INSPECTION DEVICE AND INSPECTION UNIT

Abstract

An inspection device for examining pipelines is provided, and comprisesa sensor carrier which in operation is rollable through the pipeline. The sensor carrier has an at least essentially circular circumference in a cross section that runs transverse to an axis of rotation. The sensor carrier also has at least one sensor unit. The sensor carrier further comprises at least one stabilizing means, preferably a multitude disposed along the circumference.

Claims

1. An inspection device for examining pipelines, the inspection device comprising: a sensor carrier which in operation is rollable through the pipeline, the sensor carrier including: an at least essentially circular circumference in a cross section that runs transverse to an axis of rotation, at least one sensor unit, and at least one stabilizing means disposed along the circumference .

2. The inspection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one stabilizing means provided is one or more weights and/or magnets spaced apart radially from the axis of rotation, where a magnetic field of the magnet(s) interacts in operation with a pipeline wall .

3. The inspection device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one stabilizing means is one or more magnets, and a north-south alignment of the magnets in the form of permanent magnets runs parallel with respect to the axis of rotation .

4. The inspection device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a north-south alignment of the magnets in the form of permanent magnets runs radially with respect to the axis of rotation.

5. The inspection device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the magnets are arranged close to one another along the circumference .

6. The inspection device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magnet(s) is/are bounded at least on one side by a surround which includes a magnetizable material .

7. The inspection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor carrier has a spheroidal or ellipsoidal shell.

8. The inspection device as claimed in claim 7, wherein, the sensor carrier has an ellipsoidal shell in which lengths of two semi-axes, are greater than that of a third semi-axis lying in the axis of rotation.

9. The inspection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor carrier is held rotatably in a supporting element provided for supporting the inspection device against a pipeline wall (10).

10. The inspection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumference is at least partly formed by at least one damping element produced at least partly from plastic and/or by at least one rolling element.

11. The inspection device as claimed in claim 10, wherein a load-bearing structure for the sensor carrier is formed at least partly from the plastic or a further plastic.

12. The inspection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit of the inspection device includes at least one sensor from the group comprising gyroscopes, acceleration sensors, magnetic field sensors, sound sensors, EMAT sensors, pressure sensors and temperature sensors.

13. The inspection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inspection device includes a camera and/or a generator having a generator coil.

14. The inspection device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the inspection device records an image and/or a sequence of images depending on a position partly determined by a sensor.

15. The inspection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inspection device includes at least one propulsion element .

16. The inspection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor carrier has an average density variable by means of fillable cavities in the inspection device and/or weight elements integratable into the sensor carrier and/or an exchangeable load-bearing structure .

17. The inspection device as claimed in claim 1, further including a central unit connected to one or more inspection devices .

18. The inspection device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the magnets are arranged close to one another along the circumference.

19. The inspection device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the inspection device records an image and/or a sequence of images depending on a position partly determined by a sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings, which illustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and wherein similar reference char-acters indicate the same parts throughout the views.

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates an inspection device of the invention in a perspective view.

[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates the article according to FIG. 1 in a cross section view.

[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial view of a portion of the article according to FIG. 1.

[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates an inspection unit of the invention.

[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates a view of a circumference of a device of the invention.

[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates a further device of the invention.

[0054] FIG. 7 illustrates the article according to FIG. 6 in a cross section view, shown in a pipeline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] The features of the working examples of the invention elucidated hereinafter may also be subject matter of the invention individually or in combinations other than those shown or described, but always at least in combination with the features of an independent claim. If appropriate, parts having the same function are given identical reference numerals.

[0056] An inspection device of the invention for examination of pipelines in which a fluid, especially water and/or oil, is being transported has a sensor carrier 1 which is rollable in operation through the pipeline and is provided with a circular circumference 4 in a cross section that runs at right angles to an axis of rotation 2 (cf. FIG. 5). FIG. 5 shows merely the outer circumference in a cross section diagram without further functional parts of the inspection device.

[0057] In addition, the inspection device, or the sensor carrier 1, has multiple stabilizing means 6 that are arranged over the circumference 4 and, in the present case, take the form of permanent magnets with north pole N and south pole S arranged alongside one another. In operation, the inspection device moves in a direction F (FIG. 3) corresponding to the longitudinal pipeline direction of the pipeline 8. In this case, the respective inspection device rolls along the inside of the pipeline 8.

[0058] By virtue of the magnets spaced apart radially from the axis of rotation 2, in operation, the magnetic field interacts with the pipeline wall 10, wherein the rolling on the inner surface of the pipeline wall 10 and the associated changes in magnetic field generate eddy currents that counteract any increase in the running speed of the inspection device in direction F. The rolling of the inspection device in the pipeline 8 is thus more uniform.

