JPH112603A - Self-propelled gas visualizing device and gas visualizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain technology to visualize gases in which gas can be captured as the image of leakage gas without depending on field facilities. SOLUTION: This self-propelled gas visualizing device is constituted of an infrared irradiating device 3 to irradiate an area to be irradiated in a plane with infrared rays of frequencies which are absorbed by a hydrocarbon gas, an infrared camera 4 to detect the above-mentioned infrared rays scattered or reflected from behind the above-mentioned area to be irradiated, a display device 7 to display infrared information detected by the infrared camera 4, a reflector 5 arranged behind the above-mentioned area to be irradiated to reflect the above-mentioned infrared rays toward the infrared camera 4, and a self-propelled mounting device 3 with the infrared irradiating device 3, infrared camera 4, and reflector 5 aboard which runs by itself.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas monitoring technique for detecting leakage of hydrocarbon gas (for example, city gas) from gas equipment such as a buried conduit or a flange pipe in a gas plant.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, city gas leak detection has been practically performed using a gas detector which detects methane, which is a main component of city gas. More specifically, in actual gas detection, when detecting leaks in buried conduits, FI
The leak inspection was performed using the gas detector D. On the other hand, in detecting leaks of gas equipment such as pipes in a factory, a leak test was performed using a contact combustion type gas detector.

[0003]

However, in this gas detector, when a city gas leaks, only the gas concentration at a certain point can be known, and the source of the gas leak cannot be specified. However, there is a disadvantage that it takes time to set up a gas explosion hazard area. With the aim of overcoming this drawback, a visualization device that combines an infrared irradiator and an infrared camera as an infrared light source. A method of capturing as a video has been proposed by the applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-260114). However, this method has a drawback that the visualization performance depends on the material and shape of the equipment used as a background, and the gas cannot be clearly visualized depending on the equipment. In addition, gas leakage occurs in various places, equipment environment, atmosphere conditions,
In such different situations, when trying to reliably detect gas leaks, depending on the background situation of the place where the gas leak occurs, environmental conditions, and the positional relationship between the equipment system and the background (particularly the separation distance). In some cases, it is difficult to catch a gas leak in a state where it can be sufficiently visualized. Furthermore, since gas leakage may occur in various places, there has been a problem that the startability of the apparatus is insufficient. The present invention is to obtain a gas visualization technology that can grasp the leakage source of a gas leak and the diffusion behavior of the leak gas in a short time, and can always capture the leak gas as an image regardless of the on-site equipment. is there.

[0004]

In order to achieve this object, the gas visualization apparatus of the present application is characterized by an infrared irradiating apparatus for irradiating an irradiation area with a detection infrared ray having a wavelength absorbed by a hydrocarbon gas in a plane. An infrared camera that detects the detected infrared light scattered or reflected from behind the irradiation area, a display device that displays infrared information detected by the infrared camera, and directs the detected infrared light toward the infrared camera. A self-propelled gas visualization device is provided, which comprises a self-propelled mounting device that is self-propelled with the infrared irradiating device, the infrared camera and the reflector mounted thereon, and a reflector that reflects the light behind the irradiation area. It is composed. This gas visualization device includes an infrared irradiation device,
Infrared cameras and even reflectors are provided,
It is configured to be mounted on a self-propelled mounting device. Therefore, when using this apparatus, if the area to be monitored is determined, the apparatus moves to that location and arranges a reflector behind the area to be monitored. Then, a detection infrared ray is emitted from the infrared irradiation device to the reflector, and the detection infrared ray reflected from the reflector is captured by an infrared camera. In this manner, if there is a gas to be detected between the infrared irradiation system and the detection system and the reflector, the detected infrared light is absorbed by the gas, and the image displayed on the display device includes: An area that cannot reach the infrared camera due to infrared absorption appears as a dark area. This region will correspond to the presence of the gas to be monitored. Therefore, in this apparatus, the user moves to an arbitrary place to be monitored and performs detection and monitoring, so that monitoring with a high start-up property can be performed.
Furthermore, since the system is provided with a reflector, if the use state of the infrared irradiating device and the infrared camera and the distance from these to the reflector are determined, a gas concentration which can be roughly detected is almost specified. Therefore, when a gas having a specific concentration or more is leaked, this situation can be surely grasped, and there is no hesitation in determining whether the gas cannot be visualized or the gas does not exist, unlike the related art. Furthermore, in this self-propelled gas monitoring device, when the entire device moves while the device is operating, the part where the gas leaks occurs becomes a part of the irradiation system, the detection system, and the reflector. This can be detected when it enters. Therefore, it is possible to perform such a gas leak detection with a good startability.

