Pipe or duct probe and system comprising pipe or duct probe

Abstract

The invention relates to a pipe or duct probe (10) for insertion into a pipe (90) or into a duct. The pipe or duct probe (10) comprises: at least one motor (15), at least one motor shaft (18), at least one working means (30, 30, 30) connected to the motor shaft (18), a connection device (40) for connecting the motor (15) to a cable (75), and at least one centering device (50) connected to a housing (20).

Claims

1. A pipe or duct probe (10) for insertion into a pipe (90) or into a duct, characterised in that the pipe or duct probe (10) comprises at least one motor (15), at least one motor shaft (18), at least one working means (30, 30, 30) connected to the motor shaft (18), a connection device (40) for connecting the motor (15) to a cable (75), at least one housing (20), and at least one centering device (50) connected to the housing (20), wherein the at least one motor (15) is mounted in the housing (20) and is a direct current motor, and the centering device (50) is formed by a plurality of resilient elements (55), which are spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the at least one housing (20), wherein the resilient elements (55) are in a form of turbine blades.

2. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the resilient elements (55) are mounted on a centering device base (51).

3. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one centering device (50) has bent arms.

4. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the working means (30) is an application device.

5. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 4, characterised in that, the working means (30) is an application brush.

6. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the working means (30, 30) is a cleaning device.

7. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the working means (30, 30, 30) is directly connected to the motor shaft (18) or is indirectly connected to the motor shaft (18) by means of a joint or by means of a spring.

8. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection device (40) is formed as a plug connector or as a spiral spring with attachment piece or as a joint.

9. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1, including a temperature sensor and/or a camera (12).

10. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1, characterised by a static mixer (80).

11. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that, the static mixer (80) is attached to the centering device (50).

12. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the centering device base (51) is annular.

13. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that, the working means (30, 30) is a brush head and/or an abrasive paper arrangement and/or a chain scraper and/or a blade drill and/or a paddle blade drill and/or a cutting head and/or a milling head.

14. The pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the resilient elements (55) are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction of the at least one housing (20).

15. A system (60) comprising the pipe or duct probe (10) according to claim 1 and a cable (75) attached thereto.

16. The system (60) according to claim 15, characterised by a reel (70) in which the cable (75) is stored.

17. The system (60) according to claim 15, characterised by a control unit (71) arranged in or on a housing of the reel (70).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1a-1c show different illustrations with regard to a possible embodiment of a pipe or duct probe according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view through the pipe or duct probe according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 1a-1c;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a system according to the invention with representation of possible working means; and

(6) FIG. 4 shows an illustration of the system according to the invention with a pipe or duct probe according to the invention inserted in a pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) In the following, the same reference numerals are used for like and similarly acting parts.

(8) FIGS. 1a-1c and FIG. 2 show the basic structure of a possible embodiment of a pipe or duct probe 10. The pipe or duct probe 10 can include a temperature sensor or camera 12.

(9) FIG. 1a shows a side view of the pipe or duct probe. FIG. 1b shows a front view of the pipe or duct probe. FIG. 1c shows a perspective view of the pipe or duct probe 10 according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view through the pipe or duct probe according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 1a-1c.

(10) The pipe or duct probe 10 has a motor 15 (see FIG. 2). The motor 15 itself has a motor housing and is located in a housing 20. In other words, the motor 15 is mounted in the housing 20.

(11) The motor 15 is a direct current motor. The provision of a separate alternating current motor is no longer necessary due to the design of the pipe or duct probe 10 according to the invention.

(12) The motor 15 also has a motor shaft 18 (see FIG. 2). A working means 30 is directly connected to the motor shaft 18.

(13) Furthermore, a connection device 40 is shown.

(14) The connection device 40 is used to connect the motor 15 to a cable (not shown here). A part of the connection device 40, especially the cap-shaped part 41 of the connection device 40, can form part of the capsule-shaped housing 20. The other end of the connection device 40 is used to connect to the indicated cable by means of an attachment piece 42.

(15) A centering device base 51 of a centering device 50 is formed on the housing 20 or partially surrounding the housing 20. The centering device base 51 is formed as an annular portion. A plurality of resilient elements 55 are formed on the centering device base 51. The resilient elements 55 are evenly spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the housing 20, as shown in FIG. 1b.

