Wheel train and pipe positioning apparatus

Abstract

The application relates to a wheel system and a pipeline positioner, and relates to the field of pipeline measuring devices, which comprises a plurality of rollers for being in contact with the inner wall of a pipeline to be measured in a circumferential direction; a pressure assembly for keeping the rollers in contact with the inner wall of the pipeline; two groups of sliding members sliding along the axial direction of the pipeline to be measured, the two groups of sliding members being located at the two ends of the rollers along the axial direction of the pipeline to be measured, and each group of sliding members comprising a plurality of sliding members; and the sliding members and the rollers being hingedly connected through support arms. The application is beneficial to the force bearing of the wheel system and the movement of the wheel system in the pipeline, so that the passability of the pipeline positioner is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of pipeline measuring devices, and more particularly to a wheel system and pipeline positioning device. Background Technology

[0002] With the modernization and development of cities, underground pipeline networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with various pipelines such as those for electricity, gas, water supply and drainage, and stormwater and sewage intertwined in a dense and complex web. Underground pipeline inertial positioning instruments utilize inertial navigation technology to generate a three-dimensional coordinate map of the central axis of the underground pipeline by traversing the pipeline under test.

[0003] The inertial locator for underground pipelines is connected to rollers that press against the inner wall of the pipeline via support arms. As the instrument moves within the pipeline, the rollers rotate, reducing resistance to movement. The distance the instrument travels is measured based on the number of rotations of the rollers. Two support arms are connected to the existing rollers. One support arm, with its end furthest from the roller, is hinged to a fixed position, while the other support arm, with its end furthest from the roller, is hinged to a sliding pair.

[0004] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, the inventors believe that existing wheel systems have drawbacks, such as low mobility when moving within pipes and when encountering obstacles in the pipes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to make the force on the wheel system more conducive to its movement in the pipeline, thereby improving the passability of the pipeline locator, this application provides a wheel system and a pipeline locator.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a gear train, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A wheel system includes: a plurality of rollers for circumferentially contacting and pressing against the inner wall of the pipe to be tested;

[0008] A pressure component that keeps the roller in contact with and presses against the inner wall of the pipe;

[0009] Two sets of sliding elements slide along the axial direction of the pipe to be tested. The two sets of sliding elements are located at the two ends of the roller along the axial direction of the pipe to be tested. Each set of sliding elements includes several sliding elements.

[0010] The slider and the roller are hinged together by a support arm.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, after the wheel system is placed into the pipeline, the pressure component applies pressure to the sliding parts, and the two sliding parts press the rollers against the inner wall of the pipeline through the support arm, thus ensuring the centering of the wheel system.

[0012] When the gear train moves forward, it is subjected to friction between the roller and the pipe, as well as resistance when the roller moves and comes into contact with obstacles in the pipe. The two sliding parts move backward synchronously. The pressure component reduces the force applied to the sliding part closer to the direction of movement and increases the force applied to the sliding part farther from the direction of movement. This is to increase the angle between the two support arms on the same roller, making it easier for the gear train to pass through obstacles and improving the gear train's passability.

[0013] When the wheel system performs reciprocating non-turning measurements on the pipeline under test, that is, when the wheel system is moved from the starting point to the ending point in the positive direction and then pulled back to the starting point in the opposite direction, since sliding parts are set at both ends of the wheel system, compared to setting sliding parts on only one side, the sliding pair of the wheel system located in front of the instrument's direction of movement always moves in the same direction as the frictional force of the wheel system, which is beneficial to the movement of the sliding pair and improves the instrument's passability.

[0014] Optionally, the pressure assembly includes two compression springs, which respectively contact and press against the opposite end faces of the two sets of sliding members.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the compression spring applies a force to the sliding components, causing the two sliding components to move in opposite directions.

[0016] Optionally, one end of each of the two compression springs abuts against the sliding member, and the other end is provided with a pressure adjusting member to adjust the pressure of the compression spring.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the position of the pressure spring away from the sliding part is limited by the pressure adjusting component. When it is necessary to adjust the force of the pressure spring on the sliding part, it can be achieved by adjusting the relative position of the nut and the pressure end.

[0018] Optionally, a limiting component is provided between two sliders connected to the same roller, the limiting component keeping the gap between the two sliders within a fixed range.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the limiting component restricts the distance between the two sliding parts, so that the included angle between the two support arms is within 0-180°, and avoids the included angle between the support arms being greater than or equal to 180°.

[0020] Optionally, the limiting assembly includes a limiting rod and two limiting members; the limiting rod is slidably connected to two sliding members at both ends of the same roller; the limiting members are fixed to the limiting rod, and the two sliding members at both ends of the same roller are located between the two axial limiting members on the same limiting rod.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, two sliding parts on the same roller slide on the limiting rod. When the sliding part moves to contact the limiting part, the sliding part is restricted by the limiting part and stops moving, so that the sliding part can only slide within the fixed area on the limiting rod.

