A device and method for detecting cracks in a narrow inner cavity of a coupling inner gear sleeve

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a device and method for detecting cracks in a narrow inner cavity of a coupling inner gear sleeve, which has a housing with two adjacent and perpendicular first and second faces; the second face is used to fit the flat surface of the coupling inner gear sleeve; a first guide is arranged on the housing and located on the same action surface as the first face; a second guide is arranged on the housing and located on the same action surface as the second face; a probe is arranged in the housing; and an adjusting mechanism is used to adjust the relative position relationship between the probe and the second face. The present disclosure can realize crack detection in the narrow space of the coupling inner gear sleeve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure belongs to the field of crack detection technology, specifically relating to a device and method for detecting cracks in the narrow inner cavity of the inner sleeve of a coupling. Background Technology

[0002] The statements in this section are merely background information relating to this disclosure and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] Couplings are an important component of the power transmission system of railway vehicle bogies. They are mechanical parts used to connect two shafts (such as a drive shaft and a driven shaft) in different mechanisms to make them rotate together and transmit torque. Couplings connect the motor and the gearbox, transferring the motor's kinetic energy to the gearbox, which in turn drives the axle to rotate, thus enabling the vehicle to move.

[0004] During vehicle operation, various operating conditions, vibrations, or impacts can cause cracks in the inner gear sleeve of the coupling. Further cracking can lead to oil leaks and other malfunctions, affecting driving safety. To detect these cracks early, appropriate inspection methods must be selected for both in-service and maintenance conditions. Because the crack location in the inner gear sleeve is often confined to a narrow space, and internal components cannot be disassembled during in-service and maintenance, commonly used crack detection methods such as magnetic particle testing, penetrant testing, and radiographic testing are not suitable for detecting this defect. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this disclosure proposes a device and method for detecting cracks in the narrow inner cavity of the gear sleeve in a coupling. This disclosure enables the detection of cracks within the narrow space of the gear sleeve in a coupling.

[0006] According to some embodiments, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A device for detecting cracks in the narrow inner cavity of the inner gear sleeve of a coupling, comprising:

[0008] A shell having two adjacent and perpendicular first and second faces;

[0009] The second surface is used to fit the upper plane of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling;

[0010] A first guide member is disposed on the housing and located on the same working surface as the first surface;

[0011] A second guide member is disposed on the housing and located on the same functional surface as the second surface;

[0012] The probe is housed within the housing, and an adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the relative position of the probe and the second surface.

[0013] By adjusting the mechanism, the probe can perform detection at a predetermined height on the side of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling. Guided by the first and second guide members, the second surface engages with the upper plane of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling, and the first surface adheres to the side of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling, ensuring that the probe can rotate one full turn along the side of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling to complete the circumferential detection at the predetermined height.

[0014] As an alternative implementation, the first guide member includes a rotating shaft and a plurality of guide wheels mounted on the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft and the first surface are arranged parallel to each other, and the wheel surfaces of the guide wheels and the first surface are on the same horizontal line.

[0015] As an alternative implementation, the second guide includes a rotating shaft and a plurality of guide wheels mounted on the rotating shaft, wherein the rotating shaft and the second surface are arranged in parallel, and the wheel surface and the second surface of the guide wheels are on the same horizontal line.

[0016] As an alternative implementation, the first guide and / or the second guide may be in multiple groups, with each group arranged side by side.

[0017] As an alternative implementation, the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment handle, a connecting shaft, a floating block, and several compression springs. The adjustment handle is located on the outside of the housing, and the connecting shaft is located inside the housing and threadedly connected to the housing. One end of the connecting shaft is connected to the adjustment handle, and the other end abuts against the upper end of the floating block. The floating block is used to mount the probe, and the lower end of the floating block abuts against the compression springs. The other end of the compression springs is located on the inner wall of the housing.

[0018] By adjusting the handle to rotate the connecting shaft, the relative position of the connecting shaft and the housing is adjusted, thereby changing the height of the floating block and adjusting the position of the probe in the vertical direction.

[0019] As an alternative implementation, the adjustment mechanism further includes an adjustment rod, one end of which is exposed outside the housing, and the other end extends into the housing and is threadedly connected to the housing. The other end is sleeved in the compression spring and abuts against the floating block.

