MOUNTING DEVICE FOR MEASURING INSTRUMENTS ON PIPES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device, according to claim 1, for attaching a measuring device to pipes, in particular a butt weld inspection measuring device, comprising a housing for receiving a measuring, control and / or drive unit and a clamp.

[0002] Such devices are mainly known for ultrasonic measurements relating to flow measurement, whereby such measuring devices are usually attached to the pipe with simple clamping systems or a pipe clamp, whereby devices like these generally do not need to be rotated around the pipe circumference or moved into another position.

[0003] WO 2011 / 112946 A1 discloses a device for flow measurement, wherein the measuring device has two housings on the pipe circumference, the two housings being attached to the pipe by means of two rings. CN201397161Y discloses a Hall sensor probe that can be attached to a cylindrical housing in which a turbine rotor is positioned. Together they form a turbine flow sensor.

[0004] A disadvantage of the solution mentioned above, which is also known from the state of the art, is that the assembly is relatively complex and cumbersome, requiring more time and usually also tools.

[0005] The object of the invention is to propose a device that enables quick and easy mounting of a measuring instrument, in particular a weld seam inspection measuring instrument, to the outer diameter of a pipe without the need for tools, while ensuring that the device is securely mounted to the pipe and can also be manually adjusted along its circumference. Furthermore, the device should be mountable with one hand, requiring only a single movement for assembly, and should avoid the need for time-consuming tightening or clamping.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by designing the clamp as a ring segment, wherein the clamp can be applied in a radial direction over a pipe outer diameter, wherein the clamp has a preload in the mounted state.

[0007] The inventive device for attaching a measuring instrument to pipes, in particular a butt weld inspection measuring instrument, comprises a housing for receiving a measuring, control, and drive unit. All components necessary for carrying out a measurement are arranged within this housing, depending on the desired measurement.

[0008] Preferably, in an application for inspecting a weld seam, a sensor, a circuit board, a light source, a mirror, and an actuator are arranged, with further components or other parts also being arranged in the housing. The device also has a clamp for attaching it to the pipe. The clamp is clipped onto the pipe's outer diameter by radial pressing. This is achieved because the clamp has a wrap angle greater than 180°, causing the ends of the clamp to spread apart during radial attachment to the pipe. In their final position, they then close against the pipe's outer diameter, in particular to prevent unintentional twisting by applying preload.

[0009] It is advantageous if the ring segment has a wrap angle of over 180°, preferably a wrap angle of 190–280°. This ensures that the device is firmly mounted to the pipe's outer diameter but can be manually rotated around the pipe's outer diameter or circumference and axially displaced along the pipe's outer diameter if required.

[0010] The housing and the clamp are designed as separate parts.

[0011] This offers the advantage that only one housing with the corresponding measuring device is required, which can then be attached to different pipe diameters or to the corresponding clamps designed for those pipe diameters. This makes the housing universally compatible with all clamps for different pipe dimensions. It is advantageous if the housing and / or the clamp are manufactured using injection molding or additive manufacturing.

[0012] To enable the attachment of the device or clamp to the outer circumference of the pipe, it is advantageous if the clamp material is elastic.

[0013] Preferably, the clamp is made of plastic. The housing is also preferably made of plastic.

[0014] A preferred embodiment has been found in which the housing is attached to the clamp by means of a quick-release fastener, preferably a snap fastener. It is advantageous if the housing has corresponding recesses on two opposite sides into which, for example, a cam arranged on the clamp engages, and in the opposite recess a clamping tab which positions and secures the housing on the clamp.

[0015] The clamp preferably consists of two parallel ring segments connected by at least one web. This creates a recess between the ring segments, allowing the device to be positioned axially as the pipe and the weld seam between the ring segments are visible. Furthermore, the recess also ensures that the measuring instrument has access to the pipe and the weld seam.

[0016] The housing and the clamp are positively connected to each other, preferably by means of a cam of the snap lock and a corresponding recess that receives the cam, thereby ensuring a clear positioning of the housing on the clamp.

[0017] It is advantageous if the clamp has markings indicating the measuring position; preferably, these markings are arranged laterally on the ring segments.

[0018] A preferred embodiment has proven to be the placement of markings at specific angles to each other on the ring segment. During measurements where the device needs to be rotated, the precise angle by which the device was rotated on the pipe's outer diameter can thus be determined, provided a corresponding marking is present on the pipe. Preferably, one marking is arranged at a 90° angle on the ring segment.

[0019] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the figures, although the invention is not limited to this embodiment. The figures show: Fig. 1 a view during assembly of the device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a view of the device according to the invention mounted on the pipe, Fig. 3 a three-dimensional view of a device according to the invention, Fig. 4 a view of a clamp of the device according to the invention, Fig. 5 a partial view of a clamp of the device according to the invention, Fig. 6 a three-dimensional view of a clamp of the device according to the invention, Fig. 7 a three-dimensional view of a clamp of the device according to the invention for a small pipe diameter, and Fig. 8 a three-dimensional view of a clamp of the device according to the invention with grooves instead of pockets.

