DEVICE FOR INSPECTING PROFILE SUCH AS RAILWAY CONTACT WIRES, ASSOCIATED INSPECTION METHOD

Abstract

DEVICE FOR INSPECTING A PROFILE SUCH AS RAILWAY CONTACT CABLES, ASSOCIATED INSPECTION METHOD The invention relates to a device (10) for inspecting a metal profile (100) extending in a preferential longitudinal direction, in particular for inspecting a railway cable of the catenary contact wire (or grooved wire) type, configured for inspecting a surface portion (102) of the profile extending along the longitudinal direction.The inspection device (10) is characterized in that it comprises an eddy current probe (12) configured to generate a magnetic field capable of generating induced currents in the metal profile (100) and of measuring the magnetic field generated by the induced currents, means for maintaining an air gap between the eddy current probe (12) and the surface portion (102) to be inspected, and guide means (16a, 16b) configured to guide the inspection device during a longitudinal movement thereof along the metal profile (100). The invention also relates to an inspection method using such an inspection device (10). Figure for abstract: figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR INSPECTING PROFILES SUCH AS RAILWAY CONTACT WIRES, ASSOCIATED INSPECTION METHOD Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for inspecting metal profiles. In particular, the invention relates to an inspection device particularly suitable for inspecting conductors, in particular catenary contact wires having a contact surface particularly subject to damage, and the inspection of which cannot be carried out by a device encircling the wire due to the presence of attachment means. Technological background

[0002] Different cables are used in the railway field to meet different functionalities, in particular carrier cables allowing the support of other cables and contact wires allowing the transmission of electrical energy to a railway vehicle having a pantograph in contact with one or more contact wires. Contact of the pantograph with the contact wire, at a contact surface, can lead to the formation of fatigue degradations due to railway service. Regular inspection of these degradations is necessary for performance and / or safety reasons.

[0003] More generally, in other technical fields, metal profiles may be subject to degradation and must be inspected regularly for performance and / or safety reasons.

[0004] Current inspection techniques are generally visual and carried out by human operators, and are affected by the operator's visual acuity as well as the available lighting and its orientation. In particular, most inspections are carried out outdoors or in tunnels because they are directly on the cable in operation, which results in significant differences in lighting depending on the time, weather conditions, season, etc. The accuracy of the inspection is also strongly linked to the know-how of the human operator and the transmission of this know-how.

[0005] The inventors sought a solution to improve the inspection of metal profiles such as railway cables, in particular contact wires comprising a contact surface, by providing a solution to assist this inspection. Objectives of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to provide an inspection device and a method for inspecting metal profiles, in particular railway cables.

[0007] The invention aims in particular to provide, in at least one embodiment, an inspection device making it possible to provide precise information on any damage to the profile, in particular due to fatigue cracking, in any lighting, weather and time conditions.

[0008] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, an inspection device facilitating the detection of damage by a human operator. Statement of the invention

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a device for inspecting a metal profile extending in a preferential longitudinal direction, in particular for inspecting a railway cable, configured for inspecting a surface portion of the profile extending along the longitudinal direction, characterized in that it comprises: - an eddy current probe configured to generate a magnetic field capable of generating induced currents in the metal profile and of measuring the magnetic field generated by the induced currents, - means of maintaining an air gap between the eddy current probe and the portion of the surface to be inspected, - guide means configured to guide the inspection device during longitudinal movement thereof along the metal profile.

[0010] A device according to the invention therefore makes it possible to facilitate the inspection of profiles thanks to the use of an eddy current probe and the association of this probe with the means for maintaining the air gap and the guiding means making it possible to move the inspection device over the surface portion of the profile to be inspected.

[0011] The use of the eddy current probe allows the inspection of the profile under any lighting conditions (brightness, lighting direction) and weather conditions, while limiting the need to rely on the visual acuity of the human operator carrying out the inspection.

[0012] The signals from the eddy current probe can be viewed on a remote screen. Alternatively or in addition, these signals can be processed upstream by a computer and / or electronic device, in particular to facilitate reading by a human operator and / or provide an interpretation of the signals, and potentially automatically detect degradation, in particular degradation due in particular to fatigue cracking.

[0013] The air gap is maintained by the air gap maintaining means and ensures a continuous air gap between the eddy current probe and the portion of profile surface to be inspected, so as to identify variations in the induced magnetic field due to irregularities in the inspected surface. Indeed, the intensity of the magnetic field induced by the eddy current probe varies according to the value of the air gap or when a deformation (crack, impact, etc.) is detected, which requires fixing the air gap to detect deformations as part of the inspection procedure. The air gap depends on the eddy current probe used, and can be, for example, close to 0.5 mm. Maintaining the air gap also helps to protect the eddy current probe from premature wear.

