Device and method for removing deposit from piping inside

Abstract

To provide a device for removing deposit from piping inside, the device being easily passable through bent portions of piping and being capable of appropriately removing deposits from the inside of the piping, and to provide a method for removing deposit from piping, the method enabling deposit to be appropriately removed from the inside of the piping.SOLUTION: A device for removing deposit from piping inside comprises: an extensible hollow body 11; a jacket 12 that covers the exterior of the hollow body 11 and is provided with a connection portion for a traction member; and a cleaning member 13 that is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the jacket 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for removing deposits inside a pipe, such as rust adhering to the inside of the pipe.

Background Art

[0002] As a technique for cleaning the inside of a pipe, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. The in-pipe surface cleaner described in Patent Document 1 includes a wiper made of a sponge-like material whose outer peripheral portion is elastically deformable, a connecting means for connecting a plurality of wipers in series so that each can be bent, and a bendable towing material for towing the tips of the plurality of wipers connected in series. By inserting the in-pipe surface cleaner from one end of the pipe and pulling it out to the other end side, the inner surface of the pipe can be cleaned.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Pipes are provided not only with straight portions but also with bent portions. When the in-pipe surface cleaner described in Patent Document 1 reaches a bend, the wiper elastically deforms and contracts, enabling it to pass through the bent portion, and the inner surface of the bend can be cleaned by the wiper. However, since the wiper is made of a sponge-like material, it is a soft material and it is difficult to remove rust and the like formed on the inner surface of the pipe. On the other hand, if the wiper is made of a hard material, the amount of contraction due to elastic deformation becomes small, and it becomes difficult to pass through the bend of the pipe.

[0005] The present disclosure solves the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an apparatus and a method for removing deposits inside a pipe that can easily pass through a bent portion of the pipe and can appropriately remove deposits inside the pipe.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The deposit removing apparatus inside a pipe according to the present disclosure for achieving the above object includes a hollow body that can expand and contract, a jacket that covers the outside of the hollow body and is provided with a connecting portion for a traction member, and a cleaning member provided on the outer peripheral portion of the jacket.

[0007] Further, the deposit removing method inside a pipe according to the present disclosure includes, in the deposit removing apparatus inside a pipe, a step of moving the deposit removing apparatus inside the pipe by pulling the jacket with the traction member, and a step of contracting the hollow body when the traction force by the traction member exceeds a preset specified value.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the deposit removing apparatus and method inside a pipe of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily pass through a bent portion of the pipe and appropriately remove deposits inside the pipe.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited by this embodiment, and when there are multiple embodiments, those configured by combining each embodiment are also included. In addition, the components in the embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, substantially identical components, and those within the so-called equivalent range.

[0011] <Attachment Removing Device Inside the Pipe> FIG. 1 is a partially broken perspective view showing an attachment removing device inside a pipe according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view showing a method for removing attachments inside a pipe according to this embodiment.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, an attachment removing device (hereinafter simply referred to as the attachment removing device) 10 inside the pipe includes a hollow body 11, a jacket 12, and a cleaning member 13.

[0013] The hollow body 11 is stretchable. The hollow body 11 can be reduced in diameter and expanded in diameter by expanding and contracting at least in the radial direction. The jacket 12 is mounted so as to cover the outside of the hollow body 11. The jacket 12 is provided with a connecting portion 21 of a traction member described later. The cleaning member 13 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the jacket 12.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the pipe 100 has a cylindrical shape. The deposit removing device 10 is movable inside the pipe 100. The deposit removing device 10 is connected to a towing member 51. The towing member 51 is, for example, a wire rope or the like. The towing member 51 is inserted into the pipe 100, and one end 51a is connected to the connecting portion 21 of the jacket 12. The other end 51b of the towing member 51 is drawn out from the other end 100b of the pipe 100 to the outside and connected to a towing device (for example, a winch) 52. By operating the towing device 52, the deposit removing device 10 can be towed via the towing member 51 and move inside the pipe 100.

[0015] Further, a tube 53 is connected to the deposit removing device 10. The tube 53 is inserted into the pipe 100, and one end 53a is connected to the hollow body 11. The other end 53b of the tube is drawn out from one end 100a of the pipe 100 to the outside and connected to an air supply device (for example, a compressor) 54. Further, a pressure regulating device (for example, a three-way valve) 55 is connected to the other end 53b side of the tube 53. By operating the air supply device 54 and supplying air from the tube 53 to the hollow body 11 via the pressure regulating device 55, the deposit removing device 10 can be extended in the radial direction to increase the diameter. Also, by operating the pressure regulating device 55 and discharging air from the hollow body 11 to the outside through the tube 53, the deposit removing device 10 can be contracted in the radial direction to decrease the diameter.

