Pipeline non-destructive testing probe

Abstract

The utility model discloses a pipeline nondestructive testing probe belongs to the pipeline detection field. The probe contains at least two probe units, and the unit carrier is cut into a regular n-polygon from a cylindrical profile, and n arc grooves (corresponding to the edge, and the line segment L is coincided with the edge of the regular n-polygon and is shorter) are arranged, n groups of strip X-ray sources (each group contains m flexible rectangular ray sources, can be deformed to be attached to the groove surface, and the axial equidistance) are arranged on the inner wall of the groove, and the detection areas of adjacent ray sources can be coincided with each other by moving the crawler. The two probe units are fixedly connected at one end, the axis is coincided and the circumferential position is dislocated. The scheme can make the X-ray accurately cover the key area of the weld, and improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the receiver signal of the detector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of pipeline inspection technology, specifically relating to a pipeline non-destructive testing probe. Background Technology

[0002] In pipeline non-destructive testing, for specific scenarios where external inspection is difficult, such as large-diameter pipelines, partially excavated sections of buried pipelines, or areas with external obstacles, the "internal exposure single-wall" inspection method, which places the X-ray source inside the pipeline, is typically used. The core principle is as follows: using specialized equipment such as pipeline crawlers and traction ropes, a miniaturized X-ray source is delivered into the pipeline and aligned with the circumferential or longitudinal weld to be inspected; simultaneously, digital flat panel detectors and X-ray films are deployed at the corresponding weld location on the outside of the pipeline. When the X-rays penetrate the single wall of the pipeline and the weld from inside to outside, they are captured by the external detector and converted into an image of the internal structure of the weld. Technicians can then analyze the image to determine whether the weld contains typical internal defects such as cracks, porosity, slag inclusions, or incomplete penetration.

[0003] However, the current technology suffers from a significant performance bottleneck: to accommodate the crawler's movement within the pipe, the X-ray source must be integrated into the circumferential side of a cylindrical carrier. This arrangement causes the X-rays to diverge radially from the side, making it difficult for them to effectively overlap with the external detector's detection area after passing through the pipe wall and weld. This divergent beam results in insufficient intensity of the effective X-ray signal (reflecting key defect information) received in the local area of ​​the weld. Meanwhile, useless noise such as detector electronic interference and environmental stray radiation remains constant, ultimately reducing the signal-to-noise ratio at the weld location. This further hinders subsequent computer image analysis techniques from clearly denoising the image and extracting defects, making it impossible to accurately generate key information such as the defect's contour and size, ultimately significantly affecting the accuracy of defect detection. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention proposes a non-destructive testing probe for pipelines, which aims to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the detector by optimizing the layout of the X-ray source so that X-rays can more accurately cover the key areas of the weld and effectively pass through the defect location.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes the following technical solution: The pipeline non-destructive testing probe includes at least two probe units, each probe unit comprising: The carrier is formed by cutting a cylindrical profile, which then forms a regular n-prism. There are n grooves, the number of which corresponds one-to-one with the number of edges of the carrier; when viewed along the axis of the carrier, the end face of the groove is arc-shaped, the length direction of the groove is along the axis of the carrier, and the groove extends to both end faces of the carrier along the axis of the carrier; when viewed with a single groove, the line connecting the two endpoints of the arc-shaped groove is defined as line segment L, line segment L coincides with one corresponding edge of the regular n-sided polygon, and the length of line segment L is less than the side length of the regular n-sided polygon. n sets of strip X-ray sources, each set of strip X-ray sources is correspondingly set on the inner wall of each groove. Observing along the axis of the profile, taking one set of strip X-ray sources as an example, each set of strip X-ray sources contains m rectangular X-ray sources; all m rectangular X-ray sources are flexible X-ray sources, and the m rectangular X-ray sources adapt to the curvature of the groove through elastic deformation and fit the surface of the groove. The m rectangular X-ray sources are arranged equidistantly along the axis of the carrier. Observing along the axis of the carrier, let's set two adjacent rectangular X-ray sources located in the same groove, and at time step T0, the fan-shaped X-ray surface detection areas emitted by them are S1,0 and S2,0, respectively. S1,0 and S2,0 do not overlap. After each step the crawler moves, the detection area changes to S1,1 and S2,1. Then, at the next time step, S1,1 overlaps with both S1,0 and S2,0. One end of each of the two probe units is fixedly connected. After connection, the carrier axes of the two probe units coincide, and the two probe units are offset along the circumferential direction.

