Hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism of pipeline detector based on pipe pressure and its usage method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism of a pipeline detector based on pipeline pressure and its usage method. The mechanism includes: an actuator that moves along the axial direction of the sealing cylinder. The actuator is used to hang and throw away the tail ring of the umbrella line. A motor is installed on the sealing cylinder, and the output screw shaft of the motor is matched with the screw hole of the actuator. The motor is used to overcome the friction force at the dynamic seal and push the actuator towards the outside of the cavity. When the motor rotates in the reverse direction, without the need to output high power, the actuator can be pulled into the cavity by means of pipeline pressure. The usage method includes: using the hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism to hang the umbrella and using the hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism to throw the umbrella. The present invention solves the problem that a large resistance needs to be overcome when the detector moves backward, and also solves the problem that a large power output of the detector is required for the umbrella adjustment operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of in-pipe inspection, and particularly to a hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism of a pipeline detector based on pipeline pressure and a using method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In-pipe inspection equipment is more and more widely used in the field of pipeline network inspection. The unpowered towed cable in-pipe detector is a category of many in-pipe detectors. The unpowered towed cable in-pipe detector usually has a power umbrella externally hung. The style and working principle of the power umbrella are similar to those of a parachute. It also has a parachute canopy and parachute lines. One end of the parachute line is tied to the parachute canopy, and the other end is tied to the hanging point of the detector, as Figure 1 shown.

[0003] The power umbrella is opened under the action of pipeline fluid scouring, which is the same as the opening principle of a parachute. When the parachute line drives the detector to move along the fluid direction, it is called that the detector is moving forward; when the detector needs to move backward, the operator on the ground will pull the composite cable, that is, the umbilical cable, towed behind the detector with force. When the detected tension at the end of the umbilical cable is greater than the forward force provided by the power umbrella, the detector realizes backward movement. However, adopting such a forward and backward movement method brings many troubles to the detection construction. For example, in order to make the forward power of the detector sufficient, it is necessary to externally hang a power umbrella canopy with a larger area, or require the fluid in the pipeline under test to have a greater flow rate. In this way, when moving backward, the detector will encounter greater resistance.

[0004] Currently, the conventional solution to the above problems is to throw the umbrella during the recovery stage or reduce the effective area of the power umbrella. Since these detectors are all low-power detectors and the power supply capacity is very limited, while throwing the umbrella or reducing the effective area of the umbrella requires a large power output, which brings new problems to the detector. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism of a pipeline detector based on pipeline pressure and a using method thereof. The present invention solves the problem that a large resistance needs to be overcome when the detector moves backward, and also solves the problem that the detector needs to output a large power for umbrella adjustment operation, as described in detail below:

[0006] A hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism of a pipeline detector based on pipeline pressure, the mechanism includes: an actuator,

[0007] The actuator moves along the axial direction of the sealing cylinder. The actuator is used for hanging and throwing off the tail ring of the parachute line. The motor is installed on the sealing cylinder. The output screw shaft of the motor is matched with the screw hole of the actuator. The motor is used to just overcome the friction force at the dynamic seal and push the actuator towards the outside of the cavity.

[0008] Wherein, the mechanism further includes: a cylinder end cover, an umbilical cable, a cable,

[0009] The sealing cylinder, cylinder end cover, actuator, umbilical cable and cable form a sealed cavity. The umbilical cable or cable adopts a static sealing method when cooperating with the sealing cylinder or the cylinder end cover. A dynamic seal is arranged between the cylinder end cover and the actuator. The cylinder end cover and the actuator form a piston structure. The fluid pressure of the measured pipeline causes the actuator to generate a force to move into the cavity.

[0010] Furthermore, the actuator comprises: an actuator disc, at least one pin, and at least one spring.

[0011] The actuating disc moves along the axial direction of the sealing tube. The pin is installed on the actuating disc to hang the tail ring of the parachute line, pull the parachute canopy or throw away the tail ring of the parachute line; the two ends of the spring act on the actuating disc and the pin respectively, so that the pin moves elastically relative to the actuating disc.

[0012] Wherein, the pin adopts a stepped shaft structure, a hook structure or a seesaw structure.

[0013] A method for using a parachute hanging and throwing mechanism, using the parachute hanging and throwing mechanism to hang a parachute comprises the following steps:

[0014] When hanging the umbrella, the detector is outside the pipeline, and the motor pushes the actuating disk. If the motor power is insufficient, the actuating disk is pulled manually to move the actuating disk to the "hanging point";

[0015] Apply external force to the pin, so that the pin overcomes the force of the spring and moves a certain distance in the direction of the "throwing point", creating space for the tail ring of the parachute line;

[0016] Put the tail ring of the parachute line on the pin, remove the external force on the pin, and the pin will bounce back and hang on the tail ring of the parachute line.

