Intelligent patrol line early warning device for long-distance pipeline
By installing damage identification modules and dyeing particle delivery systems on drones, precise inspection and rapid repair of long-distance pipelines have been achieved, solving the problem of low repair efficiency caused by GPS errors and improving repair efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522659582.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-03
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-12-15
AI Technical Summary
When using existing drones to inspect long-distance pipelines, GPS positioning errors are large and the terrain is complex, resulting in low maintenance efficiency.
By installing a damage identification module and a dyeing particle delivery system on a drone, dyeing particles can be accurately delivered to the damage point through a delivery component, forming a clear mark, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly locate the damage point.
This avoids the need for secondary investigations relying on GPS coordinates, improves maintenance efficiency, ensures accurate application of dyeing particles, and reduces manpower consumption.
Smart Images
Figure CN224932544U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the technical field of pipeline inspection, and in particular to an intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines. Background Technology
[0002] The core purpose of long-distance pipeline inspection is to proactively detect potential risks such as corrosion, deformation, damage from third-party construction, and geological disasters by regularly monitoring the pipeline itself and its surrounding environment. This enables the prevention and early warning of major safety accidents such as pipeline leaks and explosions, ensuring the safety of energy transmission, protecting the ecological environment, and ensuring the long-term, stable, and efficient operation of the pipeline system.
[0003] Currently, drones equipped with high-definition cameras, infrared thermal imagers, or laser scanners are widely used for automated pipeline inspection. These drones can identify potential damage to pipelines, such as corrosion, deformation, and third-party sabotage. The typical workflow is as follows: after detecting damage, the drone records its location information via GPS and transmits it back to the control center. Maintenance personnel then travel to the general area based on the GPS coordinates and, relying on their experience, conduct a secondary inspection over a larger area to locate the exact damage point and repair it.
[0004] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, GPS itself has an error of several meters to more than ten meters, and the terrain along the pipeline is complex, making the process time-consuming and labor-intensive, resulting in low maintenance efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0005] To improve maintenance efficiency, this application provides an intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines.
[0006] The intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines provided in this application adopts the following technical solution: A smart pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines includes a drone and a damage identification module. The drone has a shell fixedly installed at its bottom, and a storage shell is set inside the shell. The storage shell is filled with dyeing particles. The bottom surface of the storage shell is a sloping surface that slopes from the middle to both sides. A conveying pipe is provided below the storage shell. The conveying pipe is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the storage shell and communicates with it. The two ends of the conveying pipe are respectively fixedly connected to the opposite side walls of the shell. A discharge port is opened on one side of the shell. A conveying component for conveying the dyeing particles to the discharge port is provided inside the conveying pipe. The damage identification module is installed at the bottom of the shell.
[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, during UAV flight inspections, the damage identification module detects pipeline damage in real time. Once a damage point is identified, the conveying component is activated, transporting the dyeing particles from the storage shell through the conveying pipe to the outlet and precisely delivering them to the damage point. The dyeing particles form a clear mark on the pipeline surface, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly locate the damage point based on the mark, avoiding reliance on GPS coordinates for secondary inspections and thus improving maintenance efficiency.
[0008] Optionally, the conveying assembly includes a rotating shaft and helical blades. The two ends of the rotating shaft are rotatably connected to the opposite side walls of the housing, and the length direction of the rotating shaft is parallel to the length direction of the conveying pipe. The helical blades are fixedly arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft along the axial direction. A drive motor is fixedly installed on the outside of the housing, and the output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating shaft.
[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the drive motor rotates the shaft, and the spiral blades rotate with the shaft, pushing the dyeing granules from the bottom of the storage shell along the conveying pipe to the discharge port. The spiral conveyor structure is stable and reliable, ensuring uniform and continuous output of dyeing granules and avoiding blockage or intermittent problems.
[0010] Optionally, a clearance groove is formed on the lower surface of the conveying pipe at the end away from the storage shell, and the discharge port is located below the conveying pipe; a guide plate is fixedly provided on the side of the conveying pipe away from the discharge port in the clearance groove, and the other end of the guide plate is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the discharge port; baffles are vertically fixed on opposite sides of the guide plate, the upper surface of the baffles is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the conveying pipe, and the side of the baffles near the discharge port is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the shell.
