrasonic signal is applied at the first position (for example, the first point A) is specified.

  Thus, according to the pipe identification system or the pipe identification method according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to use vibration / sound propagation by hitting as in the prior art, but adjacent (including a close state). Since pipes are identified by utilizing the propagation characteristics of ultrasonic waves that are difficult to propagate to other pipes, it is possible to improve the efficiency and accuracy of pipe identification work to identify any pipe from multiple pipe groups, Anyone can easily identify the pipe with the same accuracy without depending on the experience and feeling of the pipe identification operator.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The pipe specifying system according to the first embodiment applies an ultrasonic signal to an arbitrary pipe among the plurality of pipes at the first position, and applies the applied ultrasonic signal to the second position via the pipe. And a receiving device for detecting the level of the ultrasonic signal received by each of the plurality of pipes at the second position, and the superposition at the first position based on the level of the signal detected by the receiving device. The pipe to which the sound wave signal was applied was specified.
When performing such pipe specifying work, it may be necessary to measure (calculate) the distance between the first point and the second point corresponding to the length of the pipe specified simultaneously.
The pipe specifying system according to the present embodiment can also measure (calculate) the length of the specified pipe using the pipe specifying system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a basic concept of pipe length measurement in the pipe identification system according to the second embodiment.
As shown in the drawing, an ultrasonic signal is applied to the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1 at the first point A of the pipe P1, and the ultrasonic signal (plate wave) propagated through the pipe P1 is the second point. In B, the reception side ultrasonic probe 2 receives the received waveform.
On the other hand, at the first point A, a synchronization signal is applied to the pipe P0 that has been confirmed in advance to be different from the pipe P1 to which the ultrasonic signal is applied, and the synchronization applied at the second point B is applied. Receive the signal and display the received sync signal.
At this time, at the first point A, the synchronization signal applied to the electrically conductive pipe P0 has a short time delay (that is, almost instantaneously) that does not cause a problem as compared with the propagation of the ultrasonic wave. Detected at point B.

However, the ultrasonic signal applied to the pipe P1 in synchronization with the synchronization signal applied to the pipe P0 at the first point A is detected at the second point B with a time delay.
In FIG. 5, ΔT indicates a time difference (delay time) between the synchronization signal detected at the second point B and the ultrasonic signal.
By detecting this ΔT, the distance between the first point A and the second point B (that is, the piping length of the specific target) L can be calculated from the following equation.
L = ΔT (ms) x sound speed (m / ms)

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the transmission device of the pipe identification system according to the second embodiment.
The transmission apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment is further provided with a synchronization signal generator 13 and a synchronization signal output terminal 3 with respect to the transmission apparatus 100 of the pipe identification system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. .
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of an operation unit arranged in the transmission apparatus 101 illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a receiving device of the pipe identification system according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the operation unit 20 arranged in the reception device 201.
The receiving apparatus 201 according to the present embodiment further receives the synchronization signal input to the synchronizing signal input terminal 4 and the synchronizing signal input terminal 4 with respect to the receiving apparatus 200 of the piping identification system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. An amplifier 30 for amplification is provided.

The operation of the piping identification system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the transmission apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
There is a frequency at which ultrasonic waves are likely to propagate depending on a failure (for example, whether welding is performed in the middle or bent and installed) depending on the installation status of the piping.
If the facility status of the piping and the frequency at which propagation is easy are known in advance, the frequency of the ultrasonic wave applied to the first point A may be set to this known frequency.
If the laying status of the pipe is unknown, select all fault modes (ie, search mode) and sign burst waves that contain all frequencies that propagate all faults (ie, the upper limit of the frequency band that propagates all faults) A sine burst wave whose lower limit is swept is generated by the applied signal generator 11 and applied to the transmitting-side ultrasonic probe 1 as an applied signal at the first point A.
When this applied signal is subjected to FFT analysis in the receiving apparatus 201, a propagation signal having a frequency that easily propagates according to the pipe laying condition is observed.
Since there is a signal of a frequency that is essentially unnecessary for propagating all obstacles, the efficiency of vibration propagating with respect to the applied signal is poor.

