A Rotary Transceiver Tube and Its Usage Method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a rotary transceiver tube and a usage method. The transceiver tube includes an outer tube for support. The transceiver tube further includes an inner tube capable of entering and exiting a pipeline to be measured. The outer tube is sleeved outside the inner tube, and the two slide relative to each other. An umbilical cable passes through the inner tube and enters the pipeline to be measured. The inner tube further includes an inner tube straight pipe and a rotary drive structure. The rotary drive structure drives the inner tube straight pipe to rotate, or the lower part of the inner tube further includes a flexible elbow. The rotary drive structure drives the inner tube straight pipe and the flexible elbow to rotate, and the flexible elbow rubs the umbilical cable. The usage method includes: the rotary drive structure rotates alternately in two directions, clockwise and counterclockwise, driving the inner tube to rotate alternately in two directions, clockwise and counterclockwise, driving the umbilical cable to rotate circumferentially, reducing damage to the umbilical cable, and finally rubbing the umbilical cable to rotate alternately in two directions, clockwise and counterclockwise, and the umbilical cable is recovered in a helical motion form.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of in-pipe inspection, and particularly to a rotary transceiver cylinder for launching and retrieving a towed cable in-pipe detector and a usage method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In-pipe inspection equipment is increasingly widely used in the field of pipeline network inspection. The towed cable in-pipe detector is a category of many in-pipe detectors. However, there are many problems to be solved during the transceiver process of the towed cable in-pipe detector. A prominent problem is the wear of the umbilical cable during use. The reason for the wear is very simple. This type of in-pipe detector often lacks the power to retract. When retraction is required, the ground device will pull the umbilical cable outside the pipeline. The umbilical cable will be in a taut state in the pipeline and will lap on each corner of the pipeline, and friction will occur at these corners, resulting in wear. Engineering experience shows that an important corner causing wear is actually the entrance position where the detector enters the pipeline. The angle in this area is mostly a right angle and the wear is very serious. The other corners after entering the pipeline are often very large and the wear is relatively small. To reduce the wear at the entrance, a transceiver cylinder is usually installed at the entrance. The common transceiver cylinder generally includes: an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The lower edge of the inner cylinder is made very smooth. The outer cylinder is installed on the prefabricated entrance flange of the pipeline to be measured. The inner cylinder escorts the detector into the pipeline. The lower edge of the inner cylinder will remain below the vertex of the pipeline. When the umbilical cable is retrieved, it always laps on the lower edge of the inner cylinder. Since the lower edge is processed very smoothly, the friction of the umbilical cable here is not too large, which is much improved compared to directly rubbing at the pipeline tee position. However, at the lower outer edge, the long-term cumulative wear amount is still considerable.

[0003] The specific reason for the wear is that under the action of the pulling force, the umbilical cable will be severely deformed at the lower edge of the inner cylinder, showing that: before the indentation, that is, the cable in the inner cylinder, becomes thinner; after the indentation, that is, the cable in the area of 0.1 cm to 2 cm outside the inner cylinder, is rubbed very thick, presenting a state where the lower edge "sinks" into the umbilical cable. In this "pit", the umbilical cable is damaged. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a rotary transceiver cylinder for launching and retrieving a towed cable in-pipe detector and a usage method thereof to solve the problem of severe wear of the umbilical cable at the "pit" position during use, as described in detail below:

[0005] A rotary transceiver cylinder, the transceiver cylinder includes: an outer cylinder that plays a supporting role, and the transceiver cylinder further includes an inner cylinder that can enter and exit the pipeline to be measured.

[0006] The outer cylinder is sleeved outside the inner cylinder, and the two slide relative to each other. The umbilical cable passes through the inner cylinder and enters the pipeline to be measured.

[0007] The inner cylinder further includes: a straight inner cylinder pipe and a rotary drive structure, and the rotary drive structure drives the straight inner cylinder pipe to rotate, or,

[0008] The lower part of the inner cylinder further includes: a flexible elbow pipe, and the rotary drive structure drives the straight inner cylinder pipe and the flexible elbow pipe to rotate, and the flexible elbow pipe rubs the umbilical cable.

[0009] In one embodiment, the rotary drive structure is driven by a motor or manually driven.