[0020] As an alternative implementation, a clamping mechanism is also included, which is disposed within the housing. The clamping mechanism includes a spring, one end of which abuts against the inner wall of the housing, and the other end of which abuts against the rear end of the floating block.

[0021] As a further step, the setting direction of the adjustment mechanism is perpendicular to the setting direction of the clamping mechanism.

[0022] As an alternative implementation, the housing has an opening at the position corresponding to the probe, and the working surface of the probe can be exposed through the opening.

[0023] As an alternative implementation, the probe is connected to an ultrasonic flaw detector.

[0024] The working method of the above-mentioned device includes:

[0025] Connect the probe to the ultrasonic flaw detector;

[0026] The second side of the detection device is placed on the upper surface of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling, so that the first side is in contact with the outer circular surface of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling;

[0027] The probe's vertical position is adjusted using an adjustment mechanism to detect the outer surface at a predetermined height on the outer cylindrical surface of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling.

[0028] The detection device is rotated around the outer circular surface of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling to identify the location where the abnormal reflected wave appears, indicating a crack defect.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this disclosure are as follows:

[0030] This disclosure, through its ingenious structural design, enables a method for detecting cracks in the narrow space of the gear sleeve inside a coupling under both in-service and maintenance conditions, allowing for early and effective crack detection.

[0031] This disclosure utilizes a clamping mechanism to apply appropriate pressure when the probe contacts the outer cylindrical surface of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling, thereby ensuring good contact and stable probe coupling.

[0032] This disclosure utilizes a first guide and a second guide to position the probe tip, which moves circumferentially along the outer circular surface of the inner toothed sleeve of the coupling. This achieves accurate positioning of the probe and the coupling, reduces resistance to probe movement, and saves scanning time.

[0033] This disclosure utilizes an adjustment mechanism to maintain a consistent distance between the probe tip and the upper plane of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling, enabling the detection of cracks on the outer circumference surface at a predetermined location. This effectively achieves stability during the detection process, avoids interference from inherent reflected waves, and improves detection accuracy and efficiency.

[0034] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this disclosure, are used to provide a further understanding of this disclosure. The illustrative embodiments of this disclosure and their descriptions are used to explain this disclosure and do not constitute an undue limitation of this disclosure.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of this embodiment;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the working process of this embodiment;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a side view of the structure in this embodiment;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the details of the adjustment mechanism in this embodiment;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the detection device in this embodiment;

[0041] Figure 6 This is a rear view of the detection device in this embodiment.

[0042] Among them, 1. Upper plane of inner gear sleeve of coupling, 2. Detection device, 3. Housing, 4. Probe, 5. Floating block, 6. Spring, 7. Adjusting handle, 8. Adjusting rod, 9. Guide roller, 10. Guide roller, 11. Roller support shaft, 12. Roller support shaft, 13. Compression spring, 14. Cover plate. Detailed implementation method:

[0043] The present disclosure will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0044] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0045] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this disclosure. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms “comprising” and / or “including” are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0046] In this disclosure, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "back," "vertical," "horizontal," "side," and "bottom" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are merely relational terms determined for the convenience of describing the structural relationship of the various components or elements in this disclosure, and do not specifically refer to any component or element in this disclosure, nor should they be construed as limiting this disclosure.

[0047] In this disclosure, terms such as "fixed connection," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly, indicating a fixed connection, an integral connection, or a detachable connection; a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can determine the specific meaning of these terms in this disclosure based on the specific circumstances, and they should not be construed as limitations on this disclosure.

[0048] Example 1

[0049] It should be noted that some parts have been omitted in some of the attached drawings. For example, the adjustment handle 7 is not shown in some of the attached drawings.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the inner gear sleeve of the coupling has a wall thickness of about (4-5) mm, and during service and maintenance, the surface is coated with a certain thickness of paint. Existing ultrasonic testing standards are generally applicable to plates with a thickness of at least 6 mm and are tested without any coating.

[0051] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a detection device capable of detecting cracks in the internal gear sleeve during both in-service and maintenance periods.

[0052] The probe used in this embodiment is a piezoelectric crystal probe.

