Pipe inspection device, pipe inspection method using the same, and method of mounting pipe inspection device

Abstract

To provide a pipe inspection device, a pipe inspection method, and a mounting method of the pipe inspection device, capable of efficiently performing mounting work to a pipe.SOLUTION: A piping inspection device 10 performing inspection by radiating radiation from an outer periphery of a pipe P, includes: a radiation generator 12 and a radiation receiver 13 fixed to an apparatus fixing frame 11 and arranged opposite each other across the pipe P; rotating means 14 for rotating the apparatus fixing frame 11 to which these are fixed, in a circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe P; and rollers 16 and the like for guiding the rotation of the apparatus fixing frame 11. The rotating means 14 includes: an arc-shaped fixed rail 17 that is fixed across the piping P; and an arc-shaped rotating frame 18 that is attached to the device fixing frame 11 and engages with the arc-shaped fixed rail 17. The arc-shaped rotating frame 18 rotates along the arc-shaped fixed rail 17, and the radiation generator 12 and the radiation receiver 13 are placed at predetermined imaging positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a piping inspection device, a piping inspection method using the same, and a method for installing the piping inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Radiographic testing is used as one of the methods for inspecting piping. As an example of such a radiographic test, Patent Document 1 discloses a device for determining the conditions and materials inside a pipe, which includes a rotation device that rotates an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector disposed around the pipe together around the pipe. However, this rotation device is structured to include a semicircular rotation guide rail attached to the pipe via a fixed arm, and a rotation drive unit that guides and moves the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector on the rotation guide rail, so the range in which the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector can move is limited to the semicircular guide rail, and it is not possible to inspect the entire circumference of the pipe without replacing the guide rail on the pipe.

[0003] Therefore, the present inventors conducted various studies and proposed a pipe inspection device described in Patent Document 2. Specifically, this pipe inspection device inspects pipes by irradiating them with X-rays from the outer periphery, and includes a frame in which the pipe is placed, an X-ray generator located at one end of the frame, an X-ray receiving device located at the other end of the frame facing the X-ray generator, and a plurality of rollers located in the middle of the frame that contact the pipe and rotate along its outer periphery. This allows the X-ray generator and X-ray receiving device to move along the outer periphery of the pipe, making it possible to inspect the entire periphery of the pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-194101 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-147611 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, further improvements are required in terms of the efficiency of the work of attaching the inspection device to the piping and the inspection itself.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a pipe inspection device that can efficiently perform installation work and inspection on a pipe, a pipe inspection method using the same, and an installation method for the pipe inspection device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a result of extensive investigation into the configuration of a piping inspection device, the inventors found that the above-mentioned problems could be solved by configuring a piping inspection device that includes a rotation means for rotating an apparatus fixing frame, to which a radiation generator and a radiation receiver are fixed, in a circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the piping, the rotation means comprising: an arc-shaped fixed rail that is attached and fixed to the piping so as to straddle the piping, and has an opening through which the piping can pass; and an arc-shaped rotating frame that is attached to the apparatus fixing frame, engages with the arc-shaped fixed rail, and moves circumferentially along the piping.

[0008] The gist of the present invention is as follows. [1] A piping inspection device that performs inspection by irradiating radiation from the outer periphery of a piping, a radiation generator and a radiation receiver fixed to an apparatus fixing frame and disposed at positions opposite each other with the piping in between; a rotating means for rotating the apparatus fixing frame, to which the radiation generator and the radiation receiver are fixed, in a circumferential direction along an outer peripheral surface of the piping; a plurality of rollers that move along an outer peripheral surface of the piping and guide rotation of the apparatus fixing frame to which the radiation generator and the radiation receiver are fixed, The rotating means is an arc-shaped fixed rail that is attached and fixed to the pipe and straddles the pipe, and has an opening through which the pipe can pass; an arc-shaped rotating frame attached to the device fixed frame, engaging with the arc-shaped fixed rail and moving along the arc-shaped fixed rail in a circumferential direction of the piping, the arc-shaped rotating frame having an opening through which the piping can pass; The arc-shaped rotating frame rotates along the arc-shaped fixed rail, and the radiation generator and the radiation receiver are placed at a predetermined imaging position. A piping inspection device characterized by:

[0009] [2] The rotating means and the plurality of rollers are provided in sequence from one side, The piping inspection device described in [1] above, characterized in that the radiation generator and the radiation receiver are configured to be able to photograph the piping located on the other side of the position where the multiple rollers are arranged.

[0010] [3] A piping inspection device as described in [1] or [2] above, characterized in that it has a position control means capable of controlling the circumferential position of the arc-shaped rotating frame, and is capable of automatically controlling the circumferential photographing position of the piping by the radiation generator and the radiation receiver.

[0011] [4] The piping inspection device according to [3] above, wherein the position control means controls the movement time, movement distance, or rotation angle of the arc-shaped rotating frame relative to the arc-shaped fixed rail.

[0012] [5] A piping inspection device according to any one of [1] to [4] above, characterized in that the device fixing frame comprises fixing frame A and fixing frame B which are separable via the piping, the radiation generator being fixed to fixing frame A, and the radiation receiver being fixed to fixing frame B.

[0013] [6] A piping inspection device according to any one of [1] to [4] above, characterized in that the device fixing frame comprises fixing frames A to C that are separable via the piping, the radiation generator is fixed to fixing frame A, the radiation receiver is fixed to fixing frame B, and fixing frames A and B are fixed to fixing frame C.

[0014] [7] A piping inspection device according to any one of [1] to [6] above, characterized in that the radiation generator and / or the radiation receiver are fixed to the device fixing frame so as to be movable and / or tiltable on the device fixing frame.

[0015] [8] A piping inspection method using the piping inspection device according to any one of [1] to [7] above, a radiation generator and a radiation receiver that are rotated circumferentially along the outer circumferential surface of the pipe to position them at the predetermined photographing position, and an image of the pipe is taken using the radiation generator and the radiation receiver.

[0016] [9] A piping inspection method as described in [8] above, characterized in that the rotation of the radiation generator and the radiation receiver in the circumferential direction of the piping is performed while checking images of the piping captured by the radiation generator and the radiation receiver.

[0017]

[10] A piping inspection method according to [8] or [9] above, characterized in that the rotating means and the plurality of rollers are arranged on the outer surface of the straight pipe section of the piping having a straight pipe section and a curved pipe section, and the radiation generator and the radiation receiver are used to photograph the welds of the straight pipe section and the curved pipe section of the piping.

[0018]

[11] A piping inspection method according to any one of [8] to

[10] above, characterized in that the radiation generator and / or the radiation receiver are moved and / or tilted on the device fixing frame to adjust their position according to the imaging position of the piping before or after rotating them circumferentially along the outer surface of the piping.

[0019]

[12] A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to [5] to a piping, a rotating means mounting step of arranging the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame so as to straddle the piping from the opening side thereof, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; a radiation receiver mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixed frame B, to which the radiation receiver is fixed, to the arc-shaped rotating frame; a radiation generator mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame A, to which the radiation generator is fixed, to the fixing frame B in such a manner that the radiation generator is disposed in a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

[0020]

[13] A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to [5] to a piping, a rotating means and radiation receiver mounting step of arranging the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame to which the fixed frame B, to which the radiation receiver is fixed, is mounted and fixed, so as to straddle the piping from the opening side of the frame, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; a radiation generator mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame A, to which the radiation generator is fixed, to the fixing frame B in such a manner that the radiation generator is disposed in a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

[0021]

[14] A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to [6] to a piping, a rotating means mounting step of arranging the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame so as to straddle the piping from the opening side thereof, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; an attachment preparation step of attaching and fixing the fixed frame C to the arc-shaped rotating frame; a radiation receiver mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame B, to which the radiation receiver is fixed, to the fixing frame C; a radiation generator mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame (A) to which the radiation generator is fixed, to the fixing frame (C) so that the radiation generator is disposed in a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

[0022]

