Chained scanning device for diameter-variable pipe fitting weld joint phased array detection and use method of chained scanning device

Abstract

The invention relates to a chained scanner for diameter-variable pipe fitting welding seam phased array detection. A probe loading assembly and a plurality of scanning chains are connected end to end to form a closed chain; each scanning chain comprises a first chain type assembly and a second chain type assembly; a connecting roller is arranged at one end of the first chain type assembly, and a limiting sliding groove is formed in one end of the second chain type assembly; a scanning chain interlocking device is arranged at the other end of the first chain type assembly, and a scanning chain connecting rod is arranged at the other end of the second chain type assembly; a probe loading arm is arranged on the probe loading assembly, a probe interlocking device is arranged at one end of the probe loading assembly, and a probe connecting rod is arranged at the other end of the probe loading assembly. During use, the length of the closed chain can be adjusted according to the number of the scanning chains according to the phased array detection requirements of circumferential welds of pipe fittings with different pipe diameters, the requirements of different pipe diameters are met, the application range is wide, meanwhile, the detection precision is high, the scanner is convenient to disassemble and use, and the detection efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of nondestructive testing, and more specifically to a chain scanner for phased array inspection of welds on variable-diameter pipe fittings and a method for using the same. The chain scanner is particularly designed to be suitable for phased array inspection of welds on variable-diameter pipe fittings with various pipe diameters. Background Art

[0002] In existing technologies, welding quality is directly related to the overall quality of metal products during their construction. Welding quality is directly related to welding materials, welding processes, and welding personnel. To verify the welding reliability of a particular product, the welding materials, welding processes, and welding personnel must be verified before construction begins. Phased array testing, as a recordable and imageable ultrasonic testing method, is gaining increasing application in industrial manufacturing and is gradually replacing traditional manual ultrasonic testing methods. As an imageable ultrasonic testing method, scanning stability significantly impacts imaging quality. For pipe girth weld inspection, using a suitable scanning device can significantly improve inspection quality and efficiency.

[0003] Due to the diverse specifications of pipe fittings, the inspection of pipe welds requires constant adjustment of the scanner length during the actual production process to meet the inspection requirements of welds of different pipe diameters. Currently, common inspection methods include using fixed-diameter scanners or manual scanning. Manual scanning suffers from poor stability, large deviations in the probe offset relative to the weld, and poor imaging quality, which can easily lead to missed detection or misjudgment of defects within the weld. Fixed-diameter scanners are complex to assemble and disassemble, requiring a corresponding track or scanner for each pipe diameter. They are also unable to adapt to manufacturing deviations in pipe fittings, resulting in low inspection efficiency and being inconvenient to carry, especially during field operations.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a scanner for detecting variable-diameter pipes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved chain scanner for phased array inspection of welds of variable-diameter pipe fittings and a method for using the same. Through structural improvements, the scanner can meet the scanning requirements of pipes of different diameters, has a wide range of applications, and is easy to assemble and disassemble.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution of the present invention is: a chain scanner for phased array inspection of welds of variable-diameter pipe fittings, characterized in that: the scanner includes a probe loading assembly and a scanning chain, a probe loading assembly and several scanning chains are connected end to end to form a closed chain; each scanning chain includes a first chain assembly and a second chain assembly, and the first and second chain assemblies are elastically connected by a spring to form a retractable connection; one end of the first chain assembly is provided with a connecting roller, and one end of the second chain assembly is provided with a limiting slide groove cooperating with the connecting roller, and the connecting roller and the limiting slide groove cooperate to form a spring limiting structure; the other end of the first chain assembly is provided with a scanning chain interlocking device, and the other end of the second chain assembly is provided with a scanning chain connecting rod cooperating with the scanning chain interlocking device; a probe loading arm is provided on the probe loading assembly, one end of the probe loading assembly is provided with a probe interlocking device cooperating with the scanning chain connecting rod, and the other end is provided with a probe connecting rod cooperating with the scanning chain interlocking device.

[0007] Preferably, the probe loading assembly is composed of a first probe assembly and a second probe assembly, one end of the first probe assembly is provided with a probe interlocking device, and the other end is provided with a locking screw, the middle of the first probe assembly is provided with a first column and a first probe loading arm, the top of the first column is provided with an encoder wheel, the bottom is provided with a roller, and the middle is provided with an encoder.