[0016] The towing device 52 is provided with a traction force measuring sensor (not shown) for measuring the traction force of the towing member 51. By measuring the traction force of the towing member 51, the traction force measuring sensor can measure the moving resistance (sliding resistance) when the deposit removing device 10 moves inside the pipe 100. When the traction force of the towing member 51, that is, the moving resistance of the deposit removing device 10 exceeds a preset specified value, the pressure regulating device 55 discharges the air inside the hollow body 11 to the outside through the tube 53. The specified value is preferably set in consideration of the durability of the towing member 51 and the deposit removing device 10.

[0017] <Detailed Configuration of Deposit Removing Device> FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the deposit removing device, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3 showing the deposit removing device.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the deposit removing device 10 includes a hollow body 11, a jacket 12, and a cleaning member 13. The deposit removing device 10 is configured such that a jacket 12 is provided outside the hollow body 11, and a cleaning member 13 is provided outside the jacket 12.

[0019] The hollow body 11 has a cylindrical shape with one end and the other end in the direction of the axis O closed. That is, the hollow body 11 has one end 11a, the other end 11b, and an outer peripheral portion 11c. The outer peripheral portion 11c of the hollow body 11 has a cylindrical shape centered on the axis O, and the one end 11a and the other end 11b have a disc shape centered on the axis O. The one end 11a, the outer peripheral portion 11c, and the other end 11b are integrally connected so as to be smoothly continuous without a step via a curved portion. It is desirable that the outer diameter of the outer peripheral portion 11c be the same in the direction of the axis O.

[0020] The hollow body 11 is formed of a rubber member (for example, nitrile rubber) which is an elastic material, and thus is stretchable. The hollow body 11 is stretchable at least in the radial direction by supplying or discharging air to or from the inner hollow portion 11d. The hollow body 11 expands in diameter when air is supplied to the hollow portion 11d, and contracts in diameter when air is discharged from the hollow portion 11d.

[0021] The jacket 12 is mounted so as to cover the outside of the hollow body 11. The jacket 12 has substantially the same shape as the hollow body 11 and has a cylindrical shape with one end and the other end in the direction of the axis O closed. That is, the jacket 12 has one end 12a, the other end 12b, and an outer peripheral portion 12c. The outer peripheral portion 12c of the jacket 12 has a cylindrical shape centered on the axis O, and the one end 12a and the other end 12b have a disc shape centered on the axis O. The one end 12a, the outer peripheral portion 12c, and the other end 12b are integrally connected so as to be smoothly continuous without a step via a curved portion. It is desirable that the outer diameter of the outer peripheral portion 12c be the same in the direction of the axis O.

[0022] The jacket 12 covers the one end portion 11a, the other end portion 11b, and the outer peripheral portion 11c of the hollow body 11 from the outside with its one end portion 12a, the other end portion 12b, and the outer peripheral portion 12c respectively. It is preferable that the inner surface of the jacket 12 is in close contact with the outer surface of the hollow body 11, but a partial gap may be provided between them. The jacket 12 covers the entire hollow body 11, but may be shaped to cover a part of the hollow body 11. The jacket 12 is formed of a material having a higher slip property and tensile strength than the hollow body 11. The jacket 12 is preferably formed of Kevlar (registered trademark) commercially produced by DuPont, which is classified as, for example, para-aramid fiber, but is not limited to this material.

[0023] The jacket 12 is detachably provided with respect to the hollow body 11. For example, the jacket 12 has a notch along the axial direction provided in the outer peripheral portion 12c, and an adhesive portion 12d is provided in the notch. The adhesive portion 12d is, for example, Magic Tape (registered trademark).

[0024] The jacket 12 is provided with a connecting portion 21 to which the towing member 51 is connected. The connecting portion 21 is integrally provided at the one end portion 12a of the jacket 12. Note that the connecting portion 21 may be provided at at least one of the one end portion 12a and the other end portion 12b of the jacket 12, and may be provided at both the one end portion 12a and the other end portion 12b of the jacket 12.

[0025] The hollow body 11 is provided with a connecting portion 22 at the other end portion 11b, and the tube 53 is provided with a connecting portion 23 at the one end portion 53a. The connecting portion 22 of the hollow body 11 is exposed to the outside from the other end portion 12b of the jacket 12. The connecting portion 23 of the tube 53 is detachably connected to the connecting portion 22 of the hollow body 11 from the outside of the jacket 12. Note that the connecting portion 22 may be provided at the one end portion 11a of the hollow body 11.

