Measuring instrumentation and corresponding process
The instrumentation addresses the challenge of measuring deformations in submerged solids by using a reservoir, cover with sensors, and mechanical load application, ensuring reliable and durable measurements in aggressive environments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023006502
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-06-22
AI Technical Summary
Current measuring instruments are inadequate for accurately measuring deformations of solids under mechanical stress and immersed in aggressive environments, as they are not suitable for tubular structures, cannot measure deformations due to chemical degradation, and are not durable in such conditions.
A measuring instrumentation comprising a reservoir, a cover with deformation sensors, and a mechanism to apply mechanical loads, allowing for reliable measurement of deformations in submerged solids by keeping sensors outside the liquid and circulating the aggressive liquid to maintain its properties.
Enables reliable and durable measurement of deformations in submerged solids under mechanical stress, effectively addressing the limitations of existing instruments by maintaining sensor integrity and simulating the effects of an aggressive environment.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Measuring instrumentation and corresponding method Technical field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of measuring instrumentation and in particular to instruments aimed at measuring, establishing and / or monitoring the durability of an at least partially submerged solid, in particular in an environment deteriorating the solid. Prior art
[0002] Patent document JP-H-03220401 A describes an instrument for measuring the deformation of a tubular structure, in which two conical stops are brought into contact with each of the ends of the structure. The deformation of the tubular structure is thus measured by means of analyzing the position of the conical stops.
[0003] This instrument is only suitable for tubular structures with a cylindrical section and in circumstances which allow the cones to have access to both ends of the structure. This instrument is therefore not suitable, in particular, for measuring deformations linked to an axial load. Finally, this instrument does not allow the measurement of deformations of an immersed structure which undergoes deformations due to the chemical degradation induced by the immersing liquid. In summary, there is currently no technical solution for measuring and / or monitoring deformations, in particular those appearing over time (shrinkage, creep), of a solid under mechanical stress and immersed in an aggressive environment. Summary
[0004] The present disclosure makes it possible to meet this need, by proposing instrumentation and a method which make it possible, in a reliable and simple manner, to measure the deformation of an immersed solid under mechanical stress.
[0005] An instrumentation for measuring the deformations of a structure under stress is proposed, comprising: a reservoir capable of receiving the structure as well as receiving a liquid at least partially immersing the structure; a cover intended to be securely coupled to an upper part of the structure; a mechanism intended to apply a mechanical load to the structure; and at least one deformation sensor, arranged on the cover.
[0006] This device makes it possible to measure the deformations of an at least partially submerged structure, by attaching an instrumented cap to it. Since the cap is outside the liquid, there is no sealing constraint for the sensors. The measurement can be more reliable and more durable than for sensors immersed in an aggressive liquid.
[0007] According to another aspect, the deformation sensor is a variable linear differential transformer, preferably non-waterproof.
[0008] According to another aspect, the cap and / or the reservoir has(have) at least one orifice and the instrumentation comprises a tube and a pump, intended to circulate the liquid via the orifice. The liquid circuit makes it possible to renew the liquid in contact with the structure and therefore to ensure that the liquid retains its aggressive properties (in particular corrosive). This makes it possible, for example, to simulate the effects of a larger volume of liquid surrounding the structure.
[0009] According to another aspect, the at least one orifice is a central bore and / or a lateral bore provided in the cap. This configuration makes it possible to discharge the liquid into an upper part of the structure.
[0010] According to another aspect, the cap is a stainless steel plate. For example, the cap may be chosen to have a contour that matches that of the structure to be studied.
[0011] According to another aspect, the mechanism for applying a mechanical load to the structure is a press. It is thus possible to apply a vertical compressive or tensile force to the structure. Other mechanisms may be used in particular to study other types of forces (e.g. torsion). The load may be constant or may vary depending on the aspects of the deformations to be measured. It may be cyclical.
