SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE NON-INTRUSIVE INSPECTION OF VESSELS

Abstract

The present invention consists of a system and a method for a rapid, complete and nonintrusive inspection of vessels without their physical control.

The nonintrusive control method, in accordance with the invention, consists in the relative movement of a vessel, through two scanning frames, in a manner synchronized with the triggering of two penetrating radiation generators and the transmission of the signals generated by the detector matrix towards the subsystem for the acquisition, processing and display of data in order to form and display radiographic images from at least two different perspectives of the scanned vessel.

The scanning system, according to the invention, consists of a support-type mechanical structure, a control center, two scanning frames, two penetrating radiation sources, a vessel towing subsystem, a subsystem for vessel stabilization and a subsystem for the acquisition, processing and display of data.

Claims

1. Non-intrusive inspection system for vessels consisting of: a. A console-type mechanical support structure 1, located on a dock, structure on which are installed the scanning frames b. A command center 21 which will be positioned outside the scanning dock; c. A first scanning frame used to obtain a radiographic image of the inspected vessel by a substantially vertical projection, top view, formed of: i. A multi-articulated support arm 3, formed of several segments, having mounted, at its free end, a first penetrating radiation generator 2; the arm is positioned above the area through which the inspected vessels are towed, so that the beam of radiation emitted by the penetrating radiation generator 2 is directed towards the water, in a substantially vertical plane; ii. A multi-articulated detection ensemble 4, mounted below the water level, in which a matrix of detectors are mounted, aligned with the beam of a penetrating radiation generator 2 and mounted on a multi-articulated arm 5 positioned under the inspected vessel through which the inspected vessel is towed; d. A second scanning frame used to obtain a radiographed image of the inspected vessel, through a substantially horizontal projection, side view, formed of: i. An articulated detection ensemble 9, mounted on an arm 10, detection ensemble in the section of which is mounted a detector matrix 25 and which in the scanning process has a substantially vertical position, under a variable angle, next to the scanned vessel; ii. Of a second penetrating radiation generator 7, placed next to the inspected vessel, on the opposite side of the articulated detection ensemble 9, so that its beam of radiation is directed towards an articulated detection ensemble 9 and exposes to the radiation a detector matrix 25, aligned with the radiation beam; e. A subsystem 23 for the acquisition, processing and displaying of data provided by the radiation detectors and for the control of the scanning process, characterized in that the vessel towing subsystem T tows the inspected vessel through the two scanning frames, the movement being synchronized with the triggering of the penetrating radiation generators 2 and 7 and the acquisition of data from the detector matrix 24 and 25, in order to obtain at least two radiographic images of the vessel, from different perspectives. f. A stabilization subsystem 15 of the vessel for the scanning frames, partially removing the vessel from its floating balance, enough to eliminate the pitching movements caused by the waves that can be present in the scanning area.

2. Non-intrusive inspection system of the vessels according to claim 1, in which the multi-articulated support arm 3 ensures the modification of the position of the penetrating radiation generator 2 both vertically and horizontally, so that it forms with the multi-articulated detection ensemble 4, a first scanning frame in order to obtain a radiographic image of the inspected vessel from a substantially vertical projection.

3. A non-intrusive inspection system for vessels according to claim 1, wherein the multi-articulated arm 5 provides for the modification of the position of the multi-articulated detection ensemble 4 both vertically and horizontally, so that it forms with the penetrating radiation generator 2, a first scanning frame in order to obtain a radiographic image of the inspected vessels from a substantially vertical projection.

4. A non-intrusive inspection system for vessels according to claim 1, wherein the multi-articulated detection ensemble 4 is formed of at least six segments connected by articulations with one degree of freedom, allowing a rotation movement performed by an actuating system 6, so that it allows the multi-articulated detection ensemble 4 to dynamically assume the shape of the longitudinal profile and the sectional profile of the submerged body of the vessel to be inspected.

