Rail inspection trolley for a framed valve

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an inspection carriage (10) of a hydraulic valve (1) for cutting off a flow in a body of water, the valve comprising: a body (2), a guide rail (5) and a counter-guide rail (4), a sealing plate (19) substantially parallel to the counter-guide rail (4) or to the guide rail (5), wherein the inspection carriage (10) comprises: a guide train (11) and a counter-guide train (12), a measuring frame (7) arranged between the guide train (11) and the counter-guide train (12), a reference sensor (18) configured to measure a distance between the inspection carriage (10) and the sealing plate (19), a guide sensor (21) and / or a counter-guide sensor (22), and means for measuring a distance between the inspection carriage (10) and a horizontal reference plane (25). Abstract figure: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Inspection trolley for rails of a framed valve Technical field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of hydraulic valves intended to prevent flow into a body of water. More specifically, it relates to a device for inspecting rails on which a body of such a valve can slide. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A framed hydraulic valve is frequently used to selectively prevent or allow water flow into a body of running water, such as a lake. Such a valve conventionally comprises a body in the form of a frame and a plurality of rollers arranged on either side of the frame, so as to allow vertical movement of the frame between rails arranged on either side of the rollers.

[0003] When the valve is in the closed position, a first rail located downstream of the frame, called a guide rail, absorbs the forces exerted on it by the frame due to the water pressure. A second rail located upstream of the frame, called a counter-guide rail, serves to prevent the valve from tilting upstream when the water pressure is balanced following at least partial opening of the valve.

[0004] During the life of a framed hydraulic valve, the frame is regularly mounted on its rails so as to allow the flow of water. The opening of the valve is done in two stages: a first stage during which the frame is slightly raised, so as to put the water in communication on either side of the valve and to balance the pressure upstream and the pressure downstream of the valve, then the frame is raised further so as to allow total communication between the two sides, this second stage being carried out while the pressures on both sides of the valve are balanced.

[0005] These repeated openings of the valve can cause the appearance of deformations in the rails. In particular, when the pressure is balanced upstream and downstream of the valve, the framework exerts a non-uniform force on the counter-guide rail depending on the height, with a higher force towards the top of the counter-guide rail due to a “tilting” of the top of the framework towards this rail.

[0006] Furthermore, a phenomenon known as "matting" can occur on the guide rail: due to the pressure exerted by the water on the frame, the rollers come to press on the guide rail at specific positions of the latter located opposite the rollers in the closed position of the valve body, and cause the appearance of deformations in these areas of the guide rail.

[0007] It is desirable to be able to study such deformations of the guide and counter-guide rails precisely, so as to be able to detect wear of the rails, the possibility of derailment of the frame, an increase in operating forces and wear of a seal early enough and to replace or repair it in order to avoid deterioration of the sealing of the valve. One solution that has been considered consists of cofferdam upstream of the valve, that is to say, placing a cofferdam (or a small dam) which prevents the flow of water towards the valve so as to put the valve out of water and allow its inspection. This is however expensive and difficult to implement.

[0008] More generally, any solution that places the frame out of the water allows the measurement of deformations of the rails, but is impractical due to the time and resources required for its implementation. EXPOSED

[0009] It is therefore necessary to allow precise inspection to the millimeter of deformations of the rails of a framed hydraulic valve, immersed in cloudy water, more precise, less expensive and faster than with known methods.

[0010] For this purpose, a trolley is proposed for inspecting a hydraulic valve for cutting off a flow in a body of water, the valve comprising:

[0011] a body,

[0012] a guide rail located downstream of the body and a counter-guide rail located upstream of the body in a normal direction of flow of the water in the body of water,

[0013] a sealing plate substantially parallel to the counter-guide rail or to the guide rail,

[0014] wherein the inspection cart comprises:

[0015] a guide train configured to allow rolling of the inspection carriage on the guide rail and a counter-guide train configured to allow rolling of the inspection carriage on the counter-guide rail,

[0016] a measuring frame disposed between the guide train and the counter-guide train,

[0017] a reference sensor configured to measure a distance between the inspection carriage and the sealing plate,

[0018] a guidance sensor configured to measure a distance between the inspection carriage and the guide rail, and / or a counter-guidance sensor configured to measure a distance between the inspection carriage and the counter-guidance rail, and

[0019] a means for measuring a distance between the inspection carriage and a horizontal reference plane.