[0022] Optionally, it also includes a spindle, with the slider slidably connected to the spindle.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the sliding component is made to slide through the main shaft.

[0024] Optionally, the set of sliders includes a slider that is hinged to all support arms along the same end of the main shaft.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, the two sliding parts can be connected to all the support arms.

[0026] Optionally, the slider is provided with a circumferential limiting mechanism, which restricts the slider from rotating around its sliding axis.

[0027] By adopting the above technical solution, the circumferential limiting mechanism restricts the rotation of the sliding component along the circumferential direction of the main shaft, thus preventing the cable passing through the sliding component from getting tangled with it.

[0028] Optionally, the circumferential limiting mechanism includes a guide groove and a guide pin formed on the side of the main shaft. The guide groove is arranged along the sliding direction of the sliding member, and the guide pin is fixed to the sliding member and inserted into the guide groove.

[0029] By adopting the above technical solution, the movement of the guide pin in the guide groove guides the slider to slide along a fixed sliding trajectory, preventing the slider from rotating around the main shaft axis.

[0030] Secondly, this application provides a pipeline locator, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0031] A pipe positioning device includes a main body and wheel systems respectively connected to both ends of the main body.

[0032] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0033] 1. After the wheel system is placed in the pipe, the pressure component applies pressure to the sliding members, and the two sliding members, through the support arms, press the rollers against the inner wall of the pipe, ensuring the centering of the wheel system. When the wheel system moves forward, it is subjected to friction between the rollers and the pipe, as well as resistance when the rollers come into contact with obstacles in the pipe. The two sliding members move backward synchronously, and the force applied by the pressure component to the sliding member closer to the direction of movement decreases, while the force applied to the sliding member farther from the direction of movement increases. This allows the angle between the two support arms on the same roller to increase, facilitating the wheel system to pass through obstacles and improving its passability.

[0034] 2. When the wheel system is used for reciprocating non-turning measurement of the pipeline under test, that is, when the wheel system is driven to move from the starting point to the ending point in the positive direction, and then pulled back to the starting point in the opposite direction from the ending point, since there are sliding parts at both ends of the wheel system, compared with a sliding part on one side, the sliding pair of the wheel system located in front of the instrument's movement direction is always in the same direction as the friction force of the wheel system, which is beneficial to the movement of the sliding pair and improves the instrument's passability. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the embodiment;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the gear train in the embodiment;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the gear train in the embodiment.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Roller; 2. Support arm; 3. Sliding component; 4. Pressure assembly; 41. Compression spring; 42. Pressure adjusting component; 5. Limiting assembly; 51. Limiting rod; 52. Limiting component; 53. Shoulder; 6. Main shaft; 7. Circumferential limiting mechanism; 71. Guide groove; 72. Guide pin; 8. Main body. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-3 This application will be described in further detail.

[0040] This application discloses a wheel system. (Refer to...) Figure 1 A wheel system includes three rollers 1 that circumferentially contact and press against the inner wall of a pipe. In another embodiment, the number of rollers 1 can be two or four. Each roller 1 has two support arms 2 hinged to it, and the hinge axis between the support arms 2 and the roller 1 is coaxial with the rotation axis of the roller 1. A set of sliding members is hinged to the ends of the two support arms 2 away from the roller 1. Each set of sliding members slides axially along the pipe to be tested. In this embodiment, each set of sliding members includes a sliding member 3, which is hinged to the three support arms 2 connected to the same end of the three rollers 1. A pressure assembly 4 is also provided on the sliding member 3, which continuously applies pressure to the sliding member 3, reducing the gap between the two sliding members 3.

[0041] In another embodiment, each group of sliding members is provided with multiple sliding members corresponding one-to-one with the support arm 2. The movement of the sliding member 3 connected to the same roller 1 does not drive the movement of the sliding members 3 connected to other rollers 1. There are three rollers 1, and support arms 2 are provided at both ends of the three rollers 1 along the axial direction of the pipe to be measured. A sliding member 3 is connected to each support arm 2. There are three sliding members 3 in the same group, and a total of six sliding members 3 are provided.

[0042] In existing pipe locators, when the wheel system moves within a pipe or encounters obstacles, the sliding pair of the wheel system located at the front of the instrument's direction of movement moves in the opposite direction to the frictional force, hindering the movement of the sliding component and reducing the instrument's passability. In the pipe locator of this application, when the wheel system moves within the pipe, the sliding component 3 located at the front of the instrument's direction of movement always moves in the same direction as the frictional force, which improves the passability of the sliding component 3.