[0005] Now, the infrared irradiation device, the infrared camera, and the reflector are integrated to form a vertical swing of the self-propelled mounting device in a vertical direction about a fulcrum provided in the self-propelled mounting device. It is preferable to include a moving mechanism or a circumferential swing mechanism that swings around the vertical axis passing through the fulcrum. In the device configured in this way, when the infrared irradiation device, the infrared camera and the reflector are integrated and vertically rocked about the fulcrum by the vertical rocking mechanism, the upper region of the device, or Gas leak detection can be performed for the lower region. On the other hand, when the swing operation around the vertical axis is performed by the circumferential swing mechanism, it is possible to monitor the entire periphery of the self-propelled mounting device.
Here, when such a self-propelled mounting device is a car, the exhaust gas is usually discharged to the rear side of the car. Therefore, by the circumferential swing mechanism, monitoring at the vehicle lateral position and the vehicle front position can be performed while avoiding the detection work on the rear side. At the same time, the vertical swing mechanism enables monitoring in the vertical direction.

Further, it is preferable that a reflector position adjusting mechanism for moving the reflector closer to or away from the infrared irradiation device or the infrared camera is provided. When the reflector position adjusting mechanism is provided in this way, the work can be performed by positioning the position of the self-propelled mounting device with respect to the position of the monitoring area with a degree of freedom. Further, after the stage where it is determined that gas leakage has occurred at a specific site, the reflector position adjusting mechanism adjusts the position of the reflector to a state most suitable for detection, and further reduces the concentration of the gas. It can detect even the situation of gas leakage.

It is preferable that a wheel is provided at a lower end of the reflector. When using a reflector, it is basically to support this reflector from the self-propelled mounting device side, but move and operate with the lower end of this reflector in contact with the ground, There is a case where it is desired to move the lower end portion by bringing it into contact with the gas pipe surface. In such a case, if the wheels are provided, the movement of the reflector can be performed smoothly.

In order to achieve the above object, the gas visualization apparatus of the present invention is characterized by an infrared irradiation apparatus for irradiating an irradiation area with a detection infrared ray having a wavelength absorbed by a hydrocarbon gas in a planar manner; An infrared camera for detecting the detected infrared light scattered or reflected from behind the area is provided, and a first self-propelled device is provided, and a reflector for reflecting the detected infrared light toward the infrared camera is provided. And a second self-propelled device that is self-propelled behind the irradiation region, independently of the first self-propelled device, and includes a display device that displays infrared information detected by the infrared camera. It is in. In the case of this device, a self-propelled system having an infrared irradiation device and an infrared camera (first self-propelled device) and a self-propelled system provided with a reflector (second self-propelled device) are independent systems. Be composed. Therefore, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the arrangement of the two systems, and it is possible to detect a wider range of gas leakage states. Also in this case, the principle of gas detection is the same as that described above.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, there is provided an infrared irradiating device for irradiating an irradiation area with a detection infrared ray having a wavelength absorbed by a hydrocarbon gas in a planar manner, and an infrared camera for detecting the detection infrared ray. In order to constitute a gas visualization device provided with a display device for displaying infrared information from behind the irradiation area detected by the infrared camera, the following is preferable. That is, it is preferable that a reflector that reflects the detected infrared rays toward the infrared camera is provided behind the irradiation area, and that the infrared irradiation device or the infrared camera be provided with a reflector position adjustment mechanism that moves the reflector closer to or away from the infrared camera. . If you do this,
For the purpose of performing reliable gas detection, with a reflector instead of the background, by the reflector position adjustment mechanism, the position of the reflector from the infrared camera, appropriately adjust in the proximity, separation direction, Monitoring suitable for the monitoring situation can be performed.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a side view of a self-propelled gas visualization device 1 of the present application, and as will be easily understood from the drawing, a self-propelled mounting device 2 of a device which is substantially an automobile.
Further, an infrared irradiation device 3, an infrared camera 4, and a reflector 5 which are basic components of the visualization device are mounted.

