NL2007035C2 - Inspection system and pushrod assembly. - Google Patents

Inspection system and pushrod assembly. Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2007035C2
NL2007035C2 NL2007035A NL2007035A NL2007035C2 NL 2007035 C2 NL2007035 C2 NL 2007035C2 NL 2007035 A NL2007035 A NL 2007035A NL 2007035 A NL2007035 A NL 2007035A NL 2007035 C2 NL2007035 C2 NL 2007035C2
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NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
inspection system
push rod
assembly
pushrod
push
Prior art date
Application number
NL2007035A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Leonardus Johannes Gruitroij
Gerardus Antonius Johannes Jacobs
Original Assignee
A Hak Ind Services B V
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by A Hak Ind Services B V filed Critical A Hak Ind Services B V
Priority to NL2007035A priority Critical patent/NL2007035C2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2007035C2 publication Critical patent/NL2007035C2/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
    • G01N29/22—Details, e.g. general constructional or apparatus details
    • G01N29/225—Supports, positioning or alignment in moving situation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/26—Scanned objects
    • G01N2291/263—Surfaces
    • G01N2291/2636—Surfaces cylindrical from inside
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B37/00—Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe
    • G03B37/005—Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B42/00—Obtaining records using waves other than optical waves; Visualisation of such records by using optical means
    • G03B42/06—Obtaining records using waves other than optical waves; Visualisation of such records by using optical means using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)