[0043] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, in order to realize the sliding of the slider 3, the wheel system also includes a main shaft 6. The slider 3 is sleeved on the main shaft 6 and slidably connected to the main shaft 6. The slider 3 is provided with hinge holes that are respectively hinged to the three support arms 2. The hinge axes of the three support arms 2 and the slider 3 are all parallel to the rotation axis of their corresponding rollers 1.

[0044] In this embodiment, the pressure assembly 4 includes two compression springs 41 and two pressure adjusting components 42. In this embodiment, the pressure adjusting component 42 is a nut. One end of each compression spring 41 is fixed, and the other end contacts and presses against the opposite end faces of the two sliding members 3. The pressure adjusting component 42 fixes one end of the compression spring 41. In this embodiment, fixing this end of the compression spring 41 by the pressure adjusting component 42 means that the position of the fixed end of the compression spring 41 remains unchanged during measurement.

[0045] In this embodiment, the main shaft 6 includes a smooth rod portion for guiding the sliding member 3 to slide and pressure adjusting portions located at both ends of the smooth rod portion. The pressure adjusting portions are integrally formed with the smooth rod portion, and external threads are provided on the outer surface of the pressure adjusting portions. Two compression springs 41 are sleeved on the main shaft 6, and the ends of the two compression springs 41 facing away from the sliding member 3 abut against the pressure adjusting member 42. In this embodiment, the two pressure adjusting members 42 are threadedly connected to the pressure ends at both ends of the main shaft 6. By adjusting the connection position of the pressure adjusting member 42 with the main shaft 6, the initial compression of the compression spring 41 is adjusted, and the pressure force between the roller 1 and the side of the pipe is adjusted. After the position of the pressure adjusting member 42 is adjusted, the connection position with the main shaft 6 remains unchanged.

[0046] In another embodiment, the pressure assembly 4 includes a tension spring, with both ends of the tension spring connected and fixed to two sliding members 3. In another embodiment, the ends of the two compression springs 41 facing away from the sliding members 3 press against a fixing block fixed to the main shaft 6. In yet another embodiment, the pressure assembly 4 includes a tension spring, with both ends of the tension spring connected and fixed to two support arms 2 on the same roller 1.

[0047] To limit the distance between the two sliding members 3 and ensure that the included angle between the two support arms 2 is within 0-180°, preventing the included angle between the support arms 2 from being greater than or equal to 180°, a limiting component 5 is provided between the two sliding members 3. The limiting component 5 keeps the gap between the two sliding members 3 within a fixed range. The limiting component 5 includes a limiting rod 51 and two limiting members 52. In this embodiment, three sets of limiting components 5 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the main shaft 6.

[0048] The sliding member 3 has a sliding circular hole with its axis parallel to the main shaft 6. The sliding circular hole is correspondingly set with the limiting rod 51, and the limiting rod 51 extends out through the corresponding sliding circular holes on the two sliding members 3. The limiting member 52 is a bolt that is threadedly connected to the limiting rod 51. When the sliding member 3 slides on the limiting rod 51 and contacts the limiting member, the limiting component 5 prevents the sliding member 3 from continuing to slide on the main shaft 6.

[0049] In this embodiment, the limiting member 52 is threadedly connected to the limiting rod 51 along the axial direction, and the nut portion of the limiting member 52 restricts the sliding member 3 from sliding. In another embodiment, the limiting member 52 is connected to the limiting rod 51 along the radial direction.

[0050] In this embodiment, the limiting component 5 further includes a shoulder 53 disposed on the main shaft 6, the shoulder 53 being located between the two sliding members 3. In this embodiment, only one shoulder 53 is provided, and the two ends of the shoulder 53 along the axial direction of the main shaft 6 respectively limit the sliding range of the sliding member 3.

[0051] As an optional solution, to prevent the sliding member 3 from rotating around its own axis during sliding and affecting the cables passing between the support arms 2, a circumferential limiting mechanism 7 is provided on the sliding member 3. The circumferential limiting mechanism 7 restricts the sliding member 3 from rotating around its sliding axis. The circumferential limiting mechanism 7 includes two guide grooves 71 and a guide pin 72 opened on the outside of the main shaft 6. The guide grooves 71 are elongated oval grooves with their length along the axial direction of the main shaft 6. The guide pins 72 are threaded to the sliding member 3 and are arranged in the radial direction of the sliding member 3. After passing through the sliding member 3, the guide pins 72 extend into the guide grooves 71, and the sliding member 3 slides along the axial direction of the main shaft 6 under the restriction of the guide pins 72.

