A floating mechanism for in-pipe inspection

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of floating mechanism for pipeline internal detection, belong to pipeline detection technical field, solve the problem that single degree of freedom rigid floating structure exists in prior art magnetic circuit assembly and sensor probe and pipe wall are not close, pipeline is damaged in detection process by impact.The utility model includes center framework, connecting rod, limit shaft and and set on the probe component and magnetization component of center framework;Magnetization component is provided with multiple, multiple magnetization component is along the circumferential interval distribution of center framework, and elastic connecting body is arranged between adjacent magnetization component;One end of magnetization component is hinged with center framework by connecting rod, and the other end of magnetization component is slidably connected with center framework by limit shaft.The utility model can improve the adhesion of pipeline detection with pipeline inner wall surface, and reduce the risk of pipeline damage by impact in detection process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of pipeline inspection technology, and in particular to a floating mechanism for pipeline inspection. Background Technology

[0002] Oil and gas pipelines are critical national infrastructure and require regular inspection and evaluation. Currently, the most common non-destructive testing technique for pipeline defects is magnetic flux leakage (MFL) testing. This method uses permanent magnets to magnetize the pipeline for mobile scanning, generating a magnetic flux leakage field at the defect location. This field can be captured by Hall effect sensors, allowing for the quantification of the pipeline defect morphology.

[0003] However, dents, welds, and bends in the pipe can affect the fit between the magnetization components and sensor probes and the pipe, and may even damage the probes due to impact, leading to detection failure. Furthermore, dents and welds in the pipe are most prone to cracks or corrosion defects and are therefore key areas of concern. Currently, most equipment manufacturers use single-degree-of-freedom rigid floating structures, which suffer from problems such as poor fit between the magnetic circuit components and sensor probes and the pipe wall, and impact damage. Utility Model Content

[0004] Based on the above analysis, the present invention aims to provide a flexible floating mechanism for pipeline inspection, in order to solve the problems of poor adhesion between the magnetic circuit components and sensor probes and the pipe wall, and impact damage, in existing single-degree-of-freedom rigid floating structures.

[0005] The objective of this utility model is mainly achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A floating mechanism for pipeline inspection includes a central frame, connecting rods, a limiting shaft, a magnetization assembly, and a probe assembly.

[0007] The magnetization component and the probe component are disposed in the middle of the central frame; multiple magnetization components are provided, and the multiple magnetization components are distributed at intervals along the circumference of the central frame, and an elastic connector is provided between adjacent magnetization components;

[0008] One end of the magnetization component is hinged to the central frame via the connecting rod, and the other end of the magnetization component is slidably connected to the central frame via the limiting shaft.

[0009] Furthermore, the end of the central frame is provided with multiple sliding grooves, and the limiting shaft can slide in the sliding grooves.

[0010] Furthermore, the magnetization component includes an iron yoke and magnets; two magnets are provided, and the two magnets are symmetrically arranged at the upper ends of the iron yoke.

[0011] Furthermore, the probe assembly is disposed between the two magnets; the probe assembly includes a pressure plate and a flexible support;

[0012] The flexible support is mounted on the yoke via the pressure plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the flexible support includes an installation part and a support part; the installation part is fitted with the yoke, and the support part is inclinedly disposed on both sides of the installation part;

[0014] The probe assembly also includes a sensor probe; the sensor probe is disposed between the support portions.

[0015] Furthermore, a guide groove with an outward opening is formed on one side of the root of the support portion, the guide groove being used to guide the tilting direction of the support portion.

[0016] Furthermore, the magnetization assembly also includes a wear-resistant structure and a magnetic steel protective cover; the magnetic steel protective cover is sleeved on the outside of the magnetic steel, and the wear-resistant structure is disposed on the upper part of the magnetic steel protective cover; the magnetic steel and the magnetic steel protective cover, as well as the magnetic steel protective cover and the wear-resistant structure, are mutually interlocked.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes a support cup, which is disposed at both ends of the central frame; the support cup includes a panel portion, which is disposed perpendicular to the central axis of the central frame, and the panel portion is provided with a drain hole.

