Attachment for mounting flexible sensors to pipe

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an attachment for mounting a flexible sensor to a pipe, capable of preventing a flexible sensor from being damaged or destroyed due to a pressure applied thereto during installation even when the sensor is attached to a pipe to be measured while preventing a contact medium from being moved and coming off due to the pressure applied thereto in the case where the sensor is an ultrasound type sensor.CONSTITUTION: An attachment for mounting a flexible sensor to a pipe includes a holding part for holding a flexible sensor or probe with one end thereof facing the piping. The holding part has a concave placement area (concave portion with curved bottom surface) capable of placing and housing the sensor so as not to be damaged caused by pressure when the sensor is pressed against the outer surface of the pipe when the sensor is pressed toward the outer surface of the pipe from the holding part side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment for mounting a flexible sensor to a pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to inspect and diagnose deterioration of a pipe, various sensor devices have been used to measure the wall thickness and other characteristics of the pipe, and most of such measurements are performed while the sensor device is attached to the outer surface of the pipe by hand, mechanically, or with a specified tool (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When attaching such a sensor device to the outer surface of the pipe, for example, a method of attaching and fixing the sensor device by pressing it toward the pipe 10 with a fixture 31 and a fastener 32 as shown in Fig. 8(a), or a method of attaching and fixing a sensor 33 by pressing it toward the pipe 20 with a fastener 34 as shown in Fig. 8(b) has been adopted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-191013 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7066092 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a sensor device is attached to the outer surface of a pipe by an operator manually, mechanically, or with a specified tool for the purpose of inspecting, measuring, etc., of the pipe, particularly when the attachment, holding, and measurement are to be continued over a long period of time rather than temporarily, such as for example for measuring periodically for a year or more, it is desirable to use a thin (for example, sheet-like) flexible sensor that does not protrude significantly from the outer surface of the pipe and does not significantly interfere with other work, and that can accommodate the curved outer surface of the pipe.However, when such a flexible sensor device (see, for example, Patent Document 2) is attached to the outer surface of a pipe, there is a problem that the flexible sensor device can be damaged or destroyed by the pressing force applied during attachment, etc.

[0005] Furthermore, when the flexible sensor device as described above is an ultrasonic sensor, the contact medium interposed between the probe side and the object to be measured can be pushed out, moved, or detached due to the pressing force applied during installation, causing problems such as interference with the transmission of ultrasonic waves.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems with the conventional technology, and has an object to provide an attachment for attaching a flexible sensor to a pipe, which can prevent the sensor from being damaged or destroyed by pressure or the like applied during attachment when attaching a flexible sensor, particularly a flexible and thin (e.g., sheet-shaped) sensor to a measurement object (pipe), and further prevents, when such a flexible sensor is an ultrasonic sensor, the contact medium interposed between the flexible sensor and the measurement object from being pushed out, moved or detached due to pressure or the like applied during attachment, which would cause an interruption in the transmission of ultrasonic waves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve such problems, the attachment for mounting a flexible sensor to a pipe, etc. according to the present invention is an attachment for mounting or holding a flexible sensor to the outer surface, etc. of a pipe, etc., and is provided with a holding part that holds the flexible sensor so that one side faces the side of the pipe, etc., and is characterized in that the holding part has a concave arrangement area in which the flexible sensor is arranged and housed, and is provided with a concave arrangement area that can prevent the flexible sensor from being pressed in the direction of the outer surface, etc. of the pipe, etc. and being damaged or broken when the holding part is pressed in the direction of the outer surface, etc. of the pipe, etc.

[0008] In addition, in the attachment for mounting a flexible sensor on a pipe according to the present invention, the flexible sensor is an ultrasonic sensor that emits ultrasonic waves to the pipe side, and the concave arrangement area of ​​the holding part may be formed to have a depth capable of accommodating therein the flexible sensor and a contact medium (a contact medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic sensor to the pipe side).

[0009] In the attachment for mounting a flexible sensor on a pipe according to the present invention, the bottom (bottom surface) of the concave arrangement area of ​​the holding portion may be formed to have a curved surface corresponding to the outer surface of the pipe.