[15] A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to [6] to a piping, a rotating means and radiation receiver mounting step of arranging the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame to which the fixed frame C, to which the fixed frame B to which the radiation receiver is fixed, is mounted so as to straddle the piping from its opening side, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; a radiation generator mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame (A) to which the radiation generator is fixed, to the fixing frame (C) so that the radiation generator is disposed in a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

[0023]

[16] A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to [6] to a piping, a rotating means mounting step of arranging the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame to which the fixed frame C is mounted and fixed so as to straddle the piping from its opening side, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; a radiation receiver mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame B, to which the radiation receiver is fixed, to the fixing frame C; a radiation generator mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame (A) to which the radiation generator is fixed, to the fixing frame (C) so that the radiation generator is disposed in a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

[0024]

[17] A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to [1] to a piping, a connecting step of attaching the arc-shaped rotating frame to the device fixing frame to which the radiation receiver is fixed, thereby connecting the device fixing frame and the rotating means; a first mounting step of arranging the coupled device fixing frame and the rotating means so as to straddle the piping from the opening side of the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame and from the side of the device fixing frame facing the radiation receiver, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; a second mounting step of mounting and fixing the radiation generator to the apparatus fixing frame so that the radiation generator is disposed at a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

[0025]

[18] The piping inspection device has a structure in which components constituting the piping inspection device can be replaced, detached, or their mounting positions adjusted according to the diameter of the piping, an adjustment step of adjusting the attachment state of the device fixing frame, the rotating means, or the plurality of rollers to the pipe in accordance with the diameter of the pipe before and / or after the connecting step; The method for installing a piping inspection device according to

[17] above.

[0026]

[19] A rotating step of rotating the device fixing frame in a circumferential direction along an outer peripheral surface of the piping after the first mounting step and before the second mounting step, In the first mounting step, the arc-shaped fixed rail is mounted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe so that the opening is positioned downward; In the second mounting step, the radiation generator is mounted and fixed to the apparatus fixing frame from above the piping. A method for installing a piping inspection device according to

[17] or

[18] above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the present invention, the work of attaching an inspection device to a pipe and the pipe inspection can be carried out efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a piping inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the pipe inspection device in use. [Figure 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram of a piping inspection method using the piping inspection device. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for inspecting a welded portion of a pipe consisting of a straight pipe portion and a bent pipe portion using the pipe inspection device. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the piping inspection device as viewed from the axial direction of the piping. [Figure 6] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of attaching the piping inspection device to a piping. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of attaching a piping inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention to a piping. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a piping inspection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory side view of the curved pipe portion side of the rotating means of the piping inspection device. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the piping inspection device as viewed from the pipe axis direction. [Figure 11] 10 is an explanatory side view of the fixed portion side of the rotating means of the piping inspection device. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is an explanatory plan view of the fixed portion side of the rotating means of the piping inspection device. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a piping inspection device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the method of attaching the piping inspection device to a piping according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a first modified example of a method for attaching a piping inspection device to a piping according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a second modified example of the method of attaching the piping inspection device to a piping. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, a piping inspection device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a device that inspects a piping P by irradiating the piping P with radiation from the outer periphery thereof, and can efficiently perform installation work on the piping P and the inspection itself. Examples of radiation used for inspection include X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, and neutron rays, and for inspecting a piping P, X-rays and γ-rays (electromagnetic radiation), which are high-energy electromagnetic waves, are preferred, with X-rays being particularly preferred. The following description will be given taking the case where X-rays are used as radiation as an example.

[0030] The piping P to be inspected includes piping having a section where the ends of a straight pipe section P1 and a curved pipe section P2 are butt-welded together (see Figures 1 to 4), as well as piping in which the ends of multiple straight pipe sections are butt-welded together.The piping inspection device 10 of the present invention can efficiently inspect sections where the ends of a straight pipe section P1 and a curved pipe section P2 are welded together, which was previously difficult to inspect.

[0031] Here, the pipe P to be inspected is not particularly limited as long as it is a pipe that can be inspected with radiation, and may be made of either a magnetic or non-magnetic material. The diameter of the pipe P is mainly 400A (approximately 400mm) or less, and specifically, is not particularly limited to 100A (approximately 100mm), 150A (approximately 150mm), 200A (approximately 200mm), 300A (approximately 300mm), or 400A (approximately 400mm).

[0032] The piping inspection device 10 is used, for example, to inspect gas pipelines installed underground. Specifically, it is suitable for use when inspecting the welded portion W between the straight pipe portion P1 and the curved pipe portion P2 of the piping, or the welded portion between two straight pipe portions. Note that the object of inspection is not limited to the welded portion, and it is also possible to inspect, for example, damage to the main body of the piping. Note that it may also be used, for example, to inspect piping before it is shipped as a product or piping that has been used.

[0033] Furthermore, when inspecting piping using the piping inspection device 10 underground or elsewhere, it is difficult to secure a sufficient surrounding area (in a narrow environment), and interference with surrounding objects may occur, so it is preferable that each component of the piping inspection device 10 be located within a range of 300 mm in the radial direction from the outer circumferential surface of the piping P. In other words, when inspecting piping, it is preferable that no component of the piping inspection device 10 be located within a range of more than 300 mm in the radial direction from the outer circumferential surface of the piping P.

[0034] The specific configuration of the piping inspection device 10 will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the piping inspection device 10 includes: an X-ray generator 12 (an example of a radiation generator) and an X-ray receiver 13 (an example of a radiation receiver) fixed to an apparatus fixing frame 11 and arranged at positions opposite each other across a pipe P; a rotating means 14 for rotating the device fixing frame 11, to which the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are fixed, in a circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the pipe P; The apparatus includes a plurality of rollers 15, 16 that move along the outer circumferential surface of the pipe P and guide the rotation of the apparatus fixing frame 11 to which the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are fixed. The rotating means 14 includes an arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and an arc-shaped rotating frame 18 that engages with the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and moves in the circumferential direction of the pipe P along the arc-shaped fixed rail 17. Hereinafter, the side of the rotating means 14 of the piping inspection device 10 may be referred to as one side, and the opposite side may be referred to as the other side. That is, when inspecting a piping P having a straight pipe section P1 and a curved pipe section P2, the side of the straight pipe section P1 when the piping inspection device 10 is attached to the straight pipe section P1 may be referred to as one side, and the side of the curved pipe section P2 may be referred to as the other side.

[0035] (Device fixing frame) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are fixed to an apparatus fixing frame 11 that is provided so as to surround the piping P. This device fixing frame 11 is made up of a plurality of separable members, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Specifically, the device fixing frame 11 is made up of aluminum, aluminum alloy, or the like, and in the state shown in Figure 5, has a fixing frame 19 (an example of fixing frame A) located at the bottom and a fixing frame 20 (an example of fixing frame B) located at the top, and these fixing frames 19 and 20 are separable via a pipe P (straight pipe portion P1). The fixed frame 19 has a rectangular top plate (support plate) 21 that is spaced apart from the piping P and arranged parallel to a plane including the pipe axis when the piping inspection device 10 is attached to the piping P, and the X-ray generator 12 is attached to the side of this top plate 21 opposite the piping P (outside). On the other hand, the fixed frame 20 has a rectangular top plate 22 that is disposed opposite the rectangular top plate 21 with a gap between it and the piping P. The fixed frame 20 also has a plurality of (four in this case) support members 23 that are erected on the top plate 22 so as to be positioned on both radial sides of the piping P, and the tip ends of the support members 23 can be attached to and detached from the top plate 21. An X-ray receiver 13 is attached to the surface (inside) of the top plate 22 that faces the piping P.

