X-ray foreign matter detection device for fluid

Abstract

To provide an X-ray foreign matter detection device for fluid which can reduce X-rays leaked to the outside from a box body of an X-ray device.SOLUTION: An X-ray foreign matter detection device for fluid includes: an X-ray device including a pipe member which penetrates into the inside of a box body and projects to the outside, an X-ray source and an X-ray line sensor; a detection part for analyzing an image imaged by the X-ray line sensor, and detecting a foreign matter in inspection fluid conveyed by the pipe member; and a three-way valve which is arranged on the downstream side of the X-ray device, and can change a flow channel by control of the detection part, wherein the pipe member is constituted of a resin pipe through which X-rays penetrate, and a metal pipe which is connected to both ends of the resin pipe by a joint, and projects to the inside and outside of a pipe entrance of the box body, and X-ray leakage prevention means is further provided on the pipe entrance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an X-ray foreign matter detector for fluids that can detect and remove foreign matter that has become mixed into fluids such as liquid miso, soy sauce, and sauces flowing through a pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] Cited Document 1 discloses an X-ray foreign body detection device that irradiates X-rays onto a liquid specimen being transported through a pipe member, and if a foreign body is detected, switches the flow path at a branch valve section and discharges the liquid into a defective product storage tank.

[0003] Regarding industrial X-ray equipment, the law stipulates that if a worker's exposure dose is 1,300 microsieverts (over a three-month period) or more, a controlled area must be set up and the work must be carried out under the supervision of a qualified person. If the exposure dose is below this level, the setting up of a controlled area and the need for a qualified person are not required. Therefore, a target is set to keep the leakage amount from the surface of the equipment to 1 microsievert or less. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-10451 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray foreign matter detection device for fluids that can prevent X-rays from leaking to the outside from a box that houses the X-ray device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The X-ray inspection device for fluids according to the present invention comprises an X-ray device having a pipe member that penetrates the inside of a box body and protrudes to the outside, an X-ray source, and an X-ray line sensor; a detection unit that analyzes images taken by the X-ray line sensor to detect foreign matter in the inspection fluid transported by the pipe member; and a three-way valve that is arranged downstream of the X-ray device and can change the flow path under the control of the detection unit, wherein the pipe member consists of a plastic pipe through which X-rays pass and a metal pipe that is connected to both ends of the plastic pipe by fittings and protrudes inside and outside the pipe inlet and outlet of the box body, and the pipe inlet and outlet are further provided with a means for preventing X-ray leakage.

[0007] The leakage prevention means is a flange bush that is attached to the outside of the box and closes the gap between the metal pipe and the box.

[0008] The leakage prevention means is characterized in that it is a welded portion that closes the gap between the metal pipe and the box body.

[0009] The resin pipe is characterized by being flexible.

[0010] Another X-ray inspection device for fluids according to the present invention comprises an X-ray device having a pipe member that penetrates the inside of a box body and protrudes to the outside, an X-ray source, and an X-ray line sensor, a detection unit that analyzes images captured by the X-ray line sensor to detect foreign objects in the inspection fluid transported by the pipe member, and a three-way valve that is arranged downstream of the X-ray device and can change the flow path under the control of the detection unit, and is characterized in that the pipe member is made of a resin pipe that is permeable to X-rays and is provided with flange bushes that protrude inside and outside the pipe inlet and outlet of the box body and have a length that is sufficient to prevent X-ray leakage.

[0011] The method is characterized in that a foreign matter remover is further provided on the upstream side of the X-ray device, which removes foreign matter in the flow path by attracting it to a bar magnet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the X-ray inspection device for fluids of the present invention, the pipe member penetrating the box of the X-ray device is composed of a resin pipe through which X-rays pass and a metal pipe connected to both ends of the resin pipe with fittings and protruding outside and inside the pipe inlet / outlet of the box, so the amount of X-rays leaking to the outside from the pipe inlet / outlet of the box can be significantly reduced by the metal pipe. Furthermore, since an X-ray leakage prevention means is provided at the pipe inlet / outlet of the box, X-rays can also be prevented from leaking from the gap between the side panel of the box and the metal pipe.

[0013] As a leakage prevention measure, a metal flange bush is provided to close the gap between the metal tube and the box body, preventing X-ray leakage.

