JP6699333B2 - Pipe inspection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe inspection device that inspects pipes.

  Conventionally, an apparatus for inspecting a pipe by using, for example, ultrasonic waves has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, in Patent Document 1, a rolling unit that rotates a probe holder accommodating a probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves in the circumferential direction of the pipe, and the rolling unit is arranged around the pipe. And a ring-shaped clamp unit mechanically connected to the rolling unit and arranged along the circumferential direction of the pipe as the clamp jig, and the clamp unit with respect to the pipe. A device is disclosed that is provided with a plurality of fixing legs that are fixed to the pipe for fixing.

JP-A-3-273106

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when fixing the plurality of fixed legs to the pipe, it is necessary to adjust the tightening screws provided on each of the plurality of fixed legs, and therefore the adjustment becomes complicated. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a mechanism for easily adjusting a plurality of fixed legs when fixing them to a pipe in a pipe inspection device that inspects the pipe. The purpose is to

The pipe inspection device of the present invention is a pipe inspection device for inspecting pipes, and a sensor used for the inspection, and a guide ring mechanically holding the sensor and arranged along the circumferential direction of the pipe. A plurality of fixing legs provided in the circumferential direction of the pipe for fixing the guide ring to the pipe, and mechanically connected to the plurality of fixing legs, and fixing the plurality of the pipes to the pipe. possess the adjuster mechanism for interlocking the legs, the adjuster mechanism between the fixed leg of the plurality of fixing legs, and a plurality of rods, are formed by a universal joint connecting the rod adjacent In addition, the adjuster mechanism is formed to be closed in an annular shape .

  According to the present invention, in a pipe inspection device that inspects a pipe, when fixing a plurality of fixed legs to the pipe, the adjustment can be easily performed.

It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the piping inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the assembly procedure in the piping inspection mechanism of the piping inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the assembly procedure in the piping inspection mechanism of the piping inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention following FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the assembly procedure in the piping inspection mechanism of the piping inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention following FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the assembly procedure in the piping inspection mechanism of the piping inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention following FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the assembly procedure in the piping inspection mechanism of the piping inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention following FIG.

  Modes (embodiments) for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a pipe inspection device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pipe inspection device 1000 is a device for inspecting the pipe 2000. Specifically, in this embodiment, an oil country tubular good equipped with a threaded joint is applied as the piping 2000, and the piping inspection apparatus 1000 transmits/receives ultrasonic waves to/from the threaded joint to seal the threaded joint. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, a mode in which a pipe having no screw joint is applied as the pipe 2000, and the pipe inspection device 1000 is a device for inspecting a defect or the like in the pipe by transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from the pipe, is also an embodiment of the present invention. include. Furthermore, the present invention includes a mode in which the pipe inspection device 1000 is a device that inspects the pipe 2000 by another method without using ultrasonic waves.

  FIG. 1A is a side view showing an example of the schematic configuration of the pipe inspection apparatus 1000, and FIG. 1B is a front view showing an example of the schematic configuration of the pipe inspection apparatus 1000 (a cross section of the pipe 2000. It is the figure which looked at). At this time, FIG. 1B shows a front view of a component located on the right side of the rack structure fixing leg 1140 shown in FIG. 1A. Further, in FIG. 1B, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1A are designated by the same reference numerals. Further, FIG. 1B shows an outer surface 2000G of the pipe and an inner surface 2000N of the pipe.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the pipe inspection device 1000 is configured to include a pipe inspection mechanism 1100 and an information processing device 1200. Here, the pipe inspection mechanism 1100 is assumed to be provided with a constituent unit that is a combination of the constituent unit shown in FIG. 1A and the constituent unit shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the pipe inspection mechanism 1100 includes an ultrasonic probe 1110, a scanning mechanism 1120, a guide ring 1130, a rack structure fixed leg 1140, and a fixed leg drive gear 1150. It has an adjuster mechanism 1160, an outer diameter change following mechanism 1170, and a rotating grip 1180.