In the same apparatus, the infrared irradiation device 3
Plays a role as an infrared light source, and irradiates a detection infrared ray having a wavelength absorbed by the hydrocarbon gas in a plane toward an irradiation area. On the other hand, the infrared camera 4 has a configuration capable of detecting at least the detected infrared light, and detects the detected infrared light that returns to the infrared camera 4 from behind the irradiation area via the irradiation area 6. In this detection mode, the detected infrared rays are detected in a plane shape which is the form of a normal camera. In this case, the irradiation area 6 is actually a monitoring area in which gas leakage is desired to be monitored. Further, the self-propelled gas visualization device 1 is provided with a display device 7 for displaying infrared information detected by the infrared camera 4.

The self-propelled gas visualization device 1 is provided with a reflector 5 that reflects the detected infrared rays from behind the irradiation area 6 toward the infrared camera 4 as a device constituting the above-described background. The reflector 5 serves as a background of the irradiation area 6 and reflects the detected infrared light emitted from the infrared irradiation device 3 toward the infrared camera 4 from behind the irradiation area. As shown in the figure, the infrared camera 4 is configured and arranged in a concave shape so that the detected infrared rays can be focused on the infrared camera 4. The reflector 5 has a curtain-shaped base material, and its reflection surface is subjected to silver vapor deposition.

Further, the infrared irradiating device and the detected infrared ray will be described below. Laser type Helium-neon laser Center wavelength 3.39 μm Infrared bandwidth 0.09 μm Viewing angle up to 14 degrees

With this configuration, the infrared ray radiating device 3 irradiates the detection infrared ray, and the detection infrared ray reflected by the reflector 5 is detected by the infrared camera 4 in a planar manner. When a gas is present, the detected infrared rays are absorbed by the gas, and when the detection information is captured in a planar shape, the region where the gas is present becomes a dark image region. Here, in the present application, by always providing the reflector 5, a gas having a predetermined concentration or more can always be reliably visualized and detected in a predetermined concentration state (bright and dark state).

Next, the mounting configuration of the infrared irradiation device 3, the infrared camera 4, and the reflector 5 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the infrared irradiation device 3 and the infrared camera 4 are housed in an outer box 9 so as to be vertically overlapped with each other. The self-propelled mounting device 2 is configured to be swingable in a vertical direction V about a fulcrum 10 provided on an automobile undercarriage. In order to perform this vertical swing, a vertical swing mechanism 11 is used.
Is provided. Further, the outer box 9 is simultaneously configured to be swingable in the circumferential direction around the vertical axis Z1 passing through the fulcrum 10. A circumferential swing mechanism 12 is provided to perform the circumferential swing. Therefore, the infrared irradiation device 3 and the infrared camera 4 can swing vertically about the fulcrum 10, and can rotate around the vertical axis Z1 about the center C. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to perform a detection operation from a horizontal direction downward, and also to detect a gas leak occurring in a lateral portion of the chassis as shown in FIG. Can be targeted. The entire vertical swing mechanism 11 and the circumferential swing mechanism 12 are configured to be movable in the vertical direction V as shown in FIG.

