Pipeline passive track measurement system

Abstract

This invention discloses a passive pipeline trajectory measurement system, including a housing, a central shaft located in the center of the inner side of the housing, the central shaft being fixed to the housing by a sleeve, an inner slip ring located on the left side of the center shaft, the inner slip ring being fixed to the central shaft by screws, a core support located at the bottom of the central shaft, the core support being coaxial with the central shaft and rotating relative to the central shaft, a counterweight located on the inner side of the bottom of the core support, the counterweight being fixed to the core support by an inlay, an IMU core located on the upper side of the counterweight, the IMU core being fixed to the core support by screws, an outer slip ring located on the left side of the housing, the outer slip ring being coaxial with the outer rotating shaft of the housing, the inner lining of the outer slip ring being able to rotate relative to the outer rotating shaft of the housing, a bearing seat located on the left side of the outer slip ring, the outer sleeve of the outer slip ring being fixed to the bearing seat by screws; this passive pipeline trajectory measurement system has the advantages of being adaptable to various pipe diameters, suitable for use in harsh environments, having a longer service life, and providing accurate data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pipeline measurement technology, specifically a passive pipeline trajectory measurement system. Background Technology

[0002] A pipeline is a system of pipes, pipe fittings, valves, and other components used to transport gases, liquids, or fluids containing solid particles. Typically, fluids are pressurized by blowers, compressors, pumps, and boilers, flowing from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas within the pipeline. Alternatively, the fluid's own pressure or gravity can be used for transport. Pipelines have a wide range of applications, primarily in water supply, drainage, heating, gas supply, long-distance transport of oil and natural gas, agricultural irrigation, hydraulic engineering, and various industrial installations.

[0003] As an inertial measurement unit, the IMU can detect acceleration and rotational motion, locate the coordinates of the path it has traveled, and then display the three-dimensional trajectory of the system and record the coordinate information through post-processing software. Traditional measurement systems typically use a built-in microcontroller and IMU core combined with an externally mounted wheeled odometer for coordinate calculation. When dealing with pipes of varying inner diameters, different sizes of external wheeled supports are required to ensure close contact between the wheeled odometer and the pipe wall. Furthermore, large-diameter pipe surveys are not feasible. During measurement, water accumulation and sediment residue on the pipe wall can hinder the system's operation, causing the external wheeled odometer to slip and spin, increasing measurement errors. In traditional systems, the odometer rotates relative to the pipe due to friction during cable dragging, and in some cases, it may even flip over. This not only causes torsional damage to the cable and reduces the lifespan of the cable-to-casing connection, but also causes the internal inertial navigation measurement unit to tilt at large angles. When the tilt angle exceeds the inertial navigation measurement unit's allowable tilt angle, the accuracy of the output data decreases significantly, and the data becomes unreliable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a passive pipeline trajectory measurement system, which has the advantages of being adaptable to various pipe diameters, suitable for use in harsh environments, having a longer service life, and providing accurate data, thus solving the problems in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a passive pipeline trajectory measurement system, comprising a housing, a central shaft located at the center of the inner side of the housing, the central shaft being fixed to the housing by a fitting, an inner slip ring located on the left side of the center shaft, the inner slip ring being fixed to the center shaft by screws, a core support located at the bottom of the center shaft, the core support being coaxial with the center shaft and rotating relative to the center shaft, a counterweight located on the inner side of the bottom of the core support, the counterweight being fixed to the core support by an inlay, an IMU core located on the upper side of the counterweight, the IMU core being fixed to the core support by screws, and an outer slip ring located on the left side of the housing. The outer slip ring is coaxial with the outer rotating shaft of the outer casing. The inner liner of the outer slip ring can rotate relative to the outer rotating shaft of the outer casing. A bearing seat is provided on the left side of the outer slip ring, and the outer sleeve of the outer slip ring is fixed to the bearing seat by screws. A load-bearing bearing is provided on the left side of the outer slip ring, and a fixing nut is provided on the left side of the load-bearing bearing. The load-bearing bearing is fixed to the bearing seat by the fixing nut. A steel cable is provided on the left side of the bearing seat, and the steel cable is fixed to the bearing seat by a sleeve. A figure-eight ring is provided on the left side of the steel cable, and a data cable is provided at the top of the figure-eight ring. The data cable is fixed to the figure-eight ring by a sleeve. A counterweight is provided on the left side of the figure-eight ring, and the counterweight is fixed to the steel cable by a sleeve.