The ultrasonic probe 1110 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves used for inspection of the sealing property of the threaded joint with the pipe 2000 based on the control of the information processing device 1200.
In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 1110 is described as an example of the sensor used for the inspection, but the sensor according to the present invention is not limited to the ultrasonic probe, and may be, for example, Other sensors such as an eddy current sensor and a leakage magnetic flux sensor can also be used.

  The scanning mechanism 1120 is a mechanism for moving the ultrasonic probe 1110 with respect to the pipe 2000. As shown in FIG. 1A, the scanning mechanism 1120 includes a lifting cylinder 1121, an arm 1122, a rail 1123, a rail guide roller 1124, a rail gear 1125, and a motor 1126.

  When viewed in a cylindrical coordinate system (r, θ, z) in which the radial direction of the pipe 2000 is r, the axial direction of the pipe 2000 is z, and the circumferential angle of the pipe 2000 is θ, the lifting cylinder 1121 is attached to the tip. It is a cylinder for raising and lowering the position of the ultrasonic probe 1110 which is provided in the r direction. The arm 1122 is configured to move the elevating cylinder 1121 in the z direction. When the elevating cylinder 1121 moves in the z direction on the arm 1122, the ultrasonic probe 1110 is moved in the pipe axis direction of the pipe 2000. It is ready to scan. In the pipe inspection apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, when the pipe 2000 is inspected, the lifting cylinder 1121 is driven based on the control of the information processing device 1200, but the present invention is not limited to this form. Alternatively, for example, an inspector may manually operate the elevating cylinder 1121 to drive the elevating cylinder 1121 described above.

  The rail 1123 is formed integrally with the arm 1122, and by rotating the rail 1123, the ultrasonic probe 1110 mechanically held by the arm 1122 can be moved in the circumferential direction of the pipe 2000. It is configured to be possible. The rail guide roller 1124 is a support member that sandwiches and supports the rail 1123, and is fixed to the guide ring 1130. The rail gear 1125 is a gear for transmitting the rotation of the motor 1126 to the rail 1123. The motor 1126 is an electric motor for rotating the rail 1123 via the rail gear 1125 based on the control of the information processing device 1200. For example, the rail 1123, the rail guide roller 1124, the rail gear 1125, and the motor 1126 configure a circumferential scanning mechanism for moving the ultrasonic probe 1110 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 2000.

  The guide ring 1130 mechanically holds the ultrasonic probe 1110 via the scanning mechanism 1120, and is an annular guide ring arranged along the circumferential direction of the pipe 2000 as shown in FIG. Is. As shown in FIG. 1A, the guide ring 1130 is formed by connecting two guide rings arranged at different positions in the z direction with a guide ring connecting rod 1131. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the guide ring 1130 is formed by connecting an upper half semi-arcuate guide ring member and a lower half semi-arcuate guide ring member, The joint is shown as a guide ring joint 1132. A motor 1126 is attached to the guide ring 1130, and a rail guide roller 1124 is rotatably attached. Further, a rack structure fixed leg 1140 is attached to the guide ring 1130 so as to be movable in the expansion/contraction direction of the outer diameter of the pipe 2000, a fixed leg drive gear 1150 is rotatably attached, and an adjuster mechanism 1160 is provided. A rod 1161 of is rotatably attached.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, a plurality of rack structure fixing legs 1140 are provided in the circumferential direction of the pipe 2000, and the guide ring 1130 is connected to the pipe 2000 (specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 1B, It is for fixing to the outer surface 2000G of the pipe. Further, each rack structure fixing leg 1140 has a two-leg structure as shown in FIG. 1A for stabilization and the like. The rack structure fixed leg 1140 is configured so that it can be driven up and down by rotation of the fixed leg drive gear 1150.

  The fixed leg drive gear 1150 is a gear that is attached to the adjuster mechanism 1160 and transmits the rotation of the rod 1161 in the axial direction to the rack structure fixed leg 1140 to drive the rack structure fixed leg 1140 up and down.