[0014] As a leakage prevention measure, a welded joint is provided to seal the gap between the metal tube and the box body, preventing X-rays from leaking to the outside.

[0015] The resin pipe is made of flexible resin, so even if the positions of the metal pipes at both ends of the resin pipe change slightly, the resin pipe can be attached to the joint by bending it.

[0016] According to another X-ray inspection device for fluids of the present invention, a resin pipe member is provided that penetrates the inside of the box and protrudes to the outside, and a flange bushing with a length (L) that prevents X-ray leakage is provided at the pipe inlet and outlet of the box, so X-rays can be prevented from leaking from the gap between the side panel of the box and the resin pipe. X-rays can be prevented from leaking to the outside from the outer periphery in the longitudinal direction of the resin pipe. The length (L') also protrudes into the inside of the box, further preventing X-ray leakage. Because the pipe member is made up of only resin pipe, there are no joints, which simplifies the configuration. The resin pipe can be replaced by pulling it out of the box.

[0017] A foreign object remover is installed upstream of the X-ray device to remove metallic foreign objects in the flow path by attracting them to a bar magnet, reducing the load on the X-ray device. Magnetic pins and other objects are collected by the foreign object remover, allowing the X-ray device to efficiently detect glass, stone, aluminum components, and other objects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a fluid X-ray inspection device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fluid X-ray inspection device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the fluid X-ray inspection device of FIG. [Figure 4] Specific examples of three-way valves: (A) is an example of a plunger-type valve, and (B) is an example of a ball-type valve. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the layout of the X-ray source, X-ray line sensor, and resin pipe. [Figure 6] This is a diagram of a resin pipe and a metal pipe connected with a ferrule joint. Joint example 1 [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a ferrule joint. [Figure 8] This is a diagram of a plastic pipe and a metal pipe connected with a threaded joint. Joint example 2 [Figure 9] This is a diagram of a plastic pipe and a metal pipe connected with a plug-in joint. Joint example 3 [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pipe member made of a resin pipe without a joint. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pipe member made of a resin pipe without a joint. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, the X-ray inspection device for fluids according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0020] 1 is a front view of an X-ray inspection apparatus for fluids 100 according to the present invention. The X-ray inspection apparatus for fluids 100 is composed of an X-ray device 4 including a pipe member 2 that penetrates the inside of a box body 25 and protrudes to the outside, an X-ray source 10 (see FIG. 5), and an X-ray line sensor 11 (see FIG. 5), a detection unit 5 that analyzes images captured by the X-ray line sensor 11 to detect foreign matter in the inspection fluid transported by the pipe member 2, a foreign matter remover 1 that is arranged upstream of the X-ray device 4 and removes foreign matter in the flow path by attracting it to a bar magnet, and a three-way valve 8 that is arranged downstream of the X-ray device 4.

[0021] The X-ray device 4 and detection unit 5 are supported by a support column 6 erected in the center of bases 7, 7 equipped with casters 20, 20. Leveling feet 21 are provided in pairs with the casters 20, so the device can be installed with the casters 20 floating above the floor. A control line 22 connecting the detection unit 5 and three-way valve 8 is a control line for operating the three-way valve 8, and can switch the outlet of the three-way valve 8 from the OK product outlet 3 to the NG product outlet 9, and then switch back to the OK product outlet 3 with a subsequent instruction.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fluid X-ray inspection device 100 of FIG. 1. The foreign body remover 1 is a cylindrical container with a lid, and the inspection fluid enters through one inlet and exits through the other outlet. As shown by the circle, a suction unit with seven bar magnets mounted on a base is placed inside the container. This allows magnetic foreign bodies in the flow path to be attracted to the bar magnets and removed. In FIG. 2, the foreign body remover 1 is placed upstream of the X-ray device 4, but it may also be placed downstream of the three-way valve 8. The pipe member 2 penetrates the box body 25 in the left-right direction and protrudes to the outside.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a right side view of the fluid X-ray inspection device 100 of Fig. 1. The detection unit 5 is disposed on the front side below the X-ray device 4. The inspection fluid containing foreign matter discharged from the rejected product discharge port 9 is collected in a rejected product tank (not shown).