Therefore, when the receiving device 201 observes an ultrasonic signal (plate wave) incident from the transmitting ultrasonic probe 1 in the “all (failure) mode” by the transmitting device, the frequency that easily propagates is measured as the peak frequency. Is done.
The frequency is transmitted by selecting “frequency setting” with the pipe laying status setting switch 10a on the transmission apparatus 101 side, enabling the arbitrary frequency setting device 10b, and setting the peak frequency measured by the reception apparatus 201. A burst wave signal having a single frequency is applied to the side ultrasonic probe 1, and many plate waves with vibrations that easily propagate are generated.
In this ultrasonic wave input state, when the ultrasonic wave signal (plate wave) that propagates is measured by the receiving device 201, the difference between the pipe to which the ultrasonic wave is applied and the pipe to which the ultrasonic wave is not applied appears significantly. .
That is, when the level of the ultrasonic signal received by each pipe by the receiving-side ultrasonic probe 2 is compared at the second point B, the second point of the pipe to which the ultrasonic wave is applied at the first point A. The reception level at B is higher than that of other pipes, and the difference is remarkable.
The above description is common to “pipe identification” in the pipe identification system according to the first embodiment.

The present embodiment is characterized in that, in the pipe identification system according to the first embodiment, the length of the pipe can also be measured.
The synchronization signal generator 13 generates a one-pulse synchronization signal synchronized with the application signal applied to the transmission-side ultrasonic probe 1.
Then, the synchronization signal generated by the synchronization signal generator 13 is transmitted to the receiving device 201 via a synchronization signal output terminal 3 to a pipe or cable whose electrical continuity is confirmed.
Here, the operation unit 10 of the transmission apparatus 201 will be described with reference to FIG.
There are two types of “measurement mode”: “specific (pipe identification)” and “distance measurement”.
“Distance measurement” outputs a synchronization signal synchronized with the applied signal output, and the setting of “pipe laying status” is fixed to “arbitrary frequency”, and the frequency is set by an arbitrary frequency setting device.

The “pipe laying status” is set when the piping laying status to be specified is clear.
When the pipe laying status is unknown, “all fault mode (search mode)” is set.
Only when “arbitrary frequency” is selected, the arbitrary frequency setter functions, and the selected frequency is set on the display unit with the jog dial.
There are three types of “specific distance”: 0 to 10, 10 to 20, and 20 to 30 m.
This setting determines the transmission period of the sine burst wave.
If the approximate distance is known in advance, set it according to the distance. When the distance is unknown, 20 to 30 m is set.
“Output peak value” sets the peak value of the signal generated by the reference waveform generator.
“Ultrasound” transmits and stops ultrasonic waves from the transmission apparatus 101.

Next, the receiving apparatus 201 will be described.
Since the description regarding the piping identification of the receiving device 201 is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description is omitted.
The synchronization signal sent from the transmission device 101 via the pipe P 0 that has been confirmed to be electrically connected is amplified by the amplifier 30 via the synchronization signal input terminal 4.
The synchronization circuit 31 synchronizes the synchronization signal with the ultrasound signal waveform obtained by converting the ultrasound signal directly propagating through the pipe into a digital signal by the A / D converter 23.
Then, the display unit 27 displays the synchronization signal and the received waveform (that is, the ultrasonic signal waveform obtained by converting the ultrasonic signal directly propagating through the pipe into the digital signal) via the memory 26. To display.
Display unit 27. Displays the sync signal and the received waveform as the observed waveform.
The display is displayed in real time, but is stopped by the “STOP” button.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the observation time axis cursor 1 and the cursor 2 are displayed.
The cursor 1 and the cursor 2 are moved to arbitrary positions (according to the waveform) with the cursor moving jog dial.
The time between the cursor 1 and the cursor 2 is displayed on the screen in conjunction with the cursor, and the distance of the calculation result is also displayed in conjunction with it.
The calculation is based on the above-mentioned formula “L = ΔT (ms) × sound velocity (m / ms)”.