[0010] A method for using a rotary transceiver cylinder, the method includes:

[0011] Set the outer cylinder of the transceiver cylinder on the prefabricated inlet flange of the pipeline to be measured;

[0012] Push the inner cylinder into the pipeline to be measured by an external force. When there is no flexible elbow pipe at the lower part of the inner cylinder, the lower edge of the straight inner cylinder pipe remains below the vertex of the pipeline to be measured; when there is a flexible elbow pipe at the lower part of the inner cylinder, the lower edge of the flexible elbow pipe remains below the vertex of the pipeline to be measured;

[0013] Through an external force or the self-power of the detector, the detector passes through the inner cylinder and enters the pipeline to be measured, and the umbilical cable is dragged by the detector and also passes through the inner cylinder and enters the pipeline to be measured;

[0014] When recovering the umbilical cable, the cable puller above the transceiver cylinder pulls the umbilical cable outwards, so that the umbilical cable passes through the inner cylinder and continuously exits the pipeline to be measured. Under the action of tension, when there is no flexible elbow pipe at the lower part of the inner cylinder, the umbilical cable always lies on the lower edge of the straight inner cylinder pipe; when there is a flexible elbow pipe at the lower part of the inner cylinder, the umbilical cable always lies on the lower edge of the flexible elbow pipe;

[0015] The rotary drive structure rotates alternately in two directions of clockwise and counterclockwise, drives the inner cylinder to rotate alternately in two directions of clockwise and counterclockwise, drives the umbilical cable to rotate circumferentially, reduces the damage of the umbilical cable, and finally rubs the umbilical cable to rotate alternately in two directions of clockwise and counterclockwise, and the umbilical cable is recovered in a spiral motion form.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by the present invention are:

[0017] 1. The present invention effectively reduces the depth of the "pit" and the wear degree of the umbilical cable through the spiral recovery of the umbilical cable;

[0018] 2. The present invention reduces the pulling force during recovery, reduces the load on the cable pulling device and other support structures responsible for recovery, and meets various needs in practical applications;

[0019] 3. The present invention reduces the possibility of recovery failure and increases the distance of a single detection. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the working state of the rotary transceiver cylinder with a flexible elbow during umbilical cable recovery;

[0021] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the transceiver cylinder without a flexible elbow;

[0022] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the rotary transceiver cylinder with a motor-driven rotary drive structure;

[0023] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the rotary transceiver cylinder with a manually-driven rotary drive structure.

[0024] In the attached drawings, the list of components represented by each reference numeral is as follows:

[0025] 1: Inner cylinder; 1-1: Straight pipe of the inner cylinder;

[0026] 1-2: Rotary drive structure; 1-3: Flexible elbow;

[0027] 2: Outer cylinder; 3: Umbilical cable;

[0028] 4: Pipeline to be measured. Detailed implementation manners

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following further describes the embodiments of the present invention in detail.

[0030] Embodiment 1

[0031] An embodiment of the present invention provides a rotary transceiver cylinder, including: an outer cylinder 2 that plays a supporting role, a flange (not shown in the figure) is provided at the lower part of the outer cylinder 2, and the flange is connected to the inlet flange of the pipeline 4 to be measured, and an inner cylinder 1 that can enter and exit the pipeline 4 to be measured. The outer cylinder 2 is sleeved outside the inner cylinder 1, and the two slide relative to each other. A flexible elbow 1-3 or no flexible elbow is provided at the lower part of the inner cylinder 1. The core equipment of the internal detection system, namely the detector and the umbilical cable 3, passes through the inner cylinder 1 and enters the pipeline 4 to be measured.

[0032] Wherein, the inner cylinder 1 of the above-mentioned rotary transceiver cylinder further includes: a straight pipe 1-1 of the inner cylinder and a rotary drive structure 1-2. When the lower part of the inner cylinder 1 does not include the flexible elbow 1-3, the rotary drive structure 1-2 drives the straight pipe 1-1 of the inner cylinder to rotate. When the lower part of the inner cylinder 1 includes the flexible elbow 1-3, the flexible elbow 1-3 also rotates accordingly. The rotating flexible elbow 1-3 rubs the umbilical cable 3, and the two rotate together, so that the lower edge of the inner cylinder 1 does not directly hit the uphill section of the "pit" directly in front, but moves to the side front, bypassing the highest uphill section of the "pit" to a certain extent, thereby reducing the friction force and the wear amount.