  The adjuster mechanism 1160 is mechanically connected to the plurality of rack structure fixed legs 1140 via fixed leg drive gears 1150, and is a mechanism for interlocking the plurality of rack structure fixed legs 1140 with the pipe 2000. .. As shown in FIG. 1B, the adjuster mechanism 1160 is formed by providing a plurality of rods 1161 and universal joints 1162 connecting adjacent rods 1161 between each rack structure fixing leg 1140. .. The universal joint 1162 is a joint in which the joining angle of the two connecting rods 1161 can be freely changed. Even if the rods 1161 are annularly connected as shown in FIG. 1B, the universal joint 1162 can rotate about the axis of the rod 1161. Can be done. Further, as with the guide ring 1130, the adjuster mechanism 1160 connects the upper half semi-arcuate adjuster mechanism member and the lower half semi-arcuate adjuster mechanism member as shown in FIG. It is formed, and its connecting portion is illustrated as an adjuster mechanism connecting portion 1163. That is, FIG. 1B shows an example of the adjuster mechanism 1160 that is closed in an annular shape.

  The outer diameter change tracking mechanism 1170 is a mechanism that causes the adjuster mechanism 1160 to drive the plurality of rack structure fixing legs 1140 to interlock with each other so as to follow the outer diameter change of the pipe 2000. The outer diameter change tracking mechanism 1170 is configured to have a spring 1171 and a bias transmission member 1172, as shown in FIG. FIG. 1C is a view showing a cross section taken along the line AA′ of the outer diameter change tracking mechanism 1170 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1C, the spring 1171 is an elastic member that biases the rod 1161 in the rotation direction via a bias transmission member 1172. As shown in FIG. 1C, the urging force transmitting member 1172 is formed so as to cover the outer circumference of the rod 1161 and is a member for converting the pressing force of the spring 1171 into the rotational force of the rod 1161.

  The rotating grip 1180 is attached to the adjuster mechanism 1160 as shown in FIG. When the grip 1180 for rotation is rotated in a predetermined direction when assembling the pipe inspection mechanism 1100, the adjuster mechanism 1160 (specifically, each rod 1161 of the adjuster mechanism 1160) rotates in the predetermined direction, and as a result, Each rack structure fixed leg 1140 can be interlocked and fixed to the pipe 2000 via each fixed leg drive gear 1150. In the pipe inspection device 1000 according to the present embodiment, the inspector manually drives the rotating grip 1180, but the present invention is not limited to this form, and for example, the rotation grip 1180 is automatically rotated under the control of the information processing device 1200. The grip 1180 may be driven.

  The information processing apparatus 1200 controls driving of the ultrasonic probe 1110, the lifting cylinder 1121 and the motor 1126 based on, for example, input information input from an information input device (not shown). Further, the information processing device 1200 performs various processes including a process of processing an ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic probe 1110 and evaluating a sealing property of a threaded joint portion of the pipe 2000.

  Next, an assembly method in the pipe inspection mechanism 1100 of the pipe inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. 2 to 6, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

  2 to 6 are diagrams showing an example of an assembly procedure in the pipe inspection mechanism 1100 of the pipe inspection device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the process of FIG. 2 will be described.
2(a) is a side view seen from the same plane as FIG. 1(a), and FIG. 2(b) is a front view seen from the same plane as FIG. 1(b).

  2A and 2B, a fixed leg drive gear 1150, an outer diameter change tracking mechanism 1170, and a rotating grip 1180 are respectively provided at predetermined positions of the upper half semi-arcuate adjuster mechanism member 1160a. Install. After that, the rail guide roller 1124, the motor 1126, the rack structure fixed leg 1140, the fixed leg drive gear 1150, and the adjuster mechanism member 1160a can operate at predetermined positions of the upper half semi-circular guide ring member 1130a. Install.

  2A and 2B, the rotation grip 1180 is attached to a predetermined position of the lower half semi-arcuate adjuster mechanism member 1160b. Then, the rail guide roller 1124, the rack structure fixing leg 1140, the fixed leg driving gear 1150, and the adjuster mechanism member 1160b are operably attached to predetermined positions of the lower half semi-circular guide ring member 1130b.

