Pipeline endoscope device

Abstract

This invention discloses a pipe endoscope device, relating to the field of industrial endoscopic inspection technology. The pipe endoscope device includes: a probe for inspecting the inner wall of the pipe to be inspected; a pipeline connected at one end to the probe; and an air flotation tube connected at one end to the probe, the air flotation tube covering the pipeline and forming an airflow cavity with the pipeline. An airflow gap is formed between the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube and the pipe to be inspected, and the air flotation tube has an air outlet. The airflow cavity is used to supply air into the airflow gap through the air outlet. According to this invention, the pipe endoscope device reduces the contact friction between the air flotation tube and the inner wall of the pipe to be inspected, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the pipeline and the inner wall of the pipe to be inspected. This significantly increases the distance the pipe endoscope device can extend into the pipe to be inspected, while also reducing wear on both the pipe endoscope device and the pipe to be inspected, thus extending their service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of industrial endoscopic inspection technology, and more particularly to a pipeline endoscope device. Background Technology

[0002] The flow path of pipes used as cooling media requires rigorous defect detection. For example, in a controlled nuclear fusion device, the cold shield, as one of its key systems, primarily functions to reduce the heat load exerted on the cryogenic superconducting magnet by high-temperature components during normal operation of the main unit, ensuring the superconducting magnet can operate normally. To remove heat from high-temperature components in a timely manner, cooling pipes are typically installed on the cold shield, and the heat is carried away by the working fluid in the cooling system. To achieve better heat exchange, a large number of bent cooling pipes need to be installed on the cold shield panel to create a large contact area with the panel. Because the cold shield panel is largely curved, the arrangement and welding of the cooling pipes on it presents certain challenges. Welding numerous small-diameter, small-bending-radius, complexly curved pipes onto the panel of a controlled nuclear fusion device, especially the cold shield, is particularly problematic. If defects exist within these pipes causing leaks, the entire device will malfunction.

[0003] Because controlled nuclear fusion devices have irregular structures, complex and tortuous pipelines, and small pipe diameters, other non-destructive testing methods such as penetrant testing, X-ray testing, and ultrasonic testing cannot accurately detect defects on the inner wall of the pipeline, as well as the shape and size of these defects. Therefore, using an endoscope to directly observe the quality of the inner wall of the pipeline is a necessary and effective testing method.

[0004] However, in related technologies, friction and collision occur between the endoscope and the inner wall of the pipe, leading to damage to the endoscope. Especially in cases where the pipeline is tortuous, complex, and has a small diameter, damage to the endoscope itself or the pipeline may occur, even rendering the entire pipeline unusable, seriously affecting the project's progress and quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a pipe endoscope that reduces the contact friction between the air flotation tube and the inner wall of the pipe under test, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the pipeline and the inner wall of the pipe under test. This significantly increases the distance the pipe endoscope can extend into the pipe under test, while simultaneously reducing wear on both the pipe endoscope and the pipe under test, thus extending the service life of both.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pipe endoscope is adapted to extend into the pipe to be tested, and the pipe endoscope includes: a probe for detecting the inner wall of the pipe to be tested; a pipeline connected to the probe at one end; and an air flotation tube connected to the probe at one end, the air flotation tube covering the pipeline and forming an airflow cavity with the pipeline, and an airflow gap being formed between the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube and the pipe to be tested, the air flotation tube having an air outlet, and the airflow cavity for supplying air into the airflow gap through the air outlet.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pipe endoscope device, by providing an air flotation tube that covers the outside of the pipeline and has an air outlet, can form a tiny air membrane between the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube and the pipeline under test, thereby reducing the contact friction between the air flotation tube and the inner wall of the pipeline under test. This reduces the frictional resistance between the pipeline and the inner wall of the pipeline under test, greatly increases the distance the pipe endoscope device can extend into the pipeline under test, and reduces the wear of both the pipe endoscope device and the pipeline under test, thereby extending the service life of both the pipe endoscope device and the pipeline under test.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pipe endoscope further includes an air source connector, one end of which is connected to the air float tube and located outside the pipe to be tested, and the other end of which is used to connect to an air source so that the air source communicates with the airflow cavity.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the pipeline endoscope of the present invention, the end of the air float tube near the probe is sealed to the probe, and the end of the air float tube away from the probe is sealed to the air source connector.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the pipeline endoscope of the present invention, the extension direction of the air source connector is different from the extension direction of the pipeline, and the angle between the extension direction of the air source connector and the extension direction of the pipeline is less than 90°.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the pipe endoscope of the present invention, there are multiple air outlets, which are spaced apart along the axial direction of the air float tube; and / or, there are multiple air outlets, which are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the air float tube.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the pipe endoscope of the present invention, the air outlet is provided with a sealing plug, the sealing plug being removable relative to the air float tube, so that the air outlet can be selectively opened or closed.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the pipe endoscope of the present invention, at least a portion of the sealing plug is exposed outside the air flotation tube and is configured as a manually removable part for manual gripping.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pipe endoscope further includes an operating element, one end of the pipeline is connected to the probe, and the other end of the pipeline extends outside the air flotation tube for connection to the operating element.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the pipe endoscope of the present invention, the air flotation tube is constructed as a flexible tube and is adapted to bend and deform with the pipe to be tested.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pipeline is coaxially arranged with the air flotation tube.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the probe of the pipe endoscope includes a probe housing and a detection part, the probe housing is sleeved outside the detection part, and the probe housing is fixedly connected to the air flotation tube.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the pipe endoscope of the present invention, the probe housing and the air flotation tube are integrally formed.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the pipe endoscope and the pipe to be tested according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a pipe endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a pipe endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure label:

[0025] Pipe endoscope 100, pipe to be tested 200,

[0026] Probe 1, pipeline 2, air float tube 3, airflow chamber 31, air outlet 32, airflow gap 41, air source connector 5. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0028] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0029] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0030] The following is for reference. Figures 1-3 The pipe endoscope 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention reduces the contact friction between the air flotation tube 3 and the inner wall of the pipe 200 to be tested, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the pipe 2 and the inner wall of the pipe 200 to be tested, greatly increasing the distance that the pipe endoscope 100 can extend into the pipe 200 to be tested, and at the same time reducing the wear of the pipe endoscope 100 and the pipe 200 to be tested, thereby extending the service life of the pipe endoscope 100 and the pipe 200 to be tested.

[0031] like Figures 1-3 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a pipe endoscope 100 is adapted to extend into a pipe 200 to be tested, and the pipe endoscope 100 includes: a probe 1, a pipeline 2, and an air flotation tube 3.

[0032] It should be noted that the pipe 200 to be tested in this embodiment can be a pipe for conveying various liquids or powders, or it can be a cooling pipe, steam pipe, drainage pipe, fuel pipe, hydraulic pipe, gas transmission pipe, etc.

[0033] The probe 1 is used to inspect the inner wall of the pipe 200 under test. The probe 1 is located at the front end of the pipe endoscope 100. It directly contacts the pipe 200 under test and acquires the image of the inspected area. After the pipe endoscope 100 is extended into the pipe 200 under test, the probe 1 is responsible for transmitting the detected image to the display device for inspection personnel to observe and analyze. The probe 1 can also be equipped with an illumination system, such as an LED light, to provide sufficient light to the inspected area so that the inspection personnel can clearly observe the specific details inside the pipe 200 under test.

[0034] Pipeline 2 is a flexible and bendable power and signal line. The end of pipeline 2 is connected to probe 1. In this way, the image data detected by probe 1 can be successfully converted into electrical signals and transmitted to the display device through pipeline 2. At the same time, it provides stable power support for the lighting system to ensure that it emits light stably to illuminate the area to be tested, i.e., the interior of the pipe 200 to be tested.

[0035] The end of the air float tube 3 is connected to the probe 1. The air float tube 3 covers the outside of the pipeline 2, and the air float tube 3 and the pipeline 2 form an airflow cavity 31. An airflow gap 41 is formed between the outer peripheral wall of the air float tube 3 and the pipeline 200 to be tested. The air float tube 3 is provided with an air outlet 32. The airflow cavity 31 is used to supply air into the airflow gap 41 through the air outlet 32.