[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the clearance trough provides space for the falling of dyed particles, the guide plate directs the particles to the discharge port, and the baffle prevents the particles from scattering during the conveying process, ensuring that the particles are accurately placed at the target position.
[0012] Optionally, the bottom of the housing is an open structure, and a rotating rod is provided below the conveying pipe. The length direction of the rotating rod is parallel to the length direction of the conveying pipe, and the two ends of the rotating rod are rotatably connected to the opposite side walls of the housing. A rotary motor is fixedly installed on the outside of the housing, and the output shaft of the rotary motor is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating rod. A support rod is fixedly provided in the middle of the rotating rod, and a support plate is fixed at the end of the support rod away from the rotating rod. The damage identification module is installed on the side of the support plate away from the support rod.
[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, before the dyeing particles are released, a rotary motor is first started. The rotating rod drives the support rod and support plate to rotate as a whole, thereby retracting the damage identification module into the housing. The effective isolation provided by the housing prevents falling dyeing particles from contaminating or interfering with the damage identification module.
[0014] Optionally, the housing is slidably connected to a sealing plate for closing the discharge port on one side, and a moving component is provided at the discharge port for driving the sealing plate to move in the vertical direction.
[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the moving component controls the opening and closing of the sealing plate. When not discharging, the discharge port is closed to prevent accidental leakage of dyeing particles; when discharging, the discharge port is opened to ensure that the particles are discharged smoothly.
[0016] Optionally, one end of the rotating rod near the discharge port penetrates the side wall of the housing and extends out of the housing; the moving assembly includes a turntable and a linkage rod, the turntable is fixedly installed at the end of the rotating rod extending out of the housing, one end of the linkage rod is rotatably connected to the edge of the turntable, and the other end of the linkage rod is rotatably connected to the closing plate.
[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the rotating rod drives the turntable to rotate when it rotates, and the rotational motion is converted into the vertical movement of the closed plate through the linkage rod, so as to realize the automatic opening and closing of the discharge port. The structure is compact and the control is precise.
[0018] Optionally, guide rods are fixedly provided on both opposite sides of the sealing plate. A sliding groove is provided on the side of the guide rod facing the sealing plate. A slider is slidably connected to the guide rod in the sliding groove. The side of the slider facing out of the sliding groove is fixedly connected to the sealing plate.
[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the guide rod and the slider form a sliding pair, ensuring that the closing plate remains stable during movement, avoiding jamming or displacement, and improving the reliability of the opening and closing action.
[0020] Optionally, a baffle plate is fixed on the upper surface of the sealing plate, and the baffle plate is inclined from top to bottom in the direction away from the shell.
[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the baffle plate guides the dyeing particles downwards when the discharge port is opened, preventing the dye from getting stuck between the sealing plate and the shell.
[0022] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. By precisely delivering dyeing particles to the pipeline damage point through the delivery component, maintenance personnel can quickly locate the damage, avoiding secondary inspections and thus improving maintenance efficiency; 2. When the dye is applied, the damage detection module can be flipped inside the housing to prevent the dye from contaminating or interfering with the damage detection module; 3. The sealing plate at the discharge port works in conjunction with the moving components to achieve controllable dispensing of dyeing granules and prevent accidental leakage. At the same time, the design of the guide plate, baffle, and shield ensures concentrated and accurate dispensing of granules, improving the marking effect. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the conveying component in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure at the discharge port in the embodiments of this application.
[0024] In the diagram, 1. UAV; 11. Damage recognition module; 2. Shell; 21. Storage shell; 22. Discharge port; 23. Drive motor; 24. Rotary motor; 25. Enclosure plate; 3. Conveying pipe; 31. Clearance groove; 32. Guide plate; 33. Baffle; 4. Conveying assembly; 41. Rotary shaft; 42. Spiral blade; 5. Rotating rod; 51. Support rod; 52. Support plate; 6. Moving assembly; 61. Turntable; 62. Linkage rod; 7. Guide rod; 71. Slide groove; 72. Slider; 8. Baffle plate. Detailed Implementation
[0025] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 1-3 This application will be described in further detail.
[0026] This application discloses an intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines.