[0012] The invention also relates to a method for measuring the deformation of a structure with the instrumentation set forth above, the method comprising the steps, not necessarily in the order in which they are presented, of: arranging the structure in the reservoir; securely coupling the cap to an upper portion of the structure; arranging at least one deformation sensor on the cap; bringing a liquid to a level below the position of the sensor; applying a mechanical load to the structure; and measuring the deformation of the structure using the sensor.
[0013] According to another aspect, the structure is tubular in shape having a longitudinal axis, and the step of arranging the structure in the tank comprises arranging the structure in the tank with its longitudinal axis oriented vertically.
[0014] According to another aspect, the liquid supply step consists of filling the reservoir to the exclusion of the structure. Alternatively, the liquid supply step consists of exclusively filling an internal cavity of the structure. Alternatively, the liquid supply step consists of filling the reservoir as well as an internal cavity of the structure. It is thus possible to study, with the same instrumentation, different aspects of chemical degradation, combined with mechanical stress.
[0015] According to another aspect, the liquid supply step consists of circulating a liquid in the structure and / or in the tank. The circulation of the liquid can be permanent or intermittent.
[0016] According to another aspect, the structure is made of concrete and the liquid is composed of water. Naturally, the instrumentation is universally applicable and can be used for other materials, subjected to water or other liquids.
[0017] According to another aspect, the applied mechanical load is a vertical force. As discussed above, other mechanical loads may be applied to the structure.
[0018] According to another aspect, the mechanical load is applied indirectly to the structure, via the cap. The cap can thus not only measure the deformations of the structure, since it is mechanically secured to the structure, but the cap can also be subjected to the load to transmit it to the part. Brief description of the drawings
[0019] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig.l
[0020] [Fig.l] shows an isometric view of the instrumentation. Fig. 2
[0021] [Fig.2] shows three alternatives for using the instrumentation. Description of the embodiments
[0022] [Fig.l] shows an embodiment of the instrumentation 1 of the invention. This comprises a reservoir 2 which can receive a volume of liquid 3.
[0023] The tank 2 can also receive a base 4 on which the structure 10 can be placed, the deformations of which are to be studied.
[0024] The instrumentation 1 also comprises a cover 6 intended to be fixed to an upper part of the structure 10. The cover 6 may take the form of a plate, or a dome. It may be made of stainless steel or another material not sensitive to the liquid used. The cover 6 may comprise at least one upper surface 61 which is intended not to be immersed. On this surface the structure deformation sensors 8 may be mounted, directly or indirectly by means of suitable supports. The sensors 8 may be linear variable differential transformers (LVDT). Since they are not intended to be immersed, the sensors 8 may be non-waterproof.
[0025] The cap 6 also comprises an orifice 62 which can be connected to a liquid supply tube, in order to fill an internal cavity of the structure 10. The orifice 62 can be lateral as drawn, or central.
[0026] The instrumentation also includes a mechanism (not shown) for applying a mechanical load to the structure 10. This mechanism may be a press with an actuator which can come into contact with the surface 61, in particular on an annular zone of the surface 61 corresponding to the section of the structure 10. Other mechanisms can be provided, to apply other types of forces (for example torsion, compression in the horizontal plane, traction, etc.), directly on the structure 10 or via the cap 6.
[0027] The instrumentation may also comprise a pump and tubing (not shown) intended to form a circuit for the liquid. The tubing may bring the liquid via the orifices provided on the reservoir 2, on the cover 6 and / or on the base 4.
[0028] The structure studied 10 may be a tubular structure 10 with or without an annular section.
[0029] [Fig. 2] illustrates three of the possible uses of the instrumentation discussed above. In these three examples, the structure 10 is a tubular structure with a longitudinal axis Z and is arranged in the tank in such a way that its longitudinal axis is vertical. Advantageously, the lower end of the structure and the upper end of the structure are planar.
[0030] The tubular structure 10 defines an internal cavity 11. In configuration (a), the liquid is only poured outside the structure 10. In configuration (b), the liquid is only poured into the internal cavity 11 of the structure 10 and not into the rest of the reservoir 2. In configuration (c), the liquid is brought both into the cavity 11 and into the rest of the reservoir 2. Each of the configurations makes it possible to study different degradations (internal and / or external) of the liquid and their combination with the mechanical constraints.