[0024] FIG. 4 shows specific examples of three-way valves 8, with (A) being an example of a plunger-type valve 8a and (B) being an example of a ball-type valve 8b. Here, as shown in (A), when the plunger-type valve 8a is in position (a), the test fluid enters from the left side and exits on the right side. When the plunger-type valve 8a is in position (b), the test fluid enters from the left side and exits on the bottom side. When the ball-type valve 8b is in position (a), the test fluid enters from the left side and exits on the right side. When the ball-type valve 8b is in position (b), the test fluid enters from the left side and exits on the bottom side. Either valve can be used. In this example, a ball-type valve 8b was used.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the X-ray source 10, X-ray line sensor 11, and the resin pipe 12 (see FIG. 6) that constitutes the pipe member 2. The X-ray source 10 is arranged in front of the resin pipe 12, and the X-ray line sensor 11 is arranged behind the resin pipe 12. Alternatively, the X-ray source 10 may be arranged above the resin pipe 12 and the X-ray line sensor 11 may be arranged below the resin pipe 12. The detection unit 5 collects data for one line of the X-ray line sensor 11, which is imaged as it crosses the resin pipe 12, in the conveyance direction and uses this data as data for a certain length of the test fluid. If the metal foreign object is thick, X-rays do not penetrate it, and the X-ray line sensor 11 receives only a small amount of light, resulting in a dark area with little light. When the detection unit 5 detects a foreign object, it instructs the three-way valve 8 via control line 22 to switch the valve at the time the foreign object passes and discharge the object from the defective product outlet 9.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a resin pipe 12 and a metal pipe 13 connected by a ferrule joint 15. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the ferrule joint 15. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a resin pipe 12 and a metal pipe 13 connected by a threaded joint 17. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a resin pipe 12 and a metal pipe 13 connected by a plug-in joint. As shown in FIG. 6, the pipe member 2 includes a resin pipe 12 and a metal pipe 13 connected to both ends of the resin pipe 12. The metal pipe 13 penetrates the pipe inlets 24, 24 of the box body 25 and protrudes to the inside and outside of the box body 25. See FIGS. 6, 8, and 9. Since the resin pipe 12 and the metal pipe 13 are connected by a joint, the resin pipe 12 can be detached. Furthermore, since the metal pipe 13 protrudes to the outside from the pipe inlets 24, 24 of the metal pipe 13 of the box body 25, leakage of X-rays can be reduced. The section from the pipe inlets 24, 24 inside the box body 25 to the joint is also made of metal pipe 13, which reduces leakage of X-rays. Metal flange bushings 14, which serve as X-ray leakage prevention means, are provided at the pipe inlets 24, 24 of the metal pipe 13 in the box body 25, and by closing the gap between the metal pipe 13 and the side panel 16 of the box body 25, leakage of X-rays from the gap can be reduced. Although the flange bushings 14 are made of metal, they may also be made of lead rubber.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6 , the pipe member 2 is provided so as to penetrate the left side panel 16a (16) and the right side panel 16b (16) of the box body 25. The pipe member 2 is composed of a resin pipe 12 through which X-rays pass and metal pipes 13, 13 connected to both ends of the resin pipe 12 inside the box body 25 by Ferrule joints 15, 15 and protruding outside the box body 25. The section from the side panels 16a, 16b inside the box body 25 to the joints 15, 15 is also made of metal pipe 13. Metal flange bushings 14 are provided at the pipe inlets 24, 24 of the metal pipe 13 in the box body 25. In this example, the metal pipe 13 is made of SUS316 stainless steel, which is opaque to X-rays.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 7, the ferrule joint 15 has annular grooves on the left and right joint seats, into which annular gaskets 15b are pressed, and the outer periphery is tightened with a clamp band 15a to connect the joints.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 8, the pipe member 2 is provided so as to penetrate the left side plate 16a (16) and the right side plate 16b (16) of the box body 25. The pipe member 2 is composed of a resin pipe 12 through which X-rays pass, and metal pipes 13, 13 connected to both ends of the resin pipe 12 inside the box body 25 by screw joints 17, 17 and protruding to the outside of the box body 25. Metal flange bushings 14, 14 are provided at the pipe inlets 24, 24 of the metal pipe 13 in the box body 25.