[0017] A method for using a parachute hanging and throwing mechanism, wherein throwing a parachute using the parachute hanging and throwing mechanism comprises the following steps:

[0018] Power on the motor to make the screw rotate in the direction that follows the movement trend of the actuating disc caused by the pipe pressure, eliminating the locking force of the screw on the actuating disc. Under the action of the pipe pressure, the actuating disc moves toward the "throwing point", and at the same time drives the pin to move toward the "throwing point";

[0019] As the pin moves toward the "throwing point", the tail ring of the parachute line will not move synchronously with the pin due to the tension of the parachute line, and the tail ring of the parachute line will slide out of the pin, thus realizing the parachute throwing.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by the present invention are:

[0021] 1. The present invention utilizes the pipeline pressure to push the actuator disk to make large-scale movements. In addition, the power of the motor is sufficient to overcome the large friction in the dynamic sealing area and the tail ring area of ​​the parachute line, thus achieving "a small horse pulling a big cart" and avoiding the use of a high-power motor, thereby reducing the output power of the detector;

[0022] 2. After the parachute is thrown, the present invention reduces the recovery resistance of the detector inside the unpowered recovery tow cable, making the recovery easier; it allows more turns in the pipeline to be measured, increasing the applicable range of this type of detector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the power layout of the detector inside the unpowered tow cable;

[0024] Figure 2 It is an explosion diagram of the parachute hanging and throwing mechanism;

[0025] Figure 3 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the parachute hanging and throwing mechanism;

[0026] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the actuator;

[0027] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the actuator disk at the hanging point and the throwing point positions;

[0028] Among them, A is a schematic diagram of the actuator disk at the hanging point position; B is a schematic diagram of the actuator disk at the throwing point position.

[0029] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of hanging 1 parachute line tail ring;

[0030] Figure 7 They are schematic diagrams of not pressing the pin and manually pressing the pin and hanging the parachute line tail ring respectively.

[0031] Among them, A is a schematic diagram of not pressing the pin; B is a schematic diagram of manually pressing the pin and hanging the parachute line tail ring.

[0032] In the drawings, the list of components represented by each reference numeral is as follows:

[0033] 1: Power parachute canopy; 2: First functional compartment;

[0034] 3: Second functional compartment; 4: Parachute line;

[0035] 5: Umbilical cable; 6: Cable;

[0036] 7: Sealing cylinder; 8: Cylinder end cover;

[0037] 9: Dynamic seal; 10: Electric motor;

[0038] 11: Actuator; 11-1: Actuator disk;

[0039] 11-2: Pin; 11-3: Spring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following further describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] To solve the problems existing in the background technology, two technical directions can be explored. First, design a mechanism to adjust the area of the power paraglider canopy. Second, before the detector retreats, jettison the power paraglider. The content involved in the embodiments of the present invention is the second technical direction, and it cleverly utilizes the pipeline pressure as the power for jettisoning the parachute, thereby reducing the output power of the detector during the parachute jettisoning process.

[0042] Embodiment 1

[0043] The embodiments of the present invention provide a hanging and jettisoning parachute mechanism for a pipeline detector based on pipeline pressure. Refer to Figures 1-7 , the hanging and jettisoning parachute mechanism includes: an actuator 11, a motor 10, a sealing cylinder 7, and a cylinder end cover 8.

[0044] The actuator 11 can move along the axis direction of the sealing cylinder 7. The actuator 11 is used to hook and jettison the end loop of the parachute line. Generally, there are two forms of the end loop of the parachute line. The first form is to tie a knot at the end of the parachute line to form a loop structure, and the loop structure can fit over the pin 11-2, Figure 3 which is the form adopted; the second form is to prefabricate a part with a loop structure, which can fit over the pin 10-2, and then tie or press or bond the end of the parachute line to this part. The motor 10 is installed on the sealing cylinder 7, and the installation methods between them include bonding, screw connection, welding, etc. Figure 2 , Figure 3 In the case of using the bonding method, other structural parts can also be used to press the motor 10, and then indirectly fix it on the sealing cylinder 7; the output screw shaft of the motor 10 is matched with the screw hole of the actuator 11. The power of the motor 10 is usually set below 10W. Taking Chihai CHF-GM1024-10BY as an example, its power is less than 2W, which belongs to a micro motor. Under the standard air pressure conditions outside the pipeline, after it is powered on, it can barely overcome the friction force at the dynamic seal 9, and then push the actuator 11 towards the outside of the cavity. If the friction force at the dynamic seal 9 is too large and the power of the motor 10 is insufficient, the actuator 11 can be manually pulled towards the outside of the cavity to assist the motor 10 in pushing out the actuator 11. In a pressurized pipeline, under the action of the pipeline pressure, the actuator 11 has a tendency to retract into the cavity. When the motor 10 is not powered on, its screw will prevent the actuator 11 from retracting. After being powered on, the motor 10 rotates in the direction that can pull the actuator 11 into the cavity. With the assistance of the pipeline pressure, the motor 10 only needs to overcome the small friction force between the screw and the screw hole of the actuator 11 to realize the movement of the actuator 11 retracting into the cavity.