[0036] Specifically, the end of the air flotation tube 3 is connected to the probe 1 to ensure the installation stability of the air flotation tube 3. Simultaneously, it avoids obstructing the front end of the probe 1, preventing interference with the probe 1's detection of the pipe 200 under test. The air flotation tube 3 covers the pipe 2, and the air flotation tube 3 and the pipe 2 form an airflow cavity 31. That is, the pipe 2 is located inside the air flotation tube 3, and the air flotation tube 3 wraps around the pipe 2 from the outside in. The inner peripheral wall of the air flotation tube 3 can be spaced apart from the outer peripheral wall of the pipe 2 to form the airflow cavity 31, or the interior of the air flotation tube 3 can be made into a cavity to form the airflow cavity 31, which can be filled with compressed air. Furthermore, an airflow gap 41 is formed between the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube 3 and the pipe 200 under test. That is, the outer diameter of the air flotation tube 3 is smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe 200 under test, so that a certain spatial distance is maintained between the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube 3 and the pipe 200 under test to form the airflow gap 41.

[0037] The air float tube 3 is provided with an air outlet 32. The air flow chamber 31 is used to supply air to the air flow gap 41 through the air outlet 32. That is, the air flow gap 41 and the air flow chamber 31 are connected through the air outlet 32. In this way, the compressed air in the air flow chamber 31 can flow out to the air flow gap 41 through the air outlet 32, so as to realize the air supply of the air flow chamber 31 to the air flow gap 41, so that the air flow gap 41 is filled with air.

[0038] It should be noted that when the pipe under test 200 is a cooling pipe, the flow path of the pipe as the cooling medium needs to be rigorously inspected for defects. For example, in a controlled nuclear fusion device, the cold shield is one of its key systems. Its main function is to reduce the heat load exerted on the low-temperature superconducting magnet by high-temperature components during normal operation of the main unit, ensuring the normal operation of the superconducting magnet. To remove heat from high-temperature components in a timely manner, cooling pipes are usually arranged on the cold shield, and the heat is removed by the working fluid in the cooling system. To achieve a better heat exchange effect, a large number of bent cooling pipes need to be installed on the cold shield panel to form a large contact area with the cold shield panel. Since the cold shield panel is largely curved, the arrangement and welding of the cooling pipes on the cold shield panel is quite difficult. Welding a large number of small-diameter, small-bending-radius, complexly curved spatial pipes on the panel of a controlled nuclear fusion device, especially a cold shield, is problematic. If defects exist inside the pipes and cause leaks, the entire device will malfunction.

[0039] Because controlled nuclear fusion devices have irregular structures, complex and tortuous pipelines, and small pipe diameters, other non-destructive testing methods such as penetrant testing, X-ray testing, and ultrasonic testing cannot accurately detect defects on the inner wall of the pipeline, as well as the shape and size of these defects. Therefore, using an endoscope to directly observe the quality of the inner wall of the pipeline is a necessary and effective testing method.

[0040] However, in related technologies, friction and collision occur between the endoscope and the inner wall of the pipe, leading to damage to the endoscope. Especially in cases where the pipeline is tortuous, complex, and has a small diameter, damage to the endoscope itself or the pipeline may occur, even rendering the entire pipeline unusable, seriously affecting the project's progress and quality.

[0041] This application, by setting up an air flotation tube 3, allows compressed air at a certain pressure to be continuously introduced into the airflow chamber 31 after the pipe endoscope 100 extends into the pipe 200 to be tested. The airflow flows out through the air outlet 32 ​​into the airflow gap 41, forming a tiny air membrane between the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube 3 and the pipe 200 to be tested. This reduces the contact friction between the air flotation tube 3 and the inner wall of the pipe 200 to be tested, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the pipe 2 and the inner wall of the pipe 200 to be tested. This significantly increases the distance that the pipe endoscope 100 can extend into the pipe 200 to be tested, while also reducing the wear of the pipe endoscope 100 and the pipe 200 to be tested, thus extending the service life of the pipe endoscope 100 and the pipe 200 to be tested.

