Boring core imaging apparatus

Abstract

To provide a boring core imaging apparatus capable of obtaining both X-ray photograph and color picture of a core sample.SOLUTION: The boring core imaging apparatus for photographing a core collected by boring into the ground in a state where the core is stored in a core box comprises: a conveyor including a throw-in conveyor section on which the core box is installed while being projected outward, and an inner conveyor section receiving the core box from the throw-in conveyor; and a measurement unit in which an X-ray line sensor provided over the throw-in conveyor section and the inner conveyor section and irradiating the core with X-ray to obtain X-ray image, and a line sensor camera irradiating the core with LED white light to obtain color image of the core are arranged in series in a conveyance direction. When the core box driven and conveyed by the conveyor is transferred from the throw-in conveyor to the inner conveyor and the measurement unit photographs color image and X-ray image of the core completely, the core box is returned to the throw-in conveyor section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a boring core imaging device that is equipped with an X-ray line sensor that irradiates the core with X-rays to obtain an X-ray image, and a line sensor camera that irradiates the core with LED white light to obtain a color image of the core. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for determining ground conditions, which involves taking X-ray photographs of cores obtained by drilling and observing the strength and weakness of the ground and faults. Color photographs of the cores taken from each core box are also provided, and the X-ray and color photographs can be combined to allow detailed observation of the ground. In addition, a rock boring columnar diagram is provided in which the surface of the core is visually read and a line drawing is drawn by hand. In this rock boring columnar diagram, the surface of the core is distinguished between whether it is sandy, clayey, breccia-like, or a rod-shaped core without cracks.

[0003] To take color photographs, the core box is placed at an angle on a core box stand set up on the floor, and the cores are photographed with a camera attached to a tripod stand. The X-ray imaging device and the camera are taken separately, making the heavy core box difficult to carry. For example, if five cores are stored in a core box, it will weigh about 20 kg. When boring 100 m deep into 20 locations on a mountain slope during a ground survey, this will result in 2,000 1 m long cores, which is a large number. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-189838 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a boring core imaging device capable of taking both X-ray and color photographs of the core. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The drilling core imaging device (Example 1) of the present invention is a drilling core imaging device that images cores extracted by drilling into the ground while they are stored in a core box, and is equipped with a conveyor consisting of an input conveyor section that protrudes outward on which the core box is installed, an internal conveyor section that receives the core box from the input conveyor, a line sensor camera that is located above the input conveyor and internal conveyor and irradiates the core with LED white light to obtain a color image of the core, and a measurement unit in which an X-ray line sensor that irradiates the core with X-rays to obtain an X-ray image is arranged in series in the conveying direction, and the core box, which is driven and transported by the conveyor, is sent from the input conveyor section to the internal conveyor section, and when the measurement unit has completed capturing the color image and the X-ray image, the core box is returned to the input conveyor section.

[0007] Yet another drilling core imaging device (Example 2) according to the present invention is a drilling core imaging device that images cores extracted by drilling into the ground while they are stored in a core box, and is equipped with a conveyor consisting of a free conveyor and having an input conveyor section that protrudes outward and on which the core box is placed, a line sensor camera that irradiates the core with LED white light to obtain a color image of the core, and an X-ray line sensor that irradiates the core with X-rays to obtain an X-ray image, which are arranged in series in the conveying direction, and a slide means that moves the measurement unit back and forth relative to the core box, which has been sent to an imaging position within the device and is in a stopped state, and is characterized in that the core box is sent from the input conveyor section to the imaging position within the device and pulled back from the imaging position to the input conveyor section manually.

[0008] Another boring core imaging device (Example 3) according to the present invention is a boring core imaging device that images cores extracted by boring into the ground while they are stored in a core box, and is characterized in that it comprises a conveyor consisting of an input conveyor section protruding outward where the core box is installed, a first internal conveyor section that receives the core box from the input conveyor, a second internal conveyor section that receives the core box from the first internal conveyor, and a discharge conveyor section that receives the core box from the second internal conveyor, a line sensor camera located above and overlapping the first internal conveyor section and the second internal conveyor section, which irradiates the core with LED white light to obtain a color image of the core, and an X-ray line sensor that irradiates the core with X-rays to obtain an X-ray image, and is arranged in series in the conveying direction, and the conveyor is operated by repeatedly switching between a stopped state and a driven state in a predetermined cycle, and the input of the core box into the input conveyor section and the removal of the core box from the discharge conveyor section are performed in parallel.