[0006] Preferably, the counterweight, figure-eight ring, data cable, steel cable, bearing housing, outer slip ring, fixing nut, and load-bearing bearing are symmetrical about the outer shell of the machine body.

[0007] Preferably, the core support has a central data cable on its inner side.

[0008] Preferably, the core support is 50 cm long.

[0009] Preferably, the data line is connected to the IMU core via a core data line.

[0010] Preferably, the inner side of the outer shell of the machine body is filled with acetone damping fluid.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0012] 1. This passive trajectory measurement system for pipelines uses counterweights to break up mud, sand, and stone residue inside old pipe walls. This facilitates the removal of mud, sand, and stone residue from old pipes and ensures the horizontal resultant force direction of the machine body, guaranteeing parallel movement. This allows it to be used with both new and old pipes of varying diameters. External and internal slip rings are used for rotation, ensuring that when the machine body rotates relative to the pipe's internal friction force, the wire will not become entangled on the central shaft inside the machine body or the rotating shaft outside the machine body, thus ensuring data output. Heavy-duty bearings are used for rotation, ensuring that when the machine body rotates relative to the pipe's internal friction force, generating torsional torque, this torque is dissipated, reducing torsional damage to the steel cable or the machine body's outer shell. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the passive trajectory measurement system for pipelines of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 This is an internal schematic diagram of the passive trajectory measurement system for pipelines according to the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the bearing housing of the passive pipeline trajectory measurement system of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the core support of the passive pipeline trajectory measurement system of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the central axis of the passive trajectory measurement system for pipelines of the present invention.

[0018] The diagram shows the following components: 1. Counterweight; 2. Figure-eight ring; 3. Data cable; 4. Steel cable; 5. Bearing housing; 6. Outer slip ring; 7. Housing; 8. Inner slip ring; 9. IMU core; 10. Core support; 11. Central shaft; 12. Counterweight; 13. Fixing nut; 14. Load-bearing bearing; 15. Central data cable. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0021] Example 1:

[0022] Please see Figure 1 , 2 3, 4, 5, The passive trajectory measurement system for pipelines includes a housing 7. A central shaft 11 is located in the center of the inner side of the housing 7. The central shaft 11 is fixed to the housing 7 by a fitting. An inner slip ring 8 is located on the left side of the center shaft 11, and is fixed to the central shaft 11 by screws. A core support 10 is located at the bottom of the central shaft 11, coaxial with the central shaft 11 and rotating relative to the central shaft 11. A counterweight 12 is located on the inner side of the bottom of the core support 10, and is fixed to the core support 10 by embedding. An IMU core 9 is located on the upper side of the counterweight 12, and is fixed to the core support 10 by screws. An outer slip ring 6 is located on the left side of the housing 7, coaxial with the outer rotating shaft of the housing 7. The inner lining of the outer slip ring 6 can rotate relative to the outer rotating shaft of the housing 7. A bearing seat 5 is located on the left side of the outer slip ring 6. The outer slip ring 6 is fixed to the bearing housing 5 with screws. A load-bearing bearing 14 is provided on the left side of the outer slip ring 6. A fixing nut 13 is provided on the left side of the load-bearing bearing 14. The load-bearing bearing 14 is fixed to the bearing housing 5 by the fixing nut 13. A steel cable 4 is provided on the left side of the bearing housing 5. The steel cable 4 is fixed to the bearing housing 5 by the sleeve. A figure-eight ring 2 is provided on the left side of the steel cable 4. A data cable 3 is provided on the top of the figure-eight ring 2. The data cable 3 is fixed to the figure-eight ring 2 by the sleeve. A counterweight 1 is provided on the left side of the figure-eight ring 2. The counterweight 1 is fixed to the steel cable 4 by the sleeve. The counterweight 1, figure-eight ring 2, data cable 3, steel cable 4, bearing housing 5, outer slip ring 6, fixing nut 13, and load-bearing bearing 14 are symmetrical about the outer shell 7. A core data cable 15 is provided on the inner side of the core support 11. The core support 10 is 50 cm long. The data cable 3 is connected to the IMU core 9 through the core data cable 15. The inner side of the outer shell 7 is filled with acetone damping fluid.