[0036] Here, instead of the device fixing frame 11 shown in FIG. 6, an device fixing frame 11a shown in FIG. 7 can be used. This device fixing frame 11a is formed by separating the above-mentioned fixing frame 20 into two members (fixing frames 20a and 20b). The fixing frame 19 has a similar configuration. Specifically, the fixing frame 20a (an example of fixing frame B) has a rectangular top plate 22a, and the X-ray receiver 13 is attached to the surface of the top plate 22a facing the piping P. Furthermore, the fixing frame 20b (an example of fixing frame C) has a plurality of support members 23a. It is preferable that the plurality of support members 23a are integrated so as not to come apart. The fixing frame 20a and the above-mentioned fixing frame 19 are removably fixed to the support members 23a of the fixing frame 20b.

[0037] It is preferable that the support members 23, 23a are each provided with a length adjusting means. Examples of length adjustment means include cylindrical or columnar spacers of various lengths that can be attached and detached between the support member 23 and the top plate 21 or 22, or between the support member 23a and the top plate 21 or 22a, and the support member itself can also be configured to be extendable and contractible (for example, a telescopic structure). As a result, even when inspecting pipes using the pipe inspection device underground or elsewhere and it is difficult to secure sufficient surrounding space, the pipe inspection device can be made more compact by removing the spacers or shrinking the support members, preventing the pipe inspection device from interfering with surrounding objects. Furthermore, the overall size of the pipe inspection device can be adjusted according to the diameter of the pipe.

[0038] The apparatus fixation frame may be configured to mount the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13, and the X-ray generator 12 may be mounted to the apparatus fixation frame with the X-ray receiver 13 fixed thereto. The X-ray generator 12 may or may not include a mounting member as a component separate from the apparatus fixation frame. The X-ray generator 12 may be mounted and fixed to the apparatus fixation frame via the mounting member, or may be mounted and fixed to the apparatus fixation frame as is (without the mounting member).

[0039] (Laura) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, four rollers 15 and four rollers 16, a total of eight rollers, are attached to the device fixing frame 11 (similar to the device fixing frame 11a). For ease of explanation, Figures 1 to 3 only show some of the rollers 16 and support portions 16a. Also, in Figure 13, which will be described later, only some of the rollers 16 and support portions 16a are shown. The number of rollers (rollers 15, 16) of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as they are provided in plurality to assist the rotation of the device.

[0040] Rollers 15 and 16 are each a cylindrical member that does not have a driving unit and can rotate freely. When device fixing frame 11 is attached to pipe P (straight pipe section P1), roller 15 is provided on the rotating means 14 side of device fixing frame 11, and roller 16 is provided on the curved pipe section P2 side of device fixing frame 11, with a predetermined distance between them. Furthermore, rollers 15 and 16 have their rotation axes parallel to the pipe axis of pipe P, and their outer peripheral surfaces are in contact with the outer surface of pipe P.

[0041] The rollers 15 and 16 may have the same structure or different structures. For example, it is preferable that the diameter of each roller 16 on the curved pipe section P2 side be smaller than that of each roller 15 on the rotating means 14 side. This prevents the rollers 16 from interfering with imaging when the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are imaging a pipe located closer to the curved pipe section P2 than the position where the rollers 16 are located. For example, the rollers 15 on the rotating means 14 side may have a surface layer made of resin such as hard urethane, while the rollers 16 on the curved pipe section P2 side may be made of metal (aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc.) without a surface layer. The outer surface of the straight pipe section P1, which the rollers 15 on the rotating means 14 side come into contact with, may be covered with a coating material. Therefore, by making the rollers 15 out of resin, damage to the coating material of the straight pipe section P1 can be suppressed. In addition, the rollers are not limited to the above-mentioned materials as long as they can guide the rotation of the device fixing frame 11 along the outer surface of the straight pipe section P1, and all the rollers can be made of the same material.

[0042] The rollers 15 on the rotating means 14 side and the rollers 16 on the curved pipe portion P2 side are arranged so as to surround the straight pipe portion P1 from its outer periphery. For example, in the device fixed frame 11 shown in Figures 4 to 6, each roller 15 on the side of the above-mentioned rotating means 14 is rotatably attached via support arms 15a, two on each of the top plate 21 of the fixed frame 19 and the top plate 22 of the fixed frame 20, and each roller 16 on the side of the curved pipe portion P2 is rotatably attached via support portions 16a, four on the support member 23 of the fixed frame 20.

[0043] On the other hand, in the device fixed frame 11a shown in Figure 7, each roller 15 on the side of the above-mentioned rotating means 14 is rotatably attached via support arms 15a, two each to the top plate 21 of the fixed frame 19 and the top plate 22a of the fixed frame 20a, and each roller 16 on the side of the curved pipe section P2 is rotatably attached via support sections 16a, four each to the support member 23a of the fixed frame 20b. The number and arrangement of the rollers are not particularly limited as long as they can guide the rotation of the device fixing frame, and for example, they may be arranged at equal angular positions around the tube axis.

[0044] In addition, in a device according to another embodiment (third embodiment) shown in Figures 8 to 10, rollers 15 and rollers 16 can also be mounted on support plates 40 to 43 attached to support members 23 of the fixed frame via roller position adjustment members 44 and 45. The support plates 40, 41 and the support plates 42, 43 are arranged on the X-ray generator 12 side and the X-ray receiver 13 side, respectively, and the two support plates 40, 41 on the X-ray generator 12 side are attached to a pair of support members 23 arranged at an interval in the tube axis direction on both sides of the piping P (straight pipe section P1), and the two support plates 42, 43 on the X-ray receiver 13 side are each attached to a pair of support members 23 arranged at an interval in the tube axis direction in parallel to the two support plates 40, 41, with the piping P between them. The two support plates 40, 41 may be formed from a single plate, and the two support plates 42, 43 may also be formed from a single plate.

[0045] 10 , two roller position adjustment members 44, 45 are attached to each of the two support plates 40, 41 on the X-ray generator 12 side, and two roller position adjustment members 44, 45 are attached to each of the two support plates 42, 43 on the X-ray receiver 13 side (eight in total). The roller position adjustment members 44, 45 are each configured in a multi-step staircase shape and are installed so as to descend from the support member 23 side toward the inner piping P side, so that the roller positions with respect to the piping P can be adjusted by changing the step on which the rollers 15, 16 are installed. Specifically, the roller position adjustment member 45 attached to one support plate 40 and the roller position adjustment member 45 attached to the other support plate 41, which face each other across the piping P, are attached and fixed to the support member 23 so that the distance between them increases as they move toward the inner piping P side (the same applies to the roller position adjustment member 44 and the roller position adjustment members 44, 45 attached to the support plates 42, 43).

[0046] Rollers 15 can be attached and detached to a plurality of horizontal portions 46 that make up each step of one stepped roller position adjustment member 44, and rollers 16 can be attached and detached to a plurality of horizontal portions 47 that make up each step of the other stepped roller position adjustment member 45. The roller position adjustment members 44 and 45 usually have the same configuration, but may be different. Reference numeral 48 in Figures 8 to 10 denotes an auxiliary roller whose position cannot be adjusted and can be attached and detached depending on, for example, the pipe inspection situation. This allows the mounting positions of the rollers 15, 16 to be changed depending on the diameter of the pipe P to be inspected, so that, for example, when the pipe inspection device is replaced with a pipe P of a different diameter, the positions of the rollers 15, 16 can be adjusted quickly and easily.