[0020] Thus, the use of a submerged inspection trolley, movable vertically and capable of measuring its distance to a rail allows rapid identification of deformations in the rail, without the need to put the valve out of water, as well as the establishment of an accurate profile of the rail according to the height considered. The trolley allows in particular the measurement of the alignment of the rails during the construction or renovation of a hydraulic valve.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the means for obtaining the distance between the inspection carriage and the horizontal reference plane is chosen from:

[0022] an altitude sensor configured to measure the distance between the inspection carriage and the horizontal reference plane, and

[0023] a surface configured to allow measurement by an altitude sensor positioned on the horizontal reference plane of a distance between the inspection carriage and the horizontal reference plane.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the guidance sensor is located on the guidance train and / or the counter-guidance sensor is located on the counter-guidance train.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the carriage comprises a lifting winch configured to selectively exert a lifting force allowing the inspection carriage to rise, so as to allow the inspection carriage to descend under the effect of a weight of the inspection carriage in the absence of the lifting force.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the reference sensor is mounted on a holding arm secured to the chassis and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a main axis of the chassis.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the guide train comprises a wheel and the counter-guide train comprises a mechanical suspension configured to maintain contact between the wheel and the guide rail.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the reference sensor and at least one of the guidance sensor and the counter-guidance sensor are arranged substantially in the same plane orthogonal to a first axis substantially parallel to the counter-guidance rail, preferably in a median plane of the chassis.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the reference sensor, the altitude sensor and at least one of the guidance sensor and the counter-guidance sensor are induction sensors or potentiometric sensors.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the carriage comprises a tilt sensor configured to measure an inclination of the chassis relative to a plane orthogonal to a first axis substantially parallel to the counter-guide rail.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the chassis comprises a receiving compartment provided with a support plate.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the chassis comprises two receiving compartments located on either side of the chassis along an axis of movement of the inspection trolley. and separated by the support plate, and the frame is substantially symmetrical along a plane defined by the support plate.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the inspection carriage comprises a stability tab extending projecting from the guide train and / or the counter-guide train and configured to come into abutment with the guide rail or with the counter-guide rail during a movement of the inspection carriage in a direction perpendicular to a section of the valve.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the carriage comprises two stability lugs extending projecting from the guide train and / or two stability lugs extending projecting from the counter-guide train so as to come into abutment with the guide rail and / or with the counter-guide rail during a rotation of the inspection carriage around a main axis of the chassis.

[0035] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of inspecting a hydraulic valve for cutting off a flow in a body of water by means of an inspection trolley as defined above, comprising:

[0036] an acquisition of measurements by the reference sensor and by at least one of the guidance sensor and the counter-guidance sensor,

[0037] a measurement of the distance between the inspection carriage and the horizontal reference plane, and

[0038] establishing a distance profile, over at least a portion of a height of the guide rail and / or the counter-guide rail, between the guide rail and the guide sensor and / or between the counter-guide rail and the counter-guide sensor as a function of the distance between the inspection carriage and the horizontal reference plane. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] [Fig. 1a] schematically represents a hydraulic valve with a framed body.

[0040] [Fig.lb] schematically represents the valve of [Fig.la], seen from above.

[0041] [Fig. 2] schematically represents a trolley for inspecting the rails of the hydraulic valve.

[0042] [Fig.3A] schematically represents distances measured by means of the inspection trolley of [Fig.2].

[0043] [Fig.3B] schematically represents distances measured by means of the inspection trolley of [Fig.2].

[0044] Throughout the description, the same reference signs designate similar or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Figures 1a and 1b show a hydraulic valve, used to selectively allow or prevent a flow of water into a body of water. In the following, reference will be made in particular to a framed valve as an example, but the present disclosure applies to any member for cutting off a flow of water flowing into a body of water, provided that the member is mounted on guide rails, or generally on any fixed element necessary for guiding a valve body (for example, these elements may be angles, flat irons or even IPN beams).

[0046] The hydraulic valve 1 comprises a body 2 which provides a water barrier function. This body 2 comprises two sections 9, oriented vertically and provided with rolling rollers 3 allowing them to roll on a guide rail 5 extending below a level of the water body when it is necessary to move the body 2 vertically, in order to open or close the valve 1. The guide rail 5 is positioned downstream of the body 2 relative to a normal direction of flow of the water in the water body.