[0026] The jacket 12 is provided with cameras 31 and 32 on the traction member 51 on one end portion 12a side and the traction member 51 on the other end portion 12b side, respectively. Although not shown, one ends of the power supply line and the control line are connected to the cameras 31 and 32, and the other ends of the power supply line and the control line are drawn out to the outside of the pipe 100 and connected to the display device. Therefore, when the deposit removing device 10 is located inside the pipe 100, images of the passing state of the deposit removing device 10 with respect to the pipe 100 taken by the cameras 31 and 32 can be displayed on the display device from the front and the rear of the deposit removing device 10. Note that the cameras 31 and 32 may acquire and display on the display device the image in front of and the image behind the deposit removing device 10.

[0027] The cleaning member 13 is provided on the outer peripheral portion 12c of the jacket 12. The cleaning member 13 has a cylindrical shape and is detachably provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion 12c of the jacket 12 by, for example, a magic tape (registered trademark) or the like. The cleaning member 13 is formed of, for example, a sponge or a metal brush.

[0028] <Method for Removing Deposit Inside Pipe> FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of inserting a deposit removing device into a pipe, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a deposit removing device moving in a straight portion of the pipe, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a deposit removing device moving in a curved portion of the pipe.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the deposit removing device 10 has a traction member 51 connected to one end and a tube 53 connected to the other end. The tube 53 is connected to an air supply device 54 and a pressure adjusting device 55. At this time, another traction member may be connected to the other end of the deposit removing device 10. First, the traction member 51 connected to the deposit removing device 10 is inserted through one end portion 100a of the pipe 100, drawn out from the other end portion 100b, and connected to the traction device 52.

[0030] Next, the hollow body 11 of the deposit removing device 10 is contracted to a state with a reduced diameter, the traction device 52 is operated, and the deposit removing device 10 is inserted into the inside of the pipe 100 via the traction member 51. Then, with the deposit removing device 10 inserted into the inside of one end portion 100a of the pipe 100, the air supply device 54 is operated, and air is supplied to the hollow body 11 via the tube 53. Then, in the deposit removing device 10, as the hollow body 11 expands in the radial direction and its diameter increases, the cleaning member 13 attached to the jacket 12 comes into contact with the inner surface of the pipe 100 and enters a pressed state. When the outer peripheral portion of the deposit removing device 10 reaches a desired pressed state with respect to the inner surface of the pipe 100, the operation of the air supply device 54 is stopped.

[0031] In this state, the traction device 52 is operated, and the deposit removing device 10 is moved inside the pipe 100 via the traction member 51. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the deposit removing device 10 moves in the longitudinal direction of the pipe 100 in a pressed state where the cleaning member 13 is in contact with the inner surface of the pipe 100, and removes deposits such as rust adhering to the inner surface of the pipe 100. When the deposit removing device 10 moves through the straight portion 100c of the pipe 100, the deposit removing device 10 moves while the cleaning member 13 presses against the inner surface of the pipe 100, so that the cleaning member 13 can remove the deposits.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, when the deposit removing device 10 reaches the bent portion 100d of the pipe 100, the moving resistance of the deposit removing device 10 increases, and the traction force by the traction device 52 increases. The traction force measuring sensor measures the traction force of the traction member 51. When the traction force of the traction member 51, that is, the moving resistance of the deposit removing device 10 exceeds a specified value, the pressure adjusting device 55 discharges the air inside the hollow body 11 to the outside through the tube 53. That is, the pressure adjusting device 55 is operated to discharge the air inside the hollow body 11 from the tube 53 to the outside. Then, when the traction force of the traction member 51 (the moving resistance of the deposit removing device 10) becomes equal to or less than the specified value, the operation of the pressure adjusting device 55 is stopped.

[0033] Then, as the hollow body 11 contracts in the radial direction, the diameter of the deposit removing device 10 decreases, the moving resistance of the deposit removing device 10 decreases, and the pulling force by the pulling device 52 decreases. Therefore, the deposit removing device 10 can smoothly move while the cleaning member 13 is pressed against the inner surface of the bent portion 100d in the pipe 100, and the deposits can be appropriately removed by the cleaning member 13.

[0034] When the deposit removing device 10 moves through the bent portion 100d of the pipe 100, if the pulling force of the pulling member 51 (the moving resistance of the deposit removing device 10) does not exceed the specified value, the pressure adjusting device 55 does not operate. At this time, the deposit removing device 10 can smoothly move through the bent portion 100d by deforming, for example, such that the inner portion 10a of the bent portion 100d is recessed and the outer portion 10b is bulged, and the deposits can be appropriately removed by the cleaning member 13.