[0008] Furthermore, one end of the second probe assembly is provided with a limit groove that cooperates with the locking screw, and the other end is provided with a probe connecting rod. The middle part of the second probe assembly is provided with a second column and a second probe loading arm. The top of the second column is provided with an encoder wheel, the bottom is provided with a roller, and the middle part is provided with an encoder.

[0009] Furthermore, the scanning chain interlocking device includes a rotating shaft, on which a group of hooks are provided, and the size of the hooks matches the scanning chain connecting rod.

[0010] Furthermore, a first chain roller is provided in the middle of the first chain assembly, and a second chain roller is provided in the middle of the second chain assembly. The first chain roller, the second chain roller and the connecting roller are of the same size.

[0011] Furthermore, the first chain assembly, the second chain assembly and the probe loading assembly are all arc-shaped.

[0012] A method for using a chain scanner for phased array inspection of welds of variable-diameter pipe fittings is characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: a. assembling a probe loading assembly, determining the distance between a first probe loading arm and a second probe loading arm, and fastening them with a locking screw to achieve probe loading; b. assembling a probe loading assembly and a plurality of scanning chains according to the outer diameter of the pipe fitting to be inspected to form a scanner; c. encircling the scanner near the girth weld of the pipe fitting to be inspected, opening the probe interlocking device of the probe loading assembly, and connecting the scanning chain connecting rod of the second chain assembly at the end to the probe interlocking device; d. using the spring in the scanning chain to adjust the length of the scanner so that it is tightly clamped around the pipe fitting to be inspected, and then performing the inspection; e. after the weld inspection of the current pipe fitting is completed, directly disassembling and assembling it by using the spring expansion and contraction, and inspecting the next pipe fitting to be inspected until the inspection is completed.

[0013] Preferably, in step b, if the circumference of the inspected pipe does not match the length of the assembled scanning chain, the number of scanning chain groups is reduced so that the length of the scanner is smaller than the circumference of the inspected pipe.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention not only improves the overall technical solution, but also includes many improvements in details. Specifically, it has the following beneficial effects: The improved solution of the present invention comprises a scanner including a probe loading assembly and a scanning chain. A probe loading assembly and several scanning chains are connected end to end to form a closed chain. Each scanning chain comprises a first chain assembly and a second chain assembly. The first and second chain assemblies are elastically connected by a spring. This can meet the requirements of phased array inspection of girth welds of pipe fittings with different diameters, has a wide range of applications, and improves inspection efficiency. In the technical solution of the present invention, a connecting roller is provided at one end of the first chain assembly, a limiting slide groove is provided at one end of the second chain assembly to cooperate with the connecting roller, and the connecting roller and the limiting slide groove cooperate to form a spring limiting structure; a scanning chain interlocking device is provided at the other end of the first chain assembly, and a scanning chain connecting rod is provided at the other end of the second chain assembly to cooperate with the scanning chain interlocking device, thereby improving the stability of the scanner during operation, ensuring the quality of imaging, and improving the quality of detection; In the structure of the present invention, the first chain assembly, the second chain assembly and the probe loading assembly are effectively connected by a chain device and a connecting rod, which makes assembly and disassembly convenient, improves efficiency, and is easy to carry, making it suitable for field operations. The present invention has a simple structure, a reasonable layout, is easy to use, has good detection stability, improves detection accuracy, and is easy to promote and utilize. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a reference diagram of the present invention in use.

[0016] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first chain component of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is another structural schematic diagram of the first chain component of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second chain component of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 This is another structural schematic diagram of the second chain assembly of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the scan chain of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 7 This is another structural diagram of the scan chain of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first probe assembly of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second probe assembly of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a structural diagram of the probe loading assembly of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 11 It is a structural schematic diagram of the scanning chain interlocking device of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 12 This is another structural diagram of the scanning chain interlocking device of the present invention.