[0053] However, in other embodiments, other types of probes can be selected, as long as they meet certain volume requirements (i.e., the probe is adjusted to have a small leading edge, or the probe tip does not exceed the outer chamfer of the coupling to avoid the coupling agent remaining between the probe and the chamfer, generating interference reflection waves and causing false detection), and are able to perform surface detection of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling.

[0054] In this embodiment, the probe 4 is disposed inside the housing 3. The housing 3 has a first surface and a second surface that are perpendicular to each other. The second surface is used to fit the upper plane of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling and the second surface is used to fit the outer circumferential surface of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, during operation, the detection device 2 needs to engage the upper plane of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling while rotating around / engaging the outer circumference of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling to achieve one-round detection. In order to ensure sequential rotation and movement.

[0056] Of course, the accompanying drawings provided in this embodiment are only schematic diagrams, and the proportions of each component may not necessarily follow the proportions shown in the drawings.

[0057] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, roller support shaft 11 and roller support shaft 12 are respectively provided at corresponding positions on the first and second surfaces. A plurality of guide rollers 9 and guide rollers 10 are respectively sleeved on roller support shaft 11 and roller support shaft 12 to play a guiding role.

[0058] Of course, in other embodiments, the roller support shaft and guide roller can be replaced with other guiding components that can play a guiding role, such as pulleys, sliders, etc., which will not be elaborated here.

[0059] like Figure 3 As shown, both roller support shaft 11 and roller support shaft 12 are housed within the housing 3. In this embodiment, the housing 3 has an overall frame structure made of lightweight, high-strength aluminum alloy. The probe is also housed within the housing 3, as shown... Figure 4 As shown, it is fitted inside a floating block 5. The probe 4 is provided at the front end of the floating block 5, and a spring 6 is provided at the rear end. The spring 6 abuts against the cover plate 14, which is provided on the housing 3 or is part of the housing 3.

[0060] Spring 6 is used to press probe 4 to ensure that probe 4 fits well with the outer circular surface of the inner toothed sleeve of the coupling being tested, thus ensuring coupling.

[0061] The inner gear sleeve of the coupling being inspected mainly includes workpieces with external chamfers and right angles. To ensure rapid and effective crack detection and reduce the influence of interference waves, the distance L1 between the front end of the detection probe and the upper plane 1 of the inner gear sleeve must be consistent. In this embodiment, the vertical position of the probe 4 within the housing 3 is adjusted by an adjustment mechanism. The probe 4 is connected to an ultrasonic flaw detector. The probe moves axially along the outer circular surface of the test block of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling until the instrument displays the highest wave (in this embodiment, the gain of the ultrasonic flaw detector can be adjusted to position the highest wave of the artificial defect reflection wave, and the adjustment range can be adjusted so that the highest reflected wave height is located at the center of the instrument display screen, aligning the center of the instrument gate with the center of the highest wave, and adjusting the probe delay so that the depth display is the set value). At this time, the position of the probe is fixed by the adjustment mechanism.

[0062] In this embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment handle 7, a connecting shaft, a floating block 5, and several compression springs 13. The adjustment handle 7 is located on the outside of the housing 3, and the connecting shaft is located inside the housing 3 and threadedly connected to the housing. One end is connected to the adjustment handle 7, and the other end abuts against the upper end of the floating block 5. The floating block 5 is used to set the probe 4. The lower end of the floating block 5 abuts against the compression springs 13, and the other end of the compression springs 13 is located on the inner wall of the housing.

[0063] The adjustment mechanism also includes an adjustment rod 8, one end of which is exposed outside the housing 3, and the other end extends into the housing 3 and is threadedly connected to the housing. The other end is sleeved in the compression spring 13 and abuts against the floating block 5.

[0064] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 , Figure 6As shown, the detection device needs to engage the upper plane of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling while rotating around / engaging the outer circumference of the inner gear sleeve. Rotating the adjusting handle 7 and adjusting rod 8 moves the probe 4 to the position where the instrument produces the highest wave, ensuring that the distance L1 between the front end of the probe 4 and the upper plane 1 of the inner gear sleeve remains consistent when detecting the actual inner gear sleeve. In this embodiment, the probe clamping device is a spring 6. One end of the spring 6 is fastened to the cover plate 14 of the housing 3, and the other end contacts the upper plane of the probe 4. This allows the probe to apply appropriate pressure when in contact with the outer circumference of the inner gear sleeve, ensuring good contact and stable probe coupling.