When the process of FIG. 2 is completed, the process proceeds to the process of FIG.
3(a) is a side view seen from the same plane as FIG. 2(a), and FIG. 3(b) is a front view seen from the same plane as FIG. 2(b).

  In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the upper half semi-circular arc guide ring member 1130a and the lower half semi-circular arc guide ring member 1130b are combined to assemble the guide ring 1130. At this time, it is assumed that the guide ring coupling portion 1132, which is a coupling portion between the guide ring member 1130a and the guide ring member 1130b, is threaded for coupling, for example. 3A and 3B, the upper half semi-arcuate adjuster mechanism member 1160a and the lower half semi-arcuate adjuster mechanism member 1160b are combined to assemble the adjuster mechanism 1160. . At this time, it is assumed that the adjuster mechanism coupling portion 1163, which is a coupling portion between the adjuster mechanism member 1160a and the adjuster mechanism member 1160b, is threaded for coupling, for example.

When the process of FIG. 3 is completed, the process proceeds to the process of FIG.
4(a) is a side view seen from the same plane as FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 4(b) is a front view seen from the same plane as FIG. 3(b). Further, FIG. 4C is a view showing a cross section taken along the line AA′ of the outer diameter change tracking mechanism 1170 shown in FIG. 4B.

  First, in FIGS. 4A and 4B, for example, an inspector rotates the rotating grip 1180 in a predetermined direction shown in FIG. 4B. Then, the adjuster mechanism 1160 (specifically, each rod 1161 of the adjuster mechanism 1160) rotates in the predetermined direction, and as a result, each rack structure fixing leg 1140 is moved to the rack structure fixing leg 1140 via each fixing leg driving gear 1150 (see FIG. 4). It is fixed to the pipe 2000 in conjunction with the directions shown in a) and FIG.

  After that, in FIG. 4C, in a state where each rack structure fixing leg 1140 is fixed to the pipe 2000, the pressing force of the spring 1171 is adjusted to apply the pressing force to the urging force transmitting member 1172. Lock 1171. Here, the pushing pressure of the spring 1171 may be adjusted by changing the length of the spring 1171 or by changing the air pressure using an air cylinder.

When the process of FIG. 4 is completed, the process proceeds to the process of FIG.
5(a) is a side view seen from the same plane as FIG. 4(a), and FIG. 5(b) is a front view seen from the same plane as FIG. 4(b). At this time, FIG. 5(b) shows a front view of the components located on the right side of the rail members 1123a and 1123b shown in FIG. 5(a).

  In FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, an arm formed by integrating an elevating cylinder 1121 having an ultrasonic probe 1110 attached at its tip with an upper half semi-circular rail member 1123a. Attach to 1122. Then, the upper half semi-circular rail member 1123a is sandwiched between predetermined rail guide rollers 1124.

  Further, in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the lower half semi-circular rail member 1123b is sandwiched between predetermined rail guide rollers 1124.

When the process of FIG. 5 is completed, the process proceeds to the process of FIG.
FIG. 6A is a side view seen from the same plane as FIG. 5A, and FIG. 6B is a front view seen from the same plane as FIG. 5B. At this time, FIG. 6B shows a front view of the component located on the right side of the rail 1123 shown in FIG. 5A.

  In FIGS. 6A and 6B, first, the upper half semi-circular rail member 1123a and the lower half semi-circular rail member 1123b are joined to assemble the rail 1123. At this time, the rail 1123 can be fixed at a predetermined position because the fixing position of the rail 1123 does not change even if the outer diameter of the pipe 2000 changes. Then, the rail gear 1125 is engaged with the rail 1123. After that, the lifting cylinder 1121 is adjusted to position the ultrasonic probe 1110 in the r direction (FIG. 1A). Further, the lifting cylinder 1121 is slid on the arm 1122 to position the ultrasonic probe 1110 in the z direction (FIG. 1A).