[0027] Reference numerals: 1. first chain assembly, 2. second chain assembly, 3. probe loading assembly, 4. spring, 5. pipe fitting; 11 connecting roller, 12 scanning chain interlocking device; 121 hook, 122 locking arm; 21 limiting slide, 22 scanning chain connecting rod, 23 second chain roller 32 probe interlocking device, 33 probe connecting rod, 34 locking screw, 35 encoder wheel, 36 probe roller, 37 encoder, 38 limiting slot, 39 second probe loading arm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] The present invention provides a chain scanner for phased array inspection of welds of variable diameter pipe fittings. Figure 1 , which differs from the prior art in that: the scanner includes a probe loading assembly 3 and a scanning chain, a probe loading assembly and several scanning chains are connected end to end to form a closed chain; each scanning chain includes a first chain assembly 1 and a second chain assembly 2, and the first and second chain assemblies are elastically connected by a spring 4; one end of the first chain assembly 1 is provided with a connecting roller 11, and one end of the second chain assembly 2 is provided with a limiting slide 21 cooperating with the connecting roller, and the connecting roller and the limiting slide cooperate to form a spring limiting structure; the other end of the first chain assembly is provided with a scanning chain interlocking device 12, and the other end of the second chain assembly is provided with a scanning chain connecting rod 22 cooperating with the scanning chain interlocking device; a probe loading arm is provided on the probe loading assembly 3, one end of the probe loading assembly is provided with a probe interlocking device 32 cooperating with the scanning chain connecting rod, and the other end is provided with a probe connecting rod 33 cooperating with the scanning chain interlocking device.

[0030] During use, according to the phased array inspection requirements of girth welds of pipe fittings with different diameters, a probe loading assembly and several scanning chains are connected end to end to form a closed chain. The length of the closed chain can be adjusted according to the number of scanning chains to meet the needs of different pipe diameters. It has a wide range of applications and high inspection accuracy. The scanner is easy to disassemble and use, which improves inspection efficiency.

[0031] Example 1 This embodiment describes a chain scanner for phased array inspection of welds on variable-diameter pipe fittings. The scanner includes a probe loading assembly and a scanning chain. A probe loading assembly and several scanning chains are connected end to end to form a closed chain. The closed chain is installed on the girth welds of pipe fittings with different diameters to facilitate effective inspection.

[0032] Each scanning chain includes a first chain component and a second chain component (see Figure 2-Figure 5 ), the first and second chain components form a retractable elastic connection through a spring. The spring here can be changed according to different application scenarios, so that the scanning chain can play a good role in fastening the outer surface of the pipe, which plays a certain role in the stability and accuracy of the scanning.

[0033] Specifically, the number of springs is S, De is the outer diameter of the pipe being inspected, and the following conditions must be met: De≤85mm, S=2; 85mm <De≤180mm,S=1; 180mm <De,S=3。

[0034] By adjusting the number of springs, the scanner can better fit the surface of the inspected pipe and improve scanning accuracy.

[0035] One end of the first chain component is provided with a connecting roller, and one end of the second chain component is provided with a limiting slide 21 that cooperates with the connecting roller. The connecting roller and the limiting slide cooperate to form a spring limiting structure, so that an elastic connection with a certain constraint force is formed between the first chain component and the second chain component. The stretchable amount of this spring limiting structure is a.

[0036] Specifically, the selected spring should meet .

[0037] in: : Spring elastic limit d: spring wire diameter n: number of effective coils of the spring D: Spring diameter a: The amount of stretch that the spring can take.

[0038] The other end of the first chain assembly is equipped with a scan chain interlocking device, and the other end of the second chain assembly is equipped with a scan chain connecting rod 22 that cooperates with the scan chain interlocking device. The probe loading assembly is equipped with a probe loading arm, one end of which is equipped with a probe interlocking device that cooperates with the scan chain connecting rod, and the other end of which is equipped with a probe connecting rod that cooperates with the scan chain interlocking device. This ensures that the above three components can be connected and then combined for use.

[0039] Specifically, preferably, the probe loading assembly 3 is formed by connecting a first probe assembly and a second probe assembly. One end of the first probe assembly is provided with a probe interlocking device 32, and the other end is provided with a locking screw 34. The middle of the first probe assembly is provided with a first column and a first probe loading arm. The first column is provided through the first probe assembly. The top of the first column is provided with an encoder wheel 35, the bottom is provided with a probe roller 36, and the middle is provided with an encoder 37. One end of the second probe assembly is provided with a limiting groove 38 that cooperates with the locking screw. The length of the limiting groove is 1 / 2-2 / 5 of the length of the second probe assembly. The other end is provided with a probe connecting rod. The middle of the second probe assembly is provided with a second column and a second probe loading arm 39. The second column is provided through the second probe assembly. The top of the second column is provided with an encoder wheel, and the bottom is provided with a probe roller.