[0018] Furthermore, the supporting cup also includes a skirt portion, which extends outward from the outer edge of the panel portion in an inclined direction; the skirt portion and the panel portion have an arc-shaped transition area;

[0019] Furthermore, the edge of the skirt portion is provided with a V-shaped groove along the circumferential direction.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention can achieve at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0021] (1) In this utility model, one end of the magnetization component is hinged to the central frame by a connecting rod, and the other end is connected by a limiting shaft that can slide radially along the end face of the central frame, so as to realize the deflection floating and radial sliding of the magnetization component; an elastic connecting body is provided between adjacent magnetization components, so that the floating mechanism forms a flexible structure; the connecting rod, the limiting shaft, the magnetization component and the elastic connecting body together realize the first stage of independent flexible floating of the magnetization component and the central frame, improve the fit with the inner wall of the pipeline during pipeline inspection, reduce the risk of impact damage, and improve the safety and reliability of the inspection equipment.

[0022] (2) This utility model combines a flexible spring and a polyurethane structure to achieve multi-degree-of-freedom floating and adaptive contact with the pipe wall for the magnetization component and the probe, while also considering the flexible buffer and vibration reduction protection structure and the probe function. The supporting cup and flexible support are made of polyurethane. Polyurethane has excellent vibration reduction performance, excellent deformation capacity, high strength and good resilience. The flexible support enables the sensor probe to float and adaptively contact the pipe wall in multiple degrees of freedom, realizing the second-stage independent flexible floating of the sensor probe and the magnetization component.

[0023] (3) The wear-resistant pad and sensor probe of this utility model are inlaid with hard alloy ball array on the contact surface with the pipeline, which can effectively improve the wear resistance of the equipment and protect key components such as magnetized structure and sensor.

[0024] (4) In this utility model, the magnet and the magnet protective cover, and the magnet protective cover and the wear-resistant structure are interlocked, which reduces the risk of the fastening screws used to connect the magnet, the magnet protective cover and the wear-resistant structure being damaged by shear and the magnetization components failing.

[0025] (5) When encountering dents or weld beads during pipeline inspection, the support cup plays an energy absorption and buffering role. The arc transition can decompose the impact force and reduce the impact damage of dents and weld beads to the magnetization components.

[0026] In this invention, the above-described technical solutions can be combined with each other to achieve more preferred combinations. Other features and advantages of this invention will be set forth in the following description, and some advantages will become apparent from the description or be learned by practicing this invention. The objectives and other advantages of this invention can be realized and obtained from the details specifically pointed out in the text and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the floating mechanism;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the floating mechanism;

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure for the floating magnetization component;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the magnetization component.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the probe assembly.

[0033] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the flexible support structure.

[0034] Figure label:

[0035] 1-Central frame; 11-Mounting hole; 2-Connecting rod; 3-Limiting shaft; 4-Magnetization assembly; 41-Yoke; 42-Magnet; 43-Magnet protective cover; 44-Wear-resistant pad; 5-Elastic connector; 6-Probe assembly; 61-Pressure plate; 62-Flexible support; 621-Mounting part; 622-Support part; 6221-Guide groove; 63-Sensor probe; 7-Support cup; 71-Panel part; 711-Drain hole; 72-Skirt part; 721-V-groove; 8-Guide seat. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of the present invention and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0037] A specific embodiment of this utility model is as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a floating mechanism for pipeline inspection is disclosed, including a central frame 1, a connecting rod 2, a limiting shaft 3, a magnetization component 4, and a probe component 6.

[0038] The magnetization component 4 and the probe component 6 are located in the middle of the central frame 1; multiple magnetization components 4 are provided, and the multiple magnetization components 4 are distributed at intervals along the circumference of the central frame 1, and an elastic connector 5 is provided between adjacent magnetization components 4.

[0039] One end of the magnetization component 4 is hinged to the central frame 1 via the connecting rod 2, and the other end of the magnetization component 4 is slidably connected to the central frame 1 via the limiting shaft 3.

[0040] In this embodiment, one end of the magnetization component 4 is hinged to the central frame 1 via a connecting rod 2, and the other end is connected via a limiting shaft 3 that can slide radially along the end face of the central frame 1, thereby realizing the deflection floating and radial sliding of the magnetization component 4; an elastic connecting body 5 is provided between adjacent magnetization components 4, so that the floating mechanism forms a flexible structure, improving the fit with the inner wall of the pipe during pipe inspection, reducing the risk of impact damage, and improving the safety and reliability of the inspection equipment.