5. A non-intrusive inspection system for vessels according to claim 1, wherein a support 8 ensures the modification of the position of the penetrating radiation generator 7 both vertically and horizontally, so that it forms with the articulated detection ensemble 9, a second scanning frame used to obtain a radiographic image of the inspected vessel, from a substantially horizontal projection.

6. A non-intrusive inspection system for vessels according to claim 1, wherein the arm 10 ensures the modification of the position of the articulated detection ensemble 9 both vertically and horizontally, so that it forms with the penetrating radiation generator 7, a second scanning frame used to obtain a radiographic image of the inspected vessel, from a substantially horizontal projection.

7. A non-intrusive inspection system for vessels according to claim 1, wherein the articulated detection ensemble 9 is formed of two segments connected by an articulation with one degree of freedom, allowing a rotation movement of the inferior segment so as to decrease the distance between the detector matrix 25 and the keel of the vessel to be inspected.

8. The vessel towing subsystem, comprising of: a. A support 11 mounted on the dock, equipped with a winch 13 b. A support 12 mounted on the dock, equipped with a winch 14 characterized in that the inspected vessel is connected to the prow with winch 13 and to the stern with winch 14 to be pulled through the two scanning frames in both directions at a predefined speed, on a straight trajectory, parallel to the dock.

9. Vessel stabilization subsystem, consisting of two articulated arms 18 and 19, on which are mounted two supports 16 and 17 in the form of the letter V, equipped with rollers 20, placed under the water level, to partially lift the inspected vessel from its floating balance, supports on which the vessel is towed using the towing subsystem T.

10. Non-intrusive inspection method of vessels characterized by the following scanning steps: a) A vessel is brought into the scanning zone, in a corresponding position, on a perpendicular direction to the multi-articulated detection ensemble 4 that is submerged under water; b) The vessel is attached to a vessel towing subsystem T; c) The vessel is towed through two scanning frames, synchronously with the triggering of the penetrating radiation generators 2 and 7, and respectively with the transmission of the signals generated by the detector matrix 24 and 25, to subsystem 23 for the acquisition, processing and display of data, where they are acquired, stored and processed in order to form and display radiographic images from at least two different perspectives of the scanned vessel; d) The scanning stops when the scanned vessel has passed entirely through the two scanning frames or, exceptionally, as follows: i. on entry of intruders in the perimeter of the scanning dock, ii. when the vessel is approaching dangerously any component of the scanning system placed in the scanning area; iii. upon detection of a dangerous increase or decrease in the speed of movement towards the predetermined limits; e) the towing subsystem T for the vessels is decoupled from the inspected vessel; f) the scanning system is prepared to resume the scanning process of another vessel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Further, an example of implementing the invention is presented in connection with the figures from 1 to 4 that describe:

[0031] FIG. 1: perspective view of the non-intrusive inspection system;

[0032] FIG. 2: top view of the non-intrusive inspection system;

[0033] FIG. 3: front view of the non-intrusive inspection system;