Next, an infrared irradiation device 3 and an infrared camera 4
The configuration relating to the adjustment of the position of the reflector 5 with respect to the outer case 9 is described below. Here, the reflector 5 is configured such that the reflected detection infrared rays are focused on the infrared camera 4 depending on the angle of the reflector 5 with respect to the support frame 13. Furthermore, this support frame 1
3 is provided with a telescopic drive motor 14 for performing a telescopic drive operation of the frame, and is configured so that the position of the reflector 5 can be arbitrarily adjusted. 1 and 2 show a state where the support frame 13 is maintained in a relatively short state, and the state shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to a state where the support frame 13 is extended. That is, with respect to the infrared irradiation device 3 or the infrared camera 4, the reflector 5
The reflector position adjusting mechanism 15 for moving the mirror closer and further away is constructed by the support frame 13, the telescopic drive motor 14, and other attached devices (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, a wheel 17 is provided at the lower end of the reflector 5 via a buffer mechanism 16. Therefore, when the entire apparatus moves, the lower end of the reflector 5 can be smoothly moved along, for example, the ground surface or the pipe surface.

The operation of the self-propelled gas visualization device 1 according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a gas leak behind the vehicle is visualized. FIG. 2 shows a state where the leaked gas in the air is detected on the display device 7 through visualization. In FIG. 3, the reflector 5 is positioned on the upper surface of the buried conduit 18 exposed by the excavation work, and the reflector 5 is moved while the support frame 13 is expanded and contracted to visualize the leaked gas. Is shown. In this case, the reflector 5 is moved on the buried conduit 18 in accordance with the expansion and contraction operation of the support frame 13, and when this movement operation leaks a gas having a concentration equal to or more than a visible concentration, this is displayed on the display device. It appears as a two-dimensional image, and visualization of the leaked gas can be ensured. This operation / effect is a unique operation / effect when the reflector 5 is used as a background. Therefore, when the apparatus 1 of the present application is used, after detecting gas diffused from the ground to the atmosphere, the buried conduit 18 is excavated and exposed to identify the leakage source of the buried conduit 18, and the reflector 5 is removed. Buried conduit 1
In order to identify a leakage source from a crack or the like of the buried conduit 18 disposed on the support 8, the support frame 13 connected to the outer box 9 containing the infrared irradiation device 3 and the infrared camera 4 is expanded and contracted, By causing the outer case 9 to swing up and down and moving the reflector 5 continuously along the buried conduit 18, the leakage source of the buried conduit 18 can be specified. FIG. 4 shows the outer case 9 using the circumferential swing mechanism 12.
The state where the leakage of the flange pipe 19 in the factory parallel to the vehicle is detected by changing the direction of the vehicle is shown. FIG. 5 shows a state in which a leak in front of the vehicle is detected using the circumferential swing mechanism 12 and the vertical swing mechanism 11.

[Another Embodiment] Another embodiment will be described below. In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the infrared irradiation device 3, the infrared camera 4, and the reflector 5 were integrated, but depending on the state of the monitoring area (irradiation area 6), the reflector was It may be necessary to give the movement more freedom. In addition, since the reflector 5 functions as a so-called screen, it may be preferable that the reflector 5 moves independently. FIG. 6 shows a configuration that proposes such a configuration. In this self-propelled gas visualization device, an infrared irradiation device 3 for irradiating the irradiation area 6 with a detection infrared ray having a wavelength absorbed by a hydrocarbon gas in a planar manner.
And a first self-propelled device 2a which is equipped with an infrared camera 4 for detecting the detected infrared light scattered or reflected from behind the irradiation area 6 and is self-propelled. A second self-propelled device 2b mounted with a reflector 5 that reflects toward the camera 4 and self-propelled behind the irradiation area 6 is provided independently of each other. In this case, the first self-propelled device 2a and the second self-propelled device 2b
It is assumed that the exchange of information between the two is performed wirelessly via the antenna 20. In this case, the second self-propelled device 2b has its own traveling drive system, and is capable of independent traveling. Of course, also in this case, the display device 7 for displaying the infrared information detected by the infrared camera 4 is provided in the device.
In the case of this device, the support frame 13 is not required, and the independent free movement of the second self-propelled device 2b makes it possible to detect a gas leak with a good startability.