[0014] The inspection device according to the invention is particularly suitable for the inspection of railway cables, in particular catenary contact wires (or grooved wires) likely to come into contact with a pantograph of a railway vehicle and therefore to deteriorate over time. In particular, the inspection device according to the invention is not affected by lighting and weather conditions and is therefore particularly suitable for inspections on railway tracks outdoors or in tunnels, or also for night-time inspections making it possible to limit the impact of the inspection on mainly daytime railway traffic. Furthermore, it is suitable for allowing the inspection of the cable in place on the railway infrastructure, held by carrier cables, in particular because it does not require surrounding the profile.The inspection device according to the invention can be used in particular for inspecting the wear plate, which is the lower part of the catenary contact wires, in particular of the round or flat grooved wire type with a section of 150mm2, in particular equipping high-speed lines, notably on the French railway network.

[0015] The inspection device can be used manually by a human operator or be arranged on a robotic arm allowing automatic manipulation.

[0016] To avoid any interference with the eddy current probe, the components of the inspection device which are preferably at a distance of less than 40 mm from the eddy current probe, or alternatively less than 50 mm from the eddy current probe, are non-magnetic, preferably non-metallic.

[0017] In particular, the components of the eddy current off-probe inspection device may advantageously be made of plastic, preferably of photopolymer resin, preferably manufactured by additive manufacturing.

[0018] Advantageously and according to the invention, the guide means comprise at least two grooved wheels, arranged on either side of the eddy current probe, each groove being shaped to the portion of profile surface to be inspected.

[0019] According to this aspect of the invention, the grooved wheels are designed to facilitate the movement of the inspection device along the profile, and thus facilitate inspection by a human or robotic operator. The presence of the wheels on either side of the eddy current probe makes it possible to stabilize the position of the probe and facilitates its maintenance in position perpendicular to the surface portion of the profile to be inspected, at any point on the profile during the inspection.

[0020] Advantageously and according to the invention, the means for maintaining the air gap comprise at least two contact pads arranged on either side of the eddy current probe and configured for contact with the surface portion of the profile during the inspection of said surface portion.

[0021] According to this aspect of the invention, the contact pads arranged on either side of the eddy current probe make it possible to ensure that the air gap is maintained throughout the inspection procedure, even if the device is moved. The contact pads also make it possible to stabilize the position of the probe and facilitate its maintenance in a position perpendicular to the surface portion of the profile to be inspected, at any point on the profile during the inspection.

[0022] Advantageously and according to the invention, the contact pads are made of ceramic.

[0023] According to this aspect of the invention, the use of ceramic of the technical ceramic type makes it possible to facilitate the sliding of the metal profile during the movement of the device and to limit the damage to the contact pads to guarantee the maintenance of the air gap during an inspection procedure and for several inspection procedures. The ceramic in fact has a high hardness which facilitates sliding by reducing the effects of friction.

[0024] Advantageously and according to the invention, the eddy current probe is arranged in a probe holder configured to, during the inspection, maintain the eddy current probe in a position perpendicular to the surface portion of the profile being inspected, and on which the contact pads are arranged, and in that the means for maintaining the air gap comprise at least one spring configured so that a force perpendicular to the profile and in the direction of the profile is applied to the probe holder.

[0025] According to this aspect of the invention, the probe holder makes it possible to guarantee the position of the probe and its maintenance in a position perpendicular to the surface portion of the profile to be inspected, at any point of the profile during the inspection, and the presence of at least one spring makes it possible to maintain the position of the eddy current probe and therefore its air gap by applying a dedicated force. The probe holder is advantageously arranged in a housing of the inspection device according to the invention and the spring is connected both to the housing and to the probe holder so as to bear on the housing to maintain the position of the probe holder.

[0026] Advantageously, the inspection device according to the invention comprises a manual handling handle, configured to allow gripping of the inspection device, placement of the inspection device on the surface portion of the profile, movement of the inspection device along the surface portion of the profile and / or removal of the profile inspection device.

[0027] According to this aspect of the invention, the handle allows the inspection device to be manipulated by a human or robotic operator. The handle may also allow the passage of cables for circulating electrical signals from the eddy current probe.

[0028] Advantageously, the inspection device according to the invention comprises an electrical circuit for transmitting electrical signals supplied by the eddy current probe to a device for processing and / or displaying the electrical signals.

