Foldable probe arm structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses a foldable probe arm structure, relates to equipment for oil and gas pipeline detection, and aims to provide a foldable probe arm structure which is good in passing ability and high in detection accuracy. The foldable probe arm structure comprises a fixed base, the fixed base is movably connected with the front portion of a first probe arm, the rear portion of the first probe arm is movably connected with the front portion of a second probe arm, the rear portion of the second probe arm is movably connected with a probe assembly, a first tension spring is arranged on the outer side of the first probe arm, and a second tension spring is arranged on the outer side of the second probe arm. And a second tension spring is arranged on the outer side of the second probe arm. The foldable probe arm structure disclosed by the utility model can automatically rotate according to actual pipeline deformation or shape change of a bent pipe part, so that the trafficability of a probe arm in a pipeline is better; and the tension spring can ensure that the probe arm immediately resets to an initial unfolding state after passing through different pipeline parts and rotating, so that the signal pickup capability of equipment is improved, and the accuracy of pipeline defect detection is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of oil and gas pipeline inspection equipment, and in particular to a foldable probe arm structure. Background Technology

[0002] As oil and gas pipelines age, various types of defects can develop inside due to corrosion and stress. Therefore, regular internal inspections are necessary to promptly address these defects and reduce the occurrence of leaks, cracks, and other accidents.

[0003] Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) testing is one of the most widely used pipeline inspection technologies both domestically and internationally. MFL probes have advantages such as high corrosion sensitivity and adaptability to harsh environments including high temperatures, cold temperatures, and underwater conditions. However, in large-diameter testing equipment, a longer probe arm results in a larger rotation radius, leading to excessively long and heavy equipment that is prone to jamming, and poor overall throughput within the pipeline. Furthermore, the complex structure and poor vibration resistance of existing older MFL probe arms result in poor contact between the probe's front surface and the pipeline's inner wall during actual engineering applications, leading to weak signal pickup and affecting the accuracy of pipeline defect detection. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a foldable probe arm structure with good passability and high detection accuracy.

[0005] This utility model discloses a foldable probe arm structure, including a fixed base, which is movably connected to the front part of a first probe arm, the rear part of the first probe arm is movably connected to the front part of a second probe arm, the rear part of the second probe arm is movably connected to a probe assembly, a first tension spring is provided on the outer side of the first probe arm, and a second tension spring is provided on the outer side of the second probe arm.

[0006] This utility model discloses a foldable probe arm structure, wherein the fixed base and the front end of the first probe arm are connected by a first pin.

[0007] This utility model discloses a foldable probe arm structure, wherein the rear end of the first probe arm and the front end of the second probe arm are connected by a second pin.

[0008] This invention relates to a foldable probe arm structure, wherein the rear end of the second probe arm and the probe assembly are connected by a third pin.

[0009] This utility model discloses a foldable probe arm structure, wherein the fixed base is provided with a first spring pin hole, the rear end of the first probe arm is provided with a second spring pin hole, and the two ends of the first tension spring are respectively fixed on the first spring pin hole and the second spring pin hole.

[0010] This utility model discloses a foldable probe arm structure, wherein the front end of the second probe arm is provided with a third spring pin hole, the probe assembly is provided with a fourth spring pin hole, and the two ends of the second tension spring are respectively fixed on the third spring pin hole and the fourth spring pin hole.

[0011] The difference between this foldable probe arm structure and the prior art is that, after the detector enters the pipeline, the probe arm will automatically rotate according to the actual pipeline deformation or the shape change of the bend. The deformation is distributed to the two sections of the probe arm by tension springs, which effectively reduces the radial length change of the detector in the pipeline, simplifies the equipment structure, and makes the probe arm pass through the pipeline better.

[0012] This utility model discloses a foldable probe arm structure. By setting a tension spring, it ensures that the probe arm immediately returns to its initial unfolded state after rotating through different parts of the pipe. At the same time, the probe assembly will fall back towards the pipe wall in a timely manner and always remain in contact with it, which improves the signal pickup capability of the equipment and thus improves the accuracy of pipeline defect detection.

[0013] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, further illustrates a foldable probe arm structure of this utility model. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a foldable probe arm according to the present invention;

[0015] The markings in the diagram are as follows: 1-Fixed base; 2-First probe arm; 3-Second probe arm; 4-Probe assembly; 5-First tension spring; 6-Second tension spring; 7-First pin hole; 8-Second pin hole; 9-Third pin hole; 10-First spring pin hole; 11-Second spring pin hole; 12-Third spring pin hole; 13-Fourth spring pin hole. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0017] Example

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the foldable probe arm structure of this utility model includes a fixed base 1, which serves as the base of the probe arm structure. The fixed base 1, the first probe arm 2, the second probe arm 3, and the probe assembly 4 are connected in sequence.

[0019] In this embodiment, the foldable function of the probe arm is achieved through a two-section probe arm structure. The front ends of the fixed base 1 and the first probe arm 2 are respectively machined with first pin holes 7, and the front ends of the fixed base 1 and the first probe arm 2 are connected by a first pin. The first probe arm 2 can rotate circumferentially along the first pin, and the first pin is installed in the first pin hole 7.

[0020] The rear end of the first probe arm 2 and the front end of the second probe arm 3 are respectively machined with second pin holes 8. The rear end of the first probe arm 2 and the front end of the second probe arm 3 are connected by the second pin. Both the first probe arm 2 and the second probe arm 3 can rotate circumferentially along the second pin, which is installed in the second pin hole 8.