[0059] In the present context, the permanent magnets are aligned with their north/south alignment parallel to the axis of rotation 2. The magnets here that are arranged close to one another along the circumference 4 are bounded on either side by a surround 12 in the form of a circular ring in the present case (FIG. 2). These two surrounds 12 may also form part of the circumference and especially form contact sites with the pipeline wall. In particular, however, they direct the magnetic field in the direction of the pipeline wall 10, so as to give rise to a stable interaction during operation.

[0060] In the present context, the surrounds 12, which, in a further embodiment of the invention, may also bound the bar magnets in one-piece and u-shaped form, are connected to one another via securing means 14 and to a load-bearing structure 16 for the inspection device.

[0061] The load-bearing structure 16 is formed essentially with two halves formed as mirror images, which have a plate-like base on which hollow cylindrical sections 18 are disposed. Disposed partly within these and in a central cavity of the inspection device is an electronics unit 20 comprising a control unit and/or a data storage means and/or an energy storage means and/or an acceleration sensor and/or a communication unit. The electronic unit may be sealed at the open ends of the hollow cylindrical extensions. In the present context, sensors 22 in the form of hydrophones are disposed at this end.

[0062] The load-bearing structure for the sensor carrier 1 further comprises propulsion elements 24 formed in one piece with the hollow cylinder 18 and the plate-shaped base, in the form of lamellas that generate flow resistance and which ensure improved propulsion of the inspection device in the pipeline.

[0063] A shell of the device has an ellipsoidal shape, in which case the above-designated ends with hydrophones and/or the region designed to come into contact with the pipeline wall, in this and in all other working examples of the invention, may additionally be levelled off.

[0064] More particularly, the load-bearing structure 16 has been manufactured from a plastic, preferably from a polyurethane, and has damping properties, in order to minimize disruption of the measurements as a result of any vibrations.

[0065] Around the magnets, and forming part of the circumference, is disposed an annular, elastic damping element 26 which has been produced from a plastic and which has, at its outer surface, a greater distance from the axis of rotation than the surrounds 12 that constitute the rolling elements. During operation, the damping element 26 is compressed, as a result of which it acts against the magnetic attraction forces and hence has damping action. Furthermore, the magnets are protected from mechanical damage and, on account of the elevated surface friction, the device rolls better and more uniformly since slip on the pipeline wall is reduced.

[0066] The detail view of FIG. 3 shows, in addition to the magnets or stabilizing elements 6 and the surrounds 12, the coils 21 of a generator in which an electrical voltage is induced as the device rolls, which is used to generate energy. This allows the energy storage means to be charged, and the power supply to the device to be improved.

[0067] Cavities 27 present within the device may be filled by means of a pump system that is not shown in detail, in order to adjust the buoyancy of the inspection device in a medium 28 (cf. FIG. 4) in such a way that a respective inspection device rolls either on the top side of the pipeline wall 10 as shown in FIG. 4 or on the bottom side of the pipeline wall 10.

[0068] Both the inspection devices shown in FIG. 4 may be connected to one another by an optional central unit 30 shown by dotted lines, for example in the form of a frame.

[0069] Rather than a sensor unit 3, it is also possible for a camera, not referred to as sensor for the purposes of this application, especially a 2D or 3D camera, to be disposed in the inspection device, in which case image detection is always created in a particular relative position of the camera with respect to the pipeline wall on the basis of the data from an acceleration sensor.

[0070] A further working example of the invention, according to FIGS. 6 and 7, is provided with a support element 32 provided for support of the inspection device on the pipeline wall, in which the sensor carrier 1 is mounted so as to be rotatable. At one end, the sensor carrier 1 is held by a portion 34 of the support element 32 which is in the form of a circular segment in the above working example; at the other end, a roller wheel 36 is provided for support on the pipeline wall. The portion 34 serves for mounting of the sensor carrier 1 by means of slide bearings or roller bearings. The axes of rotation of the roller wheel 36 and of the sensor carrier 1 run parallel and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the pipeline and direction of travel. The roller wheel 36 is the guiding element of the inspection device, the sensor carrier 1 of which has propulsion elements 24 that lead away from an axis of rotation in the manner of a spiral. This sensor carrier 1 has also been provided with a circular circumference 4 formed by surrounds 12. Magnets are arranged along the circumference as stabilizing means 6. The guiding roller wheel 36 may, according to the working example, likewise be provided with magnets along the circumference.