[0041] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the central frame 1 is located at the center of the floating mechanism and is used to support the probe assembly 6 and the magnetization assembly 4. The central frame 1 has mounting holes 11 at both ends for connecting to external components via universal joints.

[0042] Magnetizing components 4 are disposed on the central frame 1. Multiple magnetizing components 4 are disposed and distributed circumferentially along the central frame 1.

[0043] One end of the magnetization component 4 is connected to the end of the central frame 1 via a connecting rod 2, specifically, as shown in the example below. Figure 2 As shown, one end of the connecting rod 2 is hinged to the central frame 1, and the other end is hinged to the magnetizing component 4. The magnetizing component 4 can rotate under the drive of the connecting rod 2. A limiting shaft 3 is provided at the end of the magnetizing component 4 away from the connecting rod 2, and multiple radial grooves are provided at the corresponding end of the central frame 1. The limiting shaft 3 can slide in the grooves, driving the magnetizing component 4 to slide.

[0044] Furthermore, an elastic connector 5 is provided between adjacent magnetizing components 4. Exemplarily, the elastic connector 5 in this embodiment is a spring. Figure 3 As shown, the magnetization component 4 can achieve radial sliding or deflection floating under the action of the connecting rod 2, the limiting shaft 3 and the spring, that is, the magnetization component 4 and the first stage of the central skeleton 1 can float independently, thereby improving the fit with the pipe wall of the pipeline being tested.

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown, the magnetization component 4 includes an iron yoke 41 and magnets 42. Two magnets 42 are provided, and the two magnets 42 are symmetrically arranged at the upper ends of the iron yoke 41.

[0046] Furthermore, the magnetization component 4 also includes a wear-resistant structure and a magnetic steel protective cover 43.

[0047] A protective cover 43 is fitted over the magnet 42 to protect it from impact damage. A wear-resistant structure is located on the upper part of the protective cover 43. The magnet 42 and the protective cover 43, as well as the protective cover 43 and the wear-resistant structure, are interlocked to reduce the risk of shear damage to the magnetization assembly 4 caused by the fastening screws connecting the magnet 42, the protective cover 43, and the wear-resistant structure.

[0048] For example, the lower part of the magnet protective cover 43 is provided with a groove, and the magnet 42 is provided with a protrusion. The protrusion can be embedded in the groove to form a mutually interlocking structure.

[0049] The wear-resistant structure includes a wear-resistant pad 44 and a cemented carbide ball. The cemented carbide ball is embedded in the upper part of the wear-resistant pad 44 to contact the inner wall of the pipe, magnetize the pipe wall to form a magnetic circuit, and provide wear resistance. The bottom of the wear-resistant pad 44 has a protrusion, and the part of the magnetic steel protective cover 43 that connects to the wear-resistant pad 44 has a groove to engage with the protrusion of the wear-resistant pad 44 to form a fitting structure. The wear-resistant pad 44 is connected to the magnet 42 and the magnetic steel protective cover 43 by fastening screws.

[0050] like Figure 5As shown, the probe assembly 6 is positioned between two magnets 42. The probe assembly 6 includes a pressure plate 61 and a flexible support 62.

[0051] The flexible support 62 is installed on the iron yoke 41 via the pressure plate 61.

[0052] like Figure 6 As shown, the flexible support 62 includes a mounting portion 621 and a supporting portion 622. The mounting portion 621 is fitted against the yoke 41, and the supporting portion 622 is inclinedly disposed on both sides of the mounting portion 621. A guide groove 6221 with an outward opening is formed on one side of the root of the supporting portion 622, and the guide groove 6221 is used to guide the tilting direction of the supporting portion 622. Preferably, the supporting cup 7 and the flexible support 62 are made of polyurethane. Polyurethane has excellent vibration damping performance, excellent deformation capacity, high strength, and good resilience. The flexible support 62 enables the sensor probe 63 to float freely and adaptively adhere to the pipe wall, realizing the second-stage independent flexible floating of the sensor probe 63 and the magnetization component 4.

[0053] The probe assembly 6 also includes a sensor probe 63, which is secured between two support portions 622. Exemplarily, the sensor probe 63 is fixed to the support portions 622 by rivets, and the flexible support 62 is positioned in the middle of the pressure plate 61 by locating pins. The outer shell of the sensor probe 63 is inlaid with two rows of hard alloy balls, and the internal array is coated with a magnetic Hall element capable of collecting and recording leakage magnetic signals. The number of sensor probes 63 is twice the number of magnetization assemblies 4. It should be noted that the height of the sensor probe 63 is slightly greater than the height of the wear-resistant pad 44, and chamfers are provided on both sides to protect the flexible support 62.