[0045] Among them, the sealing cylinder 7, the cylinder end cover 8, the actuator 11, the umbilical cable 5, and the cable 6 can form a sealed cavity. The hardware of the control mechanism, the motor 10, etc. are placed inside the cavity, and the fluid in the pipeline to be measured cannot enter the cavity. The umbilical cable 5 or the cable 6 adopts a static sealing method when cooperating with the sealing cylinder 7 or the cylinder end cover 8. A dynamic seal 9 is provided between the cylinder end cover 8 and the actuator 11. The cylinder end cover 8 and the actuator 11 form a piston structure. The fluid pressure of the pipeline to be measured will cause the actuator 11 to generate a force moving towards the cavity, and the parachute deployment action can be realized by using this force.

[0046] Among them, the actuator 11 includes: an actuator disk 11-1, at least one pin 11-2, and at least one spring 11-3. The actuator disk 11-1 is the main load-bearing structural member of the actuator 11. It supports parts such as the screw holes and pins 11-2 on it. The actuator disk 11-1 can move along the axis direction of the sealing cylinder and has two extreme positions of motion. One position point is called the "hanging point", and the other position point is called the "throwing point". The process of moving to the "hanging point" position is carried out outside the pipeline and is completely driven by the motor 10. Since it does not need to overcome the pipeline fluid pressure, at this time, the dynamic seal 9 will not generate too much frictional force on the actuator disk 11-1, so the motor 10 does not require too much torque. The process of moving to the "throwing point" position is carried out inside the pipeline. At this time, the dynamic seal 9 is affected by the fluid pressure and will generate a large frictional force on the actuator disk 11-1. At the same time, the fluid will also generate a thrust on the actuator 11 moving towards the inside of the cavity. This thrust is often much greater than the frictional force. If the motor 10 is not powered on, its screw will lock the actuator disk 11-1. If the motor 10 rotates in the direction that causes the actuator disk 11-1 to move towards the inside of the cavity, the locking of the actuator disk 11-1 by the screw can be released, and the actuator 11 can be promoted to move towards the "throwing point" smoothly. During this process, the output torque of the motor 10 is very small.

[0047] The pin 11-2 is installed on the actuator disk 11-1. Its function is to hang the tail ring of the parachute line, and then pull the powered parachute canopy 1, or to release the tail ring of the parachute line, and then throw away the powered parachute. Figures 2-6 The pin 11-2 in [description] adopts a stepped shaft structure, so it can move linearly relative to the actuator disk 11-1. The hanging and throwing of the tail ring of the parachute line can be realized through different position points reached by the linear motion. The pin 11-2 can also adopt other structures such as a hook structure or a seesaw structure. The pin with a hook structure or a seesaw structure will perform a flipping motion relative to the actuator disk 11-1. The hanging and throwing of the tail ring of the parachute line can also be realized through different position points reached by the flipping motion. The two ends of the spring 11-3 act on the actuator disk 11-1 and the pin 11-2 respectively, so that the pin 11-2 can perform an elastic motion relative to the actuator disk 11-1. Figures 2-6The spring 11-3 therein is a linear pressure spring. A tension spring or a scroll spring can also be used. Especially when the pin structure is in the form of a hook structure or a seesaw structure, the spring 11-3 can be a tension spring or a scroll spring.

[0048] In summary, the moving disk 11-1 makes a large-scale movement towards the "throwing point", mainly powered by the pipeline pressure. The motor 10 only needs to release the locking of the screw and the nut of the moving disk 11-1, and this process only requires a very small torque, thereby avoiding the high-power output of the detector.

[0049] Embodiment 2

[0050] The embodiment of the present invention provides a method for using a hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism. Among them, using the hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism to hang an umbrella includes the following steps:

[0051] 101: When hanging the umbrella, the detector is outside the pipeline. The motor 10 pushes the moving disk 11-1. If the power of the motor 10 is insufficient, the moving disk 11-1 can also be manually assisted to move the moving disk 11-1 to the "hanging point".