[0030] As shown in Figure 9, the pipe member 2 penetrates the left side panel 16a (16) and the right side panel 16b (16) of the box body 25. The pipe member 2 is composed of a resin pipe 12 through which X-rays pass and metal pipes 13, 13 connected to both ends of the resin pipe 12 inside the box body 25 by plug-in joints 19, 19 and protruding outside the box body 25. Welded sections 18 are provided at the pipe inlets 24, 24 of the metal pipe 13 in the box body 25 to join the metal pipes 13, 13 to the side panels 16a, 16b. This also reduces X-ray leakage through gaps, similar to the metal flange bushings 14, 14. A flexible resin pipe can be used for the resin pipe 12. Even if the spacing between the plug-in joints 19, 19 becomes slightly shorter, the resin pipe 12 can be bent and installed.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a pipe member 2 constructed from a resin pipe 12 without joints. The pipe member 2 is constructed only from a resin pipe 12 without joints. To prevent leakage of X-rays, a metal flange bush 14 capable of preventing leakage of X-rays is provided on the outside of the pipe inlets 24, 24 of the resin pipe 12 in the box body 25, protruding by a length (L). As shown in FIG. 10, the flange bush 14 also protrudes by a length (L') into the inside of the box body 25, thereby preventing leakage of X-rays. The flange bush 14 is made of metal.

[0032] FIG. 11 shows a pipe member 2 made of a resin pipe 12 without joints, similar to FIG. 10. The difference from FIG. 10 is that the outer length (L) and inner length (L') are made sufficiently long. Also, the flange bushing 14 is made of lead rubber, which can block X-rays. However, it is not limited to this, and it may be made of rubber containing tungsten or barium, which can block X-rays. [Industrial Applicability]

[0033] The present invention is suitable for use in an X-ray fluid foreign body detection system that can detect and remove foreign bodies mixed into liquids flowing through pipes. It can be applied not only to food-related products but also to pharmaceutical and dye liquids. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 Foreign object remover 2 Pipe members 3 OK product outlet 4 X-ray equipment 5. Detection unit 6 pillars 7. Bass 8 Three-way valve 8a Plunger type valve 8b Ball valve 9 NG product outlet 10 X-ray source 11 X-ray line sensor 12 Resin pipe 13 Metal tube 14 Flange bush (leak prevention means) 15 Ferrule fitting 15a clamp band 15b Gasket 16 Side plate 16a Left side plate 16b Right side plate 17 Threaded joints 18 Welded parts 19 Plug-in type coupling 19a O-ring 20 Caster 21 Level Foot 22 Control Line 23 Bar magnet 24 Pipe entrance / exit 24a Entrance 24b exit 25 Box body 26 Supply port 100 X-ray foreign object detection device

Claims

1. an X-ray device including a pipe member that penetrates the inside of a box and protrudes to the outside, an X-ray source, and an X-ray line sensor; a detection unit that analyzes the image captured by the X-ray line sensor and detects foreign matter in the test fluid transported by the pipe member; a three-way valve that is disposed downstream of the X-ray device and that can change a flow path under the control of the detection unit; The pipe member comprises a resin pipe through which the X-rays pass and a metal pipe connected to both ends of the resin pipe by fittings and protruding inside and outside the pipe inlet / outlet of the box body, and the pipe inlet / outlet is further provided with a means for preventing X-ray leakage.

2. 2. The X-ray inspection device for fluids according to claim 1, wherein the leakage prevention means is a metallic flange bush attached to the outside of the box body and closing a gap between the metal tube and the box body.

3. 2. The X-ray inspection device for fluids according to claim 1, wherein the leakage prevention means is a welded portion that closes a gap between the metal pipe and the box body.

4. 2. The X-ray inspection device for fluids according to claim 1, wherein the resin tube is flexible.

5. an X-ray device including a pipe member made of a resin pipe that penetrates the inside of a box and protrudes to the outside and that is capable of transmitting X-rays, an X-ray source, and an X-ray line sensor; a detection unit that analyzes the image captured by the X-ray line sensor and detects foreign matter in the test fluid transported by the pipe member; a three-way valve that is disposed downstream of the X-ray device and that can change a flow path under the control of the detection unit; An X-ray inspection device for fluids, characterized in that it is equipped with flange bushings that protrude inside and outside the pipe inlet / outlet of the box body when the pipe member is inserted through it, and have a length that can prevent leakage of X-rays.

6. 6. The fluid X-ray inspection device according to claim 1, further comprising a foreign matter remover, which is disposed upstream of the X-ray device and removes foreign matter in the flow path by attracting it to a bar magnet.

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