The characteristic operations of the pipe identification system according to the present embodiment are summarized and described as follows.
Two signals are used: a reception waveform that appears prominently (that is, an ultrasonic signal waveform obtained by converting an ultrasonic signal directly propagating through the pipe into a digital signal by the A / D converter 23) and a synchronization signal from the transmission device. Then, trigger on the sync signal and display the received waveform and sync signal on the display.
A time difference ΔT (see FIG. 5) between a rising portion (start of reception of a plate wave) and a rising portion of the synchronization signal in the propagation waveform displayed on the display unit is measured.
The measurement automatically measures the time between the cursor 1 and the cursor 2 for time axis observation.
The distance corresponding to the time difference between the cursors is calculated in conjunction with the time between the cursors, and the calculated distance is displayed.

Here, the operation unit of the receiving apparatus 201 will be described with reference to FIG.
There are two types of “measurement mode”: “specific (piping specification)” and “distance measurement”.
“Specific” is determined by converting the plate wave that has propagated through the pipe into an electrical signal with the receiving ultrasonic probe, and setting the maximum amplitude of the signal and the pipe laying status (single pipe, bending, welding, etc.). The threshold value and the threshold value of the specific frequency propagation strength determined by the setting method of the specific frequency propagation strength by the FFT processing of the received signal and the piping laying status are displayed. There is a specific method based on propagation frequency intensity that compares and displays a specific level according to the difference.
When measured with propagation frequency intensity, the peak frequency is also displayed.
“Distance measurement” is the synchronization between the plate wave that propagates directly in the pipe converted into an electrical signal by the receiving ultrasonic probe and the signal that is applied from the transmitting device to the transmitting ultrasonic probe. Process based on signal.
The signal from the receiving-side ultrasonic probe is triggered by a synchronization signal, and the difference ΔT in the rise time of the synchronization signal and the signal from the ultrasonic probe is measured, and the distance is calculated based on this time difference ΔT By doing so, the distance between the transmission-side ultrasonic probe and the reception-side ultrasonic probe (that is, the length of the pipe) is calculated.

In “specification” and “distance measurement” of “measurement mode”, “HP / LP setting” is automatically set according to the pipe laying situation. There is also a function that can manually change the “HP / LP setting” while checking the display screen during measurement.
“Amplification factor setting” is a function of changing the amplification factor when the pipe length is long or when the propagation of the ultrasonic signal (plate wave) is poor due to dirt on the pipe.
“Amplification factor setting” is normally used at 40 dB (100 times), but can be switched to 60 dB (1000 times).
As the “specific distance”, an approximate distance (pipe length) between the transmission-side ultrasonic probe and the reception-side ultrasonic probe is set. Based on this setting, the repetition period of the burst wave is set.
Regarding the screen setting of the display screen, “ch switching” includes nine displays during measurement from 1 ch to 8 ch as switching items. Settings can be set from 1ch to 8ch.
During data measurement (when measurement “START” is selected), it is automatically displayed as being measured.

When “1ch” is pressed, the measurement result stored in the memory 26 as 1ch data is displayed.
When there is no stored data, the display screen of the display unit is blank and a message indicating that the data is not stored is displayed.
“Display switching” has three modes of “specification by peak value”, “specification by propagation intensity”, and “distance measurement”.
In the “specification by peak value” mode, the received waveform and the specific level are displayed on the display screen.
In the “specification by propagation intensity” mode, the result of FFT processing and a specific level are displayed on the display screen.
In the “distance measurement” mode, a two-phenomenon measurement screen of a received waveform and a synchronization signal is displayed.
In any display mode, the cursor for measuring the time axis is displayed. However, the distance calculation is not displayed unless it is in the “distance measurement” mode.