Although the reflector 5 has a concave shape, it may be a flat plate when a sufficient amount of light can be obtained.

[0021]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) By installing a reflector that efficiently reflects infrared rays, gas can be captured as an image with high sensitivity regardless of the on-site equipment, and it becomes possible to reduce the amount of light of the infrared irradiation device, so that infrared irradiation is possible. The device can be reduced in size and power consumption can be suppressed. (2) Since the support frame that can be extended and contracted via the telescopic drive motor is attached to the outer box containing the infrared camera and the infrared irradiating device, it is possible to detect a leak point such as a buried conduit under the ground. (3) Since the circumferential swinging mechanism is attached, leakage can be detected in places other than the back of the vehicle. In particular, since leak detection at the front of the vehicle can be performed, a detection error due to the influence of exhaust gas can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a self-propelled gas visualization device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a use state of a self-propelled gas visualization device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a use state of the self-propelled gas visualization device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a use state of the self-propelled gas visualization device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a use state of the self-propelled gas visualization device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a use state of a self-propelled gas visualization device according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 self-propelled gas visualization device 2 self-propelled mounting device 2a first self-propelled device 2b second self-propelled device 3 infrared irradiation device 4 infrared camera 5 reflector 6 irradiation area 7 display device 8 gas 9 outer box 10 fulcrum 11 up and down Direction swing mechanism 12 Circumferential swing mechanism 13 Support frame 15 Reflector position adjustment mechanism 17 Wheel 18 Buried conduit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An infrared irradiation device for irradiating an irradiation area with a detection infrared ray having a wavelength absorbed by a hydrocarbon gas in a planar manner, and an infrared camera for detecting the detection infrared ray scattered or reflected from behind the irradiation area. A display device for displaying infrared information detected by the infrared camera, comprising a reflector behind the irradiation area for reflecting the detected infrared light toward the infrared camera, and the infrared irradiation device, A self-propelled gas visualization device including a self-propelled mounting device that is self-propelled by mounting an infrared camera and the reflector. 2. The vertical oscillating device, wherein the infrared irradiation device, the infrared camera, and the reflector are integrated with each other, and swing in the vertical direction of the self-propelled mounting device around a fulcrum provided in the self-propelled mounting device. The self-propelled gas visualization device according to claim 1, further comprising: a moving mechanism, or a circumferential swinging mechanism that swings around the vertical axis passing through the fulcrum. 3. The self-propelled gas visualization device according to claim 1, further comprising a reflector position adjusting mechanism for moving the reflector closer to or away from the infrared irradiation device or the infrared camera. 4. The self-propelled gas visualization device according to claim 1, wherein a wheel is provided at a lower end portion of the reflector. 5. An infrared irradiation device for irradiating an irradiation area with a detection infrared ray having a wavelength absorbed by a hydrocarbon gas in a planar manner, and an infrared camera for detecting the detection infrared ray scattered or reflected from behind the irradiation area. A first self-propelled device that is self-propelled with a mounted thereon, a second self-propelled device that is self-propelled behind the irradiation area with a reflector that reflects the detected infrared rays toward the infrared camera, A self-propelled gas visualization device that is provided independently of the first self-propelled device and includes a display device that displays infrared information detected by the infrared camera. 6. An infrared irradiation device for irradiating an irradiation area with a detection infrared ray having a wavelength absorbed by a hydrocarbon gas in a planar manner, and an infrared camera for detecting the detection infrared ray,
A gas visualization device including a display device that displays infrared information detected by the infrared camera, wherein a reflector that reflects the detected infrared light toward the infrared camera is provided behind the irradiation area, and the infrared light is provided. A gas visualization device comprising a reflector position adjusting mechanism for moving the reflector closer to or away from an irradiation device or the infrared camera.