  Through the steps of FIGS. 2 to 6 described above, the pipe inspection mechanism 1100 of the pipe inspection apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment is assembled.

  According to the pipe inspection apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the adjuster mechanism 1160 that is mechanically connected to the plurality of rack structure fixing legs 1140 and interlocks the plurality of rack structure fixing legs 1140 with the pipe 2000 is provided. Therefore, when fixing the plurality of rack structure fixing legs 1140 to the pipe 2000, the adjustment can be easily performed.

  Further, according to the pipe inspection apparatus 1000 of the present embodiment, the outer diameter change that causes the adjuster mechanism 1160 to drive the plurality of rack structure fixing legs 1140 to interlock so as to follow the outer diameter change of the pipe 2000. Since the follow-up mechanism 1170 is provided, even when the outer diameter of the pipe 2000 expands or contracts when the pipe 2000 is continuously inspected under a load-applied environment, each rack structure fixing leg 1140 is suitable for the pipe 2000. Can be fixed to. For example, when the outer diameter change tracking mechanism 1170 is not provided and the outer diameter of the pipe 2000 is reduced, a gap is generated between each rack structure fixing leg 1140 and the pipe 2000, which makes it difficult to properly perform the inspection. If the outer diameter of the pipe 2000 is enlarged, the rack structure fixing legs 1140 or the pipe 2000 may be damaged.

(Other embodiments)
In the embodiment of the present invention described above, when assembling the pipe inspection mechanism 1100, the upper half semi-circular members (1130a, 1160a, 1123a) and the lower half semi-circular members (1130b, 1160b, 1123b). Although an example in which and are combined has been described, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, a configuration in which the pipe inspection mechanism 1100 is assembled by joining the left half semi-circular member and the right half semi-circular member, and further, a plurality of predetermined shaped members are joined together without being limited to the semi-circular member. The present invention also includes a form in which the pipe inspection mechanism 1100 is assembled.

  It should be noted that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely examples of embodying the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be limitedly interpreted by these. Is. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

1000 pipe inspection device, 1100 pipe inspection mechanism, 1110 ultrasonic probe, 1120 scanning mechanism, 1121 lifting cylinder, 1122 arm, 1123 rail, 1124 rail guide roller, 1125 rail gear, 1126 motor, 1130 guide ring, 1131 Guide ring connecting rod, 1132 guide ring connecting part, 1140 rack structure fixed leg, 1150 fixed leg driving gear, 1160 adjuster mechanism, 1161 rod, 1162 universal joint, 1163 adjuster mechanism connecting part, 1170 outer diameter change following mechanism, 1171 spring , 1172 Energizing transmission member, 1180 Rotating grip, 1200 Information processing device, 2000 piping, 2000G piping outer surface, 2000N piping inner surface

Claims (4)

A pipe inspection device for inspecting pipes,
A sensor used for the inspection,
A mechanically holding the sensor, a guide ring arranged along the circumferential direction of the pipe,
A plurality of fixing legs provided in the circumferential direction of the pipe, for fixing the guide ring to the pipe,
Said plurality of fixed legs and being mechanically connected, possess a adjuster mechanism for interlocking the plurality of fixed leg relative to the pipe,
The adjuster mechanism is provided with a plurality of rods and a universal joint that connects the adjacent rods, between each of the fixed legs of the plurality of fixed legs, and
The pipe inspection device , wherein the adjuster mechanism is formed in an annular closed shape . A gear that lifts and lowers the fixed leg attached to the adjuster mechanism,
To the adjuster mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an outer diameter change tracking mechanism for causing the drive to interlock the plurality of fixed legs to follow the varying outside diameter of the pipe Pipe inspection device. The outer diameter change following mechanism is configured to include an elastic member that biases the adjuster mechanism in the rotation direction of the rod ,
The pipe inspection apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the elastic member is locked in a state where the fixed legs are fixed to the pipe. The guide ring via a scanning mechanism for moving the sensor in the circumferential direction of the pipe, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is mechanically holding said sensor Pipe inspection device.