[0047] (X-ray generator and X-ray receiver) The X-ray generator 12, which is attached and fixed to the apparatus fixing frame 11 (top plate 21 of the fixing frame 19), is a device that serves to irradiate X-rays toward the X-ray receiver 13. Power is supplied to this X-ray generator 12 via a power cable (not shown). X-ray generator 12 is disposed opposite X-ray receiver 13 with piping P interposed therebetween, and is attached to top plate 21 so that the X-ray irradiation surface is parallel or non-parallel to the light receiving surface of X-ray receiver 13. For example, by attaching X-ray generator 12 to top plate 21 in a state where it is tilted relative to top plate 21 so that it is non-parallel to the light receiving surface of X-ray receiver 13 and faces the curved pipe portion P2, it becomes possible to image the piping P (bent pipe portion P2) located closer to curved pipe portion P2 than the position where roller 16 is disposed, and when imaging welded portion W, overlap between the welded portion on the X-ray generator 12 side and the welded portion on the X-ray receiver 13 side is prevented, making it possible to capture a high-quality image of the welded portion on the X-ray receiver 13 side. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable to tilt the X-ray irradiation surface so that the angle θ between the X-ray irradiation surface and the plane including the tube axis of the straight tube section P1 is within a range of more than 0 and not more than 30 degrees, preferably more than 0 and not more than 20 degrees, and more preferably more than 0 and not more than 15 degrees. This angle θ can be determined, for example, based on θ', which is determined from the relationship between S and L in FIG. 4. Specifically, θ should be set to an angle that is close to θ' (θ ≒ θ'). Here, S is the distance in the tube axis direction from the center position of the weld W to the radiation source of the X-ray generator 12, and L is the distance from the radiation source of the X-ray generator 12 to the inner surface of the piping P to be inspected. The radiation source is the point where X-rays are generated (the emission source). For example, when S:L = 1:2, θ' can be determined to be 26 degrees, so θ should be set to an angle that is the same as or close to this.

[0048] Here, the angle θ formed between the X-ray irradiation surface and the plane including the tube axis of the straight tube section P1 is preferably adjusted using an X-ray source angle adjustment jig 50 (also called an X-ray source angle adjustment member or gauge) as shown in FIG. The X-ray source angle adjusting jig 50 is a plate-like member (e.g., a triangular thin plate) having an acute-angled insertion portion 53 formed by two sides 51, 52 that can come into contact with the X-ray generator 12 and the top plate 21, respectively, and is inserted between the X-ray generator 12 and the top plate 21 to adjust the mounting angle of the X-ray generator 12 with respect to the top plate 21. For example, if the top plate 21 is parallel to a plane including the tube axis of the straight tube portion P1, the angle formed by the two sides 51, 52 of the X-ray source angle adjusting jig 50 is the angle θ described above.

[0049] In use, after the X-ray generator 12 is tiltable relative to the tabletop 21 and the distance between the X-ray generator 12 and the tabletop 21 is variable (adjustable), the insertion portion 53 of the X-ray source angle adjustment jig 50 is inserted between the X-ray generator 12 and the tabletop 21, and the X-ray generator 12 and the tabletop 21 are brought into contact with the two sides 51, 52 of the X-ray source angle adjustment jig 50, respectively. Then, the X-ray generator 12 is fixed in a state where it cannot be tilted relative to the tabletop 21 using means such as bolts. This makes it easy to adjust the X-ray irradiation angle. After the adjustment of the X-ray irradiation angle is completed, it is preferable to remove the X-ray source angle adjustment jig 50 from between the X-ray generator 12 and the tabletop 21.

[0050] The X-ray receiver (X-ray detector) 13, which is attached and fixed to the apparatus fixing frame 11 (top plates 22, 22a of the fixing frames 20, 20a), is an imaging element that receives X-rays emitted by the X-ray generator 12. Examples of this X-ray receiver 13 include a known flat panel detector FPD (Flat Panel Detector), a line sensor, a CCD camera, etc., with an FPD being preferred. The X-ray receiver 13 is disposed horizontally when positioned at the top, and is attached to the top plates 22, 22a of the fixed frames 20, 20a so that the X-ray receiving surface is parallel to a plane including the tube axis of the straight tube section P1 when it rotates. Furthermore, when inspecting the welded section W between the straight tube section P1 and the curved tube section P2, the X-ray receiver 13 is attached to the top plates 22, 22a so that the welded section W is located between the opposing X-ray generator 12 and X-ray receiver 13.

[0051] A control box (not shown) containing a control board and the like is connected via a signal cable to the X-ray receiver 13. This control box has a function of converting, for example, the electrical signal converted by the X-ray receiver 13 into a digital signal, and this converted digital signal is transferred to a computer or the like operated by an operator, where predetermined processing is performed by computer software to form an image. The control box is preferably attached to an appropriate position on the device fixing frame 11, for example, on the rear side of the X-ray receiver 13, but is not particularly limited thereto. The above-described X-ray generator 12 and X-ray receiver 13 can image the state of the inspection target portion of the piping P, allowing the inspection to be carried out.

[0052] (Rotating means) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the rotation means 14 provided on one side of the apparatus fixing frame 11 (the side opposite to the curved pipe portion P2) includes an arc-shaped fixed rail 17 having an opening through which the pipe P can pass, and an arc-shaped rotation frame 18, and is a means for attaching and fixing the apparatus fixing frame 11, to which the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are fixed, to the straight pipe portion P1 of the pipe P, and for rotating the apparatus fixing frame 11 in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the pipe P. The apparatus fixing frame 11 and the rotation means 14 may be configured to be attachable and detachable, or may be configured as an integrated unit that cannot be detached. Note that rotation in the present invention includes not only rotation, which is an operation in both directions, but also rotation, which is an operation in one direction.

[0053] The arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 are each an arc-shaped (horseshoe-shaped) frame made of, for example, aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, or the like, and the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 engage with each other to form a single unit. Specifically, for example, the inner peripheral portion of the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 is positioned in a groove 24 having a concave cross section formed on the outer peripheral portion of the arc-shaped fixed rail 17, thereby engaging and forming a single unit. Note that if the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, this is preferable because, for example, even if the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 come into direct contact with the pipe P, they are less likely to damage the surface of the pipe P.

[0054] It is preferable that the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 are configured to have approximately the same central angle (opening angle), and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 is able to move along the circumferential direction of the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 while being guided by the grooves 24. A lubricant, for example, is applied to the grooves 24 of the arc-shaped fixed rail 17, allowing the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 to slide smoothly against the arc-shaped fixed rail 17. The above-mentioned central angle is not particularly limited as long as the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 does not come off the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 when it moves relative to the arc-shaped fixed rail 17, and the opening side of the rotating means 14 can pass through the pipe P when it is attached to the straight pipe section P1, and can be appropriately determined depending on the diameter of the pipe P and the arc-shaped fixed rail 17, but for example, 200 to 340 degrees is preferable, 230 to 340 degrees is more preferable, and 260 to 340 degrees is particularly preferable. The central angles of the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 may differ within the above-mentioned ranges.

[0055] A fixing portion 25 is attached to one side (opposite the device fixing frame 11) of the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18, and by attaching and fixing this fixing portion 25 to the outer surface of the straight pipe section P1 of the piping P, the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 (and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18) can be attached and fixed in a state spanning the straight pipe section P1. The fixed portion 25 has a shape (e.g., an arcuate shape) corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion P1 and includes a fixed plate 26 attached and fixed to one side surface of the arcuate fixed rail 17 so as to form a gap between the fixed plate 26 and the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion P1, and a plurality of support rods 27 attached at their base ends in an upright position to the fixed plate 26 and at their tip ends in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion P1. The support rods 27 may be of a predetermined length and attached and fixed to the fixed plate, or the length of the support rods 27 may be adjustable, or the attachment position of the fixed plate 26 relative to the support rods 27 may be adjustable. The support rods may also be formed of rollers, which allows the fixed portion to move around the axis of the pipe P or in the axial direction, for example, when attaching the rotating means 14 to the straight pipe portion P1 of the pipe P, thereby facilitating position adjustment.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and 12, a fixing position adjusting means 60 can be used instead of the fixing portion 25 described above. The fixed position adjustment means 60 has a pair of fixed members 61 arranged on both sides of the straight pipe section P1, and each of these fixed members 61 is attached and fixed to a side portion of the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 of the rotating means 14. Each of these fixed members 61 has one end attached and fixed to the side portion of the arc-shaped fixed rail 17, an attachment plate portion 62 arranged parallel to the straight pipe section P1 along the pipe axis direction of the straight pipe section P1, a pair of support arms 63 attached at their base sides to the attachment plate portion 62 and arranged at a distance in the pipe axis direction of the straight pipe section P1, a pair of position adjustment slide bars 64 whose base portions move along the support arms 63, and a contact portion 65 at the tip portions of the pair of position adjustment slide bars 64, which is attached between the pair of position adjustment slide bars 64 facing each other in the pipe axis direction and comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the straight pipe section P1 of the piping P.