[0033] Further, the rotary drive structure 1-2 can be driven by a motor or manually.

[0034] In summary, through the mutual cooperation among the above-mentioned various components, the pulling force during recovery is reduced, the loads on the cable pulling device responsible for recovery and other support structures are decreased, and various requirements in practical applications are met.

[0035] Embodiment 2

[0036] The embodiment of the present invention provides a method for using a rotary transceiver tube, and the method includes the following steps:

[0037] 101: Set the outer tube 2 of the transceiver tube on the prefabricated inlet flange of the pipeline 4 to be measured;

[0038] Wherein, the prefabricated inlet flange is well known to those skilled in the art, and the embodiment of the present invention will not elaborate on this.

[0039] 102: Push the inner tube 1 into the pipeline 4 to be measured by an external force. When the flexible elbow 1-3 is not provided at the lower part of the inner tube 1, the lower edge of the straight inner tube 1-1 remains below the vertex of the pipeline 4 to be measured; when the flexible elbow 1-3 is provided at the lower part of the inner tube 1, the lower edge of the flexible elbow 1-3 remains below the vertex of the pipeline 4 to be measured;

[0040] 103: At the start of detection, the detector passes through the inner tube 1 and enters the pipeline 4 to be measured by an external force or the self-power of the detector, and the umbilical cable 3 is dragged by the detector and also passes through the inner tube 1 and enters the pipeline 4 to be measured;

[0041] 104: When recovering the umbilical cable, the cable puller (external device) above the transceiver tube pulls the umbilical cable 3 outward, so that the umbilical cable 3 passes through the inner tube 1 and continuously exits the pipeline 4 to be measured. Under the action of tension, when the flexible elbow 1-3 is not provided at the lower part of the inner tube 1, the umbilical cable 3 always lies on the lower edge of the straight inner tube 1-1; when the flexible elbow is provided at the lower part of the inner tube, the umbilical cable 3 always lies on the lower edge of the flexible elbow 1-3;

[0042] 105: The rotary drive structure 1-2 rotates alternately in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, drives the inner tube 1 to rotate alternately in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions as well, drives the umbilical cable to rotate circumferentially, thereby reducing the damage to the umbilical cable. Finally, the umbilical cable 3 can also be driven to rotate alternately in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and the umbilical cable 3 is recovered in this spiral motion form.

[0043] In summary, through the mutual cooperation among the above-mentioned various components, the pulling force during recovery is reduced, the loads on the cable pulling device responsible for recovery and other support structures are decreased, and various requirements in practical applications are met.

[0044] Embodiment 3

[0045] The following combines Figures 1-4 to further introduce the solutions in Embodiments 1 and 2. See the following description for details:

[0046] In actual application, flexible elbows 1-3 are provided for small-volume products (for example, those with a transceiver tube diameter below 100 mm). For large-volume products (for example, those with a transceiver tube diameter above 300 mm), since the fillet radius at the lower edge of the straight transceiver tube is already very large, flexible elbows 1-3 are usually not provided.

[0047] I. Flexible elbow 1-3 is provided

[0048] At the start of construction, the outer cylinder 2 of the transceiver tube is installed on the prefabricated inlet flange of the pipeline 4 to be measured; the inner cylinder 1 is pushed into the pipeline 4 to be measured by external force. When a flexible elbow 1-3 is provided at the lower part of the inner cylinder 1, the lower edge of the flexible elbow 1-3 remains below the vertex of the pipeline 4 to be measured; when the detection starts, the detector passes through the inner cylinder 1 and enters the pipeline 4 to be measured by external force or the self-power of the detector. The umbilical cable 3 is dragged by the detector and also passes through the inner cylinder 1 and enters the pipeline 4 to be measured; when the umbilical cable 3 needs to be recovered, a cable puller (external device) is erected above the transceiver tube, and the cable puller pulls the umbilical cable 3 out of the pipeline 4 to be measured, so that the umbilical cable 3 passes through the inner cylinder 1 and continuously exits the pipeline 4 to be measured. Under the action of tension, when a flexible elbow 1-3 is provided at the lower part of the inner cylinder 1, the umbilical cable 3 always lies on the lower edge of the flexible elbow 1-3; near the lower edge, the umbilical cable 3 is severely deformed by being pinched, showing that before the pinched mark, that is, the umbilical cable 3 in the inner cylinder 1 becomes thinner; after the pinched mark, that is, in the area of 0.1 cm to 2 cm outside the inner cylinder 1, the umbilical cable 3 is rubbed very thick, presenting a state where the lower edge "sinks" into the umbilical cable 3. In this "pit", the umbilical cable 3 is worn; the rotary drive structure 1-2 rotates alternately in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, driving the inner cylinder 1 to rotate alternately in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions as well. Finally, the umbilical cable 3 can be rubbed to rotate alternately in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and the umbilical cable 3 is recovered in this helical motion form.