[0042] In actual testing, the pressure of the compressed air introduced into the airflow chamber 31 can be adjusted in a timely manner to make the air float tube 3 in a state of minimum resistance, thereby facilitating the pipe endoscope 100 to go deeper into the pipe under test 200 for testing and reducing wear between the air float tube 3 and the pipe under test 200.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pipe endoscope 100, by providing an air flotation tube 3 covering the outside of the pipeline 2 and having an air outlet 32, can form a tiny air diaphragm between the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube 3 and the pipeline 200 to be tested, thereby reducing the contact friction between the air flotation tube 3 and the inner wall of the pipeline 200 to be tested, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the pipeline 2 and the inner wall of the pipeline 200 to be tested, greatly increasing the distance that the pipe endoscope 100 can extend into the pipeline 200 to be tested, and at the same time reducing the wear of the pipe endoscope 100 and the pipeline 200 to be tested, thereby extending the service life of the pipe endoscope 100 and the pipeline 200 to be tested.

[0044] In some embodiments, reference Figure 1 As shown, the pipe endoscope 100 also includes an air source connector 5, which is used to connect to an external air source to provide clean compressed air into the airflow chamber 31. One end of the air source connector 5 is connected to the air float tube 3 and is located outside the pipe 200 to be tested. The other end of the air source connector 5 is used to connect to an air source so that the air source is connected to the airflow chamber 31. In this way, the air source connector 5 is connected between the air float tube 3 and the air source, and the air source is connected to the airflow chamber 31.

[0045] Therefore, the air source can continuously supply compressed air at a certain pressure into the airflow cavity 31 to ensure the stable formation of a tiny air diaphragm between the outer peripheral wall of the air float tube 3 and the pipe under test 200, thereby ensuring the continuous advancement and in-depth detection of the pipe endoscope 100 within the pipe under test 200.

[0046] In the actual design, the air source can be set as a compressed air pump, and the air source connector 5 can be set as a compressed air connector. The outlet end of the compressed air pump is connected to the inlet end of the compressed air connector, and the outlet end of the compressed air connector is connected to the rear end of the air float tube 3. Thus, the compressed air pump can continuously supply compressed air into the airflow chamber 31 through the compressed air connector, and by adjusting the air pressure of the supplied compressed air, a stable micro air diaphragm can be formed between the outer peripheral wall of the air float tube 3 and the test pipe 200.

[0047] In some embodiments, the end of the air float tube 3 near the probe 1 is sealed to the probe 1, and the end of the air float tube 3 away from the probe 1 is sealed to the air source connector 5. Thus, the air float tube 3 is sealed between the probe 1 and the air source connector 5, ensuring the airtightness of the air float tube 3 and preventing compressed air from leaking from other locations outside the air outlet 32, which would prevent the air diaphragm from forming or from forming unstablely. This would cause wear between the air float tube 3 and the pipe under test 200, increase the frictional resistance, and make it difficult for the pipe endoscope 100 to continue moving deeper into the pipe under test 200.

[0048] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 The front-back direction shown is the forward direction of the pipe endoscope 100 inside the pipe 200 to be tested. The front end of the air float tube 3, that is, the end closest to the probe 1, is sealed to the probe 1, ensuring the sealing of the connection between the air float tube 3 and the probe 1 and preventing gas leakage. The rear end of the air float tube 3, that is, the end furthest from the probe 1, is sealed to the air source connector 5, ensuring the sealing of the connection between the air float tube 3 and the air source connector 5 and preventing gas leakage. Thus, the sealing of the entire air float tube 3 is ensured, so that the compressed air in the airflow chamber 31 can only flow out from the air outlet 32 ​​and prevent it from flowing out from other positions, thereby ensuring the stable air pressure of the compressed air. A small air diaphragm can be stably formed between the outer peripheral wall of the air float tube 3 and the pipe 200 to be tested. Furthermore, since the air flotation tube 3 extends to the outside of the pipe 200 to be tested, it ensures that the part of the pipe endoscope 100 that extends into the pipe 200 to be tested can form a tiny air diaphragm with the pipe 200 to be tested, thereby avoiding contact and wear between the air flotation tube 3 extending into the pipe 200 to be tested and the pipe 200 to be tested.

[0049] In some embodiments, the extension direction of the gas source connector 5 is different from the extension direction of the pipeline 2, and the angle between the extension direction of the gas source connector 5 and the extension direction of the pipeline 2 is less than 90°.