[0027] refer to Figure 1 A smart pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines includes a drone 1 and a housing 2 fixedly installed at the bottom of the drone 1. The drone 1 provides the flight platform for the device and can fly along the long-distance pipeline according to a preset inspection path. The housing 2 is a rectangular box structure with reserved internal installation space for integrating various functional components.
[0028] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 Inside the housing 2, a storage shell 21 is fixed at the top. The storage shell 21 is a rectangular shell structure with an open top, filled with dyeing particles. The dyeing particles are made of environmentally friendly pigments that are weather-resistant and do not easily fade, such as red or yellow high-gloss particles, which facilitate rapid identification under complex terrain and different lighting conditions. The bottom surface of the storage shell 21 is a sloping surface that slopes from the middle to both sides, which allows the dyeing particles to slide naturally to the bottom of the storage shell 21 under the action of gravity.
[0029] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 Below the storage shell 21, there is a conveying pipe 3. The conveying pipe 3 is a horizontally arranged circular tube structure. The top end of the conveying pipe 3 is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the storage shell 21 and the interiors are interconnected. The two ends of the conveying pipe 3 are respectively fixedly connected to the opposite side walls of the shell 2 to achieve stable fixation of the conveying pipe 3. The conveying pipe 3 is equipped with a conveying assembly 4 for conveying dyeing particles.
[0030] The conveying assembly 4 includes a rotating shaft 41 and a helical blade 42. The rotating shaft 41 is horizontally positioned, and its two ends are rotatably connected to the opposite side walls of the housing 2. The length direction of the rotating shaft 41 is parallel to the length direction of the conveying pipe 3. The helical blade 42 is fixedly mounted on the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 41 along its axial direction. The outer diameter of the helical blade 42 is adapted to the inner diameter of the conveying pipe 3. A drive motor 23 is fixedly mounted on the outer wall of the housing 2 via a motor mount, and the output shaft of the drive motor 23 is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating shaft 41.
[0031] Start the drive motor 23, and its output shaft drives the rotating shaft 41 to rotate synchronously. The spiral blade 42 rotates with the rotating shaft 41. Using the propulsive force of the spiral structure, the dyeing particles that fall from the storage shell 21 into the conveying pipe 3 are conveyed to the end away from the storage shell 21, so as to achieve stable transmission of the dyeing particles.
[0032] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 A clearance groove 31 is formed on the lower surface of the end of the conveying pipe 3 away from the storage shell 21. The clearance groove 31 is a rectangular through groove. A discharge port 22 is formed on the shell 2 corresponding to the clearance groove 31. The discharge port 22 is located below the conveying pipe 3 and has a rectangular opening structure. A guide plate 32 is welded to the side of the conveying pipe 3 away from the discharge port 22. The guide plate 32 is inclined from top to bottom towards the discharge port 22. The other end of the guide plate 32 is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the discharge port 22. Baffles 33 are vertically fixed on opposite sides of the guide plate 32. The baffles 33 are rectangular plates. The upper surface of the baffles 33 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the conveying pipe 3, and the side of the baffles 33 near the discharge port 22 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the shell 2.
[0033] When the dyeing particles reach the end of the conveying pipe 3, the particles are no longer blocked by the pipe wall due to the rectangular through-groove structure 31 on the lower surface of the conveying pipe 3. Under the action of gravity, they fall downward from the through-groove 31. The falling dyeing particles will land on the guide plate 32. Since the guide plate 32 is inclined from top to bottom towards the discharge port 22, the particles will slide smoothly down the inclined slope of the guide plate 32, avoiding splashing caused by direct fall. At the same time, the vertical rectangular baffles 33 on both sides of the guide plate 32 will form lateral obstruction, which can limit the dyeing particles in the process of sliding within the range of the guide plate 32 and prevent the particles from scattering to both sides. Under the guidance of the guide plate 32 and the limiting action of the baffles 33, the dyeing particles will slide precisely along the slope of the guide plate 32 to the bottom wall of the discharge port 22, and then be discharged downward from the corresponding rectangular discharge port 22 in the shell 2, ensuring that the particles fall concentratedly towards the damage point of the pipe.