[0023] Specifically, counterweight 1 is used to break up the mud, sand, and stone residue inside the old pipe wall, which facilitates the removal of mud, sand, and stone residue from the old pipe and ensures the horizontal resultant force direction of the machine body, ensuring the parallel movement of the machine body and making it suitable for passing through new and old pipes of different diameters. The outer slip ring 6 and inner slip ring 8 are used for rotation, ensuring that when the outer casing 7 of the machine body rotates relative to it due to the friction force inside the pipe, the wire will not be wrapped around the central shaft 11 inside the outer casing 7 or the rotating shaft outside the outer casing 7 due to the action of the outer slip ring 6 and inner slip ring 8. At the same time, it ensures data output. The load-bearing bearing 14 is used for rotation, ensuring that when the outer casing 7 of the machine body rotates relative to it due to the friction force of the pipe and generates torsional torque, the torque is released, reducing torsional damage to the steel cable 4 or the outer casing 7.

[0024] Working Principle: The passive trajectory measurement system for pipelines of this invention involves placing a counterweight 1 into the pipeline and using a steel cable 4 to guide the device into the pipeline. The IMU core 9 collects measurement data. During the measurement process, the counterweight 1 removes mud, sand, and stone residue from the old pipeline, ensuring the horizontal resultant force direction of the device and guaranteeing its parallel movement. The inner slip ring 8 and outer slip ring 6 prevent the wire from getting tangled on the central axis 11 inside the outer casing 7 or the rotating axis outside the outer casing 7, while also ensuring data output. The counterweight 12 ensures that the resultant force direction of the IMU core 9 always points towards the center of the earth. The load-bearing bearing 14 releases the torque generated when the outer casing 7 rotates relative to the pipeline due to friction, reducing torsional damage to the steel cable 4 or the outer casing 7.

[0025] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles and main features of the present invention and its advantages. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Therefore, it is intended that all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims be included within the present invention, and no reference numerals in the claims should be regarded as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0026] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A passive trajectory measurement system for pipelines, characterized in that: The system includes a housing (7), with a central shaft (11) located in the middle of the inner side of the housing (7). The central shaft (11) is fixed to the housing (7) by a fitting. An inner slip ring (8) is located on the left side of the middle of the central shaft (11), and the inner slip ring (8) is fixed to the central shaft (11) by screws. A core support (10) is located at the bottom of the central shaft (11), and the core support (10) is coaxial with the central shaft (11) and rotates relative to the central shaft (11). A first counterweight (12) is located on the inner side of the bottom of the core support (10), and the first counterweight (12) is fixed to the core support (10) by embedding. An IMU core (9) is located on the upper side of the first counterweight (12), and the IMU core (9) is fixed to the core support (10) by screws. An outer slip ring (6) is located on the left side of the housing (7), and the outer slip ring (6) is fixed to the housing (7) by screws. The outer rotating shaft is coaxial, and the inner lining of the outer slip ring (6) can rotate relative to the outer rotating shaft of the outer shell (7). The outer slip ring (6) is provided with a bearing seat (5) on the left side. The outer sleeve of the outer slip ring (6) is fixed to the bearing seat (5) by screws. The outer slip ring (6) is provided with a load-bearing bearing (14) on the left side. The load-bearing bearing (14) is provided with a fixing nut (13) on the left side. The load-bearing bearing (14) is fixed to the bearing seat (5) by fixing nut (13). The bearing seat (5) is provided with a steel cable (4) on the left side. The steel cable (4) is fixed to the bearing seat (5) by a sleeve. The steel cable (4) is provided with a figure-eight ring (2) on the left side. The figure-eight ring (2) is provided with a data cable (3) at the top. The data cable (3) is fixed to the figure-eight ring (2) by a sleeve. The figure-eight ring (2) is provided with a second counterweight (1) on the left side. The second counterweight (1) is fixed to the steel cable (4) by a sleeve.

2. The passive pipeline trajectory measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second counterweight (1), figure-eight ring (2), data cable (3), steel cable (4), bearing seat (5), outer slip ring (6), fixing nut (13), and load-bearing bearing (14) are symmetrical about the outer shell (7).

3. The passive pipeline trajectory measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The core support (10) has a central data cable (15) on its inner side.

4. The pipeline passive trajectory measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The core support (10) is 50 cm long.

5. The pipeline passive trajectory measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The data line (3) is connected to the IMU core (9) via the axis data line (15).

6. The passive pipeline trajectory measurement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner side of the outer shell (7) of the machine body is filled with acetone damping fluid.

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