[0047] According to certain embodiments, the slices do not comprise rolling rollers 3, and the valve 1 comprises other means of vertical displacement by sliding which replace these rollers. For example, the valve 1 may comprise sliding cleats, or leaf springs which allow the valve 1 to be guided in the rails.

[0048] The valve 1 further comprises a counter-guide rail 4, positioned upstream of the body 2 relative to the normal direction of flow of the water in the body of water. When the valve is submerged, and the pressure on the upstream side is greater than the pressure on the downstream side, the counter-guide rail 4 is subjected to low forces. Indeed, the body 2 is then pressed against the guide rail 5 by means of the rolling rollers 3 and therefore does not exert any force on the counter-guide rail 4.However, an upstream seal 25 may be provided between the counter-guide rail 4 and the body 2 so as to ensure sealing of the valve on the upstream side, even when the latter is pressed against the guide rail 5, this seal 25 then being prestressed and exerting, when the pressures upstream and downstream of the body 2 are balanced, a force on the counter-guide rail 4, this force being however small in comparison with that exerted by the body 2 on the guide rail 5 by means of the rolling rollers 3.

[0049] Due to the greater forces which can be exerted on the guide rail 5, the latter is typically wider and therefore more resistant than the counter-guide rail 4.

[0050] Thus, when the valve 1 is closed, the rollers 3 are only in contact with the guide rail 5. The rollers only make contact with the counter-guide rail 4 when the valve 1 is opened.

[0051] In addition to or instead of the upstream seal 25, the valve may include a downstream seal (not shown) extending between the body 2 and the guide rail 5.

[0052] The valve 1 also comprises a sealing plate 19. The sealing plate 19 may be provided to come into contact with the upstream seal 25, and is therefore located near the counter-guide rail 4. Alternatively, the sealing plate 19 may be provided to come into contact with the downstream seal (not shown), and is therefore located near the guide rail 5. Preferably, the sealing plate comprises stainless steel. The sealing plate 19 is provided to be stable over time, that is to say to deform as little as possible, so as to constantly ensure its sealing function. The sealing plate 19 can normally be considered as rectilinear and parallel to the rails 4, 5.

[0053] The valve defines an orthonormal axis system, comprising a first axis X substantially parallel to the counter-guide rail 4 and extending from the bottom to the top of the valve 1, a second axis Y perpendicular to the first axis X and parallel to the edge 9, and a third axis Z extending at a distance from the body 2 of the valve 1.

[0054] With reference to [Fig.2], an inspection carriage 10 is placed between the guide rail 5 and the counter-guide rail 4, at the position of the rolling rollers 3. The inspection carriage 10 allows the inspection of deformations on the guide rail 5 or on the counter-guide rail 4, or preferably on both rails 4, 5. The inspection carriage 10 comprises a chassis 7 which defines a main axis, substantially parallel to the second axis Y. The chassis 7 is arranged between, on the one hand, a guide train 11 arranged opposite the guide rail 5, and on the other hand a counter-guide train 12 arranged opposite the counter-guide rail 4. According to certain embodiments, the guide train 11 is arranged opposite the counter-guide rail 4 and the counter-guide train 12 is arranged opposite the guide rail 5.

[0055] The guide train 11 comprises one or more wheels 15, for example between two and eight wheels 15. The spacing between two successive wheels 15 may be constant. For example, two successive wheels 15 may be arranged at a distance of between 200 and 260 mm, in particular 200 mm. Alternatively, the spacing between the wheels 15 may vary. For example, a guide train 11 comprising four wheels may have wheels spaced respectively, along the first axis X, by 210 mm, 260 mm and 210 mm.

[0056] The counter-guiding train 12 also comprises one or more wheels 24. The wheels 15, 24 of the trains 11, 12 allow the inspection carriage 10 to move along the rails, along the first axis X.

[0057] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the inspection cart 10 includes a plurality of sensors.

[0058] A reference sensor 18 is arranged opposite the sealing plate 19, and makes it possible to detect a movement of the chassis 7 along the second axis Y. The sealing plate is particularly suitable for providing a reference position along the second axis Y, due to its stability over time. Thus, the reference sensor 18 is able to acquire a signal representative of a distance Mi8 between the reference sensor 18 and the reference plate 19.