[0050] Specifically, the extension direction of the air source connector 5 is different from that of the pipeline 2. This avoids interference between the pipeline 2 and the air source connector 5, ensuring that the air source connector 5 can be smoothly connected to the air source, thereby stably providing compressed air. Furthermore, the angle between the extension direction of the air source connector 5 and the extension direction of the pipeline 2 is less than 90°. In other words, the angle between the extension direction of the air source connector 5 and the extension direction of the pipeline 2 can be set to an acute angle, such as 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, 70°, or 80°, to facilitate operation by testing personnel.

[0051] In some embodiments, there are multiple air outlets 32, which are spaced apart along the axial direction of the air flotation tube 3.

[0052] In other words, the air outlet 32 ​​can be set to two, three, four or even more, with multiple air outlets 32 spaced apart along the axial direction of the air float tube 3. That is, multiple air outlets 32 are evenly spaced at a certain distance along the length direction of the air float tube 3. In this way, the air float tube 3 can provide compressed gas through multiple air outlets 32 at multiple positions along the length direction. Thus, the air float tube 3 can quickly form a small air diaphragm between itself and the pipe under test 200 at any position along the length direction, improving the efficiency of compressed air flow to the airflow gap 41, thereby improving the forming efficiency of the air diaphragm, reducing the frictional resistance at any position along the length direction of the air float tube 3, and thus facilitating the movement of the pipe endoscope 100 to a deeper part of the pipe under test 200, further reducing the wear between the air float tube 3 and the pipe under test 200.

[0053] This configuration also ensures that if one of the air outlets 32 is damaged or malfunctions, preventing the discharge of compressed air, the other air outlets 32 can still function normally, thus guaranteeing the reliability and stability of the pipeline endoscope 100.

[0054] In other embodiments, there are multiple air outlets 32, which are spaced apart along the circumference of the air flotation tube 3.

[0055] In other words, the air outlet 32 ​​can be set to two, three, four or even more, with multiple air outlets 32 distributed at intervals along the circumference of the air float tube 3. That is, multiple air outlets 32 are evenly distributed at a certain distance along the circumference of the air float tube 3. In this way, compressed air can quickly flow out to the airflow gap 41 through multiple air outlets 32 at multiple positions along the circumference of the air float tube 3. This prevents the air float tube 3 from contacting and rubbing against the pipe under test 200 due to a high gas concentration in a certain local area along the circumference and insufficient gas concentration in other areas. This improves the efficiency of compressed air flowing to the airflow gap 41 and the forming efficiency of the air diaphragm, and also ensures the distribution of compressed air in the circumference. As a result, compressed air is distributed throughout the entire circumference of the air float tube 3, avoiding contact and friction between the air float tube 3 and the pipe under test 200 at any position along the circumference.

[0056] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, the air flotation tube 3 has four air outlets 32 arranged in the circumferential direction. The four air outlets 32 are evenly distributed, so that compressed air can be discharged into the airflow gap 41 through the four air outlets 32, so that compressed air is distributed in the airflow gap 41 in the entire circumferential direction, which can form an air diaphragm.

[0057] It should be noted that the number of air outlets 32 can be flexibly set according to actual needs and is not limited to that described in this embodiment. In some embodiments, the air outlet 32 ​​is provided with a sealing plug, which is removable relative to the air float tube 3, so that the air outlet 32 ​​can be selectively opened or closed.

[0058] Specifically, the sealing plug is used to block the air outlet 32. In practice, when the pipe endoscope 100 is not used, the sealing plug blocks the air outlet 32 ​​to keep it closed, preventing external dust, water, and other foreign objects from entering the airflow chamber 31. When the pipe endoscope 100 needs to be used to inspect the pipe 200 under test, the sealing plug at the front of the air float tube 3 can be removed first to open the air outlet 32. Then, the front of the air float tube 3 and the probe 1 can be inserted into the pipe 200 under test to inspect it. At the same time, compressed air is continuously introduced into the airflow chamber 31. Since the air outlet 32 ​​located in the pipe 200 under test is in an open state, the compressed air can flow out through the air outlet 32 ​​into the airflow gap 41, so that the outer peripheral wall of the air float tube 3 and the pipe 200 under test can be connected. A tiny air membrane is formed between the inner peripheral walls of the 00, reducing the contact friction between the air float tube 3 and the pipe under test 200. According to the actual testing needs, the air outlet 32 ​​at the outlet of the pipe under test 200 can be opened while the air float tube 3 at the rear is moved deeper into the pipe under test 200, and the pressure of the compressed air introduced can be adjusted in time to keep the air float tube 3 in a state of minimum resistance in real time. Thus, the pipe under test 200 can be successfully tested, and wear on the pipe under test 200 and the pipe endoscope 100 can be avoided.