[0010] Furthermore, in an attachment for mounting a flexible sensor on a pipe according to the present invention, the attachment may comprise a fastener having a pressing portion for pressing the holding portion against the outer surface of the pipe, and a long hole for enabling the pressing portion to be moved within a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the pipe. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In the present invention, the holding portion that holds the flexible, thin sensor (or part thereof) is provided with a concave arrangement area within which the sensor can be arranged and housed. Therefore, when the flexible sensor is attached and held on the outer surface of the pipe to be measured by the holding portion, inconveniences such as damage or destruction of the flexible sensor due to pressing force from the holding portion can be effectively prevented.

[0012] In addition, in the present invention, when the concave arrangement area of ​​the holding part is formed to have a depth capable of accommodating the flexible sensor and a contact medium (a contact medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic sensor to the piping side) therein, it is possible to effectively prevent the inconvenience that when the flexible sensor is an ultrasonic sensor, the contact medium interposed between the flexible sensor and the object to be measured (piping) is pushed out from the opposing surface of the sensor due to a pressing force applied when the sensor is attached by the holding part, and moves or detaches, causing interference with the transmission of ultrasonic waves.

[0013] Furthermore, in the present invention, when the bottom (bottom surface) of the concave arrangement area of ​​the holding portion is formed to have a curved surface corresponding to the outer surface of the piping, the flexible sensor can be positioned appropriately opposite or in contact with the outer surface of the piping having various curves, making it possible to properly measure the wall thickness, etc. of the piping.

[0014] Furthermore, in the present invention, when the fixture for fixing the holding part to the outer surface side of the pipe is provided with a pressing part that presses the holding part against the outer surface side of the pipe and an elongated hole that allows the pressing part to move within a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, the pressing part that presses the holding part against the outer surface side of the pipe can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the pipe using the elongated hole, so that the position of the pressing part can be moved and adjusted relative to the pipe. As a result, the position of the flexible sensor held by the holding part can be moved and adjusted relative to the pipe, making it possible to more accurately measure the wall thickness, etc. of the pipe. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A is a perspective view showing a holding part 4 for a flexible sensor which constitutes an attachment for mounting a flexible sensor on a pipe in accordance with this embodiment, (a) being a view from the concave arrangement area side (flat surface side), (b) being a view from the side, (c) being a view from the front, and (d) being a view from the bottom. [Diagram 2] 1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views showing a flexible sensor device attached to and held on a pipe according to this embodiment from one side and the other side, respectively. [Diagram 3] 1, in which a probe 1 included in the sensor device of FIG. 2 is arranged and accommodated in the concave arrangement area 4a of the holding portion 4. (a) is an oblique view showing the holding portion 4 of the attachment of FIG. 1 and the probe 1 of the sensor device of FIG. 2 arranged side by side. (b) is an oblique view showing the state in which the probe 1 is arranged and accommodated in the concave arrangement area 4a of the holding portion 4. (c) is an oblique view showing this state from the bottom side of the holding portion 4. [Figure 4] 1. (a) and (b) are perspective views each showing a state in which the probe 1 of the sensor device of FIG. 2 is arranged and housed in the concave arrangement area 4a of the holding portion 4 of FIG. [Diagram 5] 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views showing a state in which a holding portion 4 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) that holds a probe 1 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of a pipe to be measured using fixtures, fasteners, etc. [Figure 6] 5(a) and 5(b) are perspective views for explaining an improved version of the fixture shown in FIG. 5(a). [Figure 7] 13(a) to 13(d) are perspective views illustrating examples of a holding portion in other embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are perspective views each showing a conventional method for attaching an ultrasonic sensor device to a pipe to be measured. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an attachment for mounting a flexible sensor to a pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0017] 1 is a perspective view showing a flexible sensor holder 4 constituting an attachment for attaching a flexible sensor to a pipe according to this embodiment, in which (a) is a view from the concave arrangement area side (flat side), (b) is a view from the side, (c) is a view from the front, and (d) is a view from the bottom. In FIG. 1, 4a is a concave arrangement area formed on one side of the holder 4, in which a recess is formed in which a flexible sensor can be arranged and accommodated, 4b is a groove portion through which power and signal cables connected to the sensor arranged in the concave arrangement area 4a are inserted, and 4c is a bottom surface of the holder 4. In this embodiment, the bottom (bottom surface) of the concave arrangement area 4a is formed to be a curved surface corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 10 to be measured.