[0059] The inspection carriage 10 also comprises at least one sensor configured to measure a distance between the carriage 10 and one of the rails 4, 5. According to a first embodiment, the carriage 10 comprises a guide sensor 21 arranged opposite, along the second axis Y, the guide rail 5, and capable of measuring a distance M5 separating it from the guide rail 5 for any vertical position in which the inspection carriage 10 may be located. This makes it possible in particular to detect deformations of the guide rail 5 due to a phenomenon known as “matting”, which corresponds to a crushing of the guide rail 5 by the rollers 3 of the valve 1 during the life of the latter. This also makes it possible to measure deformations due to other phenomena, such as wear of the guide rail 5 over time, its corrosion in contact with water, assembly defects of the guide rail 5 or other types of deformations.

[0060] According to another embodiment, the carriage 10 comprises a counter-guiding sensor 22 arranged opposite, along the second axis Y, the counter-guiding rail 4, and capable of measuring a distance M4 separating it from the counter-guiding rail 4 for any vertical position in which the inspection carriage 10 may be located. This makes it possible in particular to detect deformations of the counter-guiding rail 4 which may occur due to the tilting of the valve after a partial opening thereof by raising the body 2. Indeed, during such tilting, the body 2 presses on the counter-guiding rail 4 in a non-uniform manner depending on the altitude considered. This also makes it possible to measure deformations due to other phenomena, such as wear of the counter-guide rail 4 over time, its corrosion in contact with water, faults in the assembly of the counter-guide rail 4 or other types of deformations.

[0061] According to certain embodiments, and as illustrated in [Fig.3A], the inspection carriage 10 comprises both a guidance sensor 21 and a counter-guidance sensor 22.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the counter-guiding train 12 comprises a mechanical suspension 14, configured to allow the guide train 11 to be held in contact with the guide rail 5. The mechanical suspension 14 makes it possible in particular to ensure that, when the wheels 15 of the guide train 11 pass over a portion of the guide rail 5 which has undergone deformation and therefore presents a sudden depression, the guide train 11 remains in contact with the guide rail 5. This prevents the chassis 7 from moving jerkily, and prevents the guide sensor 21 from being momentarily in a plane which is not perpendicular to the guide rail 5, which would distort the distance measurement carried out by the guide sensor 21.

[0063] The mechanical suspension 14 comprises at least one return element such as a linear spring, preferably at least two return elements arranged at separate positions of the counter-guide train 12 along the first axis X so as to provide better stability to the inspection trolley 10. The mechanical suspension 14 may also comprise one or more shock absorbers. In this case, the return element ensures the compression of the wheels 15 of the guide train 11 on the guide rail 5, while the shock absorbers smooth out the vibrations of the chassis 7 when the guide train 11 passes over a non-uniform area of ​​the guide rail 5.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the wheels 24 of the counter-guiding train 12 are arranged opposite a slide 34 of the counter-guiding rail 4 so as to be able to move on this slide during a vertical movement of the carriage 10. In an equivalent manner, the wheels 15 of the guide train 11 are arranged opposite a slide 35 of the guide rail 5 so as to be able to move on this slide during a vertical movement of the carriage 10.

[0065] In order to ensure that the guide train 11 does not leave the slide 35 when a wheel 15 passes over a deformed zone of the guide rail 5, a maximum travel of the mechanical suspension 14 - defined as being a maximum increase in length of the shock absorbers of the suspension 14 relative to their length when the guide train 11 is on a non-deformed zone of the guide rail 5 - is greater than the maximum distance along the Y axis between a matted or worn zone and an unmatted or unworn zone of the guide rail 5. Thus, whatever the depth of the deformed zone, there is no risk that the wheel 15 will leave the guide rail 5 due to an inability of the mechanical suspension 14 to extend further.If necessary, depending on the geometry of the carriage 10 and more particularly of the mechanical suspension 14, a prestressing of the return elements of the suspension 14 can be provided so as to ensure contact of the wheel 15 of the guide train 11 with the slide 35 when the roller is located opposite an area showing no deformation.