[0057] 8, when viewed from the pipe axis direction, the distance between the opposing support arms 63 sandwiching the straight pipe section P1 gradually increases (has a reverse tapered shape) as the distance increases from the straight pipe section P1 toward the top, and by sliding the base of a position adjustment slide bar 64 extending toward the straight pipe section P1 along the support arm 63, the distance between the opposing abutment sections 65 sandwiching the straight pipe section P1 can be adjusted in accordance with the diameter of the pipe P. The position of the position adjustment slide bar 64 relative to the support arm 63 can be determined using fastening means such as a bolt.

[0058] Furthermore, the contact portion 65 is, for example, columnar or cylindrical, with its axis parallel to the pipe axis, so that the contact portion 65 can reliably contact the outer circumferential surface of the straight pipe portion P1 and a wide contact area can be ensured. The columnar or cylindrical contact portion 65 can be made rotatable relative to the position adjustment slide bar 64, but making it non-rotatable is preferable because this prevents displacement of the contact position. The diameter of the columnar or cylindrical shape can also be changed depending on the diameter of the pipe P. After each contact portion 65 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion P1, it is preferable to use a lashing belt 66 to fasten the contact portion 65 to the straight pipe portion P1.

[0059] This allows the piping inspection device to be made more compact, so that it can be prevented from interfering with surrounding objects even in a narrow environment. The piping inspection device can also be made more compact by appropriately adjusting, specifically shortening, the length of the support arm 63 (the movable length of the position adjustment slide bar). This also allows the overall size of the piping inspection device to be adjusted (changed) according to the diameter of the piping P. Furthermore, the pipe inspection device has a structure that allows replacement, removal, or adjustment of the mounting positions of the components that make up the pipe inspection device, making it possible to make various adjustments according to the diameter of the pipe.Specifically, as described above, examples of adjustments include rearranging the mounting positions of the rollers that contact the outer surface of the pipe on the roller position adjustment members (position adjustment), attaching or removing spacers or the like that serve as length adjustment means provided on the support members of the device fixing frame, sliding the position adjustment slide bar relative to the support arm of the fixing position adjustment means that fixes the pipe inspection device to the pipe (adjusting the installation position), rearranging components such as the support arm, etc.

[0060] 5, the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 is provided with a rotating mechanism 28. This rotating mechanism 28 has an arc-shaped rack gear 29 formed on the outer periphery of the arc-shaped rotating frame 18, two pinion gears 30 that mesh with the rack gear 29, and a drive unit (not shown) that rotates the pinion gear 30. The two pinion gears 30 are arranged at an interval in the circumferential direction of the arc-shaped rotating frame 18, so that even when the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 moves, at least one of the pinion gears 30 meshes with the rack gear 29. A timing chain (not shown) is wound around the two pinion gears 30, so that when one of the pinion gears 30 is rotated by a drive unit, this rotation is transmitted to the other pinion gear 30 via the timing chain, causing the two pinion gears 30 to rotate synchronously. Note that the timing chain may be made of a different material, such as a timing belt.

[0061] (Positional relationship of each component) As shown in Figures 1 to 4, when the piping inspection device 10 is attached to the straight pipe section P1 of the piping P, the rotating means 14, the plurality of rollers 15, and the plurality of rollers 16 are configured to be arranged sequentially from one side to the other side (the curved pipe section P2 side) in the pipe axis direction, and it is preferable that the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are configured to be able to photograph the piping P located on the other side of the position where the plurality of rollers 15, 16 are arranged (for example, the welded section W between the straight pipe section P1 and the curved pipe section P2 shown in Figure 4). 4, the X-ray generator 12 is attached and fixed to the top plate 21 of the fixing frame 19 so that a portion of the X-ray generator 12 protrudes from the fixing frame 11 toward the curved pipe portion P2. Since the weight of the X-ray generator 12 is heavier than the other components, the position of the center of gravity G of the fixing frame 11 to which the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are fixed is on the curved pipe portion P2 side of the fixing frame 11. Therefore, it is preferable to position the plurality of rollers 16 arranged on the curved pipe portion P2 side near the position of the center of gravity G. This allows the fixing frame 11 to move stably and in a well-balanced manner relative to the straight pipe portion P1 of the piping P even when the fixing frame 11 is not attached to the rotating means 14. In FIG. 4, the position of the center of gravity G is closer to the curved tube section P2 than the rollers 16 and the radiation source of the X-ray generator 12 in the tube axis direction, but the installation position of the X-ray generator 12 may be changed so that the position of the center of gravity G is closer to the position of the center of gravity G' on the rotating means 14 side than the rollers 16 and the radiation source of the X-ray generator 12 within the range on the curved tube section P2 side of the device fixing frame 11.

[0062] In addition, the imaging by the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 is not limited to the piping P on the curved pipe section P2 side of the position where the multiple rollers 15 and 16 are arranged, but may also be the piping P located between the multiple rollers 15 and multiple rollers 16 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the pipe, or may also be the piping P located between the rotating means 14 and the multiple rollers 15.

[0063] (Position control means) The piping inspection device 10 preferably has a position control means (not shown) capable of controlling the position of the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 relative to the arc-shaped fixed rail 17. The position control means is preferably a means for controlling the movement time, movement distance, or rotation angle of the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 relative to the arc-shaped fixed rail 17. For example, the movement time, movement distance, and rotation angle can be set by using a control circuit or the like, and the movement distance and rotation angle can also be measured by using an encoder. As a result, the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 can be automatically controlled based on a preset program and placed at a predetermined imaging position in the circumferential direction of the pipe P. On the other hand, for example, the drive unit can be configured as an operation unit, and the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 can be manually placed at a predetermined imaging position. The position control means includes, for example, a motor and a reducer that serve as the drive unit, a control unit that controls the output of the motor, and the computer that can be operated by an operator and sends commands to the control unit wirelessly or via a wire. By automatically controlling the rotation of the device using such a position control means, it is possible to perform continuous and efficient inspections while irradiating X-rays, without having to perform the cumbersome task of stopping X-ray emission and manually changing the position, which was previously required.

[0064] 13, the piping inspection device 10 can also be configured to be capable of performing operations other than the above-described rotation according to the imaging position of the piping P. That is, the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 can be configured to be movable (position adjustable) on the device fixing frame 11 independently of the movement accompanying the rotation of the device fixing frame 11. Specifically, the position of the X-ray generator 12 can be adjusted by configuring the top plate 21 on which the X-ray generator 12 is attached to be movable in one or more directions, namely, the axial direction of the piping P (X direction), the width direction of the piping P (Y direction), and the height direction relative to the piping P (Z direction), and by configuring the X-ray generator 12 to be tiltable relative to the top plate 21. Furthermore, by configuring the top plate 22 on which the X-ray receiver 13 is attached to be movable in one or more directions, such as the tube axis direction of the piping P (X direction), the width direction of the piping P (Y direction), and the height direction relative to the piping P (Z direction), and by configuring the X-ray receiver 13 to be tiltable relative to the top plate 22, the position of the X-ray receiver 13 can be adjusted. The position adjustment of the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 may be performed automatically by the computer or manually. This position adjustment can be performed before or after rotating the apparatus fixing frame 11 in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the pipe P.

[0065] Next, an outline of a method for installing a piping inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be first described.

[0066] This piping inspection device has an X-ray generator disposed opposite an X-ray receiver across the piping P, and therefore has one of the following configurations. a) The X-ray generator is configured so that it can be attached and fixed in its original state to the device fixing frame to which the X-ray receiver is fixed. b) A configuration in which there is an attachment member (for example, a fixing frame) on the X-ray generator side. Specifically, the attachment member is one of the components of the device fixing frame, and the X-ray generator can be attached and fixed to this attachment member. Alternatively, the attachment member is a separate component from the device fixing frame, and the attachment member with the X-ray generator attached can be attached and fixed to the device fixing frame.