[0018] 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing one side and the other side, respectively, of a flexible sensor device according to this embodiment that is attached and held on a pipe for, for example, ultrasonic testing of the pipe. In Fig. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a probe (ultrasonic transducer) included in the sensor device, which is a thin (approximately sheet-like) flexible probe equipped with a piezoelectric element or the like, 2 denotes a bendable (flexible) metallic cable with a spiral tube (or bellows tube) type cover for supplying power and signals to the probe 1, and 3 denotes a connection terminal for connecting the cable 2 to a power source and a control device (not shown).

[0019] Next, Figures 3 and 4 are oblique views showing the state in which the probe 1 of the sensor device of Figure 2 is arranged and accommodated in the concave arrangement area 4a of the holding portion 4 of Figure 1, where (a) is a diagram showing the holding portion 4 of the attachment of Figure 1 and the probe 1 of the sensor device of Figure 2 arranged side by side, (b) is a diagram showing the state in which the probe 1 is arranged and accommodated in the concave arrangement area 4a of the holding portion 4, and (c) is a diagram showing this state from the bottom side of the holding portion 4.

[0020] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3(b), the concave arrangement region 4a of the holding part 4 is formed so that when the probe 1 is arranged, the entire probe 1 fits within the concave portion of the concave arrangement region 4a. That is, in the state shown in Fig. 3(b), almost the entire probe 1 is arranged and housed within the concave arrangement region 4a. Therefore, in this state, no part of the probe 1 protrudes outward (in the direction of the piping) from the concave space within the concave arrangement region 4a of the holding part 4.

[0021] Therefore, even if the probe 1 side of the holding part 4 in which the probe 1 is arranged and housed as shown in Figure 3 (b) is pressed and fixed against and in contact with the outer surface of the pipe, there is no risk of the flexible probe 1 being broken or damaged by the pressing force applied during the pressing and fixing.

[0022] In this embodiment, the recessed arrangement area 4a of the holding portion 4 is formed to have a depth capable of accommodating therein the probe 1, which is the flexible ultrasonic sensor (or a part thereof), and a contact medium (a contact medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic sensor to the piping side). That is, for example, when the thickness dimension of the sensor (probe 1) is 1 mm, the recessed arrangement area 4a is formed to have a depth of about 1 mm+α capable of accommodating the 1 mm thick sensor (probe 1) and contact medium. Therefore, in order for the ultrasonic waves emitted from the probe 1 to be transmitted to the pipe side, it is necessary to interpose a contact medium such as glycerin paste or oil between the probe 1 and the outer surface of the pipe; however, in this embodiment, the contact medium and the probe 1 are arranged and housed together in the concave arrangement area 4a, so they do not protrude outward (towards the pipe) from the concave space of the concave arrangement area 4a. Even if the holding portion 4 is pressed and fixed against the outer surface of the pipe from the probe 1 side, in contact with it, there is no risk that the contact medium will protrude from the surface of the probe 1 and move or detach due to the pressure during the pressing and fixing, causing the ultrasonic waves from the probe 1 to not be effectively transmitted to the pipe side.

[0023] Next, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a holder 4 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for holding the probe 1 is attached by a fixture to the outer circumferential surface of a pipe to be measured. In Figure 5(a), 11 is a fixture for attaching and fixing the holding portion 4 that holds the probe 1 to the pipe 10 side, 11a is a frame that constitutes the fixture 11, 11b is a pressing portion that is supported by the frame 11a and a screw shaft 11c described below and presses the holding portion 4 toward the pipe 10, 11c is a screw shaft that is supported by the frame 11a and extends toward the pipe 10, and has the pressing portion 11b attached to its end on the pipe 10 side, 11d is an adjustment ring for moving the screw shaft 11c toward the pipe 10, thereby moving the pressing portion 11b toward the pipe 10, and 16 is a fastener that fixes the fixture 11 and the holding portion 4 to the pipe 20 side by holding both ends of the frame 11a of the fixture 11 in the pipe 10 direction. In FIG. 5(b), 16 denotes a fastener (fastening fixture) that holds and presses the holding portion 4 that holds the probe 1 from its bottom side, thereby pressing and fixing the holding portion 4 in the direction of the pipe 20.