[0009] The feeding conveyor section, the first internal conveyor section, the second internal conveyor section, and the discharging conveyor section are provided with core box detection sensors for detecting the presence or absence of the core box. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the boring core imaging device (embodiment 1) of the present invention, (1) The measurement unit has an X-ray line sensor that obtains X-ray images of the core and a line sensor camera that obtains color images of the core, arranged in series in the transport direction, making it possible to obtain both X-ray and color images without any time lag. Since the core does not move internally due to external forces, accurate imaging can be achieved with no positional deviation between the color and X-ray images. Accurate imaging can be achieved by sharing position information. This enables reliable core observation. (2) When the imaging of the core box is completed, the core box is sent out in the opposite direction to the conveying direction and returned to the input conveyor, so that the input side and the removal side of the core box are in the same place, which is convenient. The device can be made compact, and the boring core imaging device can be installed even if there is a wall on the front left side of the device.

[0011] According to another boring core imaging device (embodiment 2) of the present invention, (1) The measurement unit has an X-ray line sensor that obtains X-ray images of the core and a line sensor camera that obtains color images of the core, arranged in series in the transport direction, making it possible to obtain both X-ray and color images without any time lag. Since the core does not move internally due to external forces, accurate imaging can be achieved with no positional deviation between the color and X-ray images. Accurate imaging can be achieved by sharing position information. This enables reliable core observation. (2) The core box is moved from the feeding conveyor to the imaging location and pulled back to the feeding conveyor manually, so the conveyor drive system can be made compact. The boring core imaging device can be installed even if there is a wall on the front left side of the device.

[0012] According to another boring core imaging device (embodiment 3) of the present invention, (1) The measurement unit has an X-ray line sensor that obtains X-ray images of the core and a line sensor camera that obtains color images of the core, arranged in series in the transport direction, making it possible to obtain both X-ray and color images without any time lag. Since the core does not move internally due to external forces, accurate imaging can be achieved with no positional deviation between the color and X-ray images. Accurate imaging can be achieved by sharing position information. This enables reliable core observation. (2) Since an input conveyor section and an output conveyor section are provided, core boxes can be input sequentially into the input conveyor section and imaged, and at the same time, core boxes that have been imaged can be sequentially removed from the output conveyor section. Since the conveyor is repeatedly operated between a stopped state and a driven state, core boxes can be stably input into the stopped conveyor and can be safely removed from the stopped conveyor.

[0013] Since the input conveyor section, the first internal conveyor section, the second internal conveyor section, and the discharge conveyor section are provided with core box detection sensors that detect the presence or absence of a core box, it is possible to detect whether or not a core box is on each conveyor section. For example, if a core box is present on the discharge conveyor section, transportation can be prevented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a boring core imaging device according to the present invention (Example 1). [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a boring core imaging device according to the present invention (Example 2). [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a boring core imaging device according to the present invention (Example 3). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows a color photograph of a core box in black and white. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 shows an X-ray image of a core box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS EXAMPLES