[0006] Furthermore, the midpoint of line segment L is the midpoint of the corresponding side of the regular n-gon.

[0007] The design specifies that the midpoint of line segment L is the midpoint of the corresponding side of the regular n-gon. This design allows the arc-shaped grooves to be centrally distributed on the regular n-gon sides corresponding to the carrier edges, providing a symmetrical reference for subsequent X-ray source installation and emission. This symmetrical layout ensures that the fan-shaped X-rays emitted from the rectangular X-ray source converge more evenly towards the midpoint of line segment L, avoiding uneven X-ray distribution caused by groove offset, thereby improving the consistency of X-ray coverage of critical areas of the pipe weld. Simultaneously, the centrally located midpoint of line segment L allows the effective X-ray dose to be more concentrated in the core area where defects may exist when the X-rays penetrate the pipe weld, reducing X-ray dispersion in non-critical areas and further contributing to improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the detector.

[0008] Furthermore, observing along the axis of the carrier, in a single groove, the line connecting the midpoint of the rectangular ray source and the midpoint of line segment L is defined as line segment D, with line segment D perpendicular to line segment L.

[0009] This vertical layout ensures that the fan-shaped X-rays emitted from the rectangular X-ray source always converge towards the midpoint of line segment L, avoiding X-ray divergence or deviation of the convergence point due to X-ray source installation misalignment. This guarantees that the X-rays can concentrate and penetrate the critical area of ​​the pipe weld, effectively increasing the effective X-ray dose at the defect location. Precise X-ray focusing reduces stray scattering interference from non-defect areas, further optimizing the signal-to-noise ratio of the detector's received signal, creating favorable conditions for subsequent computer imaging technology to clearly extract defect information (such as contour and size).

[0010] Furthermore, we set up two probe units, denoted as probe unit A and probe unit B respectively. Observing along the axis of the carrier, we set the point O where the edge of probe unit B is located, and its projection point U on the line segment L of probe unit A is exactly the midpoint of the corresponding line segment L of probe unit A.

[0011] This staggered projection point ensures a more uniform circumferential distribution of the rays from the two probe units, preventing excessively high or low ray doses in localized areas due to improper offset angles, and guaranteeing consistent detection accuracy across the pipe's circumference. Furthermore, this design aligns with the aforementioned vertical layout of the ray source at the midpoint of the centerline segment L, allowing the rays from both probe units to converge towards the midpoint of their respective segments L. This further enhances the concentration of rays in critical weld areas, contributing to a higher signal-to-noise ratio for the overall detection signal.

[0012] The beneficial effects that can be achieved by adopting the above technical solution are: 1. The carrier is cut into a regular n-prism with an arc-shaped groove. A flexible rectangular X-ray source is attached to the inner wall of the groove, causing the X-rays to converge at the midpoint of the groove line segment L. This avoids the problem of insufficient effective X-ray signal caused by traditional radial divergence, significantly increases the X-ray dose in the weld defect area, reduces the influence of noise such as electronic interference and stray scattered rays, and thus improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the detector signal. This lays the foundation for computer image technology to accurately extract key information such as defect contour and size.

[0013] 2. Regarding the completeness of the inspection, the solution achieves comprehensive and thorough inspection through a dual design. At the axial level, the crawler displacement distance is set. S = V *(1 / H And satisfy C < S < K This ensures that the detection areas of adjacent X-ray sources within the same groove always overlap between time steps, avoiding detection gaps caused by axial movement; at the circumferential level, two probe units are offset along the circumference, and the edge of probe unit B is projected onto the midpoint of line segment L of probe unit A, accurately filling the detection blind zone at the edge of a single probe, achieving full coverage of the pipe's circumference and axis. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the end face of the carrier before the groove is cut; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the end face of the carrier after the groove has been cut. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the end face of probe unit A after a rectangular X-ray source has been mounted on it; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the end face of probe unit B after a rectangular X-ray source has been loaded. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the end faces of probe unit A and probe unit B after they are connected; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the detection area of ​​two rectangular X-ray sources in the same groove at two different time steps.