[0024] 6(a) and (b) are perspective views showing an improved version of the fixture 11 described with reference to Fig. 5(a). In Fig. 6, 13 is a fixture that attaches and fixes the holding portion 4 holding the probe 1 to the pipe 10 side, 13a is a frame that constitutes the fixture 13, 13b is a pressing portion that is supported by the frame 13a and a screw shaft 13c described below and presses the holding portion 4 toward the pipe 10, 13c is a screw shaft that extends toward the pipe 10 while being supported by the frame 13a, and 13d is an adjustment ring that moves the screw shaft 13c supported by the frame 13a toward the pipe 10 (as a result, the pressing portion 13b attached to the end of the screw shaft 13c also moves toward the pipe 10).

[0025] 6, an elongated hole 13e is formed in the center of the frame 13a, extending along the longitudinal direction of the pipe 10. This elongated hole 13e enables the pressing portion 13b that presses the holding portion 4 to move in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 10 when the pressing portion 13b is loosely supported by the frame 13a and the screw shaft 13c, thereby enabling the position of the holding portion 4 that is loosely pressed by the pressing portion 13b to be moved and adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 10.

[0026] 7(a)-(b) are perspective views for explaining a holding part used in another embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 7(a) and (b), 5a is a recessed arrangement area formed on one surface of the holding part 5 and having a substantially rectangular (or substantially square) planar shape, 5b is a groove for inserting a power and signal cable 2 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) connected to a probe 1 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) arranged and housed in the recessed arrangement area 5a, and 5c is a bottom surface of the holding part 5. In this embodiment, the bottom (bottom surface) of the recessed arrangement area 5a is also formed to be a curved surface corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 10 to be measured, as shown in Fig. 7(a).

[0027] Next, Fig. 7(c) is a perspective view for explaining a holding part 6 used in still another embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 7(c), 6a is a recessed arrangement area formed on one surface of the holding part 6 and having a substantially rectangular (or substantially square) planar shape, and 6b is a groove for inserting a power supply and signal cable 2 (see Figs. 2 and 3) connected to a probe 1 (see Figs. 2 and 3) arranged and housed in the recessed arrangement area 6a. In this embodiment as well, the bottom (bottom surface) of the recessed arrangement area 6a is formed to have a curved surface corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of a pipe 10 to be measured, as shown in Fig. 7(c).

[0028] Next, Fig. 7(d) is a perspective view for explaining a holding part 7 used in still another embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 7(d), 7a is a concave arrangement area having a substantially circular shape in plan view formed on one surface of the holding part 7, and 7b is a groove for inserting a power supply and signal cable 2 (see Figs. 2 and 3) connected to a probe 1 (see Figs. 2 and 3) arranged and housed in the concave arrangement area 7a. In this embodiment as well, the bottom (bottom surface) of the concave arrangement area 7a is formed to have a curved surface corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of a pipe 10 to be measured, as shown in Fig. 7(d).

[0029] In other embodiments shown in Figures 7(a) to (d), the concave arrangement areas 5a, 6a, 7a of the respective holding portions 5, 6, 7 are formed to have a depth sufficient to accommodate the flexible probe (ultrasonic sensor) 1 and a contact medium therein.

[0030] As described above, in each of the embodiments, the holding portions 4, 5, 6, 7 that hold the flexible sheet-like probe (sensor) 1 are provided with concave arrangement areas 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a in which the probe 1 can be arranged and housed. Therefore, when the flexible probe 1 is attached to the outer surface side of the pipe 10, 20 by the holding portions 4, 5, 6, 7, it is possible to effectively prevent inconveniences such as the flexible probe 1 being pressed toward the pipe 10, 20 from the holding portions 4, 5, 6, 7 side, causing damage or destruction.