[0015] FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a boring core imaging device 100 of the present invention. The boring core imaging device 100 is covered with an X-ray leakage prevention cover 1 on the outside, and images a plurality of cores 9 collected by boring the ground while stored in a core box 7. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the plurality of cores 9 are stored side by side in the core box 7 with partitions. The conveyor 6 for transporting the core boxes 7 is composed of an input conveyor section 10 on which the core boxes 7 are installed, protruding outward, and an internal conveyor section 11 for receiving the core boxes 7 from the input conveyor section 10 inside the X-ray leakage prevention cover 1. The core boxes 7 are manually inserted and removed. The core boxes 7 are transported in the transport direction indicated by the arrow. A roller conveyor is used as the conveyor 6. Both ends of each roller of the conveyor 6 are driven by chains to rotate, but are fixed in position. When each roller rotates, the core boxes mounted on the rollers are transported. The input conveyor section 10 and the internal conveyor section 11 are both stopped and driven (transporting) at the same time, and are not controlled separately, but can be driven and controlled by a single conveyor 6.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the measurement unit 2 is located inside the X-ray leakage prevention cover 1, and is provided above the input conveyor section 10 and the internal conveyor section 11. The measurement unit 2 includes an X-ray generator 3 and an X-ray line sensor 8 for obtaining X-ray images of multiple cores 9 stored in a core box 7, and an LED white light source 5 and a line sensor camera 4 for obtaining color images of the cores 9. The X-ray generator 3 irradiates the cores 9 with X-rays. The X-rays that pass through the cores are received by the X-ray line sensor 8 installed below the conveyor 6. The X-rays pass between the rollers and reach the X-ray line sensor 8. The rollers do not interfere with imaging by X-rays.

[0017] LED white light is irradiated from the light source 5, and the conveyed core 9 is imaged in a line shape, and a color image is obtained by the line sensor camera 4. In the first embodiment, the line sensor camera 4 and the X-ray line sensor 8 are arranged in series in the conveying direction.

[0018] In the operation of the boring core imaging device 100, first, the core box 7 is manually inserted into the stopped input conveyor section 10 by a human. Next, when the imaging start button on the operation panel (not shown) is pressed, the input conveyor section 10 and the internal conveyor section 11 are driven from the stopped state, and the core box 7 is sent from the input conveyor section 10 to the internal conveyor section 11. At this time, the core box 7 passes under the measurement unit 2, so that color images of the multiple cores 9 are captured, and then X-ray images are captured. When the entire core box 7 advances to the internal conveyor section 11, the conveyor 6 is reversed. As a result, the core box 7 returns to the input conveyor section 10, and the conveyor 6 stops. The operator takes out the core box 7, for which imaging has been completed, from the input conveyor section 10. For example, the time it takes for the core box 7 to move from the input conveyor section 10 to the internal conveyor section 11 is about 5 seconds (=100 (cm) / 20 (cm / s)) when the conveying speed is 20 cm / s. The time it takes for the core box 7 to return to the input conveyor section 10 is twice as long, about 10 seconds. EXAMPLES

[0019] FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a boring core imaging device 200 of the present invention. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that (1) the measuring unit 2 is not fixed, but moves from left to right in the device as shown in FIG. 2 to take an image. (2) Therefore, a slide means 13 for reciprocating the measuring unit 2 is disposed at the bottom of the device. (3) The conveyor 6 is a roller conveyor without a mechanism for driving the rollers, and a so-called free conveyor 14 is used. The core box 7 is manually placed on the input conveyor section 10 of the conveyor 6, and is further manually moved to the imaging position in the device. (4) There is no conveyor in the device, and a bridge consisting of two rails that supports the bottom of both sides of the core box 7 is provided. The bridge has low friction with the core box 7, and does not interfere with the X-ray line sensor 8 traveling under the core box 7. (5) When the measuring unit 2 returns to the left side and imaging is completed, the core box 7 is manually pulled out to the input conveyor section 10. Since the other aspects are the same as the first embodiment, a description will be omitted. EXAMPLES

[0020] 3 is a structural diagram of another boring core imaging device 300 of the present invention. The boring core imaging device 300 is covered with an X-ray leakage prevention cover 1 on the outside, and images a core collected by boring into the ground while it is stored in a core box 7.

[0021] The conveyor 6 is made up of an input conveyor section 10, which is installed outside the X-ray leakage prevention cover 1 and into which the core boxes 7 are input, a first internal conveyor section 11a which receives the core boxes 7 from the input conveyor section 10, a second internal conveyor section 11b which receives the core boxes from the first internal conveyor section 11a, and a discharge conveyor section 12 which is installed outside the X-ray leakage prevention cover 1 and receives the core boxes from the second internal conveyor section 11b. The core boxes 7 are transported in the transport direction shown by the arrow. The conveyor 6 is a roller conveyor with a drive mechanism, and each roller is driven to rotate but is fixed in position.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, the measurement unit 2 is provided inside the X-ray leakage prevention cover 1, and above and between the first internal conveyor section 11a and the second internal conveyor section 11b. The measurement unit 2 includes an X-ray generator 3 and an X-ray line sensor 8 for obtaining X-ray images of a plurality of cores 9 housed in a core box 7, and an LED white light source 5 and a line sensor camera 4 for obtaining color images of the cores 9. The X-ray generator 3 irradiates the cores 9 with X-rays. The X-rays are received by the X-ray line sensor 8 installed below the conveyor 6. The X-rays are positioned to avoid the rollers of the conveyor 6, and therefore are not blocked by the rollers of the conveyor 6 and reach the X-ray line sensor 8.