[0040] Furthermore, a first chain roller is located in the middle of the first chain assembly, and a second chain roller 23 is located in the middle of the second chain assembly. The first and second chain rollers are identical in size to the connecting roller. The first and second chain assemblies, as well as the probe loading assembly, are all arc-shaped. The scanning chain interlocking mechanism includes a rotating shaft with a set of hooks 121 mounted on it. The hooks are sized to match the scanning chain connecting rods. A locking arm 122 is located at the bottom of the rotating shaft.

[0041] Example 2 This embodiment describes a method for using a chain scanner for phased array inspection of variable-diameter pipe welds. The method includes the following steps: a. Assembling a probe loading assembly, determining the distance between a first probe loading arm and a second probe loading arm based on the width of the probe, and tightening the probe using a locking screw to load the probe; b. Estimate the required scanner length based on the outer diameter of the pipe to be inspected, and assemble a probe loading assembly and several scanning chains to form a scanner; c. Positioning the scanner around the girth weld of the pipe to be inspected, opening the probe interlocking device of the probe loading assembly, and connecting the scanning chain connecting rod of the second chain assembly at the end to the probe interlocking device; d. Using the spring in the scanning chain to adjust the scanner length, tighten it around the pipe to be inspected (ensuring that each roller is in close contact with the pipe and remains free and does not slide), and then perform the inspection; e. After the weld of the current pipe to be inspected is inspected, the scanner is disassembled and assembled directly using the spring extension and contraction, and the next pipe to be inspected is inspected until the inspection is complete.

[0042] Preferably, in step b, the number of scan chains selected is N, and N should meet the following requirements: Where N is the number of scanned chain groups; B is the length of the chain group in the free state of the spring; a is the stretchable amount of the spring; D e : Outer diameter of the pipe being inspected.

[0043] In step b, if the circumference of the inspected pipe does not match the length of the assembled scanning chain, reduce the number of scanning chain groups so that the scanner length is less than the circumference of the inspected pipe.

[0044] The present invention can be assembled once to inspect girth welds of various pipe diameters, increasing the scanner's adjustment range and reducing scanner incompatibility caused by pipe manufacturing deviations and pipe diameter variations. This reduces scanner assembly times and improves phased array inspection efficiency.

[0045] Example 3 In this embodiment, the diameter of the inspected pipe 1 is 168 mm, and its circumference is approximately 529 mm. A probe loading assembly and five sets of scanning chains are used to form a scanner with a length of 525 mm. Through fine-tuning, the scanner can be directly used to surround the inspected pipe 1. Each scanning chain includes a first chain assembly and a second chain assembly. The axles of a set of rollers on the first chain assembly pass through the limiting slide groove in the second chain assembly to form a spring limiting protection, so that the extendable distance of each scanning chain reaches 1 / 3 of the length of the scanning chain. The first chain assembly, the second chain assembly and the probe loading assembly are all arc-shaped. The scanning chain interlocking device includes a rotating shaft, on which a set of hooks are provided. The size of the hooks matches the scanning chain connecting rod, so that the scanning chain interlocking device and the scanning chain connecting rod can be locked and placed to ensure safety and firmness during use.

[0046] The probe loading assembly consists of a first and second probe assembly connected by a stopper slot. Probe loading is achieved by adjusting the distance between the two probe loading arms, clamping the probes, and tightening them with locking screws. The first column has an encoder wheel at the top, a roller at the bottom, and an encoder mounted in the middle. This encoder encodes the probe travel for scanning and imaging. The encoder wheel has the same diameter as the other rollers in the scanner.

[0047] Example 4 In this embodiment, the diameter of the inspected pipe 2 is 219mm, and its circumference is 688mm. The scanner used to inspect pipe 1 can be directly assembled, with a reach of up to 700mm, meeting the requirements of pipe 2. No additional assembly is required, allowing for direct inspection and improving inspection efficiency.

[0048] The inspection method includes the following steps: a. Assembling the probe loading assembly, determining the distance between the first probe loading arm and the second probe loading arm based on the width of the probe, and tightening them with a locking screw to achieve probe loading; b. Estimate the required scanner length based on the outer diameter of the inspected pipe, and assemble a probe loading assembly with several scanning chains to form a scanner; c. Encircling the scanner near the girth weld of the inspected pipe, opening the probe interlocking device of the probe loading assembly, and connecting the scanning chain connecting rod of the second chain assembly at the end to the probe interlocking device; d. Using the spring in the scanning chain to adjust the length of the scanner so that it is tightly wrapped around the inspected pipe, and then scanning is carried out; e. After the weld of the current inspected pipe is inspected, the scanner is directly disassembled and assembled using the spring expansion and contraction, and the next inspected pipe is inspected until the inspection is completed.