(16) The centering device base 51 may be interchangeably arranged on the housing 20. It is possible that different centering devices 50 can be mounted on the housing 20. Thus, it is possible that different centering devices 50 can be slid onto the housing 20 and connected to the housing 20 depending on the inner diameter of the pipe or duct.

(17) Eight resilient elements 55 (see FIG. 1b) are formed, which are formed in a manner similar to turbine blades. The elements 55 are preferably made of a plastic material so that the bending radius of the resilient elements 55 can be reduced or increased. When the pipe or duct probe 10 is inserted into a pipe, the resilient elements 55 can be bent in the direction of the centre axis M so that the outer diameter of the centering device 50 can be reduced.

(18) The resilient elements 55 do not have a constant width B in the direction of the longitudinal extent L. Rather, the resilient element 55 is formed in such a way that a kind of convex surface is formed. On the one hand, this enables good centering of the pipe or duct probe 10 in a pipe, and on the other hand, good bendability.

(19) The housing 20 has a sealing cover or sealing cap 25. This sealing cap 25 is formed in the region of the motor shaft 18. A seal 35 is formed in the sealing cap 25. By means of the seal 35, it is prevented that an agent, especially a resin-hardener mixture or other liquids, can penetrate into the motor 15.

(20) The seal 35 is formed in the present case as a shaft ring seal. By means of a shaft ring seal, the penetration of liquid into the housing 20, especially into the motor 15, can be demonstrably prevented.

(21) Preferably, the sealing cap 25 is attached to the rest of the housing 20 in such a way that the seal 35 can be renewed or replaced. For example, the sealing cap 25 is screwed onto another portion of the housing 20.

(22) The working means 30 shown is an application device, namely an application brush. With the aid of such an application brush, an agent, especially a resin-hardener mixture, can be evenly applied to a pipe, especially to a liner located in a pipe.

(23) The working means 30 shown, or the application brush, is directly connected to the motor shaft 18. It is possible that a working means, for example the application brush, is also indirectly connected to the motor shaft 18. Springs, especially spiral springs, are especially suitable for this.

(24) FIG. 1b also shows a recess 52. This recess 52 is used for attaching, especially for clamping, a static mixer (see FIG. 3).

(25) FIG. 3 shows a system 60 according to the invention. The system 60 has a pipe or duct probe 10 according to the invention. Furthermore, a reel 70 is shown. The reel 70 serves to support the cable 75 or the push cable. The system 60 further comprises a control unit 71. By means of this control unit 71, the motor of the pipe or duct probe 10 can be controlled accordingly.

(26) Also visible is a static mixer 80, which is connected to the centering device 50 of the pipe or duct probe 10. Accordingly, with the aid of the centering device 50, the static mixer 80 can be moved or transported exactly to a position in a pipe to be treated or coated.

(27) The cable 75 is connected to the pipe or duct probe 10 by means of the connection device 40. An attachment piece 76 of the cable 75 is connected to the attachment piece 42 of the connection device 40. The two attachment pieces 42 and 76 form a kind of quick connector.

(28) FIG. 3 shows alternative embodiments with regard to the working means 30. The working means 30 is an application brush.

(29) The working means 30 is a cleaning device, namely a chain scraper. The working means 30 is also a cleaning device in the form of an abrasive paper assembly.

(30) The working means shown can be variably interchanged, as indicated in FIG. 3. In this respect, direct fastening to the motor shaft 18 or indirect fastening can be provided. The working means 30, 30 and 30 have corresponding fastening devices in this respect.

(31) FIG. 4 also shows the system 60 according to the invention. From this illustration, it is clear which components of the system are actually formed as belonging to the pipe or duct probe 10. The cable 75 is preferably not to be described as belonging to the system 60. This is because the cable 75 is not completely inside the pipe 90.

(32) It can be seen that, due to the design of the pipe or duct probe 10 according to the invention, a transport in the pipe 90 is possible which, among other things, also comprises 90 bend portions 95.

(33) Lastly, it should be noted that all features mentioned in the application documents and especially in the dependent claims, despite the formal reference back to one or more specific claims, are also intended to have independent protection individually or in any combination.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(34) 10 pipe or duct probe 15 motor 18 motor shaft 20 housing 25 sealing cap 30, 30, 30 working means 35 seal 40 connection device 41 cap-shaped part 42 attachment piece 50 centering device 51 centering device base 55 resilient element 60 system 70 reel 71 control unit 75 cable 76 attachment piece 80 static mixer 90 duct 95 bend portion M centre axis L longitudinal extent B width