[0035] When the deposit removing device 10 passes through the bent portion 100d, the air supply device 54 is operated to supply air to the hollow body 11 via the tube 53. Then, the deposit removing device 10 expands in the radial direction as the hollow body 11 expands in the radial direction, so that the cleaning member 13 attached to the jacket 12 comes into contact with the inner surface of the pipe 100 and is in a pressed state. Therefore, the deposit removing device 10 moves the pipe 100 in a pressed state where the cleaning member 13 is in contact with the inner surface of the pipe 100, and deposits such as rust adhering to the inner surface of the pipe 100 can be removed.

[0036] When the deposit removing device 10 moves to the other end portion 100b of the pipe 100, the deposit removing operation is completed by contracting the deposit removing device 10 and discharging it outside the pipe 100. If another pulling member is connected to the other end of the deposit removing device 10, the deposit removing device 10 may be moved from the other end portion 100b to the one end portion 100a of the pipe 100 by pulling the other pulling member, and the deposit removing operation for the pipe 100 may be performed again. When the deposit removing operation for the pipe 100 by the deposit removing device 10 is completed, deposits remaining inside the pipe 100 are removed using a suction device (not shown) or the like.

[0037] [Advantages and effects of the present embodiment] The deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the first aspect includes an expandable and contractible hollow body 11, a jacket 12 that covers the outside of the hollow body 11 and is provided with a connecting portion 21 of a traction member 51, and a cleaning member 13 provided on the outer peripheral portion of the jacket 12.

[0038] According to the deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the first aspect, in the deposit removing device 10, when the hollow body 11 expands in the radial direction and expands in diameter, the cleaning member 13 provided on the outer peripheral portion of the jacket 12 comes into a pressing state of contact with the inner surface of the pipe 100. When the deposit removing device 10 moves in the pipe 100, deposits such as rust adhering to the inner surface of the pipe 100 can be appropriately removed by the cleaning member 13. And when the deposit removing device 10 moves through the bent portion 100d of the pipe 100, the hollow body 11 elastically deforms, so that the sliding resistance between the cleaning member 13 and the inner surface of the pipe 100 decreases, the deposit removing device 10 smoothly moves through the bent portion 100d, and deposits such as rust adhering to the inner surface of the pipe 100 can be appropriately removed by the cleaning member 13. As a result, it can easily pass through the bent portion 100d of the pipe 100 and can appropriately remove the deposits inside the pipe 100.

[0039] The deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the second aspect is the deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the first aspect, and further, the hollow body 11 has a cylindrical shape with one axial end portion 11a and the other end portion 11b closed, the jacket 12 covers the one end portion 11a, the other end portion 11b and the outer peripheral portion 11c of the hollow body 11, and the cleaning member 13 is detachably provided on the outer peripheral portion of the jacket 12. Thereby, the hollow body 11 and the jacket 12 can be firmly connected, and the hollow body 11 and the cleaning member 13 can be appropriately moved by pulling the jacket 12.

[0040] The deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the third aspect is the deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the first aspect or the second aspect, and further, the connecting portion 21 is provided on at least one of one end portion 12a and the other end portion 12b of the jacket 12. Thereby, inside the pipe 100, the deposit removing device 10 can be moved to one side or the other side, and the deposit removing device 10 can be reciprocated.

[0041] The deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the fourth aspect is the deposit removing device inside the pipe according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, and further, the jacket 12 has a material with a higher slip property and tensile strength than the hollow body 11. Thereby, by pulling the jacket 12, the hollow body 11 and the cleaning member 13 can be appropriately moved, and the sliding resistance of the jacket 12 with respect to the pipe 100 can be reduced.

[0042] The deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the fifth aspect is the deposit removing device inside the pipe according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, and further, the jacket 12 is detachable from the hollow body 11. Thereby, the replacement of parts of the hollow body 11 and the jacket 12 can be easily performed.

[0043] The deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the sixth aspect is the deposit removing device inside the pipe according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, and further, cameras 31, 32 are provided on at least one of the front and the rear in the moving direction of the jacket 12. Thereby, when the deposit removing device 10 is located inside the pipe 100, an image of the passing state of the deposit removing device 10 with respect to the pipe 100 can be acquired by the cameras 31, 32 and displayed on a display device.

[0044] The deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the seventh aspect is the deposit removing device inside the pipe according to any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, and further, in the hollow body 11, a tube 53 capable of supplying and discharging air inside is connected to at least one of one end portion 11a and the other end portion 11b. Thereby, by supplying and discharging air to the hollow body 11 through the tube 53 to expand and contract the deposit removing device 10, the insertion operation and the discharge operation of the deposit removing device 10 with respect to the pipe 100 can be easily performed.