[0049] By adopting the above-mentioned helical motion, the lower edge of the inner cylinder 1 does not directly hit the uphill section of the "pit" directly in front, but moves obliquely forward, bypassing the highest uphill section of the "pit" to a certain extent, thereby reducing friction and wear.

[0050] II. Flexible elbow 1-3 is not provided

[0051] When the flexible elbow 1-3 is not provided, the umbilical cable will be more severely damaged at the "lower edge", as Figure 2As shown. Therefore, in actual design, material selection, and manufacturing of flexible elbows, the deviation from the ideal situation is very large, so the "pitfall" is obvious.

[0052] During construction, the umbilical cable 3 will stick to the inner wall of the inner cylinder 1. As the inner cylinder 1 rotates, the umbilical cable 3 will be rubbed, and finally, the umbilical cable 3 can be rubbed to rotate alternately in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The umbilical cable 3 is recovered in this helical motion form.

[0053] In the embodiments of the present invention, except for those with special specifications for the models of each device, the models of other devices are not limited, as long as the devices can perform the above functions.

[0054] Those skilled in the art can understand that the drawings are only schematic diagrams of a preferred embodiment. The serial numbers of the above embodiments of the present invention are only for description and do not represent the advantages or disadvantages of the embodiments.

[0055] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of using a rotary transceiver tube, characterized in that, The transceiver tube includes: an outer tube for support, and the transceiver tube further includes an inner tube capable of entering and exiting the pipeline to be measured. The outer tube is sleeved outside the inner tube, and the two slide relative to each other. The umbilical cable passes through the inner tube and enters the pipeline to be measured. The inner tube further includes: a straight inner tube and a rotary drive structure, and the rotary drive structure drives the straight inner tube to rotate, or The lower part of the inner tube further includes: a flexible elbow, and the rotary drive structure drives the straight inner tube and the flexible elbow to rotate, and the flexible elbow rubs the umbilical cable. The method includes: Setting the outer tube of the transceiver tube on the prefabricated inlet flange of the pipeline to be measured. Pushing the inner tube into the pipeline to be measured by an external force. When there is no flexible elbow at the lower part of the inner tube, the lower edge of the straight inner tube remains below the vertex of the pipeline to be measured; when there is a flexible elbow at the lower part of the inner tube, the lower edge of the flexible elbow remains below the vertex of the pipeline to be measured. By an external force or the self-power of the detector, the detector passes through the inner tube and enters the pipeline to be measured. The umbilical cable is dragged by the detector and also passes through the inner tube and enters the pipeline to be measured. When recovering the umbilical cable, the cable puller above the transceiver tube pulls the umbilical cable outwards, so that the umbilical cable passes through the inner tube and continuously exits the pipeline to be measured. Under the action of tension, when there is no flexible elbow at the lower part of the inner tube, the umbilical cable always lies on the lower edge of the straight inner tube; when there is a flexible elbow at the lower part of the inner tube, the umbilical cable always lies on the lower edge of the flexible elbow. The rotary drive structure rotates alternately in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, driving the inner tube to rotate alternately in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, driving the umbilical cable to rotate circumferentially, reducing damage to the umbilical cable, and finally rubbing the umbilical cable to rotate alternately in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and the umbilical cable is recovered in a spiral motion form.

2. The method of using the rotary transceiver tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotary drive structure is driven by a motor or manually.

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