Description

Inspection system and pushrod assembly
The invention relates to an inspection system and push-rod assembly for the examination of tubes or pipelines com-5 prising (i) an inspection system that comprises at least one of a camera and an ultrasonic measurement unit (ii) a pushrod to which the inspection system is connectively coupled.
Such an inspection system and pushrod assembly is known in practice, however it suffers the disadvantage that for 10 certain applications it does not have the necessary combination of reach and bend passing capability, particularly for smaller radius bends.
A particular problem of the known inspection system and pushrod assemblies is that they cannot be used for inspecting 15 tubes or pipelines where it is necessary to push the inspection system around a sharp bend e.g. 90° when the bend is located at a significant distance from the point of insertion of the inspection system and pushrod assembly, in particular when the diameter and the radius of the bend are in the same 20 range.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved inspection system and pushrod assembly. For this purpose an inspection system and pushrod assembly is proposed in accordance with the appended claims.
25 In a first aspect of the invention, the stiffness of at least a portion of the pushrod is non-uniform, becoming generally stiffer at increasing distances from the inspection system. In comparison to the known inspection system and pushrod assemblies, a longer pushrod can be used, without 30 compromising the bend passing capability of the inspection system. In the alternative the same length pushrod can be applied, however with improved bend passing capability.
In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the pushrod is of stepwise or gradually diminishing diameter, 35 preferably tapered, the diameter of said portion becoming generally greater at increasing distances from the inspection system. Diminishing the diameter by for instance tapering at least a portion of the pushrod constitutes a practical and cost effective means of varying its stiffness. Alternative 40 non-limiting embodiments include for example providing the 2 pushrod with a tapered stiffening core, comprising the push-rod of regions composed of materials of different stiffness or providing only regions of the pushrod with stiffening or additional stiffening means. A flexible coupling may be used 5 as a part of the inspection system to connect the pushrod to the remainder of the inspection system, and wherein the coupling provides a final stiffening variation.
In a second aspect of the invention it is preferred: (a) that the stiffness of the pushrod adjacent to the inspection 10 system is selected at a value so as to arrange that in use, the inspection system is pushable around at least one 90° bend in a pipeline wherein the minimum radius of the bend is equal to 1 1/2 times the diameter of the inspection system; and/or (b) the diameter of the inspection system is in the 15 range of 90-300 mm in order that the inspection system and pushrod assembly is useable for examining pipes with diameters in the same range; and/or (c) that the pushrod has a length of approximately 60 m. By meeting these characteristics it is ensured that the inspection system and pushrod as-20 sembly can be used for an exceptionally broad range of applications .
In a third aspect of the invention, the pushrod of the inspection system and pushrod assembly further comprises at least one core. At least one of the at least one core being 25 provided and arranged for transmitting an electrical signal and/or for transmitting electricity to power the inspection system. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the pushrod comprises separate cores for transmitting an electric signal and for transmitting electricity to power the inspec-30 tion system. By encapsulating cables for transmitting electrical signals and/or for. transmitting electricity to the inspection system inside a core in the interior of the pushrod, they are protected from damage and snagging inside a pipeline, also making the inspection system and pushrod assembly 35 more robust.
In a fourth aspect of the invention the inspection system and pushrod assembly further comprises a coiler and a pusher-puller mechanism. The pushrod is spoolable onto the coiler providing for easy transport and storage of the push- 3 rod. The pusher-puller mechanism provides a means for feeding the inspection system through a tube or pipeline and is similarly useable for recovering the inspection system. The pusher-puller mechanism preferably comprises a guide through 5 which the pushrod passes and transportation wheels to enable steady feeding of the pushrod into or out of the pipeline. In two preferred embodiments, the pusher puller mechanism is either manually operable, or it is mechanically operable and is further provided with a motor. A manually operable pusher-10 puller system is less expensive to produce and may be less prone to failure, however a mechanical pusher-puller system provided with a motor opens-up for the possibility of automation of the inspection system and pushrod assembly.