[0015] 1. Carrier; 2. Groove; 3. Rectangular X-ray source. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0017] Example 1: As Figure 1 As shown, the pipeline non-destructive testing probe includes two identical probe units. Taking one probe unit as an example, this probe unit includes: Carrier 1 is formed by cutting a cylindrical profile. After cutting, carrier 1 has a regular n-prism structure (n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 3), that is, when viewed along the axis of the profile, the end face of carrier 1 is a regular n-sided polygon. In this embodiment, a regular hexagon is used as an example, and the shape of the end face of carrier 1 is referenced. Figure 1 ; n grooves 2, see Figure 2 The number of grooves corresponds one-to-one with the number of edges of carrier 1. Observing along the axis of carrier 1, taking one groove 2 as an example, the end face of groove 2 is arc-shaped, and the length of groove 2 is along the axis of carrier 1. Groove 2 extends along the axis of carrier 1 to both end faces of carrier 1, meaning the length of the groove is equal to the length of carrier 1. The line connecting the two endpoints of the arc-shaped groove is defined as line segment L (see...). Figure 2 Line segment L coincides with one of the corresponding sides of a regular n-gon. The midpoint of line segment L is the midpoint of the corresponding side of the regular n-gon. The length of line segment L is less than the side length of the regular n-gon.

[0018] n groups of strip X-ray sources, see Figure 3Each set of strip X-ray sources is correspondingly set on the inner wall of each groove 2. When viewed along the axis of the profile, multiple sets of strip X-ray sources are arranged in a circumferential array around the center point of the end face of the carrier 1. Taking a set of strip X-ray sources as an example, each set of strip X-ray sources contains m rectangular X-ray sources 3; these m rectangular X-ray sources 3 are all flexible X-ray sources. The m X-ray sources adapt to the curvature of the groove 2 through elastic deformation and fit against the surface of the groove 2. Let the line segment D (not shown in the attached figure) be the line connecting the midpoint of the rectangular X-ray source 3 and the midpoint of line segment L. Then, line segment D is perpendicular to line segment L.

[0019] m X-ray sources are arranged equidistantly along the axis of carrier 1. When observed along the axis of carrier 1, the fan-shaped X-ray surfaces emitted by two adjacent rectangular X-ray sources 3 in the same groove 2 overlap after each step the crawler moves. This ensures that there are no gaps in the detection area of ​​two adjacent rectangular X-ray sources 3 in the same groove 2, achieving complete axial detection. The above process is illustrated with an example: Since the rectangular X-ray sources 3 emit fan-shaped X-ray surfaces from the perspective of the carrier axis, for ease of illustration, the viewing angle is adjusted to the radial direction of the carrier, i.e.,... Figure 6 Perspective, see Figure 6 From the radial perspective of the carrier, the ray surface of rectangular ray source 3 is rectangular. Assuming two adjacent rectangular ray sources in the same groove are P1 and P2, at time step T0, the area detected by P1 is S1,0; the area detected by P2 is S2,0. These two detection areas do not overlap. At the next time step T1, due to the displacement of the crawler, the detection areas of P1 and P2 at time T1 change compared to time T0. Assuming that the area detected by P1 at this time is S1,1; and the area detected by P2 is S2,1, then at time T1, S1,1 overlaps with both S1,0 and S2,0. Figure 5 In order to distinguish between S1,0, S1,1, S2,0 and S2,1, the detection areas are not drawn along the direction of the crawler's movement (in reality, they should be drawn along the direction of the crawler's movement). This design is intended to prevent missed detections.

[0020] See Figure 5For ease of description, the two probe units are referred to as probe unit A and probe unit B, respectively. One end of the carrier 1 of probe unit A and probe unit B is fixedly connected (welded). After connection, the axes of the carrier 1 of probe unit A and probe unit B coincide. However, when viewed along the axis of carrier 1, the regular n-gons of probe unit A and probe unit B do not coincide, but are offset along the circumferential direction. The offset angle satisfies the following: when viewed along the axis of the carrier, the projection point U of the edge point O of probe unit B onto the line segment L of probe unit A is exactly the midpoint of the corresponding line segment L of probe unit A. The reason for this design is that, for a single probe unit A, a detection blind zone will appear at the edge position of its carrier. Therefore, probe unit B is used to supplement the detection of the blind zone of probe unit A in the next step. Due to the offset design, see... Figure 5 The blind zone of probe unit A (the location of the edge of probe unit A) is not the blind zone of probe unit B (the location of the edge of probe unit B). Therefore, the two detection units can monitor each other's blind zones. Located at the midpoint, it can ensure the uniform distribution characteristics of X-rays as much as possible.

[0021] The entire assembly consisting of probe unit A and probe unit B is denoted as assembly P. One end of assembly P is connected to the crawler.