[0031] Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the concave arrangement areas 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a of the holding portions 4, 5, 6, 7 are formed to have a depth capable of accommodating therein the flexible probe (ultrasonic sensor) 1 and a contact medium (a contact medium that facilitates the propagation of ultrasonic waves to the piping side). Therefore, when the flexible probe 1 is an ultrasonic sensor, it is possible to effectively prevent the contact medium interposed between the flexible probe 1 and the object to be measured from being pushed out from the opposing surface (contact surface) of the probe 1 due to a pressing force applied when the probe is attached by the holding portions 4, 5, 6, 7, and moving or detaching, resulting in an interruption in the transmission of ultrasonic waves.

[0032] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the bottom (bottom surface) of each of the concave arrangement areas 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a of the holding portions 4, 5, 6, 7 is formed to have a curved surface corresponding to the outer surface of the pipes 10, 20, so that the probe (sensor) 1 can be appropriately positioned with respect to the outer surfaces of the pipes 10, 20, which are curved in various ways, to properly measure the wall thickness, etc. of the pipes 10, 20.

[0033] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the fixing devices 11, 13 (see Figures 5(a) and 6) for fixing the holding portions 4, 5, 6, 7 to the outer surface of the piping 10, 20 are provided with long holes 13e (see Figure 6) that enable the pressing portions 11b, 13b (pressing portions for fixing the holding portions 4, 5, 6, 7 to the outer surface side of the piping 10, 20; see Figures 5 and 6) to move within a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the piping 10, 20. Therefore, according to each of the above embodiments, the pressing portions 11b, 13b that press the holding portions 4, 5, 6, 7 in which the flexible probe (sensor) 1 is held can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the piping 10, 20 by utilizing the long hole 13e, so that the position of the pressing portions 11b, 13b can be moved and adjusted relative to the piping 10, 20. As a result, the position of the flexible probe 1 held by the holding portions 4, 5, 6, 7 can be moved and adjusted relative to the piping 10, 20, thereby making it possible to more accurately measure the wall thickness, etc. of the piping 10, 20.

[0034] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and various modifications are possible. For example, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, an ultrasonic sensor having an ultrasonic vibrator is attached and fixed to the pipes 10 and 20 as the flexible sensor device, but the sensor device in the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, various sensor devices for inspecting and measuring various characteristics such as temperature and airtightness other than the wall thickness of the pipe. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Flexible sensor 2 Cable 3 Connection terminal 4,5,6,7 Holding part 4a,5a,6a,7a Concave arrangement area 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b Cable groove 10,20 Piping 11,13 Fixtures 11a, 13a Frame of fixture 11b, 13b Pressing part 11c,13c screw shaft 11d,13d adjustment ring 13e long hole 16 Fasteners (or fastening fixtures)

Claims

1. A pipe mounting attachment for mounting or holding a flexible sensor on an outer surface of a pipe, comprising: An attachment for mounting a flexible sensor to a pipe, comprising a holding portion that holds a flexible sensor with one side facing the pipe, the holding portion having a concave arrangement area within which the flexible sensor is arranged and housed, the concave arrangement area preventing the flexible sensor from being pressed toward the outer surface of the pipe and being damaged or broken when the holding portion is pressed toward the outer surface of the pipe.

2. The flexible sensor is an ultrasonic sensor that transmits ultrasonic waves to the piping side, 2. An attachment for mounting a flexible sensor to a pipe according to claim 1, wherein the recessed arrangement area of ​​the holding portion is formed to have a depth capable of accommodating the flexible sensor and a contact medium therein.

3. 2. The attachment for mounting a flexible sensor to a pipe according to claim 1, wherein a bottom of the recessed arrangement area of ​​said holding portion is formed to have a curved surface corresponding to an outer surface of said pipe.

4. 4. An attachment for mounting a flexible sensor to a pipe as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the attachment comprises a fixing device having a pressing portion for pressing the holding portion against the outer surface side of the pipe and a long hole for enabling the pressing portion to be moved within a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the pipe.

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