[0065] The guide roller 9 positions the probe tip. Simultaneously, as the guide roller 10 moves circumferentially along the outer circular surface of the inner toothed sleeve of the coupling, the guide roller 9 moves with the probe, thus achieving accurate positioning of the probe and the coupling, reducing the resistance to probe movement, and saving scanning time.

[0066] Moving the probe around the circumference, if an abnormal reflected wave appears, it indicates a crack defect.

[0067] In practical operation, the upper plane of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling is used as the fixed surface. A corresponding probe fixing and adjustment device is designed on the scanner, allowing the probe to freely perform parallel scanning along the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the inner gear sleeve. A spring applies pressure to the probe, ensuring that when the probe contacts the outer surface of the inner gear sleeve, appropriate pressure is applied, the probe is in close contact with the workpiece being measured, and good contact is maintained, ensuring stable probe coupling.

[0068] While the specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the technical solutions of this disclosure are still within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A device for detecting cracks in the narrow inner cavity of the inner gear sleeve of a coupling, characterized in that, include: A shell having two adjacent and perpendicular first and second faces; The second surface is used to fit the upper plane of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling; A first guide member is disposed on the housing and located on the same working surface as the first surface; the first guide member includes a rotating shaft and a plurality of guide wheels fitted on the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft and the first surface are arranged parallel to each other, and the wheel surface of the guide wheel and the first surface are on the same horizontal line; A second guide member is disposed on the housing and located on the same working surface as the second surface; the second guide member includes a rotating shaft and a plurality of guide wheels fitted on the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft and the second surface are arranged in parallel, and the wheel surface and the second surface of the guide wheels are on the same horizontal line; The probe is housed within the housing, and an adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the relative position of the probe and the second surface. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment handle, a connecting shaft, a floating block, a pressing mechanism, and several compression springs. The adjustment handle is located on the outside of the housing, and the connecting shaft is located inside the housing and threadedly connected to the housing. One end of the connecting shaft is connected to the adjustment handle, and the other end abuts against the upper end of the floating block. The floating block is used to mount the probe, and the lower end of the floating block abuts against the compression spring. The other end of the compression spring is located on the inner wall of the housing. The pressing mechanism is located inside the housing.

2. The device for detecting cracks in the narrow inner cavity of the inner gear sleeve of a coupling as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first guide and / or the second guide are in multiple groups, and the groups are arranged side by side.

3. The detection device for cracks in the narrow inner cavity of the inner gear sleeve of a coupling as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment mechanism also includes an adjustment rod, one end of which is exposed outside the housing, and the other end extends into the housing and is threadedly connected to the housing. The other end is sleeved in the compression spring and abuts against the floating block.

4. The detection device for cracks in the narrow inner cavity of the inner gear sleeve of a coupling as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping mechanism includes a spring, one end of which abuts against the inner wall of the housing, and the other end abuts against the rear end of the floating block.

5. The detection device for cracks in the narrow inner cavity of the inner gear sleeve of a coupling as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The setting direction of the adjustment mechanism is perpendicular to the setting direction of the clamping mechanism.

6. The detection device for cracks in the narrow inner cavity of the inner gear sleeve of a coupling as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing has an opening at the position corresponding to the probe, and the working surface of the probe can be exposed through the opening.

7. The device for detecting cracks in the narrow inner cavity of the inner gear sleeve of a coupling as described in claim 1 or 6, characterized in that, The probe is connected to the ultrasonic flaw detector.

8. The method of operating the apparatus based on any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, include: Connect the probe to the ultrasonic flaw detector; The second side of the detection device is placed on the upper surface of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling, so that the first side is in contact with the outer circular surface of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling; The probe's vertical position is adjusted using an adjustment mechanism to detect the outer surface at a predetermined height on the outer cylindrical surface of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling. The detection device is rotated around the outer circular surface of the inner gear sleeve of the coupling to identify the location where the abnormal reflected wave appears, indicating a crack defect.

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