[0049] The above is a further detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, and it cannot be considered that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to the above description. For those skilled in the art of the present invention, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made, which should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A chain scanner for phased array inspection of welds on variable-diameter pipes, characterized by: The scanner includes a probe loading assembly and a scanning chain. A probe loading assembly and several scanning chains are connected end to end to form a closed chain. Each scanning chain includes a first chain component and a second chain component, and the first and second chain components are elastically connected to each other via a spring to form a retractable connection; One end of the first chain assembly is provided with a connecting roller, and one end of the second chain assembly is provided with a limiting slide matched with the connecting roller, and the connecting roller and the limiting slide match to form a spring limiting structure; The other end of the first chain assembly is provided with a scanning chain interlocking device, and the other end of the second chain assembly is provided with a scanning chain connecting rod that cooperates with the scanning chain interlocking device; A probe loading arm is provided on the probe loading assembly. One end of the probe loading assembly is provided with a probe interlocking device matched with the scanning chain connecting rod, and the other end is provided with a probe connecting rod matched with the scanning chain interlocking device.

2. The chain scanner for phased array inspection of variable diameter pipe welds according to claim 1, characterized in that: The probe loading assembly is composed of a first probe assembly and a second probe assembly. A probe interlocking device is provided at one end of the first probe assembly and a locking screw is provided at the other end. A first column and a first probe loading arm are provided in the middle of the first probe assembly. An encoder wheel is provided at the top of the first column, a probe roller is provided at the bottom, and an encoder is provided in the middle.

3. The chain scanner for phased array inspection of variable diameter pipe welds according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the second probe assembly is provided with a limiting groove that cooperates with the locking screw, and the other end is provided with a probe connecting rod. The middle part of the second probe assembly is provided with a second column and a second probe loading arm. The top of the second column is provided with an encoder wheel, and the bottom is provided with a probe roller.

4. The chain scanner for phased array inspection of variable diameter pipe welds according to claim 1, characterized in that: The scanning chain interlocking device includes a rotating shaft, on which a group of hooks are provided, and the size of the hooks matches the scanning chain connecting rod.

5. The chain scanner for phased array inspection of variable diameter pipe welds according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first chain roller is provided in the middle of the first chain assembly, and a second chain roller is provided in the middle of the second chain assembly. The first chain roller, the second chain roller and the connecting roller have the same size.

6. The chain scanner for phased array inspection of welds of variable-diameter pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first chain assembly, the second chain assembly and the probe loading assembly are all in an arc shape.

7. A method for using the chain scanner for phased array inspection of variable diameter pipe welds according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method of use includes the following steps: a. assembling a probe loading assembly, determining the distance between a first probe loading arm and a second probe loading arm, and tightening them with a locking screw to achieve probe loading; b. assembling a probe loading assembly and a plurality of scanning chains according to the outer diameter of the pipe to be inspected to form a scanner; c. encircling the scanner near the girth weld of the pipe to be inspected, opening the probe interlocking device of the probe loading assembly, and connecting the scanning chain connecting rod of the second chain assembly at the end to the probe interlocking device; d. using the spring in the scanning chain to adjust the length of the scanner so that it is tightly wrapped around the pipe to be inspected, and then scanning is performed; e. after the weld inspection of the current pipe to be inspected is completed, the scanner is directly disassembled and assembled using the spring expansion and contraction, and the next pipe to be inspected is inspected until the inspection is completed.

8. The method for using the chain scanner for phased array inspection of variable diameter pipe welds according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step b, the number of scan chains selected is N, which should meet the following requirements: Where N is the number of scanned chain groups; B is the length of the chain group in the free state of the spring; a is the stretchable amount of the spring; D e : Outer diameter of the pipe being inspected.

9. The method for using the chain scanner for phased array inspection of variable diameter pipe welds according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step b, if the circumference of the inspected pipe does not match the length of the assembled scanning chain, reduce the number of scanning chain groups so that the scanner length is less than the circumference of the inspected pipe.

Images