Weld inspection chain

Abstract

The present invention relates to a weld detection chain, which is used for detecting welds on two plastic pipes by means of ultrasound, wherein the two plastic pipes are welded together at the ends, and the weld detection chain comprises: standard chain links, wherein the standard chain links are hooked together to form a weld detection chain, and the chain can be lengthened or shortened individually; a sensor receiving portion, wherein the sensor receiving portion is used to accommodate an ultrasonic sensor; and an adjustment unit, wherein the adjustment unit is used for fine adjustment of the length of the weld detection chain, wherein the standard chain link has a hook on one side and a hook receiving portion on the opposite side, thereby enabling individual chain links to be hooked together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a weld detection chain, which is used for detecting welds on two plastic pipes by means of ultrasound, wherein the two plastic pipes are welded together at the ends, and the weld detection chain comprises: standard chain links, wherein the standard chain links are hooked together to form a weld detection chain, and the chain can be lengthened or shortened individually; a sensor receiving part, wherein the sensor receiving part is used to accommodate an ultrasonic sensor; and an adjustment unit, wherein the adjustment unit is used for fine adjustment of the length of the weld detection chain.

[0002] By means of the chain, the ultrasonic sensor is rotated around the circumference of the pipeline and the weld is detected over the entire circumference by means of ultrasound without rotating the pipe itself and without damaging it. Background Art

[0003] Non-destructive analysis of test objects by means of ultrasound is prior art and is used in many fields, for example in the field of aircraft construction.

[0004] This method mainly utilizes metal materials because they have good acoustic conductivity.

[0005] The purpose of ultrasonic testing is to detect internal and external defects that cannot be detected without damaging the test object.

[0006] US5824908 discloses such a detection method which is able to detect defects in a material based on ultrasound.

[0007] However, a disadvantage of the disclosed method is that the system can only be applied to panels and only to materials having a certain uniformity without any structural changes in the material.

[0008] CN110031549A1 discloses a device for inspecting the weld seams of pipes that have been welded together.

[0009] The disadvantages of this embodiment are that it has a large number of individual parts screwed together, which requires complicated mounting of the chain on the tube and that, due to the large number of rollers, the chain tends to become contaminated and is very maintenance intensive. Summary of the invention

[0010] The object of the invention is to propose a weld inspection chain which allows a simple installation of an ultrasonic inspection device or a transmitter and a receiver of such a device for inspecting welds on welded plastic pipes and which can be adapted to different pipe diameters with little effort and is also simple to maintain.

[0011] According to the invention, this object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the standard chain link has a hook on one side and a hook receiver on the opposite side, thereby enabling the individual chain links to be hooked together.

[0012] The weld inspection chain according to the invention is used for detecting welds on two plastic pipes by means of ultrasound, the two plastic pipes being welded together at the ends, and the weld inspection chain comprises a plurality of standard chain links. The standard chain links are hooked together to form the weld inspection chain. By adding or removing standard chain links in the weld inspection chain, the chain can be lengthened or shortened individually, and, as a result, the chain can be used for different pipe diameters. The weld inspection chain has a sensor receiving portion for accommodating an ultrasonic sensor or a transmitter and a receiver of an ultrasonic sensor. For fine adjustment of the length of the weld inspection chain, the weld inspection chain according to the invention has an adjustment unit. On one side, the standard chain links hooked together have a hook, and, on the opposite side, it has a hook receiving portion. With the connection by means of the hook and the hook receiving portion, it is a simple matter to connect the standard chain links to each other or release them from each other, and this allows a quick adaptation of the chain length.

[0013] It has proven to be advantageous if the standard chain link is manufactured as a 3-D printed part, preferably from a polymer. Of course, other manufacturing methods are also conceivable, wherein the standard chain link is preferably composed of plastic.

[0014] The standard chain link preferably has a bearing surface on the side of the hook receiving part, wherein the bearing surface is designed to be rounded (radii) so as to bear directly against the outer shell of the welded pipe. As a result, there are only linear bearing surfaces between the standard chain link and the pipe outer shell, thus enabling the chain to rotate easily and to be well supported on the outer diameter regardless of the pipe size.

[0015] It has proven to be advantageous if the standard chain link is of one-piece design and is supported directly on the outer shell of the welded tube. By virtue of the one-piece design of the standard chain link and the rounded bearing surface, it is possible to dispense with separate rollers. The standard chain link preferably has a fork-shaped configuration on the side of the hook receiving portion, which preferably has two arms.