[0054] Furthermore, it also includes a support cup 7, which is disposed at both ends of the central frame 1 via a pressure plate. The support cup 7 includes a panel portion 71 and a skirt portion 72. The panel portion 71 is disposed perpendicular to the central axis of the central frame 1, and the panel portion 71 is provided with a drain hole 711, which is, exemplarily, circular. The skirt portion 72 extends outward from the outer edge of the panel portion 71 in an inclined direction, and the edge of the skirt portion 72 is provided with a V-shaped groove 721 circumferentially. There is an arc-shaped transition area between the panel portion 71 and the skirt portion 72. Preferably, the material of the support cup 7 is polyurethane.

[0055] Furthermore, a guide seat 8 is provided between the magnetizing component 4 and the supporting cup 7. During pipeline inspection, when encountering dents or weld beads, the supporting cup 7 plays an energy absorption and buffering role. The arc transition of the guide seat 8 can decompose the impact force and reduce the impact damage of dents and weld beads to the magnetizing component 4.

[0056] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A floating mechanism for pipeline inspection, characterized in that, It includes a central frame (1), connecting rods (2), limiting shafts (3), magnetization components (4), and probe components (6); The magnetization component (4) and the probe component (6) are disposed in the middle of the central skeleton (1); multiple magnetization components (4) are provided, and the multiple magnetization components (4) are distributed at intervals along the circumference of the central skeleton (1), and an elastic connector (5) is provided between adjacent magnetization components (4); One end of the magnetization component (4) is hinged to the central skeleton (1) via the connecting rod (2), and the other end of the magnetization component (4) is slidably connected to the central skeleton (1) via the limiting shaft (3) to achieve independent flexible floating between the magnetization component (4) and the central skeleton (1).

2. The floating mechanism for pipeline inspection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central skeleton (1) has multiple sliding grooves radially arranged at its ends, and the limiting shaft (3) can slide in the sliding grooves.

3. The floating mechanism for pipeline inspection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetization component (4) includes an iron yoke (41) and a magnet (42); there are two magnets (42), which are symmetrically arranged at the upper ends of the iron yoke (41).

4. The floating mechanism for pipeline inspection according to claim 3, characterized in that, The probe assembly (6) is disposed between the two magnets (42); the probe assembly (6) includes a pressure plate (61) and a flexible support (62); The flexible support (62) is mounted on the iron yoke (41) via the pressure plate (61).

5. The floating mechanism for pipeline inspection according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flexible support (62) includes an installation part (621) and a support part (622); the installation part (621) is in contact with the yoke (41), and the support part (622) is inclinedly arranged on both sides of the installation part (621); The probe assembly (6) further includes a sensor probe (63); the sensor probe (63) is disposed between the support portion (622) to realize independent flexible floating of the probe assembly (6) and the central frame (1).

6. The floating mechanism for pipeline inspection according to claim 5, characterized in that, A guide groove (6221) with an outward opening is formed on one side of the root of the support (622), and the guide groove (6221) is used to guide the tilting direction of the support (622).

7. The floating mechanism for pipeline inspection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetization component (4) also includes a wear-resistant structure and a magnet protective cover (43); the magnet protective cover (43) is sleeved on the outside of the magnet (42), and the wear-resistant structure is disposed on the upper part of the magnet protective cover (43); the magnet (42) and the magnet protective cover (43), and the magnet protective cover (43) and the wear-resistant structure are mutually interlocked.

8. The floating mechanism for pipeline inspection according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a support cup (7), which is disposed at both ends of the central frame (1); the support cup (7) includes a panel (71), which is disposed perpendicular to the central axis of the central frame (1), and the panel (71) is provided with a drain hole (711).

9. The floating mechanism for pipeline inspection according to claim 8, characterized in that, The supporting leather cup (7) also includes a skirt (72), which extends outward from the outer edge of the panel (71) in an inclined direction; the skirt (72) and the panel (71) have an arc-shaped transition area.

10. The floating mechanism for pipeline inspection according to claim 9, characterized in that, The edge of the skirt (72) is provided with a V-shaped groove (721) along the circumferential direction.

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