[0034] FIG. 4: side view of the non-intrusive inspection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In an implementing variant, the vessel non-intrusive inspection system, according to the invention, is composed of a console-type mechanical support structure 1 installed on a dock, structure on which is installed a first penetrating radiation generator 2 fixed on a multi-articulated support arm 3 over the area through which vessels pass, a multi-articulated support arm 3 ensuring the modification of the position of the generator 2 both vertically and horizontally, so that it forms with the multi-articulated detection ensemble 4, placed under the water-level on a multi-articulated arm 5 mounted jointly on the resistance structure of the dock and ensuring the modification of the position of the multi-articulated detection ensemble 4, both vertically and horizontally, so that it forms a first scanning frame in order to obtain a radiographic image of the inspected vessel by a substantially vertical projection. The multi-articulated detection ensemble 4 is composed of at least six segments actuated by an actuating system 6 which modifies the geometric shape of the multi-articulated detection ensemble 4 so that it follows the longitudinal profile and section profile of the submerged body of the vessel that is to be inspected, to minimize the distance and implicitly the amount of water between the detection ensemble and the body of the inspected vessel. Mounted on the same console-type mechanical support structure 1, beyond the latter, is provided a second penetrating radiation generator 7, mounted on a support 8, ensuring the modification of the position of the penetrating radiation generator 7, both vertically and horizontally, so that it forms with the articulated detection ensemble 9, mounted on an arm 10, ensuring the modification of the position of the articulated detection ensemble 9, both vertically and horizontally, so that the penetrating radiation generator 7 and the articulated detection ensemble 9 forms a second scanning frame in order to obtain a radiographic image of the inspected vessel by a substantially horizontal projection. In order to carry out the scanning process, a towing subsystem T for the vessels is provided, subsystem consisting of two supports 11 and 12 mounted on the dock on one side and on the other by the two scanning frames, at a distance of at least two lengths of the vessel of the type of vessel that has to be inspected. Support 11 is equipped with a winch 13 and support 12 is also equipped with a winch 14. Winch 13 connects to one side of the inspected vessel, and winch 14 connects to the opposite side of the inspected vessel to ensure towing through the two scanning frames in both directions. The use of the two opposite winches ensures the stability of the speed of movement, the maintaining of an axial rectilinear trajectory parallel to the dock and the obtaining of radiographed images with minimal geometric distortions.

[0036] To ensure the clarity of the image, the system may be equipped with a stabilization subsystem 15 of the vessel towards the two scanning frames, consisting of two supports 16 and 17 in the form of the letter V, placed under water-level on two articulate arms 18 and 19, arms allowing the variation of the position of the supports 16 and 17 vertically, so that they partially remove the vessel from its floating balance, enough to eliminate the pitching movements induced by the waves that may be present in the scanning area. To allow the displacement of the vessel with reduced force on the supports 16 and 17, they are equipped with rollers 20.

[0037] After the connection of a vessel to the towing system T, the scanning procedure can be carried out by initiating the command of the control interface from a control center 21, when the winch 13, being connected from the bow of the vessel begins the towing through the scanning frames, the first frame being delimited by the multi-articulated detection ensemble 4 placed under the water level and the penetrating radiations generator 2, supported on the multi-articulated support arm 3, found on the console-type mechanical support structure 1, and the second scanning frame being delimited by the articulated detection ensemble 9, mounted on the arm 10 and the penetrating radiation generator 7. The system is also equipped with a position monitoring subsystem of the scanned vessel, containing at least one proximity sensor 22, which detects the presence of the vessel in the vicinity of the scanning frames and which is used to automatically start the emission of radiation at the beginning of the scanning and respectively to stop the emission of the radiation at the end of the vessel scanning.

[0038] In order to realize a complex radiographic image, the system is equipped with a subsystem 23 for the acquisition, processing and display of data, using the data provided by the detector matrix 24 mounted in the multi-articulated detection ensemble 4 and by the detector matrix 25 mounted in the articulated detection ensemble 9, matrix receiving the radiation generated by the generators 2 and 7, radiation that went through the inspected vessel; the subsystem performs the control of the scanning process by controlling the towing of the vessel, by controlling the towing speed, and also by starting and stopping the penetrating radiation generators.

[0039] The scanning process can be stopped automatically when the inspected vessel goes completely through the two scanning frames, when it dangerously approaches any component of the scanning system, when intruders breach into the scanning dock, on detection of a dangerous increase or decrease in the towing speed of the vessel, during this phase the images resulting after the scanning of the vessel are being displayed on the monitor of the operator, at the same time being created and archived a real file of the scanning process, and at the end of the scanning phase, the penetrating radiation generators 2 and 7 are automatically stopped, the perimeter protection of the scanning dock is automatically disabled, the vessel winches 13 and 14 are detached, after which the vessel can leave the area, and the scanning cycle can be resumed.