[0022] The procedure for using this detection probe is as follows: The pipeline non-destructive testing probe is mounted on a crawler, which carries the probe into the pipeline. A controller located outside the pipeline simultaneously sends detection signals wirelessly to all rectangular X-ray sources 3. After receiving the detection signals, all rectangular X-ray sources 3 on probe unit A and probe unit B simultaneously emit X-rays. Due to the concave shape of the groove 2 towards the carrier axis, the fan-shaped X-rays emitted by the same rectangular X-ray source 3 converge towards the midpoint of line segment L in the radial plane and pass through the defect. This convergence of X-rays increases the effective X-rays passing through the defect, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio. A detector located outside the pipeline receives the X-rays passing through the defect and uses computer image processing technology to reduce noise in the image received on the detector, analyzing the final contour, size, and other key information of the defect. As the crawler slowly moves at a speed V, the external controller continuously sends detection signals at a frequency H. Probe unit A and probe unit B receive the detection signals at a certain frequency H, ensuring that, as illustrated in the example above, the detection area S1,1 at time T1 overlaps with the detection areas S1,0 and S2,0 at the previous time T0. This avoids missed detection areas due to the crawler moving too fast, thus achieving non-destructive testing of the entire length of the pipeline.

[0023] Example 2: A non-destructive testing method for pipelines, comprising the following steps: S1: installing one end of a pipeline non-destructive testing probe on a crawler; S2: placing the crawler and the non-destructive testing probe as a whole into the interior of the pipeline; S3: the crawler crawls along the pipeline at a speed V, an external controller continuously sends detection signals at a frequency H, a probe unit A and a probe unit B receive the detection signals at the frequency H, after each reception of a detection signal, each rectangular ray source 3 emits an X-ray and then is turned off; setting the distance between detection areas of two adjacent rectangular ray sources in the same groove along the axis direction of the carrier as C, setting the distance of the detection area of each rectangular ray source along the axis direction of the carrier as K, and K is greater than C, then the displacement distance S=V*(1 / H) for each time satisfies: C<S<K; this condition enables the detection areas to overlap, avoiding missing detection; S4: a detector analyzes continuously received images through computer image technology to obtain defect information.

[0024] Based on the above-mentioned ideal implementation of the present utility model as an inspiration, through the above description content, relevant staff can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical idea of the present utility model. The technical scope of the present utility model is not limited to the content in the description, and the technical scope must be determined according to the claims.

Claims

1. A pipeline non-destructive testing probe, characterized in that, Includes at least two probe units, each probe unit comprising: The carrier is formed by cutting a cylindrical profile, which then forms a regular n-prism. There are n grooves, the number of which corresponds one-to-one with the number of edges of the carrier; when viewed along the axis of the carrier, the end face of the groove is arc-shaped, the length direction of the groove is along the axis of the carrier, and the groove extends to both end faces of the carrier along the axis of the carrier; when viewed with a single groove, the line connecting the two endpoints of the arc-shaped groove is defined as line segment L, line segment L coincides with one corresponding edge of the regular n-sided polygon, and the length of line segment L is less than the side length of the regular n-sided polygon. n sets of strip X-ray sources, each set of strip X-ray sources is correspondingly set on the inner wall of each groove. Observing along the axis of the profile, taking one set of strip X-ray sources as an example, each set of strip X-ray sources contains m rectangular X-ray sources; all m rectangular X-ray sources are flexible X-ray sources, and the m rectangular X-ray sources adapt to the curvature of the groove through elastic deformation and fit the surface of the groove. The m rectangular X-ray sources are arranged equidistantly along the axis of the carrier. Observing along the axis of the carrier, let's set two adjacent rectangular X-ray sources located in the same groove, and at time step T0, the fan-shaped X-ray surface detection areas emitted by them are S1,0 and S2,0, respectively. S1,0 and S2,0 do not overlap. After each step the crawler moves, the detection area changes to S1,1 and S2,1. Then, at the next time step, S1,1 overlaps with both S1,0 and S2,0. One end of each of the two probe units is fixedly connected. After connection, the carrier axes of the two probe units coincide, and the two probe units are offset along the circumferential direction.

2. The pipeline non-destructive testing probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The midpoint of line segment L is the midpoint of the corresponding side of the regular n-gon.

3. The pipeline non-destructive testing probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, Viewed along the axis of the carrier, in a single groove, the line connecting the midpoint of the rectangular ray source and the midpoint of line segment L is defined as line segment D, which is perpendicular to line segment L.

4. The pipeline non-destructive testing probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two probe units, denoted as probe unit A and probe unit B. Observing along the axis of the carrier, the projection point U of the edge of probe unit B onto the line segment L of probe unit A is exactly the midpoint of the corresponding line segment L of probe unit A.

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