Since the propagation speed of the ultrasonic signal (plate wave) differs depending on the material and thickness of the pipe, the “pipe type” is selected as the pipe type specified by this setting. (Example: SUS 304 1/2 OD)
Change the internal parameters according to the selected piping.
“Measurement” is “STOP” and the screen displaying the data being measured is frozen.
When “Register” is pressed in this state, the data being measured is saved in the memory.
At that time, there is a message for confirming the channel, and then data can be saved by selecting an arbitrary channel by “CH switching”.
The stored data is displayed if the channel display is switched while measurement is stopped.
At this time, when “Delete” is pressed, the stored data is deleted, and new data can be stored.
“START / STOP” starts and stops measurement.
“Cursor 1 and cursor 2” are cursors for measuring the time axis. The time difference between cursor 2 and cursor 1 is measured and displayed as “inter-cursor time”.
In the “distance measurement” mode, the distance is calculated from the time difference and displayed.

As described above, the transmission device 101 of the pipe identification system according to the present embodiment generates a synchronization signal synchronized with the ultrasonic signal to be transmitted, and synchronizes at the first position (for example, the first point A). It has a synchronization signal generating means 11 for applying a signal to a pipe or a conducting wire whose electrical continuity has been confirmed, and the receiving apparatus 201 has a synchronization signal generating means 11 at a second position (for example, the second point B). And a measuring means for measuring a time difference between a synchronous signal applied to a pipe or a conducting wire whose electrical continuity is confirmed and an ultrasonic signal received via the specified pipe.
The time difference measured by the measuring unit is measured by an image displayed by the display unit that simultaneously displays the synchronization signal received by the receiving apparatus 201 and the ultrasonic signal synchronized with the synchronization signal on one screen.

  Thus, according to the piping identification system according to the present embodiment, the synchronization signal applied from the synchronization signal generating means 11 to the piping or the conducting wire whose electrical continuity has been confirmed and received via the identified piping. In addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the transmission side ultrasonic wave contacting the specified pipe is further used in addition to the effect of the first embodiment. It is also possible to calculate the distance between the probe and the receiving ultrasonic probe (ie, the length of the specified pipe).

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful for realizing a pipe specifying system that specifies an arbitrary pipe from a plurality of pipes installed close to each other at a site such as a plant or a factory.

Claims (6)

In a plant or factory, a pipe identification system for identifying an arbitrary pipe from a plurality of pipes installed close or closely ,
A transmitter that applies an ultrasonic signal to a predetermined pipe among the plurality of pipes at a first position, and transmits the applied ultrasonic signal to the second position via the pipe;
A receiving device that includes filtering processing means for performing filtering in a frequency band effective for discrimination of an ultrasonic signal to be received, and that detects levels of ultrasonic signals received by the plurality of pipes at the second position; With
A pipe identification system that identifies a pipe to which an ultrasonic signal is applied at the first position, based on a level of a signal detected by the receiving device. Piping location system of claim 1 wherein the transmitting device via the transmitting-side ultrasonic probe ultrasonic signal to be transmitted, characterized in that in the plate wave. The piping specifying system according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display an ultrasonic signal received by the receiving device or a level thereof. The transmitting device has a synchronizing signal generating means for generating a synchronizing signal synchronized with an ultrasonic signal to be transmitted and applying the synchronizing signal to a pipe or a conducting wire whose electrical continuity is confirmed at the first position. And
In the second position, the receiving device receives a synchronization signal applied to a pipe or a conducting wire whose electrical continuity has been confirmed from the synchronization signal generating means and an ultrasonic wave received via the specified pipe. The piping specifying system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising measuring means for measuring a time difference from the signal. The time difference is measured by an image displayed by display means for simultaneously displaying the synchronization signal received by the receiving apparatus and an ultrasonic signal synchronized with the synchronization signal on one screen. 4. The piping identification system according to 4. In a plant or factory, a pipe specifying method for specifying a desired pipe from a plurality of pipes installed close or closely,
A transmission step of applying an ultrasonic signal to a predetermined pipe among the plurality of pipes at a first position, and transmitting the applied ultrasonic signal to the second position via the pipe;
Performing a filtering process in a frequency band effective for discrimination of an ultrasonic signal to be received, and detecting a level of the ultrasonic signal received by each of the plurality of pipes at the second position,
A pipe specifying method, wherein a pipe to which an ultrasonic signal is applied is specified at the first position based on a level of a signal detected in the receiving step.

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