[0066] Each mechanical suspension 14 is connected to a wheel 24 of the counter-guiding train 12.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the carriage comprises at least one stability lug 16 extending projecting from the guide train 11. The stability lug 16 is arranged close to the slide 35, and comes into abutment with one end of the slide 35 during a movement of the carriage 10 along the third axis Z, so as to ensure that the wheels 15 remain substantially opposite the slide 35 and to prevent derailment of the guide train 11. Preferably, the guide train 11 comprises two stability lugs 16, arranged on either side of the slide 35 along the third axis Z.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the guide train 11 comprises two lugs of stability 16, extending from a first side of the slide 35 along the third axis Z, at two distinct positions along the first axis X. Preferably, the guide train 11 also comprises two stability tabs 16 extending from the second side of the slide 35 along the third axis Z, at two distinct positions along the first axis X. This makes it possible, in addition to preventing derailment of the carriage 10, to prevent excessive rotation of the chassis 7 around the main axis of the chassis 7.

[0069] Similarly, the counter-guiding train 12 may comprise one or more stability lugs 16.

[0070] The stability tabs 16 are configured to be able to deform in the elastic range of a few millimeters, for example from 1 to 3 millimeters. In the event of deformation of the rail, this makes it possible not to block the chassis. Each stability tab 16 preferably extends along the first axis X over a distance greater than or equal to 10 millimeters.

[0071] The inspection trolley 10 comprises an altitude sensor 20. The altitude sensor 20 allows a measurement of a distance h between it and a reference altitude plane 25, so as to know, at any time, a relative distance along the first axis X between the chassis 7 and the reference altitude plane 25. Alternatively, and as shown in [Fig.3B], the altitude sensor 20 is not arranged on the inspection trolley 10, but is placed at the level of the reference altitude plane 25, opposite the inspection trolley 10 and so as to measure a distance h between the altitude sensor 20 - and therefore the reference altitude plane 25 - and a surface of the chassis 7.

[0072] Thanks to the measurements of the sensors, it is possible to establish a distance profile along the second Y axis between the sealing plate 19, constituting the geometric reference along the Y axis, and the guide rails 5 and counter-guide rails 4. For example, when the carriage 10 comprises both a guide sensor 21 and a counter-guide sensor 22, and the reference sensor 18 has a position along the second Y axis intermediate between that of the counter-guide sensor 22 and the reference plate 19, the distance profiles D4(h) of the counter-guide rail 4 and D5(h) of the guide rail 5 as a function of the distance h can be determined by means of the following equations:

[0073] D4(h) =Mi8( / î) +L1-M4( / î)

[0074] D5(h) ^M^(h)+L2 + M5(h)

[0075] where L1 is a distance between the reference sensor 18 and the counter-guiding sensor 22, and L2 is a distance between the reference sensor 18 and the guidance sensor 21. The distances L1 and L2 can preferably be adjusted by means of a sensor adjustment system, for example a nut system.

[0076] It is thus possible to obtain, by moving the carriage along the first X axis opposite the rails, a precise profile of each of the rails in a short time, without needing to put the valve 1 out of water. This makes it possible to characterize a state of wear of the rails 4, 5 not only due to the phenomenon of matting and tilting of the body 2 mentioned previously, but also due to abrasion or corrosion of the rails 4, 5 due to prolonged contact with water.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the reference sensor 18 is positioned on a holding arm 6. The holding arm 6 is integral with the frame 7. Depending on the geometry of the valve 1, the sealing plate 19 can, thanks to the holding arm 6, be positioned at a distance from the counter-guide rail 4 along an axis Z orthogonal to the plane XY defined by the main axis Y of the frame 7 and the axis of movement X of the carriage 10, when the sealing plate 19 itself is offset relative to the counter-guide rail 4 along the axis Z.

[0078] The reference 18, guide 21 and counter-guide 22 sensors are sealed. Preferably, the sensors 18, 21, 22 are potentiometric or inductive sensors, for example LVDT or eddy current sensors. Thus, due to the absence of necessary contact between the sensors 18, 21, 22 and the sealing plate 19, the guide rail 5 and the counter-guide rail 6, the inspection carriage 10 is capable of acquiring the corresponding distance measurements even in water with high turbidity, which can be difficult or can result in unsatisfactory measurement accuracies with optical sensors, for example laser sensors. The sensors 18, 21, 22 may in particular have a measuring range of approximately 10 millimeters.Preferably, these three sensors 18, 21 and 22 or at least the reference sensor 18 and one of the guidance sensor 21 and the counter-guidance sensor 22 are arranged substantially in the same plane orthogonal to the first axis X. It may in particular be a median plane M of the chassis 7 along the first axis X.