[0016] The bearing surface of the standard chain link is preferably arranged rigidly and integrally on the standard chain link. It is advantageous if the bearing surface is arranged on both arms of the forked side of the hook receiving portion.

[0017] A preferred embodiment has proven to be one in which the adjustment unit of the weld inspection chain according to the invention has two adjustment elements that can be moved relative to each other. The adjustment elements preferably engage in each other and can be continuously adjusted and locked by means of screws.

[0018] It has proven to be advantageous if the sensor receiver is designed as a chain link. This allows the sensor receiver to be arranged with little effort on a standard chain link, an adjustment unit, a holder for an angle sensor, or an element corresponding to the connection possibilities of a chain link.

[0019] A preferred embodiment has proven to be an embodiment in which lead wedges for accommodating the ultrasonic sensor are arranged on the sensor receiving part, wherein the lead wedges are arranged adjustably on the sensor holder. Two lead wedges are preferably arranged on the sensor receiving part, one of which accommodates the transmitter of the ultrasonic sensor and the other of which accommodates the receiver of the ultrasonic sensor.

[0020] The clamping system is preferably arranged on the sensor receiving part, wherein the clamping system acts on a constant contact pressure on a guide wedge which is supported on the outer housing of the tube. It has proven to be advantageous if the clamping system is formed by a spring element which presses the guide wedge against the circumferential surface of the tube, wherein the spring element also preferably serves to position the guide wedge on the sensor receiving part and the guide wedge can preferably be arranged in an adjustable manner.

[0021] It is advantageous if the guide wedge has an outer housing and an inner element. The outer housing and the inner element preferably consist of different materials. PTFE has proven to be an advantageous material in ultrasonic testing, for which reason the inner element is preferably made of PTFE.

[0022] The weld inspection chain according to the invention preferably has a holder for fixing the angle sensor, wherein the holder is designed as a chain link. This also allows easy installation in the weld inspection chain or on standard chain links or other chain links, which have a suitable design for adapting to the chain. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments. In the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a section of a weld inspection chain according to the invention on a pipe,

[0025] Figure 2 A plan view showing a weld seam inspection chain according to the invention in the region of a sensor receiving part,

[0026] Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing two standard chain links hooked together,

[0027] Figure 4A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a section of a weld inspection chain according to the present invention is shown,

[0028] Figure 5 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a section of a weld inspection chain according to the present invention is shown from below,

[0029] Figure 6 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sensor receiving part is shown from below, and

[0030] Figure 7 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sensor receiving part is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 The weld inspection chain 1 according to the present invention illustrated in the figure is used to inspect welds on butt-welded plastic pipes, and the weld inspection chain 1 includes standard chain links 2, wherein the standard chain links 2 are connected to each other only by hooking together. The chain can be lengthened or shortened as desired by hooking in and unhooking the standard chain links. To this end, the standard chain link 2 has a hook 6 on one side and a hook receiving part 7 on the other side. The weld inspection chain 1 according to the present invention also has a sensor receiving part 4, which is used to accommodate an ultrasonic sensor or a transmitter and a receiver of an ultrasonic sensor. For accurate adjustment of the length of the weld inspection chain 1, the chain 1 includes an adjustment unit 5.

[0032] The standard chain link 2 has a bearing surface 9 on the side of the hook receiving part 7, wherein the bearing surface 9 is formed by a rounding 8, which is arranged integrally on the standard chain link 2. By virtue of the rounding 8, which is directly supported on the housing circumference of the tube, there are only linear bearing surfaces 9, thereby ensuring that the chain according to the invention is well supported on the outer housing and can also be easily rotated around this circumference. The bearing surface 9 is arranged integrally and therefore also rigidly on the one-piece standard chain link 2. The rounding 8 on the standard chain link 2 forms a protruding nose on the side of the hook receiving part 7, preferably to provide a pin (not shown), into which the hook 6 hooks. The protruding nose also serves to ensure that the standard chain link 2 is spaced apart from the outer housing of the tube 20 or is supported on the outer housing exclusively by means of the bearing surface 9.

[0033] The hook receiver 7 is preferably of fork-shaped design and has two arms 12 , between which the hook 6 hooks, wherein a pin (not shown) extends between the arms 12 , wherein the pin is arranged as a separate component or also integrally on the standard chain link 2 .

[0034] As in Figure 3 As can be easily seen, the standard chain link 2 is of one-piece design, preferably consists of plastic and, as is particularly preferred, is produced by 3-D printing.