In a fifth and final aspect of the invention, the in-15 spection system and pushrod assembly is connectable to a computer. In a preferred embodiment, the inspection system and pushrod assembly is computer operable and/or data collected by the inspection system and pushrod assembly is outputted directly to the computer. In an alternative embodiment, the 20 inspection system is provided with a means for storing data collected by the inspection system, the inspection system being connectable to a computer at a later time in order that the data can be exported and analysed.
In a particular preferred embodiment, the inspection 25 system and pushrod assembly further comprises a computer.
Thus the inspection system and pushrod assembly is completely self contained and its use does not require the availability of extra equipment such as an external computer.
The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated 30 with reference to the drawing of figures 1 to 3 showing a preferred embodiment that is not limiting of the appended claims.
The drawing shows : - in Fig.' 1A, a view of a preferred embodiment of the inspec-35 tion system and pushrod assembly of the invention; - in Fig. IB, a detailed view at the pusher puller system of the inspection system and pushrod assembly shown in figure 1A; -in Fig. 1C, a detailed view at the inspection system of the 4 inspection system and pushrod assembly shown in figure 1A; - in Fig. 2, a cross-section of the pushrod of the assembly shown in Fig. 1A; and - in Fig. 3, a side-view of the pushrod of the assembly shown 5 in Fig. 1A.
With reference first to Figure 1A, a view of a preferred embodiment of the inspection system and pushrod assembly which is generally denoted with reference 1 is shown, comprising: 10 (i) an inspection system 2, and (ii) a pushrod 6 to which the inspection system 2 is or can be connectively coupled. The inspection system and pushrod assembly 1 further comprises a coiler 7 and pusher-puller mechanism 8. The pusher puller system 8 is mechanically oper-15 able and is provided with a motor 9, as is shown in figure IB. The inspection system and pushrod assembly 1 is connectable to a computer 10 through cables 11.
Figure 1C provides a detailed view of the inspection system 2, and shows that this system comprises a flexible 20 coupling 3 which may be used to couple the inspection system to the pushrod 6. Further the inspection system 2 is provided with an ultrasonic measurement unit 4 and/or a camera 5.
Although the inspection system 2 is shown with both an ultrasonic measurement unit 4 and a camera 5, it should be 25 appreciated that for certain applications it may be preferably to use either an ultrasonic measurement unit 4 or a camera 5; the camera 5 being preferably a video camera.
With reference again to figure 1A the inspection system and pushrod assembly 1 is shown as further comprising a coil-30 er 7 onto which the pushrod is wound and a pusher-puller mechanism 8 which is mechanically operable. Figure IB shows that the mechanical pusher-puller mechanism comprises guiding wheels 8 through which the pushrod 6 passes, whereby a motor 9 is applied such that the pushrod 6 may be wound onto and 35 off of the spool and fed through a pipeline. The inspection system and pushrod assembly is further connected to a computer 10 by cables 11 as illustrated in figure 1A. It should be appreciated however that this is a preferred embodiment of the invention and that in particular for reasons of cost, a 5 simpler system may be preferred. For example, comprising only a video camera connectably coupled to the pushrod 6 of the claims .
With reference to Figure 2, a cross section of the push-5 rod 6 is shown. The pushrod has a main body A, through which one or several cores B and/or C pass. The main body A provides a conduit for cables used for transmitting an electrical signal and for transmitting electricity to power the inspection system 2. The cores may also be used for purposes of 10 varying the stiffness of the pushrod 6 and to tune the push-rod 6 to the desired flexibility.
With reference to Figure 3, the pushrod shown in this figure is tapered such that its diameter X becomes generally greater at increasing distances from the inspection system 15 i.e. at x" the diameter (X) is greater than at x'. A result of tapering the pushrod is to provide non-uniform stiffness, the stiffness of the pushrod being generally greater at increasing distances from the inspection system. It is however not necessary to apply a tapered pushrod; it is also possible 20 to stepwise or gradually diminish the pushrod1s diameter or to vary the material of the pushrod over its length in order to provide such non-uniform stiffness.