[0067] (Connection process) An arc-shaped rotating frame is attached to the device fixing frame to which the X-ray receiver is fixed, and the device fixing frame and the rotating means are connected.

[0068] (First installation process) The connected device fixing frame and rotating means are positioned so as to straddle the piping from the opening side of the arc-shaped fixed rail and arc-shaped rotating frame, and from the side of the device fixing frame facing the X-ray receiver, and the arc-shaped fixed rail is attached and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the piping.

[0069] (Second installation process) The X-ray generator is attached and fixed to the device fixing frame so that the X-ray generator is positioned opposite the X-ray receiver with the piping in between.

[0070] Here, it is preferable to have the following adjustment step. As described above, the piping inspection device is constructed so that the components that make up the piping inspection device can be replaced, attached, detached, or their mounting positions adjusted according to the diameter of the piping, and in the adjustment process, the mounting state of the device fixing frame, rotating means, or multiple rollers relative to the piping is adjusted before and / or after the connection process according to the diameter of the piping. This allows various adjustments to be made according to the diameter of the pipe.

[0071] It is also preferable to have the following rotating step. The rotation process is a process of rotating the device fixing frame circumferentially along the outer peripheral surface of the piping after the first installation process and before the second installation process, in which the arc-shaped fixing rail is attached and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the piping so that the opening is positioned downward, and in the second installation process the X-ray generator is attached and fixed to the device fixing frame from above the piping. This makes it easy to attach even a heavy X-ray generator to the piping.

[0072] Next, a method for installing the piping inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described using the piping inspection device 10 described above.

[0073] [Embodiment A-1] First, the piping inspection device 10 before being attached to the piping P will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In this piping inspection device 10, an apparatus fixing frame 11 that fixes an X-ray generator 12 and an X-ray receiver 13 has fixing frames 19 and 20, and these fixing frames 19 and 20 can be separated via a piping P. The X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are fixed to the fixed frame 19 and the fixed frame 20 of the device fixed frame 11, respectively, and the device fixed frame 11 is detached from the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 of the rotating means 14, and the fixed part 25 is attached to the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 of the rotating means 14.

[0074] (Rotation means installation process) 1, the integrated arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and arc-shaped rotating frame 18 are arranged with their opening sides aligned and with the fixing portion 25 facing away from the curved pipe portion P2, so as to straddle the straight pipe portion P1 of the piping P from the opening side, and the fixing portion 25 is attached and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion P1. The method of attaching the fixing portion 25 to the straight pipe portion P1 is not particularly limited, but examples include a method of tying the fixing portion 25 to the straight pipe portion P1 using a string member or the like, or a method of fixing with an adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive member. As a result, the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and arc-shaped rotary frame 18, which are the rotary means 14, are attached and fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the straight pipe section P1.

[0075] (X-ray receiver installation process) In this step, the fixed frame 20 to which the X-ray receiver 13 is fixed is placed on the opposite side (toward the curved pipe section P2) from the fixed section 25 of the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 fixed to the straight pipe section P1. At this time, as shown in Fig. 6(a), two rollers 15 provided on the top plate 22 of the fixed frame 20 and a roller 16 attached to the support member 23 of the fixed frame 20 come into contact with the upper outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe section P1. Next, as shown in FIG. 6(b), two rollers 16 are attached from below the support member 23 so that the rollers 16 come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lower side of the straight pipe section P1. 6(c), the X-ray generator 12 is rotated by 180 degrees to facilitate the installation of the heavy X-ray generator 12. However, if the X-ray generator 12 can be installed, this 180-degree rotation is not necessarily required.

[0076] (X-ray generator installation process) In this step, as shown in Fig. 6(d), the fixed frame 19 to which the X-ray generator 12 is fixed is attached and fixed to the support members 23 of the fixed frame 20 so that the X-ray generator 12 is positioned opposite the X-ray receiver 13 with the straight tube section P1 in between. At this time, two rollers 15 attached to the top plate 21 of the fixed frame 19 come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the straight tube section P1. 6(e), the device fixing frame 11 is rotated again by 180 degrees to return it to the original up-down arrangement. Then, with the entire device fixing frame 11 stably and balancedly supported on the straight pipe section P1 by the rollers 15, 16, the device fixing frame 11 is moved on the straight pipe section P1 while adjusting the position of the entire device fixing frame 11, and the fixing frame 20 of the device fixing frame 11 is attached and fixed to the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 of the rotating means 14. As a result, the rotation of the device fixing frame 11 relative to the straight pipe section P1 can be guided by the four rollers 15 and the four rollers 16, and the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are positioned opposite each other across the piping P, thereby completing the installation of the piping inspection device 10 to the piping P.

[0077] [Embodiment A-2] 14(a) to 14(e), a fixed frame 20 to which the X-ray receiver 13 is fixed can be attached and fixed in advance to the other side (the curved pipe portion P2 side) of the arc-shaped rotating frame 18, and then the fixed frame 20 can be installed in the piping P. In this case, instead of performing the above-mentioned rotating means attaching step and X-ray receiver attaching step, the following rotating means and X-ray receiver attaching step is performed.

[0078] (Rotation means and X-ray receiver installation process) In this process, the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 to which the fixed frame 20 to which the X-ray receiver 13 is fixed are attached and fixed are integrated (i.e., the fixed frame 20 and the rotating means 14 are integrated), and with their opening sides aligned and with the fixed portion 25 facing away from the curved pipe portion P2, they are positioned so as to straddle the straight pipe portion P1 of the piping P from their opening side, and the fixed portion 25 is attached and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion P1. In this way, by integrating the fixed frame 20 and the rotating means 14, the time required to attach the piping inspection device 10 to the piping P can be shortened.

[0079] Next, a method for installing a piping inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0080] [Embodiment B-1] First, the piping inspection device before being attached to the piping P will be briefly described with reference to FIG. This piping inspection device 10a has an apparatus fixing frame 11a that fixes an X-ray generator 12 and an X-ray receiver 13, which has fixing frames 19, 20a, and 20b, and this fixing frame 19 and fixing frame 20a can be attached and detached to fixing frame 20b. The X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are fixed to the fixed frame 19 and the fixed frame 20a of the device fixed frame 11a, respectively, and the device fixed frame 11a is in a state where it is detached from the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 of the rotating means 14, and the fixed part 25 is in a state where it is attached to the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 of the rotating means 14.

[0081] (Rotation means installation process) In this step, similar to the above-described method of installing a piping inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the integrated arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and arc-shaped rotating frame 18 are arranged with their opening sides aligned and with the fixing portion 25 facing away from the curved pipe portion P2, so as to straddle the straight pipe portion P1 of the piping P from the opening side, and the fixing portion 25 is attached and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion P1. The method of attaching the fixing portion 25 to the straight pipe portion P1 is not particularly limited, but examples include a method of tying the fixing portion 25 to the straight pipe portion P1 using a string member or the like, or a method of fixing with an adhesive member, pressure-sensitive adhesive member, or the like. As a result, the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and arc-shaped rotary frame 18, which are the rotary means 14, are attached and fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the straight pipe section P1.

[0082] (Installation preparation process) 7(a), the fixed frame 20b is placed on the opposite side (the curved pipe section P2 side) to the fixed section 25 of the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 fixed to the straight pipe section P1. At this time, the rollers 16 attached to the support members 23a of the fixed frame 20b come into contact with the upper outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe section P1.

[0083] (X-ray receiver installation process) In this step, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the fixed frame 20a to which the X-ray receiver 13 is fixed is attached and fixed to the fixed frame 20b. At this time, two rollers 15 provided on the top plate 22a of the fixed frame 20a come into contact with the upper outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe section P1. 7(c), two rollers 16 are attached from the lower side of the support member 23a so that the rollers 16 come into contact with the lower outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe section P1. Note that the attachment of these two rollers 16 may be performed before the attachment of the fixed frame 20a. 7(d), the X-ray generator 12 is rotated 180 degrees to facilitate the installation of the heavy X-ray generator 12. However, if the X-ray generator 12 can be installed, this 180-degree rotation is not necessarily required.