[0034] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3The bottom of the housing 2 is open. A rotating rod 5 is located below the conveying pipe 3, horizontally positioned with its length parallel to that of the conveying pipe 3. Both ends of the rotating rod 5 are rotatably connected to opposite side walls of the housing 2. A rotary motor 24 is fixedly mounted on the outer wall of the housing 2 via a motor mount. The output shaft of the rotary motor 24 is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating rod 5. Two support rods 51 are welded to the middle of the rotating rod 5, arranged sequentially along its length and perpendicular to the rotating rod 5. A support plate 52 is located at the end of each support rod 51 away from the rotating rod 5. The ends of the two support rods 51 away from the rotating rod 5 are welded to the support plate 52. A damage identification module 11 is installed on the side of the support plate 52 away from the support rods 51. The damage identification module 11 can be a combination module of a high-definition camera and an infrared thermal imager, capable of simultaneously acquiring surface image information and temperature field information of the pipeline. Through image comparison and temperature anomaly analysis, it identifies pipeline corrosion, deformation, and other damage.
[0035] When dye particles need to be added, the rotary motor 24 is activated, and the rotating rod 5 drives the support rod 51 and support plate 52 to rotate synchronously, retracting the damage identification module 11 upwards into the housing 2. The housing 2 provides protection, effectively preventing falling dye particles from adhering to the detection end of the damage identification module 11, thus preventing interference with subsequent detection accuracy or damage to the equipment, and extending the service life of the damage identification module 11. In the non-addition state, the rotary motor 24 drives the rotating rod 5 to rotate, extending the damage identification module 11 out of the housing 2, ensuring normal inspection operations.
[0036] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 A sealing plate 25 is slidably connected to one side of the discharge port 22 of the housing 2. The sealing plate 25 is a rectangular plate whose size is adapted to the opening size of the discharge port 22 and is used to close the discharge port 22. Guide rods 7 are provided on opposite sides of the sealing plate 25. The guide rods 7 are vertically fixed to the outer wall of the housing 2. A groove 71 is opened on the side of the guide rod 7 facing the sealing plate 25. The groove 71 is a vertically extending rectangular groove. A slider 72 is slidably connected in the groove 71. The side of the slider 72 facing out of the groove 71 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the sealing plate 25.
[0037] A moving assembly 6 for moving the closing plate 25 is provided at the discharge port 22. One end of the rotating rod 5 near the discharge port 22 passes through the side wall of the housing 2 and extends out of the housing 2. The moving assembly 6 includes a turntable 61 and a linkage rod 62. The turntable 61 is a circular plate and is fixedly installed at the end of the rotating rod 5 that extends out of the housing 2. The turntable 61 and the rotating rod 5 are coaxially arranged. One end of the linkage rod 62 is rotatably connected to the edge of the turntable 61, and the other end of the linkage rod 62 is rotatably connected to the top of the closing plate 25.
[0038] When the UAV 1 is conducting normal line inspection and no damage is found, the sealing plate 25 remains closed under the action of the moving component 6, sealing the discharge port 22 to prevent the dyeing particles in the storage shell 21 from being accidentally leaked due to the turbulence of the UAV 1 during flight or the influence of airflow. When a damage point is detected and needs to be released, the rotating rod 5 rotates under the drive of the rotating motor 24, which will synchronously drive the turntable 61 at the end to rotate. Under the guidance of the guide rod 7 and the slider 72, the turntable 61 pulls the sealing plate 25 downward through the linkage rod 62 to open the discharge port 22. When the damage identification module 11 extends, the sealing plate 25 moves upward to close the discharge port 22.
[0039] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 A baffle plate 8 is welded and fixed to the upper surface of the sealing plate 25. The baffle plate 8 is a rectangular plate. The baffle plate 8 is inclined from top to bottom in the direction away from the shell 2, with an inclination angle of 45 degrees. It is used to guide the dyeing particles to fall and prevent the particles from splashing to the connection between the sealing plate 25 and the shell 2.
[0040] The implementation principle of the intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines in this application embodiment is as follows: When the UAV 1 conducts flight inspection, the damage identification module 11 detects pipeline damage in real time. Once a damage point is identified, the rotary motor 24 drives the damage identification module 11 to rotate into the housing 2 via the rotating rod 5. At the same time, the moving component 6 drives the sealing plate 25 to move down and open the discharge port 22. Then, the drive motor 23 starts, driving the rotating shaft 41 and the spiral blade 42 to rotate, conveying the dyeing particles from the storage shell 21 to the discharge port 22 via the conveying pipe 3. The dyeing particles are accurately placed onto the damage point by the guide plate 32 and the shielding plate 8, forming a clear mark. Maintenance personnel can quickly locate the damage point according to the mark and carry out repairs, thereby avoiding the need for secondary inspection based on coordinates and improving the efficiency of maintenance work.