[0029] According to this aspect of the invention, the electrical circuit allows the recovery of signals for transmission to a processing and / or display device to allow the detection of degradations.

[0030] A processing device and / or a visualization device may be directly integrated into the inspection device. To avoid any interference with the eddy current probe, these devices must be arranged at a minimum distance from the eddy current probe according to its technical characteristics, preferably at a distance greater than 50mm from the eddy current probe.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method for inspecting a metal profile extending in a preferential longitudinal direction, in particular for inspecting a railway cable, characterized in that it comprises a step of arranging an inspection device according to the invention at a surface portion of the profile extending along the longitudinal direction, and a step of moving the inspection device along the longitudinal direction.

[0032] The invention also relates to an inspection device and an inspection method, characterized in combination by all or part of the characteristics mentioned above or below. List of figures

[0033] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given solely for non-limiting purposes and which refers to the appended figures in which:

[0034] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective view of an inspection device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0035] [Fig.2] is an exploded schematic perspective view of an inspection device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0036] [Fig.3a] is a close-up schematic front view of an inspection device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0037] [Fig.3b] is a partial schematic view of [Fig.3a];

[0038] [Fig.4] is a schematic sectional view of a housing of an inspection device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0039] [Fig.5] is a schematic perspective view of a probe holder of a device inspection according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0040] [Fig.6] is a schematic sectional view of a probe holder of a device inspection according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0041] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0042] In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly respected, for the purposes of illustration and clarity.

[0043] Furthermore, identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all the figures.

[0044] [Fig. 1] schematically represents in perspective an inspection device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] [Fig.2] schematically represents in perspective the inspection device 10 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0046] The inspection device 10 allows the inspection of a metal profile 100 extending in a preferential longitudinal direction, in particular the inspection of a railway cable. The device allows in particular the inspection of a portion 102 of the surface of the profile extending along the longitudinal direction, in particular the lower surface which is the contact surface of a railway contact wire, called the wear flat, likely to be damaged in particular by the regular passage of pantographs of railway vehicles, in particular subject, at certain singular points, to a phenomenon of mechanical fatigue.

[0047] The inspection device 10 comprises in particular an eddy current probe 12 configured to generate a magnetic field capable of generating induced currents in the metal profile 100. These induced currents in turn generate an induced magnetic field which can be captured by the probe during the periods when it stops generating the magnetic field and can be transmitted by an electrical circuit (not shown) for transmitting electrical signals supplied by the eddy current probe 12 to a device (not shown) for processing and / or displaying the electrical signals.

[0048] To enable the detection of damage to the profile, the inspection device 10 comprises means for maintaining an air gap between the eddy current probe and the surface portion to be inspected, here contact pads 14, preferably made of ceramic, described in more detail below with reference to [Fig.3b].

[0049] To enable the inspection device 10 to be guided during a longitudinal movement thereof along the metal profile, the inspection device 10 comprises guide means, here grooved wheels 16a, 16b arranged on either side of the eddy current probe 12, each comprising a groove 18a, 18b being shaped to the portion of the profile surface to be inspected. Here, the profile is a wire railway contact whose surface portion to be inspected is a flat, for example of type 150 flat. In other embodiments, the profile is for example a railway contact wire whose surface portion to be inspected is a cylinder, for example of type 150 round. In other embodiments, the profile is of another shape and the grooved wheel or other guide means is shaped to the profile to allow the inspection device to move. Another type of guide means may for example allow the inspection device to slide on the profile.

[0050] The grooved wheels 16a, 16b are held by means of retaining screws 20, for example made of nylon, of a bearing by a housing 22 of the inspection device making it possible to connect and / or contain different components of the inspection device 10. In particular, the housing 20 also makes it possible to hold a probe holder 24 and to apply a force to this probe holder 24 by means of a spring 26 forming part of the means for holding the air gap and configured so that a force perpendicular to the profile 100 and in the direction of the profile 100 is applied to the probe holder 24. The housing 20 also comprises a receptacle 28 making it possible to receive a handle 30 for handling the inspection device 10, with a length for example of approximately 200 mm. The inspection device 10 also comprises a closing cap 32 at the handle 30.The handle 30 and the cap 32 are hollow so as to allow the passage and protection of cables of the circuit for transmitting electrical signals coming from the eddy current probe. The handling handle 30 is thus also a protective sheath for the cables of the transmission circuit.

[0051] The presence of the grooved wheels, the contact pads and the spring also make it possible to maintain the probe in a “vertical” position if the profile is a railway cable extending substantially horizontally, more generally to maintain the probe in a position perpendicular to the profile, at the level of the surface portion to be inspected.