[0079] The altitude sensor 20 is waterproof if it is placed on the inspection trolley 10. On the other hand, when the altitude sensor 20 is arranged on a horizontal reference plane rather than on the trolley 10, it is not necessary for it to be waterproof, the altitude sensor 20 then being positioned above the water level. The altitude sensor 20 may be a wire displacement sensor, such as a wire potentiometer, the wire then being substantially parallel to the rails 4, 5. Alternatively, when the surface of the water body is known, the altitude sensor 20 may be a pressure sensor.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the inspection carriage 10 further comprises an inclinometer, which makes it possible to check a relative inclination of the chassis 7 with respect to the median plane M. This makes it possible to check that this inclination does not change as the carriage 10 advances on the first axis X, which would distort the measurements acquired by the sensors 18, 20, 21, 22.

[0081] A sampling frequency of the sensors 18, 20, 21, 22 is chosen as a function of the vertical speed of movement of the carriage 10 and the distance according to the first desired X axis between two successive distance measurements. For example, the sampling frequency is less than 50 ms, preferably less than 20 ms, still preferably substantially equal to 10 ms.

[0082] The chassis 7 is rigid, so as to ensure a rigid connection between the guide train 11 and the counter-guide train 12. When the sensors 18, 21, 22 are all three arranged on the median plane M, the chassis ensures the perpendicularity of the median plane M containing the sensors with the rails 4, 5. According to one embodiment, the chassis 7 comprises a receiving compartment 13 arranged between the guide train 11 and the counter-guide train 12. The receiving compartment 13 is used to accommodate a sealed housing 23, which may in particular comprise a system for acquiring the measurements carried out by the sensors 18, 20, 21, 22. In particular, when the sensors are of the inductive type, the housing 23 may be used to accommodate electronic cards. The housing 23 may also accommodate a system for supplying power to the sensors when necessary.The same sheath can accommodate a power supply cable from the housing 23 to a sensor and a signal transfer cable from this same sensor to the acquisition system contained in the housing 23.

[0083] The inspection carriage 10 is movable along the first axis X, so as to allow measurement of the distances M4, M5, M[8 for any position along the rails 4, 5. For this purpose, the inspection carriage 10 may comprise a lifting winch 8 which allows movement of the inspection carriage 10 by traction of a cable connected on the one hand to the winch 8 and on the other hand to the carriage 10, the winch 8 exerting a lifting force. In this case, the weight of the carriage 10 is provided to allow gravity descent of the carriage 10 when the winch does not exert a lifting force on the carriage 10, or when it exerts a lifting force on the carriage 10 below a predefined threshold. In the stationary configuration of the carriage 10, that is to say when its position along the first axis X does not change, the lifting force exerted by the winch 8 compensates for the weight of the carriage 10. The lifting winch 8 can be motorized or manually actuated.

[0084] According to an alternative embodiment, one or more of the wheels 15 of the guide train 11 and / or the wheels 24 of the counter-guide train 12 are motorized, in order to allow the carriage 10 to rise along the first axis X, the gravity descent being able to take place when the motorization is not activated or when it provides a lifting force below a predefined threshold. Preferably, however, a support cable is provided to allow the carriage 10 to rise in the event of a failure of the motorization of the wheels 15, 24. The support cable is connected on the one hand to the carriage 10 and on the other hand to a non-submerged anchoring point. For this embodiment, the support cable is not necessarily connected to a winch, and simple manual traction may be sufficient to raise the inspection carriage 10.

[0085] The chassis 7, and possibly the guide trains 11 and counter-guide trains 12 can be symmetrical with respect to the median plane M formed by the axes Y and Z of the frame 7, so as to allow the successive measurement of the distances for the rails 4, 5 located on a first side of the body 2 of the valve, then, after rotation of the frame 7 by 180° with respect to the median plane M and around the axis Y, the measurement of the distances for the rails 4, 5 located on a second side of the body 2. The housing 23 can be arranged in a first receiving compartment 13 for the measurements of the distances on one side of the body 2 of the valve, then in a second receiving compartment 13 for the measurements of the distances on the other side of the body 2 of the valve. The first and second receiving compartments 13 are separated by a receiving flat 17 located in the median plane M.

