tubular siphon

Abstract

To provide a pipe fluid detector that can stably contact the outer surface of a curved pipe with a probe. [Solution] The pipe fluid detector 10 is a handheld pipe fluid detector for detecting the fluid inside a pipe containing a magnetic material, and comprises a main body 20 that is held by the operator when detecting the fluid inside the pipe, an ultrasonic probe 31 provided at one end of the main body 20 that transmits ultrasonic waves into the inside of the pipe from the outer surface of the pipe and is capable of receiving a first reflected wave at the inner wall of the pipe on the side on which the ultrasonic waves were incident and a second reflected wave at the inner wall of the pipe on the side opposite to the side on which the ultrasonic waves were incident, and a magnet 32 ​​provided in an annular shape around the side of the ultrasonic probe 31 on the side of the main body 20 from the tip of the ultrasonic probe 31, at a position where it does not come into contact with the pipe when the ultrasonic probe 31 comes into contact with the pipe, but is capable of being attracted to the pipe by magnetic force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a handheld liquid detector for pipes that detects liquid inside a pipe containing a magnetic material.

Background Art

[0002] For example, when performing renovation work on sprinkler piping equipment, an operator drains water from the piping to be constructed and cuts the pipe. However, water leakage accidents may occur due to cutting the wrong pipe or forgetting to drain water.

[0003] If it can be easily determined from the outside of the pipe whether the pipe to be cut is filled with water, this can greatly contribute to reducing water leakage accidents caused by erroneous cutting. Furthermore, if the presence of filled water in the pipe can be confirmed, work can be started earlier, which also contributes to improving work efficiency.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a portable liquid level determination device that can check whether the inside of a pipe is filled with water from outside the pipe. This device comprises: a probe that is brought into contact with the outer surface of the pipe, transmits ultrasonic waves into the inside of the pipe, and receives reflected waves; and a determination circuit that determines whether an ultrasonic signal received by the probe contains a component that has propagated through the liquid inside the pipe, and determines that the contact position of the probe is below the liquid level when the liquid-propagated component is contained.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the configuration described above, where the probe is brought into contact with the outer surface of the pipe, the outer surface of the pipe is often curved, making it difficult to bring the probe into contact with the outer surface of the pipe in a direction normal to the pipe's outer surface. In particular, the operator needs to keep the probe in contact with the outer surface of the pipe until the measurement is complete. Also, depending on the location of the pipe (measurement location), the operator may have to bring the liquid level detection device into contact with the pipe in an unstable position, such as by stretching their arm far out. If the probe is not properly in contact with the outer surface of the pipe when taking measurements, the measurement accuracy may decrease.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a pipe fluid detector that can stably contact the outer surface of the curved shape of a pipe with a probe.

[0008] Other purposes may be revealed in the following disclosures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A pipe fluid detector according to one embodiment is a handheld pipe fluid detector for detecting fluid inside a pipe containing a magnetic material, and is characterized by comprising: a main body that is held by the operator's hand when detecting fluid inside the pipe; an ultrasonic probe provided at one end of the main body that transmits ultrasonic waves into the inside of the pipe from the outer surface of the pipe and is capable of receiving a first reflected wave at the inner wall of the pipe on the side on which the ultrasonic waves were incident and a second reflected wave at the inner wall of the pipe on the side opposite to the side on which the ultrasonic waves were incident; and a magnet provided in an annular shape around the side of the ultrasonic probe on the main body side from the tip of the ultrasonic probe, at a position where it does not come into contact with the pipe when the ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with the pipe, but is capable of magnetic attraction to the pipe.

[0010] According to one embodiment of a pipe fluid detector, the device further comprises a gimbal mechanism that pivotably connects the main body, the ultrasonic probe, and the magnet, and is characterized in that when the ultrasonic probe is in contact with the pipe by the operator's operation, the main body is pivotable relative to the ultrasonic probe and the magnet.

[0011] According to one embodiment of a pipe liquid detector, the device is provided in the main body and includes a determination unit that determines that the pipe is not filled with liquid if only the first reflected wave is received within a predetermined time, and determines that the pipe is filled with liquid if both the first and second reflected waves are received within the predetermined time; and a notification unit provided in the main body that, if the determination unit determines that the pipe is not filled with liquid, notifies the operator of this fact by a sound generating unit or a light emitting unit, and if the determination unit determines that the pipe is filled with liquid, notifies the operator of this fact by a sound generating unit or a light emitting unit.