[0059] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the sealing plug is exposed outside the air flotation tube 3 and is configured as a manually removable part for manual gripping.

[0060] This allows the testing personnel to easily and quickly remove the sealing plug by manually holding the manual disassembly part from the outside, thus opening the air outlet 32. After the test pipe 200 is completed, the sealing plug can be inserted back into the air outlet 32 ​​through the manual disassembly part to block the air outlet 32.

[0061] In some embodiments, the pipe endoscope 100 further includes an operating component. This operating component is a key part for the inspector to control the pipe endoscope 100 to inspect the pipe 200 under test. The operating component can control the angle of the probe 1 to change the field of view of the probe 1 and adapt to curved pipes, allowing for better observation of the internal condition of the pipe 200. An illumination adjustment key can also be provided on the operating component to control the brightness of the light source of the probe 1, adapting to different environments of the pipe 200 under test. One end of the pipeline 2 is connected to the probe 1, and the other end of the pipeline 2 extends outside the air flotation tube 3 for connection to the operating component. Thus, the pipeline 2 connects the probe 1 and the operating component, allowing the inspector to directly control the pipe endoscope 100 from the outside via the operating component. It should be noted that controlling the rotation angle of the probe 1 and the brightness of the light source of the probe 1 using the operating component are existing technologies and will not be elaborated upon here. These can be flexibly set according to actual needs.

[0062] In practice, operators can manually manipulate pipeline 2 to push the air flotation tube 3 into the test pipeline 200 for testing. It is understood that during the insertion of the air flotation tube 3 into the test pipeline 200, the compressed air flowing from the outlet 32 ​​into the airflow gap 41 is unevenly distributed circumferentially, causing the airflow gap 41 to have inconsistent circumferential dimensions and thus varying airflow distribution. If the air flotation tube 3 is too close to the test pipeline 200, the compressed air in the airflow gap 41 will be affected by the air flotation tube. A tiny air membrane is generated between the outer peripheral wall of the tube 3 and the inner peripheral wall of the pipe 200 to be tested, so that the air flotation tube 3 floats. The outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube 3 and the inner peripheral wall of the pipe 200 to be tested are separated by the tiny air membrane to prevent the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube 3 from contacting and rubbing against the inner peripheral wall of the pipe 200 to be tested. If the resistance is large, the compressed air pressure in the airflow gap 41 can be appropriately increased to make the airflow larger, so as to better form the air membrane and more easily separate the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube 3 from the inner peripheral wall of the pipe 200 to be tested.

[0063] For example, when the air flotation tube 3 moves inside the test pipe 200, if the position of the air flotation tube 3 is too low, it will be too close to the lower inner wall of the test pipe 200 and may come into contact. At this time, the airflow in the airflow gap 41 will generate a tiny air membrane between the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube 3 and the inner peripheral wall of the test pipe 200, so that the air flotation tube 3 floats upward and avoids the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube 3 from contacting the inner peripheral wall of the test pipe 200. At the same time, since the position of the air flotation tube 3 is too low, the distance between the air flotation tube 3 and the upper inner wall of the test pipe 200 is relatively large, and the airflow in the airflow gap 41 will not play a role in generating a tiny air membrane.

[0064] In some embodiments, the air flotation tube 3 is constructed as a flexible tube, and the air flotation tube 3 is adapted to bend and deform with the pipe 200 under test.