[0023] In the third embodiment, the line sensor camera 4 and the X-ray line sensor 8 are arranged in series in the conveying direction. The LED white light from the light source 5 is irradiated onto the cores 9, and the multiple cores 9 in the core box 7 that is conveyed and traveling are imaged in a line shape, and a color image is obtained by the line sensor camera 4. After that, the X-ray generator 3 irradiates the multiple cores 9 in the traveling core box 7 with X-rays, and the X-ray line sensor 8 images them in a line shape, and an X-ray image is obtained.

[0024] The core boxes 7 are sequentially fed into the feed conveyor section 10. In addition, in parallel with the feeding of the core boxes 7, the core boxes 7 can be sequentially removed from the discharge conveyor section 12. For example, a loader (not shown) can be used to feed the core boxes 7. A signal indicating that the core boxes 7 can be fed into the feed conveyor section 10 from the boring core imaging device 300 and a signal indicating that the conveyor 6 is driving (transporting) are sent to the loader. Similarly, the core boxes 7 can be removed from the discharge conveyor section 12 by an unloader (not shown). A signal indicating that the core boxes 7 are ready on the discharge conveyor section 12 and can be removed from the boring core imaging device 300 and a signal indicating that the conveyor 6 is driving (transporting) are sent to the unloader. The core boxes 7 usually contain five cores and are heavy, so the loader and unloader can reduce the load of manual feeding and carrying.

[0025] If the removal of the core box 7 by the unloader is temporarily suspended, the conveyor 6 remains stopped as a whole. Since the stopped state continues, for example, the core box 7 remains in a state of being inserted into the input conveyor section 10. Conversely, if the insertion of the core box 7 by the loader is temporarily delayed, if there is a core box 7 on the first internal conveyor section 11a, it is sent out, photographed, and removed from the discharge conveyor section 12.

[0026] The conveyor 6 is operated by repeatedly stopping and driving (during transport) as a whole. The stop cycle is a fixed time for the loader or unloader to insert or remove the core box 7. Since the core box 7 is inserted or removed while the conveyor 6 is stopped, stable insertion and removal is possible. The drive (during transport) cycle is the time it takes for the core box 7 to move from the insertion conveyor section 10 to the first internal conveyor section 11a, and is approximately 5 seconds if the transport speed is 20 cm / s, for example.

[0027] Core box detection sensors (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of a core box 7 can be provided at the front ends of the input conveyor section 10, the first internal conveyor section 11a, the second internal conveyor section 11b, and the discharge conveyor section 12. The core box detection sensor at the front end of the discharge conveyor section 12 turns on when the core box 7 advances onto the discharge conveyor, and turns off when the core box 7 is removed. The on state can be used as a condition for the unloader to remove the core box 7 from the discharge conveyor section 12. If the on state continues, this indicates that the unloader is delayed in removing the core box 7, and in that case, the conveyor 6 is not driven, but is controlled to continue in a stopped state.