[0021] The rear end of the second probe arm 3 and the probe assembly 4 are respectively machined with a third pin hole 9. The rear end of the second probe arm 3 and the probe assembly 4 are connected by the third pin. The probe assembly 4 can rotate circumferentially along the second pin, which is installed in the third pin hole 9.

[0022] In this embodiment, a two-section probe arm structure is used to achieve the folding of the probe arm structure, so as to adapt to the large deformation and bends of the pipeline. This can solve the problem that the probe arm of the existing magnetic flux leakage detection equipment is too long, making the overall equipment too long and heavy, which reduces the detector's ability to pass through the pipeline.

[0023] The fixed base 1 has a first spring pin hole 10 machined on it, and the rear end of the first probe arm 2 has a second spring pin hole 11 machined on it. The fixed base 1 and the first probe arm 2 are connected by a first tension spring 5. The first tension spring 5 is located on the outside of the first probe arm 2, and its two ends are fixed to the first spring pin hole 10 and the second spring pin hole 11, respectively.

[0024] The second probe arm 3 has a third spring pin hole 12 machined on its front end, and the probe assembly 4 has a fourth spring pin hole 13 machined on its front end. The second probe arm 3 and the probe assembly 4 are connected by a second tension spring 6. The second tension spring 6 is located on the outside of the second probe arm 3, and its two ends are fixed to the third spring pin hole 12 and the fourth spring pin hole 13, respectively.

[0025] In this embodiment, the function of the tension spring is to restrict the fall of the probe arm and probe assembly. The first tension spring 5 is located outside the first probe arm 2, and its purpose is to tighten the first probe arm and control the fall of the probe arm; the second tension spring 6 is located outside the second probe arm 3, and its purpose is to tighten the second probe arm, control the fall of the probe arm, and enable the probe assembly located at the rear end of the second probe arm to fit against the inner wall of the pipe, thereby improving the fit between the probe assembly and the inner wall of the pipe.

[0026] When using the foldable probe arm structure of this utility model: after the detector enters the pipe, the probe assembly 4 is first pressed down and tightly attached to the inner wall of the pipe.

[0027] When the pipe wall is deformed, the probe assembly 4 presses down according to the deformation of the pipe wall. As the probe assembly 4 presses down, it drives the second probe arm 3 to rotate and press down around the second shaft pin as the origin, and pulls open the second tension spring 6. When the second tension spring 6 is tightened, the second probe arm 3 drives the first probe arm 2 to rotate and press down around the first shaft pin as the origin, and pulls open the first tension spring 5, until both tension springs are fully tightened to the limit. At this time, the probe arm structure is in the ultimate folding state.

[0028] When the probe passes through the deformed part of the pipe wall and the pipe diameter increases, the probe arm rotates back to the initial position under the action of the tension spring, and at the same time the probe assembly 4 falls back towards the pipe wall and always remains close to the pipe wall.

[0029] This utility model discloses a foldable probe arm structure. The probe arm is foldable. After the detector enters the pipeline, the probe arm will automatically rotate according to the actual pipeline deformation or the shape change of the bend. The deformation is distributed to the two probe arm sections by tension springs, which effectively reduces the radial length change of the detector in the pipeline. This solves the problem that the probe arm of the existing magnetic flux leakage detection equipment is too long, making the overall equipment too long and heavy, and reducing the passage capacity in the pipeline.

[0030] This utility model discloses a foldable probe arm structure. By using a tension spring, the probe arm is ensured to immediately return to its initial unfolded state after rotating through different pipe sections. At the same time, the probe assembly will promptly fall back towards the pipe wall and always remain in contact with it. This solves the problems of existing old-style probe arms having complex structures, poor shock resistance, and poor contact performance between the probe surface and the inner wall of the pipe in actual use, resulting in weak signal pickup capability and affecting the accuracy of pipe defect detection.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with general descriptions and specific embodiments, some modifications or improvements can be made to it, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, all such modifications or improvements made without departing from the spirit of the present invention fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A collapsible probe arm structure, characterized by: The fixed base is movably connected with the front part of the first probe arm, the rear part of the first probe arm is movably connected with the front part of the second probe arm, the rear part of the second probe arm is movably connected with the probe assembly, the outer side of the first probe arm is provided with the first tension spring, and the outer side of the second probe arm is provided with the second tension spring.

2. A collapsible probe arm structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front end of the fixed base and the first probe arm is connected through a first pin shaft.

3. The collapsible probe arm structure of claim 1, wherein: The rear end of the first probe arm and the front end of the second probe arm are connected through a second pin shaft.

4. The collapsible probe arm structure of claim 1, wherein: The rear end of the second probe arm and the probe assembly are connected through a third pin shaft.

5. The collapsible probe arm structure of claim 1, wherein: The fixed base is provided with a first spring pin hole, the rear end of the first probe arm is provided with a second spring pin hole, and the two ends of the first tension spring are fixed on the first spring pin hole and the second spring pin hole respectively.

6. The collapsible probe arm structure of claim 1, wherein: The front end of the second probe arm is provided with a third spring pin hole, the probe assembly is provided with a fourth spring pin hole, and the two ends of the second tension spring are fixed on the third spring pin hole and the fourth spring pin hole respectively.

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