[0052] [Fig.3a] schematically represents in close-up front view the device inspection according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0053] To protect the wheels and prevent the entrainment of external elements such as personal protective equipment, wheel protectors 34a, 34b are integrated into the housing 22 in the part remote from the profile 100.

[0054] The area referenced 3b in [Fig.3a] is shown in a close-up and partial view in [Fig.3b]. In [Fig.3b] the contact pads 14a, 14b are visible, arranged on either side of the eddy current probe 12 and making it possible to guarantee an air gap 36 defined by the empty space between the probe 12 and the profile 100. The air gap 36 is for example maintained at 0.5 mm, and the presence of the spring visible in [Fig.2] makes it possible to keep the pads 14a, 14b in contact with the profile to maintain the air gap 36.

[0055] [Fig.4] schematically represents in section the housing 22 of the inspection device according to one embodiment of the invention. The section shows a thread 38 in the receptacle 28 for receiving the handle of the inspection device. A space 40 formed in a hollow of the housing 22 allows the probe holder to be received and grooves 42a, 42b allowing the insertion and blocking of locking pins 44a, 44b provided on the probe holder and visible in [Fig.5].

[0056] [Fig. 5] schematically represents in perspective the probe holder 24 of the inspection device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0057] [Fig.6] schematically represents in section the probe holder 24 of the inspection device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0058] The probe holder is configured to, during inspection, hold the eddy current probe in a position perpendicular to the surface portion of the profile being inspected.

[0059] The pins 44a, 44b of the probe holder 24 have an offset of approximately 45° relative to an axis formed by the openings 46a, 46b for receiving the contact pads. The probe holder 24 is thus inserted with this offset into the housing 22 and a 45° rotation of the probe holder allows, thanks to the grooves 42a, 42b of the housing 22 visible in [Fig. 4], to lock the probe holder 24 and to align the openings 46a, 46b in the longitudinal direction and therefore to align the contact pads with the profile.

[0060] The empty space 48 in the hollow of the probe holder 24 allows the eddy current probe to be received and openings 50 allow the eddy current probe to be fixed in the probe holder, for example by nylon screws.

[0061] Apart from the eddy current probe and the electrical signal transmission circuit, the components of the inspection device are made of non-magnetic and preferably non-metallic material. In particular, the housing may be made of photopolymer resin, for example manufactured by additive manufacturing.

[0062] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described. In particular, the inspection device may be implemented so as to be operated in an automated manner, in particular by a robotic arm holding the inspection device in the inspection position.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for inspecting a metal profile (100) extending in a preferential longitudinal direction, in particular for inspecting a railway cable, configured for inspecting a surface portion (102) of the profile extending along the longitudinal direction, characterized in that it comprises: • an eddy current probe (12) configured to generate a magnetic field capable of generating induced currents in the metal profile (100) and of measuring the magnetic field generated by the induced currents, • means (14, 26) for maintaining an air gap between the eddy current probe (12) and the surface portion (102) to be inspected, comprising at least two contact pads (14) arranged on either side of the eddy current probe (12) and configured for contact with the surface portion (102) of the profile during the inspection of said portion (102) surface, • means (16a,16b) guide configured to guide the inspection device during a longitudinal movement thereof along the metal profile (100), comprising at least two grooved wheels (16a, 16b), arranged on either side of the eddy current probe (12), each groove being shaped to the portion (102) of profile surface to be inspected.,

2. Inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact pads (14) are made of ceramic.

3. Inspection device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the eddy current probe (12) is arranged in a probe holder (24) configured to, during the inspection, hold the eddy current probe (12) in a position perpendicular to the surface portion (102) of the profile being inspected, and on which the contact pads (14) are arranged, and in that the air gap holding means comprise at least one spring (26) configured so that a force perpendicular to the profile (100) and in the direction of the profile (100) is applied to the probe holder (24).

4. Inspection device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a handle (30) for manual handling, configured to allow gripping of the inspection device, placement of the inspection device on the surface portion (102) of the profile, movement of the inspection device along the surface portion (102) of the profile and / or removal of the inspection device from the profile (100).

5. Inspection device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises an electrical circuit for transmitting electrical signals supplied by the eddy current probe (12) to a device for processing and / or displaying the electrical signals.

6. Method for inspecting a metal profile (100) extending in a preferential longitudinal direction, in particular for inspecting a railway cable, characterized in that it comprises a step of arranging an inspection device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5 at a surface portion (102) of the profile extending along the longitudinal direction, and a step of moving the inspection device (10) along the longitudinal direction.

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