[0020] The in Fig. 1The drawing shows a device 1 according to the invention for attaching a measuring instrument to a pipe 2 with a housing 3 in which the measuring instrument is arranged or the units required for it are arranged according to the measurement to be carried out, wherein Fig. 1 The device 1 is shown during assembly. It is clearly visible that the device 1 is pressed or clipped onto the pipe 2 in radial direction 5. Because the clamp 4 has a wrap angle of over 180°, the ring segments 4 are spread apart across the pipe diameter during pressing and then rest against the outer circumference 2 of the pipe when the device 1 is attached to the pipe 2. Since the inner diameter of the clamp 4 is smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe, the clamp 4 has a preload when mounted on the pipe 2, thus preventing unintentional displacement or rotation.

[0021] Fig. 2Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention which is already attached to pipe 2.

[0022] The housing 3 is attached to the clamp 4 by means of a quick-release fastener or snap fastener 6, wherein the tab 9 of the snap fastener and the cam 8 are shown in Fig. 4 engage in the recesses 7, thereby positively attaching the housing 3 to the clamp 4 or to the ring segment.

[0023] The clamp 4 is preferably formed by two parallel ring segments connected to each other by means of at least one web 11. This creates recesses 13, 14 between the ring segments. In the upper area, or in the area where the housing 3 is attached, these recesses provide access for the measuring device to the pipe, allowing a sensor to directly or indirectly detect the pipe's outer diameter or circumference, or the weld seam. Furthermore, the recess in the lower area, or after the two webs 11, allows for rough, manual axial alignment when attaching the device 1 to the pipe's outer diameter. This can be achieved, for example, by placing the weld seam to be inspected approximately in the center of the recess. Additionally, the edges of the ring segments facing the recesses 13, 14 serve as stops.The weld seam is guided in such a way that the weld seam would abut at the edges, preventing any movement of the clamp 4. In the area where the housing 3 is attached to the clamp 4, the clamp 4 or the ring segments have a reinforcement 15 or a raised section. This serves as light protection or shielding from the environment, thus preventing the measuring instruments from being affected by incident light.

[0024] Furthermore, the clamp 4 preferably has a marking 10 indicating the measuring position; this also serves to adjust the device 1 according to the invention.

[0025] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the clamp has 4 markings 18 arranged at a specific angle to each other; these enable controlled rotation of the device 1 along the circumference of the tube, so that each measurement can always be taken at a specific angle to the next measurement. Preferably, a marking at an angle of 90° is selected, although other positions of the markings are also conceivable.

[0026] Preferably, the housing 2 has an operating unit 16, which is as simple as possible, for example, consisting of only one button that triggers different actions depending on how it is pressed. It is also advantageous if the operating unit has a display, preferably an LED, that indicates the operating status.

[0027] Furthermore, the housing 2 preferably has a connection unit that makes it possible to attach an external control unit; of course, a wireless connection to control devices such as PCs is also conceivable.

[0028] It is advantageous if 4 pockets 12 are arranged on the inner diameter of the clamp, which serve to receive, for example, rubber elements that have a higher frictional resistance and thereby prevent an unwanted twisting of the device 1.

[0029] In Fig. 8Another embodiment of the clamp is shown in which, instead of pockets, a continuous groove 19 runs along the ring segment, the groove 19 preferably running in the area where the housing 3 is attached and being arranged in both parallel ring segments. A sealing profile can be arranged in the groove 19, which on the one hand increases the frictional resistance between the tube and the clamp 4 and on the other hand serves as light protection or shielding from the environment for the sensor in the housing 3, so that no incident light interferes with the acquisition of the measurement data. Reference symbol list

[0030] 1 Device 2 Tube 3 Housing 4 Clamp / Ring segment 5 Radial direction for clipping on 6 Quick release / Snap lock 7 Recess in housing for snap lock 8 Snap lock cam 9 Snap lock tab 10 Measuring position marker 11 Bridge 12 Pockets 13 Recess between ring segments 14 Recess for measuring device accessibility 15 Reinforcement 16 Operating unit 17 Connection unit 18 Marker 19 Groove

Claims

1. Device (1) for fastening a measuring device on pipes (2), in particular a butt weld seam checking measuring device containing a housing (3) for accommodating a measuring, control, and / or drive units and a clamp (4), wherein the clamp (4) is designed as a ring segment, wherein the clamp (4) can be attached in the radial direction (5) over a pipe external diameter, wherein the clamp (4) has a pre-tension in the installed state, characterized in that the housing (3) and the clamp (4) are formed as separate parts, wherein the housing (3) and the clamp (4) are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner.

2. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the ring segment (4) has a wraparound angle which is greater than 180°, preferably a wraparound angle of 190-280°C.

3. Device (1) according to Claim 1 to 2, characterized in that the clamp (4) is formed from an elastic material, preferably from plastic.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (3) is fastened to the clamp (4) by means of a quick-acting closure (6), preferably by a snap closure (6).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp (4) has two ring segments extending in parallel, which are connected to one another by means of at least one web (11), wherein the clamp (4) is preferably formed in one piece.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (3) and the clamp (4) are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner by means of a cam (8) and corresponding recess (7).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that markings (10) are arranged on the clamp and indicate the measurement positions.