[0052] 102: Apply an external force to the pin 11-2 to make the pin 11-2 overcome the acting force of the spring 11-3 and move a certain distance towards the "throwing point", creating enough space for the end loop of the umbrella line. For example, Figure 7 , in Figures 2-7 In the shown scheme, the pin 11-2 should be pressed towards the "throwing point". If the pin 11-2 has a hook structure or a seesaw structure, the pin 11-2 should be flipped in the direction that can create enough space for the umbrella line.

[0053] 103: Put the end loop of the umbrella line on the pin 11-2, such as Figures 6-7 ;

[0054] 104: Remove the external force on the pin 11-2, and the pin 11-2 rebounds, firmly hanging the end loop of the umbrella line.

[0055] Embodiment 3

[0056] The embodiment of the present invention provides a method for using a hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism. Among them, using the hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism to throw an umbrella includes the following steps:

[0057] 201: Power on the motor 10 to make the rotation direction of the screw conform to the movement trend of the pipeline pressure on the moving disk 11-1, eliminate the locking force of the screw on the moving disk 11-1. Under the action of the pipeline pressure, the moving disk 11-1 moves towards the "throwing point", and at the same time drives the pin 11-2 to move towards the "throwing point".

[0058] 202: As the pin 11-2 moves toward the "throwing point", the tail ring of the parachute line is affected by the tension of the parachute line but does not move synchronously with the pin 11-2, and then the tail ring of the parachute line moves out of the pin 11-2, thereby achieving parachute throwing.

[0059] Example 4

[0060] Combine the following Figures 1-6 The schemes in Examples 1 and 3 are further introduced as described below:

[0061] First, the assembly relationship of the parts of the parachute hanging and throwing mechanism is introduced:

[0062] The tail end of the parachute line 4 is knotted, and a line loop is tied to form a parachute line tail loop; the cable 6 is plugged into the sealing cylinder 7, and the mating surface is sealed; the umbilical cable 5 is plugged into the cylinder end cover 8, and the mating surface is sealed; the sealing cylinder 7 and the cylinder end cover 8 are plugged together and fixed by screwing, riveting or bonding to prevent disengagement, and the mating surfaces of the two are sealed; the motor 10 is bonded to the sealing cylinder 7; the cylinder end cover 8 is provided with a cylindrical slideway, and the actuator 11 is provided with a columnar slider, which can slide in the cylindrical slideway, and there is a dynamic seal 9 on the mating surface of the two, which plays a sealing role; a screw hole is provided on the actuator disk 11-1; the cylinder end cover 8 is provided with an annular structure capable of supporting the pin 11-2. When the actuating disk 11-1 is at the "hanging point", the pin 11-2 will hit the annular structure, so that the tail ring of the umbrella line will not accidentally slip out after being hung on the pin 11-2; the actuating disk 11-1 is provided with a mounting hole, and the pin 11-2 presses the spring 11-3 and penetrates into the mounting hole of the actuating disk 11-1. To prevent the pin 11-2 from falling out of the mounting hole, an inward riveting operation is performed at the tail end of the mounting hole of the actuating disk 11-1 to block the pin 11-2 and the spring 11-3 in the mounting hole. In this way, the pin 11-2 can be retracted on the actuating disk 11-1 without falling out.

[0063] Among them, the embodiment of the present invention preferably uses a part in the form of a stepped shaft as the pin 11-2, and cooperates with the compression spring 11-3. By changing the matching relationship of each part, a part with a hook structure or a part with a seesaw structure is used as the pin 11-2, and cooperates with the tension form or the snail form of the spring 11-3, the parachute hanging and throwing function can also be realized.

[0064] Here is how to use the parachute hanging mechanism:

[0065] 1. How to use the hanging umbrella

[0066] 1) Make the electric motor 10 drive the actuating disk 11-1 to move in the direction of the outside of the cavity. If the power of the electric motor 10 is insufficient, the actuating disk 11-1 can be manually pulled to enable the actuator 11 to reach the "hanging point", and the pin 11-2 will also automatically press against the annular structure of the cylinder end cover 8;

[0067] 2) Press one pin 11-2 by hand or with a tool, and the spring 11-3 will be compressed, and this pin 11-2 will shrink into the sealing cylinder 7;

[0068] 3) After the pin 11-2 leaves the annular structure of the cylinder end cover 8 by a certain distance, put the umbrella line tail ring of one umbrella line 4 on the pin 11-2;

[0069] 4) Release the pin 11-2, and it will automatically press against the annular structure of the cylinder end cover 8 again. In this state, even if the umbrella line 4 is pulled, the umbrella line tail ring cannot be separated from the pin 11-2, and the hanging of this umbrella line 4 is completed;

[0070] 5) Hang the other umbrella lines 4 that need to be thrown away according to the above steps.