Claims

Claims

1. Inspection carriage (10) of a hydraulic valve (1) for cutting off a flow in a body of water, the valve comprising: a body (2), a guide rail (5) located downstream of the body (2) and a counter-guide rail (4) located upstream of the body (2) in a normal direction of flow of the water in the body of water, a sealing plate (19) substantially parallel to the counter-guide rail (4) or to the guide rail (5), in which the inspection carriage (10) comprises: a guide train (11) configured to allow the inspection carriage (10) to roll on the guide rail (5) and a counter-guide train (12) configured to allow the inspection carriage (10) to roll on the counter-guide rail (4), a measuring frame (7) arranged between the guide train (11) and the counter-guide train (12), a reference sensor (18) configured to measure a distance between the inspection carriage (10) and the sealing plate (19),a guidance sensor (21) configured to measure a distance between the inspection carriage (10) and the guide rail (5), and / or a counter-guidance sensor (22) configured to measure a distance between the inspection carriage (10) and the counter-guidance rail (4), and means for measuring a distance between the inspection carriage (10) and a horizontal reference plane (25).,

2. An inspection cart (10) according to claim 1, wherein the means for measuring the distance between the inspection cart (10) and the horizontal reference plane (25) is selected from: an altitude sensor (20) configured to measure the distance between the inspection cart (10) and the horizontal reference plane (25), and a surface configured to allow measurement by an altitude sensor (20) positioned on the horizontal reference plane (25) of a distance between the inspection cart (10) and the horizontal reference plane (25).

3. An inspection trolley (10) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the guidance sensor (21) is located on the guidance train (11) and / or the counter-guidance sensor (22) is located on the counter-guidance train (12).

4. An inspection trolley (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a lifting winch (8) configured to selectively exert a lifting force allowing a rise of the inspection trolley (10), so as to allow a descent of the inspection trolley (10) under the effect of a weight of the inspection trolley (10) in the absence of the lifting force.

5. Inspection trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the reference sensor (18) is mounted on a holding arm (6) secured to the chassis (7) and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a main axis (Y) of the chassis (7).

6. An inspection trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide train (11) comprises a wheel (15) and the counter-guide train (12) comprises a mechanical suspension (14) configured to maintain contact between the wheel (15) and the guide rail (5).

7. Inspection trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reference sensor (18) and at least one of the guidance sensor (21) and the counter-guidance sensor (22) are arranged substantially in the same plane orthogonal to a first axis (X) substantially parallel to the counter-guidance rail (4), preferably in a median plane (M) of the chassis (7).

8. An inspection trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reference sensor (18), the altitude sensor (20) and at least one of the guidance sensor (21) and the counter-guidance sensor (22) are induction sensors or potentiometric sensors.

9. An inspection trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a tilt sensor configured to measure an inclination of the chassis (7) relative to a plane orthogonal to a first axis (X) substantially parallel to the counter-guide rail (4).

10. An inspection trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the chassis comprises a receiving compartment (13) provided with a support plate (17).

11. Inspection trolley according to claim 10, in which the chassis (7) comprises two receiving compartments (13) located on either side of the chassis (7) along an axis of movement (X) of the inspection trolley (10) and separated by the support plate (17), the chassis (7) being substantially symmetrical along a plane defined by the support plate (17).

12. Inspection carriage according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a stability tab (16) extending projecting from the guide train (11) and / or the counter-guide train (12) and configured to come into abutment with the guide rail (5) or with the counter-guide rail (4) during a movement of the inspection carriage (10) in a direction perpendicular to a section (9) of the valve (1).

13. Inspection trolley according to claim 12, comprising two stability lugs extending projecting from the guide train (11) and / or two stability lugs extending projecting from the counter-guide train (12) so as to come into abutment with the guide rail (5) and / or with the counter-guide rail (4) during a rotation of the inspection trolley (7) around a main axis (Y) of the chassis (7)

14. A method for inspecting a hydraulic valve (1) for cutting off a flow in a body of water by means of an inspection carriage (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: an acquisition of measurements by the reference sensor (18) and by at least one of the guide sensor (21) and the counter-guide sensor (22), a measurement of the distance between the inspection carriage (10) and the horizontal reference plane (25), and the establishment of a distance profile, over at least a portion of a height of the guide rail (5) and / or the counter-guide rail (4), between the guide rail (5) and the guide sensor (21) and / or between the counter-guide rail (4) and the counter-guide sensor (22) as a function of the distance between the inspection carriage (10) and the horizontal reference plane (25).

Images