[0084] (X-ray generator installation process) 7(e), the fixed frame 19 to which the X-ray generator 12 is fixed is attached and fixed to the support members 23a of the fixed frame 20b so that the X-ray generator 12 is disposed in a position facing the X-ray receiver 13 with the straight tube section P1 in between. At this time, the two rollers 15 attached to the top plate 21 of the fixed frame 19 come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the straight tube section P1. 7(f), the device fixing frame 11a is rotated again by 180 degrees to return to the original up-down arrangement. Then, with the entire device fixing frame 11a stably and well-balancedly supported on the straight pipe section P1 by the rollers 15, 16, the device fixing frame 11a is moved on the straight pipe section P1 while adjusting the position of the entire device fixing frame 11a, and the fixing frame 20b of the device fixing frame 11a is attached and fixed to the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 of the rotating means 14. As a result, the rotation of the device fixing frame 11a relative to the straight pipe section P1 can be guided by four rollers 15 and four rollers 16, and the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are positioned opposite each other across the piping P, completing the installation of the piping inspection device 10a to the piping P.

[0085] [Embodiment B-2] Furthermore, a fixed frame 20a with the X-ray receiver 13 fixed thereto can be attached and fixed in advance to the other side (the curved pipe section P2 side) of the arc-shaped rotating frame 18, and then this can be installed in the piping P. In this case, instead of performing the above-mentioned rotating means attaching step, attachment preparation step, and X-ray receiver attaching step, the following rotating means and X-ray receiver attaching step is performed.

[0086] (Rotation means and X-ray receiver installation process) In this process, the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 to which the fixed frame 20b, to which the fixed frame 20a, to which the X-ray receiver 13 is fixed, is attached and fixed are assembled as a single unit, and with their opening sides aligned and the fixed part 25 facing away from the curved pipe part P2, they are positioned so as to straddle the straight pipe part P1 of the piping P from their opening side, and the fixed part 25 is attached and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe part P1.

[0087] [Embodiment B-3] 15(a) to 15(f), a fixed frame 20b can be attached and fixed in advance to the other side (the curved pipe portion P2 side) of the arc-shaped rotating frame 18, and then the fixed frame 20b can be installed in the piping P. In this case, instead of performing the rotating means attaching step and the attachment preparation step of the above-described embodiment B-1, the rotating means attaching step described below is performed.

[0088] (Rotation means installation process) In this process, the arc-shaped fixed rail 17 and the arc-shaped rotating frame 18 to which the fixed frame 20b is attached and fixed are integrated (i.e., the fixed frame 20b and the rotating means 14 are integrated), and with their opening sides aligned and the fixed portion 25 facing away from the curved pipe portion P2, they are positioned so as to straddle the straight pipe portion P1 of the piping P from their opening side, and the fixed portion 25 is attached and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion P1. In this way, by integrating the fixed frame 20b and the rotating means 14, the time required to attach the piping inspection device 10a to the piping P can be shortened.

[0089] 15(a), with the rollers 16 attached to the support members 23a of the fixed frame 20b, the fixed frame 20b and the rotating means 14 are integrated and arranged to straddle the straight pipe section P1 of the piping P from the opening side, and the fixed part 25 is attached and fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the straight pipe section P1, but as shown in Fig. 16(a), with the rollers 16 not attached to the support members 23a of the fixed frame 20b, the fixed frame 20b and the rotating means 14 can also be integrated and arranged to straddle the straight pipe section P1 of the piping P from the opening side, and the fixed part 25 can be attached and fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the straight pipe section P1. In this case, after the support members 16a provided with the rollers 16 are attached to the support members 23a of the fixed frame 20b as shown in Fig. 16(b), Figs. 16(c) to 16(g) are performed in the same manner as Figs. 15(b) to 15(f). In this case as well, since the fixed frame 20b and the rotating means 14 are integrated, the time required to attach the piping inspection device 10a to the piping P can be shortened.

[0090] Next, a piping inspection method according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described using the piping inspection device 10 described above as an example of inspecting a welded portion W between a straight pipe portion P1 and a curved pipe portion P2 of a pipe P. As described above, the piping inspection device 10 of the present invention can also be used to inspect straight pipe portions.

[0091] The piping inspection device 10 attached to the straight pipe section P1 as described above is in the state shown in Figure 1. The X-ray generator 12 is inclined toward the curved pipe section P2 so that X-rays can be emitted toward the welded section W between the straight pipe section P1 and the curved pipe section P2 of the piping P.

[0092] In this state, X-rays are emitted from the X-ray generator 12 from the outer periphery of the pipe P toward the welded portion W. These X-rays are detected by X-ray receivers 13, which are provided at opposing positions across the pipe P, and are then imaged by a computer. In this way, the welded portion W of the pipe P is X-rayed, allowing the condition of the pipe P to be visually confirmed on the computer display. This X-ray irradiation can be performed by an operator via a computer, but it can also be performed automatically using a program preset in the computer. Here, when photographing the welded portion W, it is common to photograph it according to a known double-wall single-sided photographing method, but it can also be photographed according to a known double-wall double-sided photographing method.

[0093] The structure of the piping inspection device described in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-147611 was capable of inspecting straight pipe sections, but had difficulty inspecting bent pipe sections, and there were limitations on the types of piping that could be inspected. However, in the piping inspection device 10 of the present invention, a plurality of rollers 15, 16, such as an arc-shaped fixed rail 17 as a rotating means 14, are sequentially arranged from one side to the other side (the curved pipe section P2 side), and the X-ray generator 12 and X-ray receiver 13 are configured to be able to photograph the welded section W of the piping P located closer to the curved pipe section P2 than the positions where the plurality of rollers 15, 16 are arranged, so that the device can also inspect piping other than straight pipe sections.

[0094] More specifically, when inspecting the pipe P, as shown in FIG. 3, the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are rotated circumferentially along the outer circumferential surface of the pipe P. While FIG. 3 shows counterclockwise rotation, they may be rotated clockwise, or a combination of counterclockwise and clockwise rotations may be used. During this rotation, the interval (movement time, movement distance, or rotation angle) at which the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 move around the circumference of the pipe P is set based on, for example, the JIS standard (JIS Z 3110 (2017)), and is preferably set according to the diameter of the pipe P. Specifically, the interval can be set so that approximately six images can be captured for a 100A diameter and a 150A diameter, approximately eight images for a 200A diameter, and approximately 12 images for a 300A diameter, but is not particularly limited thereto.

[0095] The rotation of the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 may be performed by an operator operating a computer while checking the captured image of the weld W displayed on the computer display, or may be performed automatically by a program preset in the computer. In this case, there is no need to temporarily stop X-ray irradiation and manually adjust the rotation position as in the conventional method, and the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 can be rotated and captured while continuously irradiating X-rays, allowing for efficient inspection. Furthermore, the rotation of the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 may be performed in conjunction with the irradiation of X-rays by the X-ray generator 12. For example, while the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 are rotating, the irradiation of X-rays by the X-ray generator 12 may be stopped, and when the rotation of the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 is stopped, the irradiation of X-rays by the X-ray generator 12 may be performed. Furthermore, before or after rotating the X-ray generator 12 and the X-ray receiver 13 circumferentially along the outer surface of the piping P, the X-ray generator 12 and / or the X-ray receiver 13 can be moved and / or tilted on the device fixing frame 11 according to the imaging position of the piping P to adjust their positions.