[0028] The core box detection sensor of the feeding conveyor section 10 turns on when a core box 7 is fed into the feeding conveyor section 10, and turns off when the core box 7 is sent out to the first internal conveyor section 11a. The off state can be used as a condition for the loader to feed the core box 7 into the feeding conveyor section 10. If the on state continues, the transport of the core box 7 is on hold and the core box cannot be fed into the feeding conveyor section 10, so the loader can hold off on feeding the core box 7.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3. The outside of the boring core imaging device 300 is covered with an X-ray leakage prevention cover 1. An X-ray generator 3 irradiates X-rays 3a toward the cores 9. Five cores 9 are stored side by side in a core box 7. The core box 7 is supported by rollers of a conveyor 6, and an X-ray line sensor 8 is installed below the conveyor 6. The X-ray line sensor 8 has a length sufficient to cover the entire width of the core box 7, and is installed in a line.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3. The outside is covered with an X-ray leakage prevention cover 1. Irradiation light 5a is emitted from an LED white light source 5 toward the core 9. The light reflected from the core 9 is imaged in a line by the line sensor camera 4. If the number of pixels of the line sensor camera 4 is 6000 pixels and the width direction of the core box 7 is 300 mm, one pixel has a length of 0.05 mm (= 300 / 6000). The core box 7 is supported by a conveyor 6. The structure shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is the same in the boring core imaging device 100.

[0031] Figure 6 is a black and white image of a color photograph of the core box 7. Figure 7 is an X-ray image of the core 9 shown in Figure 6. The imaged core 9 is made of granite. The length of the core 9 is about 1 m, and the diameter of the core 9 is about 5 cm. The cracks occurring in the core 9 can be observed from the X-ray image of the core 9 in Figure 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 X-ray leakage prevention cover 2. Measurement Unit 3 X-ray generator 3a X-ray 4 Line sensor camera 5 LED white light source 5a Irradiation light 6 Conveyor 7 Core Box 8 X-ray line sensor 9 cores 10. Input conveyor section 11 Internal conveyor section 11a First internal conveyor section 11b Second internal conveyor section 12 Discharge conveyor section 13 Slide means 14 Free Conveyor 100, 200, 300 Boring core imaging device

Claims

1. A boring core imaging device that images a core collected by boring into the ground while the core is stored in a core box, a conveyor including an input conveyor section on which the core box is placed and which protrudes outward, and an internal conveyor section which receives the core box from the input conveyor; a line sensor camera that irradiates the core with LED white light to obtain a color image of the core, and an X-ray line sensor that irradiates the core with X-rays to obtain an X-ray image, the line sensor camera and the X-ray line sensor are arranged in series in the conveying direction, A boring core imaging device characterized in that when the core box, which is driven and transported by the conveyor, is sent from the feeding conveyor section to the internal conveyor section and the measurement unit completes capturing the color image and the X-ray image, the core box is returned to the feeding conveyor section.

2. A boring core imaging device that images a core collected by boring into the ground while the core is stored in a core box, A conveyor including a free conveyor and a feeding conveyor section protruding outwardly on which the core box is placed; a line sensor camera that irradiates the core with LED white light to obtain a color image of the core, and an X-ray line sensor that irradiates the core with X-rays to obtain an X-ray image, the line sensor camera and the X-ray line sensor are arranged in series in the conveying direction; a slide means for reciprocating the measuring unit with respect to the core box which has been sent to an imaging position within the device and is in a stopped state; A boring core imaging device characterized in that the core box is manually fed from the feeding conveyor section to an imaging position within the device, and the core box is manually pulled back from the imaging position to the feeding conveyor section.

3. A boring core imaging device that images a core collected by boring into the ground while the core is stored in a core box, a conveyor including an input conveyor section that protrudes outward and on which the core box is placed, a first internal conveyor section that receives the core box from the input conveyor, a second internal conveyor section that receives the core box from the first internal conveyor, and a discharge conveyor section that receives the core box from the second internal conveyor; a line sensor camera that irradiates the core with LED white light to obtain a color image of the core, and an X-ray line sensor that irradiates the core with X-rays to obtain an X-ray image, the line sensor camera and the X-ray line sensor are arranged in series in the conveying direction, This is a boring core imaging device characterized in that the conveyor operates by repeatedly switching between stopped and driven states in a predetermined cycle, and the core box is fed into the feeding conveyor section and the core box is removed from the discharge conveyor section in parallel.

4. The boring core imaging device as described in claim 3, characterized in that core box detection sensors for detecting the presence or absence of the core box are provided in the input conveyor section, the first internal conveyor section, the second internal conveyor section, and the discharge conveyor section.

Images