[0052] The implementation principle of a gear train in this application embodiment is as follows:

[0053] After the gear train is placed into the pipe, the compression spring 41 applies pressure to the sliding member 3, and the two sliding members 3 press the roller 1 against the inner wall of the pipe through the support arm 2. The main shaft 6 is moved by applying force with a steel wire or other traction device, while ensuring the centering of the gear train.

[0054] When the wheel system moves forward, it is subjected to friction between the roller 1 and the pipe, as well as resistance when the roller 1 moves and comes into contact with obstacles in the pipe. The two sliding parts 3 move backward synchronously. The pressure component 4 reduces the force applied to the sliding part 3 that is closer to the direction of movement and increases the force applied to the sliding part 3 that is farther away from the direction of movement. This makes it easier for the angle between the two support arms 2 on the same roller 1 to increase, which facilitates the wheel system to pass through obstacles and improves the passability of the wheel system.

[0055] When the wheel system performs reciprocating non-turning measurements on the pipeline under test, that is, when the wheel system is moved from the starting point to the ending point in the positive direction and then pulled back to the starting point in the opposite direction, since both ends of the wheel system are equipped with sliding parts 3, compared to the case where only one side is equipped with a sliding part 3, the direction of motion of the sliding pair of the wheel system located in front of the instrument's direction of motion is always the same as the direction of the wheel system's friction force, which is beneficial to the movement of the sliding pair and improves the instrument's passability.

[0056] This application also discloses a pipeline mileage measuring instrument. (Refer to...) Figure 1 A pipeline mileage measuring instrument includes a main body 8, with wheel trains connected to both ends of the main body 8, and the end of the main body 8 is coaxially connected and fixed to the main shaft 6.

[0057] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A gear train, characterized in that, include: One spindle (6); Multiple rollers (1) are used to press against the inner wall of the pipe to be tested in a circumferential manner; Pressure assembly (4) that keeps roller (1) in contact with and presses against the inner wall of the pipe; Two sets of sliding members slide along the axial direction of the pipe to be tested. The two sets of sliding members are respectively arranged opposite each other along the axial direction of the main shaft (6). Both sets of sliding members are constructed to slide along the axial direction of the main shaft (6). The two sets of sliding members are respectively located at both ends of the roller (1) along the axial direction of the pipe to be tested. One set of sliding members includes several sliding members (3). The pressure assembly (4) includes two compression springs (41). The two compression springs (41) respectively contact and press against the opposite end faces of the two sets of sliding members and apply a pressure to the two sets of sliding members (3) to move towards each other. A pair of support arms (2) are hinged between the two sets of sliding members (3) and each roller (1). Each pair of support arms (2) is arranged in a scissor shape, with one end of each arm hinged to the rotation axis of the same roller (1), and the other end of each pair of support arms (2) is hinged to the two sets of sliding members (3). A limiting component (5) is provided between two sliding parts (3) connected to the same roller (1). The limiting component (5) keeps the gap between the two sliding parts (3) within a fixed range. When the wheel system moves forward, the wheel system is subjected to the friction between the roller (1) and the pipe and the obstruction when the roller moves and comes into contact with obstacles in the pipe. The two sliding parts (3) move backward synchronously. The pressure component (4) reduces the force applied to the sliding part (3) that is closer to the direction of movement and increases the force applied to the sliding part (3) that is farther away from the direction of movement. This makes it easier for the angle between the two support arms (2) on the same roller (1) to increase, so that the wheel system can pass through obstacles and improve the passability of the wheel system.

2. A gear train according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of each of the two compression springs (41) presses against the sliding member (3), and the other end is provided with a pressure adjusting member (42) to adjust the pressure of the compression springs (41).

3. A gear train according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting component (5) includes a limiting rod (51) and two limiting members (52); The limiting rod (51) is slidably connected to two sliding parts (3) at both ends of the same roller (1); The limiting member (52) is fixed to the limiting rod (51), and the two sliding members (3) at both ends of the same roller (1) are located between the two axial limiting members (52) on the same limiting rod (51).

4. A gear train according to claim 1, characterized in that, The set of sliders includes a slider (3) that is hinged to all the support arms (2) along the same end of the main shaft (6).

5. A gear train according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sliding member (3) is provided with a circumferential limiting mechanism (7), which restricts the sliding member (3) from rotating around its sliding axis.

6. A gear train according to claim 5, characterized in that, The circumferential limiting mechanism (7) includes a guide groove (71) and a guide pin (72) on the side of the main shaft (6). The guide groove (71) is arranged along the sliding direction of the sliding member (3), and the guide pin (72) is fixed to the sliding member (3) and inserted into the guide groove (71).

7. A pipe locator, characterized in that, Includes any one of the gear trains in claims 1-6.

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