Claims (12)

1. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) voor het inspecteren van buizen of pijpleidingen omvattende (i) een inspectiesysteem (2) welke ten minste één van een camera (5) en een ultrasone meeteenheid (4) heeft, (ii) een duwstang 5 (6) met welke het inspectiesysteem (2) verbindbaar gekoppeld is, met het kenmerk, dat de stijfheid van ten minste een 'deel van de duwstang (6) niet-uniform is, en in het algemeen stijver wordt met toenemende afstand van het inspectiesysteem (2) .An inspection system and push rod assembly (1) for inspecting pipes or pipelines comprising (i) an inspection system (2) having at least one of a camera (5) and an ultrasonic measuring unit (4), (ii) a push rod 5 ( 6) to which the inspection system (2) is connectably coupled, characterized in that the stiffness of at least a part of the push rod (6) is non-uniform, and generally becomes stiffer with increasing distance from the inspection system ( 2). 2. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) vol gens conclusie 1, met het kenmerk, dat ten minste een deel van de duwstang (6) een stapsgewijs of geleidelijk afnemende diameter bezit, bij voorkeur taps toelopend, waarbij de diameter (X) van genoemd deel van de duwstang (6) in het alge-15 meen groter wordt met toenemende afstand van het inspectiesysteem (2) .An inspection system and push rod assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of the push rod (6) has a stepwise or gradually decreasing diameter, preferably tapered, the diameter (X) of said part of the push rod (6) generally increases with increasing distance from the inspection system (2). 3. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) volgens ten minste een van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat de stijfheid van de duwstang (6) naast het in-20 spectiesysteem (2) geselecteerd wordt op een waarde teneinde te bewerkstelligen dat tijdens gebruik het inspectiesysteem (2) duwbaar is rond ten minste één 90° bocht in een pijpleiding waarvan de straal van de bocht ten minste 1½ keer de diameter van het inspectiesysteem (2) bedraagt.3. Inspection system and push rod assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stiffness of the push rod (6) is selected for a value next to the inspection system (2) in order to ensure that during use the inspection system (2) is pushable around at least one 90 ° bend in a pipeline whose radius of the bend is at least 1½ times the diameter of the inspection system (2). 4. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) vol gens ten minste een van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat het inspectiesysteem (2) voorzien is van een flexibele koppeling^ (3) voor verbinding met de duwstang (6).An inspection system and push rod assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inspection system (2) is provided with a flexible coupling (3) for connection to the push rod (6). 5. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) vol-30 gens ten minste een van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat het inspectiesysteem (2) een diameter bezit in het bereik 90-300 mm.5. Inspection system and push rod assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inspection system (2) has a diameter in the range 90-300 mm. 6. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) volgens ten minste een van de voorgaande conclusies, met het 35 kenmerk, dat de duwstang (6) een lengte heeft van ongeveer 60 m.6. Inspection system and push rod assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the push rod (6) has a length of approximately 60 m. 7. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) volgens ten minste een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarin de duwstang (6) ten minste één kern (B, C) bezit, met het kenmerk, dat de ten minste ene kern (B, C) van de duwstang (6) 5 ingericht is voor het verzenden van een elektrisch signaal en/of voor het overbrengen van elektriciteit voor voeding van het inspectiesysteem en/of voor het variëren van de stijfheid van de duwstang in de lengte daarvan.An inspection system and push rod assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the push rod (6) has at least one core (B, C), characterized in that the at least one core (B, C) of the push rod (6) is arranged for transmitting an electrical signal and / or for transferring electricity for supplying the inspection system and / or for varying the stiffness of the push rod along its length. 8. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) vol-10 gens ten minste een van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat de duwstang (6) opwikkelbaar is.An inspection system and push rod assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the push rod (6) can be wound up. 9. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) volgens ten minste een van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat het inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel verder 15 een haspel (7) omvat en een trek-duwmechanisme (8).9. Inspection system and push rod assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inspection system and push rod assembly further comprises a reel (7) and a pull-push mechanism (8). 10. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) volgens conclusie 9, met het kenmerk, dat het trek-duwmechanisme (8) handmatig bedienbaar is.An inspection system and push bar assembly (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the pull / push mechanism (8) can be operated manually. 11. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) vol-20 gens conclusie 9, met het kenmerk, dat het trek-duwmechanisme (8) mechanisch bedienbaar is en verder voorzien is van een motor (9).11. Inspection system and push rod assembly (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the pull-push mechanism (8) is mechanically operable and furthermore provided with a motor (9). 12. Inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) volgens ten minste een van de voorgaande conclusies, met het 25 kenmerk, dat het inspectiesysteem en duwstangsamenstel (1) koppelbaar is met een computer (10). i12. Inspection system and push bar assembly (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inspection system and push bar assembly (1) can be coupled to a computer (10). i
NL2007035A 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 Inspection system and pushrod assembly. NL2007035C2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2007035A NL2007035C2 (en) 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 Inspection system and pushrod assembly.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2007035 2011-07-01
NL2007035A NL2007035C2 (en) 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 Inspection system and pushrod assembly.

Publications (1)

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NL2007035C2 true NL2007035C2 (en) 2013-01-07

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NL2007035A NL2007035C2 (en) 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 Inspection system and pushrod assembly.

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030142207A1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-07-31 Olsson Mark S. Video pipe inspection system employing non-rotating cable storage drum
US20070051192A1 (en) * 2005-09-08 2007-03-08 Ulc Robotics, Inc. Pipeline inspection system
US20070297778A1 (en) * 2006-06-21 2007-12-27 Lange Frederick M Camera systems, methods and units therefor
GB2468301A (en) * 2009-03-03 2010-09-08 Jd7 Ltd Water mains inspection and servicing system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030142207A1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-07-31 Olsson Mark S. Video pipe inspection system employing non-rotating cable storage drum
US20070051192A1 (en) * 2005-09-08 2007-03-08 Ulc Robotics, Inc. Pipeline inspection system
US20070297778A1 (en) * 2006-06-21 2007-12-27 Lange Frederick M Camera systems, methods and units therefor
GB2468301A (en) * 2009-03-03 2010-09-08 Jd7 Ltd Water mains inspection and servicing system

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