[0071] II. Usage method of the parachute throwing

[0072] 1) Before parachute throwing, the detector is already in the pipeline fluid, the power parachute canopy 1 has been opened, and the fluid pressure acts on the actuator 11. Due to the locking force of the screw of the electric motor 10, the actuator 11 cannot retract into the cavity;

[0073] 2) Make the electric motor 10 rotate so that the rotation direction of the screw conforms to the movement trend of the pipe pressure on the actuating disk 11-1, eliminate the locking force of the screw on the actuating disk 11-1. Under the action of the pipe pressure, the actuating disk 11-1 moves towards the "throwing point", and at the same time drives the pin 11-2 towards the "throwing point", and the pin 11-2 leaves the annular structure of the cylinder end cover 8;

[0074] 3) The umbrella line 4 is continuously pulled by the power parachute canopy 1, so the umbrella line tail ring will not move synchronously with the pin 11-2, and will then slip out of the pin 11-2, and the parachute throwing is completed. Since there is no traction force of the power parachute canopy 1, when the detector drags the umbilical cable 5 during recovery, it will be very labor-saving.

[0075] In summary, after parachute throwing, the recovery resistance of the detector in the unpowered tow cable is reduced, so the recovery difficulty will be reduced; at the same time, since the recovery resistance is small, the measured pipeline is allowed to have more turns, so the applicable range of this type of detector is increased.

[0076] For the models of each device in the embodiments of the present invention, except for those with special descriptions, the models of other devices are not limited, as long as the devices can perform the above functions.

[0077] Those skilled in the art can understand that the accompanying drawings are only schematic diagrams of a preferred embodiment, and the serial numbers of the embodiments of the present invention above are only for description and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0078] 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 principles of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism of a pipeline detector based on pipe pressure, the mechanism comprising: Actuator The actuator moves along the axis of the sealing cylinder. The actuator is used to hook and discard the tail loop of the parachute line. The motor is installed on the sealing cylinder, and the output screw shaft of the motor is engaged with the screw hole of the actuator. The motor is used to just overcome the friction force at the dynamic seal and push the actuator outwards towards the outside of the cavity. Wherein, the mechanism further includes: a cylinder end cover, an umbilical cable, and a cable The sealing cylinder, the cylinder end cover, the actuator, the umbilical cable, and the cable form a sealed cavity. The umbilical cable or the cable adopts a static seal method when cooperating with the sealing cylinder or the cylinder end cover. A dynamic seal is provided between the cylinder end cover and the actuator. The cylinder end cover and the actuator form a piston structure. The fluid pressure of the measured pipeline causes the actuator to generate a force moving towards the inside of the cavity. Wherein, the actuator includes: an actuator disk, at least one pin, and at least one spring The actuator disk moves along the axis of the sealing cylinder. The pins are installed on the actuator disk to hook the tail loop of the parachute line, hold the power parachute canopy or discard the tail loop of the parachute line; both ends of the spring act on the actuator disk and the pins respectively, causing the pins to make elastic movements relative to the actuator disk.

2. The hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism of a pipeline detector based on pipe pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pins adopt a stepped shaft structure, a hook structure, or a seesaw structure.

3. A method for using the hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism of a pipeline detector based on pipe pressure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The steps of using the parachute hanging and discarding mechanism to hang the parachute include the following: When hanging the parachute, the detector is outside the pipeline. The motor pushes the actuator disk. If the motor power is insufficient, manually assist in pulling the actuator disk to move the actuator disk to the "hanging point". Apply an external force to the pin to make the pin overcome the acting force of the spring and move a certain distance towards the "throwing point" to create a space for hanging the tail loop of the parachute line. Put the tail loop of the parachute line on the pin, remove the external force on the pin, and the pin springs back to hook the tail loop of the parachute line.

4. A method for using a hanging and throwing umbrella mechanism of a pipeline detector based on pipe pressure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The steps of using the parachute hanging and discarding mechanism to discard the parachute include the following: Power on the motor to make the rotation direction of the screw comply with the movement trend of the actuator disk given by the pipe pressure, eliminate the locking force of the screw on the actuator disk. Under the action of the pipe pressure, the actuator disk moves towards the "throwing point", and at the same time drives the pin towards the "throwing point". As the pin moves towards the "throwing point", the tail loop of the parachute line is not synchronized with the pin under the action of the parachute line tension, and then the movement of the tail loop of the parachute line exiting the pin occurs, realizing the discarding of the parachute.

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