[0041] The embodiments described in this specific implementation are preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A smart pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines, comprising a drone (1) and a damage identification module (11), characterized in that: The drone (1) has a shell (2) fixedly installed at the bottom. The shell (2) has a storage shell (21) inside, which is filled with dyeing particles. The bottom surface of the storage shell (21) is a slope that slopes from the middle to both sides. A conveying pipe (3) is provided below the storage shell (21). The conveying pipe (3) is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the storage shell (21) and communicates with each other. The two ends of the conveying pipe (3) are fixedly connected to the opposite side walls of the shell (2). A discharge port (22) is opened on one side of the shell (2). A conveying component (4) for conveying dyeing particles to the discharge port (22) is provided inside the conveying pipe (3). The damage identification module (11) is installed at the bottom of the shell (2).
2. The intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveying assembly (4) includes a rotating shaft (41) and a spiral blade (42). The two ends of the rotating shaft (41) are rotatably connected to the opposite side walls of the housing (2), and the length direction of the rotating shaft (41) is parallel to the length direction of the conveying pipe (3). The spiral blade (42) is fixedly arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft (41) along the axial direction of the rotating shaft (41). A drive motor (23) is fixedly installed on the outside of the housing (2), and the output shaft of the drive motor (23) is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating shaft (41).
3. The intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower surface of the conveying pipe (3) away from the storage shell (21) is provided with a clearance groove (31), and the discharge port (22) is located below the conveying pipe (3); a guide plate (32) is fixedly provided on the side of the conveying pipe (31) away from the discharge port (22), and the other end of the guide plate (32) is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the discharge port (22); baffles (33) are vertically fixed on opposite sides of the guide plate (32), the upper surface of the baffle (33) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the conveying pipe (3), and the side of the baffle (33) near the discharge port (22) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the shell (2).
4. The intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the housing (2) is an open structure. A rotating rod (5) is provided below the conveying pipe (3). The length direction of the rotating rod (5) is parallel to the length direction of the conveying pipe (3). The two ends of the rotating rod (5) are rotatably connected to the opposite side walls of the housing (2). A rotary motor (24) is fixedly installed on the outside of the housing (2). The output shaft of the rotary motor (24) is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating rod (5). A support rod (51) is fixedly provided in the middle of the rotating rod (5). A support plate (52) is fixed at the end of the support rod (51) away from the rotating rod (5). The damage identification module (11) is installed on the side of the support plate (52) away from the support rod (51).
5. The intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines according to claim 4, characterized in that: The housing (2) has a sealing plate (25) for closing the discharge port (22) slidably connected on one side of the discharge port (22), and a moving component (6) for driving the sealing plate (25) to move in the vertical direction is provided at the discharge port (22).
6. The intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines according to claim 5, characterized in that: The end of the rotating rod (5) near the discharge port (22) passes through the side wall of the housing (2) and extends out of the housing (2); the moving component (6) includes a turntable (61) and a linkage rod (62). The turntable (61) is fixedly installed at the end of the rotating rod (5) that extends out of the housing (2). One end of the linkage rod (62) is rotatably connected to the edge of the turntable (61), and the other end of the linkage rod (62) is rotatably connected to the closing plate (25).
7. The intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines according to claim 5, characterized in that: Guide rods (7) are fixed on both sides of the closed plate (25). A groove (71) is opened on the side of the guide rod (7) facing the closed plate (25). A slider (72) is slidably connected to the guide rod (7) in the groove (71). The side of the slider (72) facing the outside of the groove (71) is fixedly connected to the closed plate (25).
8. The intelligent pipeline inspection and early warning device for long-distance pipelines according to claim 5, characterized in that: A baffle plate (8) is fixed on the upper surface of the sealing plate (25), and the baffle plate (8) is inclined from top to bottom in a direction away from the shell (2).