[0096] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments and includes other embodiments and modifications that are conceivable within the scope of the claims. For example, the scope of the present invention also includes cases in which the piping inspection device of the present invention, the piping inspection method using the same, and the installation method of the piping inspection device are configured by combining some or all of the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications. [Industrial Applicability]

[0097] The present invention is industrially useful because it enables piping inspection to be carried out efficiently. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10, 10a: Pipe inspection device, 11, 11a: Device fixing frame, 12: X-ray generator (radiation generator), 13: X-ray receiver (radiation receiver), 14: Rotating means, 15: Roller, 15a: Support arm, 16: Roller, 16a: Support part, 17: Arc-shaped fixed rail, 18: Arc-shaped rotating frame, 19: Fixed frame (fixed frame A), 20, 20a: Fixed frame (fixed frame B), 20b: Fixed frame (fixed frame C), 21: Top plate, 22, 22a: Top plate, 23, 2 3a: support member, 24: groove portion, 25: fixing portion, 26: fixing plate, 27: support rod, 28: rotation mechanism, 29: rack gear, 30: pinion gear, 40-43: support plate, 44, 45: roller position adjustment member, 46, 47: horizontal portion, 48: auxiliary roller, 50: X-ray source angle adjustment jig, 51, 52: side portion, 53: insertion portion, 60: fixing position adjustment means, 61: fixing member, 62: attachment plate portion, 63: support arm, 64: position adjustment slide bar, 65: abutment portion, 66: lashing belt

Claims

1. A pipe inspection device that performs inspection by irradiating radiation from the outer periphery of a pipe, a radiation generator and a radiation receiver fixed to an apparatus fixing frame and disposed at positions opposite each other with the piping in between; a rotating means for rotating the apparatus fixing frame, to which the radiation generator and the radiation receiver are fixed, in a circumferential direction along an outer peripheral surface of the piping; a plurality of rollers that move along an outer peripheral surface of the piping and guide rotation of the apparatus fixing frame to which the radiation generator and the radiation receiver are fixed, The rotating means is an arc-shaped fixed rail that is attached and fixed to the pipe and straddles the pipe, and has an opening through which the pipe can pass; an arc-shaped rotating frame attached to the device fixed frame, engaging with the arc-shaped fixed rail and moving along the arc-shaped fixed rail in a circumferential direction of the piping, the arc-shaped rotating frame having an opening through which the piping can pass; The arc-shaped rotating frame rotates along the arc-shaped fixed rail, and the radiation generator and the radiation receiver are placed at a predetermined imaging position. A piping inspection device characterized by:

2. The rotating means and the plurality of rollers are provided in sequence from one side, 2. The piping inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the radiation generator and the radiation receiver are configured to be able to photograph the piping located on the other side of the position where the plurality of rollers are arranged.

3. 2. The piping inspection device according to claim 1, further comprising a position control means capable of controlling the circumferential position of the arc-shaped rotating frame, and capable of automatically controlling the circumferential imaging positions of the piping by the radiation generator and the radiation receiver.

4. 4. The piping inspection device according to claim 3, wherein the position control means controls the movement time, movement distance, or rotation angle of the arc-shaped rotating frame relative to the arc-shaped fixed rail.

5. 2. The piping inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the device fixing frame comprises fixing frame A and fixing frame B which are separable via the piping, the radiation generator being fixed to fixing frame A, and the radiation receiver being fixed to fixing frame B.

6. 2. The piping inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the device fixing frame comprises fixing frames A to C that are separable via the piping, the radiation generator is fixed to fixing frame A, the radiation receiver is fixed to fixing frame B, and fixing frames A and B are fixed to fixing frame C.

7. 2. The piping inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the radiation generator and / or the radiation receiver are fixed to the device fixing frame so as to be movable and / or tiltable on the device fixing frame.

8. A piping inspection method using the piping inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a radiation generator and a radiation receiver that are rotated circumferentially along the outer circumferential surface of the pipe to position them at the predetermined photographing position, and an image of the pipe is taken using the radiation generator and the radiation receiver.

9. 9. A piping inspection method according to claim 8, wherein the rotation of the radiation generator and the radiation receiver in the circumferential direction of the piping is performed while checking images of the piping captured by the radiation generator and the radiation receiver.

10. 9. The piping inspection method according to claim 8, wherein the rotating means and the plurality of rollers are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the straight pipe section of the piping having a straight pipe section and a curved pipe section, and the radiation generator and the radiation receiver are used to photograph the welded portions of the straight pipe section and the curved pipe section of the piping.

11. 9. A piping inspection method according to claim 8, wherein the radiation generator and / or the radiation receiver are moved and / or tilted on the apparatus fixing frame to adjust their positions according to the imaging position of the piping before or after rotating them circumferentially along the outer peripheral surface of the piping.

12. 6. A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to claim 5 to a piping, comprising: a rotating means mounting step of arranging the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame so as to straddle the piping from the opening side thereof, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; a radiation receiver mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixed frame B, to which the radiation receiver is fixed, to the arc-shaped rotating frame; a radiation generator mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame A, to which the radiation generator is fixed, to the fixing frame B in such a manner that the radiation generator is disposed in a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

13. 6. A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to claim 5 to a piping, comprising: a rotating means and radiation receiver mounting step of arranging the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame to which the fixed frame B to which the radiation receiver is fixed is attached and fixed so as to straddle the piping from the opening side of the frame, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; a radiation generator mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame A, to which the radiation generator is fixed, to the fixing frame B in such a manner that the radiation generator is disposed in a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

14. 7. A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to claim 6 to a piping, comprising: a rotating means mounting step of arranging the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame so as to straddle the piping from the opening side thereof, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; an attachment preparation step of attaching and fixing the fixed frame C to the arc-shaped rotating frame; a radiation receiver mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame B, to which the radiation receiver is fixed, to the fixing frame C; a radiation generator mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame (A) to which the radiation generator is fixed, to the fixing frame (C) such that the radiation generator is disposed in a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

15. 7. A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to claim 6 to a piping, comprising: a rotating means and radiation receiver mounting step of arranging the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame to which the fixed frame C, to which the fixed frame B to which the radiation receiver is fixed, is mounted so as to straddle the piping from its opening side, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; a radiation generator mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame (A) to which the radiation generator is fixed, to the fixing frame (C) such that the radiation generator is disposed in a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

16. 7. A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to claim 6 to a piping, comprising: a rotating means mounting step of arranging the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame to which the fixed frame C is mounted and fixed so as to straddle the piping from the opening side of the frame, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; a radiation receiver mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame B, to which the radiation receiver is fixed, to the fixing frame C; a radiation generator mounting step of mounting and fixing the fixing frame (A) to which the radiation generator is fixed, to the fixing frame (C) such that the radiation generator is disposed in a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

17. A method for attaching the piping inspection device according to claim 1 to a piping, comprising: a connecting step of attaching the arc-shaped rotating frame to the device fixing frame to which the radiation receiver is fixed, thereby connecting the device fixing frame and the rotating means; a first mounting step of arranging the coupled device fixing frame and the rotating means so as to straddle the piping from the opening side of the arc-shaped fixed rail and the arc-shaped rotating frame and from the side of the device fixing frame facing the radiation receiver, and mounting and fixing the arc-shaped fixed rail to the outer peripheral surface of the piping; a second mounting step of mounting and fixing the radiation generator to the apparatus fixing frame so that the radiation generator is disposed at a position facing the radiation receiver with the piping interposed therebetween; A method for installing a piping inspection device, comprising:

18. The piping inspection device has a structure in which components constituting the piping inspection device can be replaced, detached, or their mounting positions adjusted according to the diameter of the piping, an adjustment step of adjusting an attachment state of the device fixing frame, the rotating means, or the plurality of rollers to the pipe in accordance with a diameter of the pipe before and / or after the connecting step; 18. The method for installing a piping inspection device according to claim 17.

19. a rotating step of rotating the device fixing frame in a circumferential direction along an outer circumferential surface of the piping after the first mounting step and before the second mounting step, In the first mounting step, the arc-shaped fixing rail is mounted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe so that the opening is positioned downward; In the second mounting step, the radiation generator is mounted and fixed to the apparatus fixing frame from above the piping.

19. The method for installing a piping inspection device according to claim 17 or 18.

Images