[0012] According to one embodiment of a pipe fluid detector, the ultrasonic probe is a two-element transducer having a receiving unit and a transmitting unit in adjacent positions, and is characterized in that a pair of guide units are provided to guide the ultrasonic probe so that the receiving unit and the transmitting unit are aligned along the axial direction of the pipe, and the incident direction of the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe is from a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer wall surface of the pipe toward the central axis of the pipe. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the probe can be stably brought into contact with the outer surface of the curved shape of the pipe. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a simplified diagram showing the general configuration of the pipe-type liquid detector according to Example 1. (A) is a top view of the pipe-type liquid detector, and (B) is a front view of the pipe-type liquid detector. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic probe. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the advantages of a dual-element transducer. (A) is a diagram showing the transmission and reception operation of a single-element transducer, and (B) is a diagram showing the transmission and reception operation of a dual-element transducer. [Figure 4]It is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the ultrasonic incident direction of an ultrasonic probe heads toward the central axis of a pipe from a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer wall surface of the pipe. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory diagram showing a state where an ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with a pipe. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pipe liquid detector. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the transmission and reception operation of an ultrasonic probe, wherein (A) shows a state where there is no residual water in the inner space of the pipe, and (B) shows a state where there is residual water in the inner space of the pipe. [Figure 8] It is a simplified diagram showing the schematic configuration of a pipe liquid detector according to Example 2, wherein (A) is a top view of the pipe liquid detector, and (B) is a front view of the pipe liquid detector. [Figure 9] (A) shows a state where the ultrasonic probe of the pipe liquid detector according to Example 2 is brought into contact with a pipe. As a comparative example of Example 2, (B) shows a state where the ultrasonic probe of a pipe liquid detector provided with neither a magnet nor a gimbal mechanism is brought into contact with a pipe. [[MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION]]

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all of the elements and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. [[EXAMPLES]]

[0016] Figure 1 is a simplified diagram showing the schematic configuration of a pipe liquid detector according to Example 1.

[0017] The handheld pipe liquid detector 10 shown in Figure 1 is configured to include a main body 20 and a measurement unit 30, and is for non-destructively detecting residual water as residual liquid remaining in a pipe 1 containing a magnetic material, particularly a sprinkler pipe 1 such as carbon steel, from the outside of the pipe 1 using ultrasonic waves.

[0018] The main body 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is a portion gripped by an operator's hand when testing liquid inside the pipe 1. An electric circuit portion is housed inside the main body 20. A display 21 (light-emitting portion), an operation switch 22, and a speaker (sound-generating portion, not shown) are arranged on the surface of the main body 20. The display 21 is provided with a lamp such as a light bulb or a light-emitting diode. Among the light-emitting diodes 21A to 21C constituting the display 21, the white light-emitting diode 21C indicating the power supply has a specification that it lights up when the power is turned on (the power is on in FIG. 7). Details of the light-emitting diode 21A and the light-emitting diode 21B will be described later. The operation switch 22 is provided with a reception sensitivity adjustment switch 22A for the ultrasonic probe 31, a power switch 22B that turns on the power when pressed and held, and the like. The speaker generates a buzzer sound.

[0019] The pipe liquid detector 10 of the present embodiment indicates whether ultrasonic measurement is being performed or water is detected not by a waveform or the like, but by lighting of the display 21 or a buzzer sound, so that judgment can be made regardless of the user's knowledge. This allows an inspector to judge the state of the pipe 1 to be inspected even when the pipe 1 is located in a blind spot for the inspector.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the measurement unit 30 is provided at one end of the main body 20, and includes an ultrasonic probe 31, a magnet 32, and a holder 33 that holds the ultrasonic probe 31 and the magnet 32. A groove 34 extending in the left-right direction is formed in the holder 33.

[0021] The ultrasonic probe 31 is formed in a columnar shape and provided so as to protrude from the bottom surface 34A of the groove 34. The ultrasonic probe 31 transmits ultrasonic waves from the outer surface of the pipe 1 into the pipe 1 and receives the reflected waves thereof. The principle of liquid level detection using the ultrasonic probe 31 is the same as the principle described in Patent Document 1, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the ultrasonic transducer 31 is a two-element transducer having a receiving unit 35 and a transmitting unit 36 ​​located adjacent to each other. That is, in the ultrasonic transducer 31, the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves are performed on different surfaces. The transmitting unit 36 ​​transmits ultrasonic waves from the outer surface of the pipe 1 into the interior of the pipe 1. The receiving unit 35 is capable of receiving the first reflected wave 5A (see Figure 7) at the inner wall of the pipe 1 on the side where the ultrasonic waves entered, and the second reflected wave 5B (see Figure 7) at the inner wall of the pipe 1 on the side opposite to the side where the ultrasonic waves entered.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, a dual-element transducer has the advantage of being less affected by the transmitted wave when receiving ultrasound compared to a single-element transducer. In the pipe fluid detector 10 of this embodiment, the measurement target is a pipe 1, so the measurement surface is curved. Therefore, the incident ultrasound is weak and susceptible to noise. In this respect, in the pipe fluid detector 10 of this embodiment, by using a dual-element transducer as the ultrasonic transducer 31, noise during ultrasound transmission can be reduced.