[0035] exist Figure 2In the figure, other elements of the weld inspection chain 1 according to the invention can be seen, such as the adjustment unit 5, which preferably comprises two adjustment elements 10, which can be moved relative to each other. By means of the adjustment screw 13, the length of the chain 1 can then be adjusted with appropriate accuracy. In order to ensure that the detection of the weld has been carried out over the entire circumference, it is advantageous to provide an angle sensor 21 on the chain 1. In order to fix the sensor on the chain 1, one link is designed as a holder 3 for the angle sensor and has appropriate fastening possibilities. The holder 3 and also the sensor receiving part 4 as well as the adjustment unit 5 are designed at their ends in such a way that they can easily be adapted to a standard link 2 because they have the same ends and are therefore compatible. Figure 5 The chain 1 according to the invention is shown from below, whereby the guide wedge 11 is clearly shown, which accommodates the transmitter and the receiver of the ultrasonic sensor. The guide wedge 11 is arranged in the sensor receiving part 4 in such a way that it allows adjustment by means of a guide 15. The guide wedge 11 is preferably pressed onto the circumferential surface of the pipe 20 by means of a clamping system 14, so that an optimal ultrasonic test can be performed. For this purpose, spring elements (not shown) are preferably used. It is advantageous if a safety clip 16 fixes the guide wedge in the sensor receiving part 4. Furthermore, the guide wedges 11 are preferably arranged so as to be adjustable relative to each other, thereby allowing the detection of welds of different widths, wherein the adjustment is provided continuously or in predetermined positions.

[0036] The guide wedge 11 has an outer cover 17 and an inner element 18. By virtue of the two-part form, it is simple to achieve replacement when the inner element wears out, since the inner element is simply clipped into the outer cover 17. In addition, the inner element 18 is preferably composed of PTFE, which is preferred for transmitting ultrasound. In addition, ventilation is achieved by means of holes 19 in the outer cover 17.

[0037] Reference Mark List

[0038] 1 Weld inspection chain

[0039] 2 standard links

[0040] 3 Holder for angle sensor

[0041] 4 Sensor receiving part

[0042] 5 Adjustment unit

[0043] 6 Hook

[0044] 7 Hook receiving part

[0045] 8 Rounding

[0046] 9 Support surface

[0047] 10 Adjustment elements

[0048] 11 Guide wedge

[0049] 12 Hook receiving arm

[0050] 13 Adjustment screw

[0051] 14 Clamping system

[0052] 15 Guide

[0053] 16 Safety Clip

[0054] 17 Cover

[0055] 18 Internal components

[0056] 19 holes

[0057] 20 tubes

[0058] 21 Angle sensor

Claims

1. A weld inspection chain (1) for inspecting welds on two plastic pipes (20) by means of ultrasound, the two plastic pipes (20) being welded together at their ends, the weld inspection chain (1) comprising: Standard chain links (2) which are hooked together to form a weld detection chain and which can be lengthened or shortened individually; a sensor receiving portion (4) for accommodating an ultrasonic sensor; and an adjustment unit (5) for fine adjustment of the length of the weld detection chain, characterized in that the standard chain link (2) has a hook (6) on one side and a hook receiving portion (7) on the opposite side, thereby enabling individual chain links to be hooked together, wherein the standard chain link is made of plastic, wherein the standard chain link (2) has a supporting surface (9) on the side of the hook receiving portion (7), wherein the supporting surface (9) is designed as a rounding (8) and directly bears against the outer shell of the welded pipe (20).

2. The weld inspection chain (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The master chain link (2) is of one-piece design and is supported directly on the outer shell of the welded tube (20).

3. The weld inspection chain (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The bearing surface of the standard chain link (2) is arranged rigidly and integrally on the chain link.

4. The weld inspection chain (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The adjustment unit (5) has two adjustment elements (10) which are movable relative to one another.

5. The weld inspection chain (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sensor receiving part (4) is designed as a chain link.

6. The weld inspection chain (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A guide wedge (11) for accommodating the ultrasonic sensor is arranged on the sensor receiving portion (4), wherein the guide wedge (11) is arranged on the sensor receiving portion (4) in an adjustably manner.

7. The weld inspection chain (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: A clamping system (14) is arranged on the sensor receiving part (4), wherein the clamping system (14) exerts a constant contact pressure on the guide wedge (11), which is supported on the outer shell of the tube (20).

8. The weld inspection chain (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The guide wedge (11) has an outer cover (17) and an inner element (18).

9. The weld inspection chain (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A holding component (3) for fixing an angle sensor is arranged in the weld seam detection chain (1), wherein the holding component (3) is designed as a chain link.

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