[0045] The deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the eighth aspect is the deposit removing device inside the pipe according to the seventh aspect, and further, when the moving resistance when moving inside the pipe 100 exceeds a preset specified value, the air inside the hollow body 11 is discharged through the tube 53. Thereby, when the deposit removing device 10 moves through the bent portion 100d of the pipe 100, by reducing the outer diameter of the deposit removing device 10, the deposit removing device 10 can appropriately remove the deposits on the inner surface of the pipe 100 while smoothly moving through the bent portion 100d.

[0046] The deposit removing method inside the pipe according to the ninth aspect includes a step of moving the deposit removing device 10 inside the pipe 100 by pulling the jacket 12 with the pulling member 51, and a step of contracting the hollow body 11 when the pulling force by the pulling member 51 exceeds a preset specified value. Thereby, when the deposit removing device 10 moves through the bent portion 100d of the pipe 100, the contraction of the hollow body 11 reduces the sliding resistance between the cleaning member 13 and the inner surface of the pipe 100, and the deposit removing device 10 smoothly moves through the bent portion 100d, and the cleaning member 13 can appropriately remove deposits such as rust adhering to the inner surface of the pipe 100. As a result, the bent portion 100d of the pipe 100 can be easily passed through, and the deposits inside the pipe 100 can be appropriately removed.

[0047] The deposit removal device inside the pipe according to the tenth aspect is the deposit removal method inside the pipe according to the ninth aspect, and further includes a step of inserting the deposit removal device 10 into the pipe 100 in a state where the outer peripheral portion has a reduced diameter by contracting the hollow body 11, and a step of expanding the diameter by extending the hollow body 11 when the deposit removal device 10 is inserted into the pipe 100. Thereafter, the deposit removal device 10 is moved inside the pipe 100. Thereby, the deposit removal device 10 can be easily inserted into the pipe 100, and the deposit removal device 10 can be appropriately pressed against the inner surface of the pipe 100.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, the pipe 100 has a cylindrical shape, and the deposit removal device 10 has a cylindrical shape corresponding to the pipe 100, but the shape is not limited thereto. When the pipe 100 has a shape other than the cylindrical shape, the deposit removal device 10 may have a cylindrical shape corresponding to the pipe 100.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0049] 10 Deposit removal device 11 Hollow body 12 Jacket 13 Cleaning member 21, 22, 23 Connecting portion 31, 32 Camera 51 Tension member 52 Tension device 53 Tube 54 Air supply device 55 Pressure adjustment device 100 Pipe 100c Straight portion 100d Bent portion

Claims

1. A telescopic hollow body, A jacket that covers the outside of the hollow body and is provided with a connecting portion for a traction member, A cleaning member provided on the outer peripheral portion of the jacket, An apparatus for removing deposits inside a pipe comprising the above.

2. The hollow body has a cylindrical shape with one axial end and the other end closed, the jacket covers one end, the other end, and the outer peripheral portion of the hollow body, and the cleaning member is detachably provided on the outer peripheral portion of the jacket. The apparatus for removing deposits inside a pipe according to Claim 1.

3. The connecting portion is provided on at least one of one end and the other end of the jacket. The apparatus for removing deposits inside a pipe according to Claim 2.

4. The jacket has a material with a higher sliding property and tensile strength than the hollow body. The apparatus for removing deposits inside a pipe according to Claim 1.

5. The jacket is detachable from the hollow body. The apparatus for removing deposits inside a pipe according to Claim 1.

6. A camera is provided on at least one of the front and the rear in the moving direction of the jacket. The apparatus for removing deposits inside a pipe according to Claim 1.

7. A tube capable of supplying and discharging air is connected to at least one of one end and the other end of the hollow body. The apparatus for removing deposits inside a pipe according to Claim 1.

8. When the moving resistance when moving inside the pipe exceeds a preset specified value, the air inside the hollow body is discharged by the tube. The apparatus for removing deposits inside a pipe according to Claim 7.

9. In the apparatus for removing deposits inside a pipe according to Claim 1, A step of moving the deposit removing device inside the pipe by pulling the jacket with the traction member; A step of contracting the hollow body when the pulling force by the traction member exceeds a preset specified value; A method for removing deposits inside a pipe having the above.

10. A step of inserting the deposit removing device into the pipe in a state where the outer diameter is reduced by contracting the hollow body; A step of expanding the diameter by extending the hollow body when the deposit removing device is inserted into the pipe, and then moving the deposit removing device inside the pipe. The method for removing deposits inside a pipe according to Claim 9. ​

Images