[0031] The three configurations illustrate the fact that the liquid filling level (denoted A) can be chosen such that the liquid does not exceed the position B of the sensors 8. [Fig.2] also highlights the fact that the structure 10 can be totally immersed without it becoming necessary for the sensors 8 to be watertight.
[0032] The use of the instrumentation comprises, among other things, the steps of arranging the structure 10 in the reservoir 2, preferably with the longitudinal axis of the structure oriented vertically. Before or after the structure 10 is put in place, the cover 6 can be secured to the structure 10. Before or after these steps, the liquid can be brought into the reservoir and / or into the internal cavity of the structure 10. Before or after these steps, the sensor(s) 8 are positioned on the cover 6.
[0033] A force is then applied to the cap 6 and / or to the structure 10. This may be a compression force (along Z for example).
[0034] The deformation of the structure is measured and / or monitored over time, while the structure undergoes both the ravages of mechanical loading and chemical deterioration.
[0035] The liquid can be renewed by means of a circuit made of pipes and a pump.
[0036] The invention is particularly aimed at the deterioration of submerged concrete wells, but those skilled in the art will understand that other types of solids, of different shapes or made of different materials, can also be studied using the instrumentation described above. Also, the combination between various types of mechanical loads and various types of chemical deterioration (different liquids or gases) can also be studied using this device. List of reference signs
[0037] -1: instrumentation - 2: tank - 3: liquid - 4: base - 6: headdress - 8: LVDT sensor - 10: structure - 11: internal cavity of the structure - A: liquid filling level - B: altitude of sensor 8 - Z: vertical and longitudinal direction of the structure 10.
Claims
Claims
1. Instrumentation (1) for measuring the deformations of a structure (10) under stress, comprising: a. a reservoir (2) capable of receiving the structure (10) as well as receiving a liquid (3) at least partially immersing the structure (10); b. a cover (6) intended to be securely coupled to an upper part of the structure (10); c. a mechanism intended to apply a mechanical load to the structure (10); and d. at least one deformation sensor (8), arranged on the cover (6).
2. Instrumentation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformation sensor (8) is a variable linear differential transformer, preferably not waterproof.
3. Instrumentation (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cap (6) and / or the reservoir has(have) at least one orifice (62) and the instrumentation comprises a tube and a pump, intended to circulate the liquid via the orifice (62).
4. Instrumentation (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one orifice (62) is a central bore and / or a lateral bore provided in the cap (6).
5. Instrumentation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover (6) is a stainless steel plate.
6. Instrumentation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the mechanism intended to apply a mechanical load to the structure is a press.
7. Method for measuring the deformation of a structure with the instrumentation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising the steps, not necessarily in the order in which they are presented, consisting of: - arranging the structure (10) in the tank (2); - securely coupling the cap (6) to an upper part of the structure (10); - arranging at least one deformation sensor (8) on the cap (6); - bringing a liquid (3) to a level (A) lower than the position (B) of the sensor (8); - applying a mechanical load to the structure (10); and - measuring the deformation of the structure (10) using the sensor (8).
8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the structure (10) is tubular in shape having a longitudinal axis, and the step of arranging the structure (10) in the tank consists of arranging the structure (10) in the tank (2) with its longitudinal axis oriented vertically.
9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the step of supplying the liquid consists of filling the reservoir (2) to the exclusion of the structure (10).
10. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the step of supplying the liquid consists of exclusively filling an internal cavity (11) of the structure (10).
11. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the step of supplying the liquid consists of filling the reservoir as well as an internal cavity (11) of the structure (10).
12. Method according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the step of supplying the liquid consists of circulating a liquid in the structure (10) and / or in the reservoir (2).
13. Method according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the structure (10) is made of concrete and the liquid is made of water.
14. Method according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the mechanical load applied is a vertical force.
15. Method according to one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the mechanical load is applied indirectly to the structure (10), via the cap (6).