[0065] Specifically, the air flotation tube 3 is constructed as a flexible tube, meaning it can deform to a certain extent, enhancing its flexibility and adaptability. When the air flotation tube 3 extends into the test pipe 200 and moves within it, if the test pipe 200 has a bend, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the air flotation tube 3 can bend and deform to follow the shape of the pipe 200 under test, so as to adapt to the shape of the pipe 200 under test, thereby better inspecting the pipe 200 under test, avoiding damage to the pipe 200 under test by the air flotation tube 3, and ensuring the feasibility of the inspection.

[0066] In some embodiments, pipeline 2 and air flotation pipe 3 are coaxially arranged.

[0067] In other words, the axis of pipeline 2 is the same as that of air flotation tube 3, thereby forming an annular airflow cavity 31, in which compressed air is distributed, and the compressed air can flow into the airflow gap 41 and surround the outer periphery of air flotation tube 3.

[0068] In some embodiments, the probe 1 includes a probe housing and a detection part, the probe housing is sleeved outside the detection part, and the probe housing is fixedly connected to the air flotation tube 3.

[0069] Specifically, the probe housing is fitted over the detection unit; that is, the probe housing can be constructed as a sleeve, and the size of the probe housing matches that of the detection unit. This allows the probe housing to completely enclose the detection unit from the outside, while leaving the front end of the detection unit exposed for detection, thus effectively protecting the detection unit. The probe housing is fixedly connected to the air flotation tube 3, ensuring the installation stability and reliability of the air flotation tube 3 and preventing it from falling off.

[0070] In some embodiments, the probe housing and the air flotation tube 3 are integrally formed.

[0071] In other words, the probe housing and the air float tube 3 are manufactured as a single unit, which makes the connection between the probe housing and the air float tube 3 more secure and improves manufacturing efficiency.

[0072] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0073] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A pipe endoscope, characterized in that, The pipe endoscope is adapted to extend into the pipe (200) to be tested, and the pipe endoscope includes: Probe (1), the probe (1) is used to detect the inner wall of the pipe (200) to be tested; Pipeline (2), the end of which is connected to the probe (1); An air flotation tube (3) is provided, the end of which is connected to the probe (1). The air flotation tube (3) covers the pipeline (2) and forms an airflow cavity (31) with the pipeline (2). An airflow gap (41) is formed between the outer peripheral wall of the air flotation tube (3) and the pipeline (200) to be tested. The air flotation tube (3) is provided with an air outlet (32). The airflow cavity (31) is used to supply air to the airflow gap (41) through the air outlet (32). There are multiple air outlets (32), and the multiple air outlets (32) are distributed at intervals along the axial direction of the air flotation tube (3); and / or, there are multiple air outlets (32), and the multiple air outlets (32) are distributed at intervals along the circumferential direction of the air flotation tube (3).

2. The pipe endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an air source connector (5), one end of which is connected to the air float tube (3) and located outside the test pipe (200), and the other end of which is used to connect to an air source so that the air source is connected to the airflow chamber (31).

3. The pipe endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end of the air flotation tube (3) near the probe (1) is sealed to the probe (1), and the end of the air flotation tube (3) away from the probe (1) is sealed to the air source connector (5).

4. The pipe endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that, The extension direction of the gas source connector (5) is different from the extension direction of the pipeline (2), and the angle between the extension direction of the gas source connector (5) and the extension direction of the pipeline (2) is less than 90°.

5. The pipe endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air outlet (32) is provided with a sealing plug, which is detachable relative to the air flotation tube (3) so that the air outlet (32) can be selectively opened or closed.

6. The pipe endoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that, At least a portion of the sealing plug is exposed on the outside of the air flotation tube (3) and is configured as a manually removable part for manual gripping.

7. The pipe endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an operating component, one end of the pipeline (2) is connected to the probe (1), and the other end of the pipeline (2) extends outside the air flotation tube (3) for connection to the operating component.

8. The pipe endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air flotation tube (3) is constructed as a flexible tube, and the air flotation tube (3) is adapted to bend and deform with the pipe (200) to be tested.

9. The pipe endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pipeline (2) is coaxially arranged with the air flotation pipe (3).

10. The pipe endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, The probe (1) includes a probe housing and a detection part. The probe housing is fitted over the detection part and is fixedly connected to the air flotation tube (3).

11. The pipe endoscope according to claim 10, characterized in that, The probe housing and the air flotation tube (3) are integrally formed.

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