[0024] Figure 4 shows the direction of incidence of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe 31, moving from a direction approximately perpendicular to the outer wall surface 2 of the pipe 1 towards the central axis 3 of the pipe 1. Figure 4 shows the state in which residual water exists in the inner space 4 of the pipe 1.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the most preferable way to position the ultrasonic probe 31 is to position it directly beside the pipe 1. This is because if the ultrasonic probe is positioned directly above the pipe 1, or at an angle below (such as the position of the ultrasonic probe 131 in Figure 4), even if residual water exists in the inner space 4 of the pipe 1, a gap is likely to form between the water surface and the ultrasonic probe, as shown in Figure 4. This gap prevents the ultrasonic waves from traveling through the liquid (see the dotted line in Figure 4), making it highly likely that the system will falsely detect the absence of liquid.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1(A), the magnet 32 ​​is formed in an annular (ring-shaped) manner around the ultrasonic probe 31 and is provided on the bottom surface 34A of the groove 34. As shown in Figure 1(B), the magnet 32 ​​is provided so as to surround the entire circumference of the side portion 31B of the ultrasonic probe 31 on the side of the main body 20, from the tip portion 31A. Note that the magnet 32 ​​is not limited to this, and may be provided at multiple locations (for example, four locations) around the side portion.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the magnet 32 ​​is positioned so as not to come into contact with the pipe 1 when the ultrasonic probe 31 is brought into contact with the pipe 1, but so as to be magnetically attracted to the pipe 1. As shown in Figure 5, by positioning the magnet 32 ​​slightly inward (towards the main body 20) rather than on the same plane as the tip 31A of the ultrasonic probe 31, the following advantages (1) to (4) can be obtained. (1) The ultrasonic probe 31 is pressed against the pipe 1 which has a magnetic material by the magnetic force of the magnet 32. (2) When the magnet 32 ​​is circular, a uniform magnetic force is generated to attract the pipe 1, and the ultrasonic probe 31 can be pressed against the pipe 1 at approximately perpendicular to the central axis. (3) No extra force is required to press the ultrasonic probe 31 against the pipe 1. (4) Iron powder and other debris are less likely to adhere to the surface of the tip portion 31A of the ultrasonic probe 31, and dirt on the ultrasonic probe 31 can be easily wiped off.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1(A), the guide surfaces 34B and 34C of the groove 34 function as a pair of guide surfaces 34B and 34C that guide the ultrasonic probe 31. Each guide surface 34B and 34C guides the ultrasonic probe 31 so that the receiving unit 35 and the transmitting unit 36 ​​are aligned along the axial direction of the pipe 1, and so that the direction of incidence of the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe 31 is from a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer wall surface of the pipe 1 toward the central axis of the pipe 1.

[0029] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pipe-type liquid detector 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0030] The pipe fluid detector 10 includes a processing circuit 40 (determination unit and notification unit), a memory 41, a drive circuit 42, a receiving circuit 43, and a battery 44.

[0031] The processing circuit 40 includes, for example, a microcomputer. The processing circuit 40 functions as a determination circuit that determines whether or not a signal component has passed the liquid surface based on the received ultrasonic signal, and determines whether or not the liquid surface exists. The processing circuit 40 also functions as a calibration circuit that calibrates the determination criteria of the determination circuit.

[0032] Memory 41 includes ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM contains pre-programmed data for the microcomputer in the processing circuit 40 to function as a judgment circuit and a calibration circuit.

[0033] The drive circuit 42 provides electrical drive to cause the transmitting unit 36 ​​in the ultrasonic probe 31 to transmit ultrasonic waves. When the receiving unit 35 receives a reflected wave, the drive circuit 42 stops the transmission of ultrasonic waves by the transmitting unit 36. In other words, the drive circuit 42 periodically transmits ultrasonic waves for a certain short period, receives the ultrasonic signal for a receiving period longer than the transmission period, and then transmits ultrasonic waves again.

[0034] The receiving circuit 43 electrically converts and amplifies the ultrasonic signal received by the receiving unit 35 in the ultrasonic probe 31. The transmission timing by the driving circuit 42 and the received signal received by the receiving circuit 43 are provided to the processing circuit 40.

[0035] The battery 44 is composed of, for example, a dry cell or a lithium-ion battery, and supplies power for the operation of the processing circuit 40, memory 41, drive circuit 42, and receiving circuit 43.

[0036] Next, the operation of the pipe fluid detector 10 in this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 7. Note that the light-emitting diodes 21A to 21C in the left-hand diagram of Figure 7 correspond to the light-emitting diodes 21A to 21C in Figure 1(B).

[0037] The processing circuit 40 determines that there is no liquid in the pipe 1 if the receiving unit 35 receives only the first reflected wave 5A (see Figure 7(A)) within a predetermined time. In this case, the processing circuit 40 notifies the operator that there is no liquid in the pipe 1 via the display unit 21 or speaker. In this embodiment, if the receiving unit 35 receives only the first reflected wave 5A within a predetermined time, the green light-emitting diode 21B, which indicates contact detection, among the light-emitting diodes 21A to 21C that make up the display unit 21, lights up. The illumination of the light-emitting diode 21B can be confirmed regardless of whether there is water in the pipe 1 or not. Therefore, if the illumination of the light-emitting diode 21B is confirmed, it can be determined that the ultrasonic injection was successful, and thus it is used as a coupling check (contact detection).

[0038] On the other hand, the processing circuit 40 determines that the pipe 1 is filled with liquid if the receiving unit 35 receives the first reflected wave 5A (see Figure 7(B)) and the second reflected wave 5B (see Figure 7(B)) within a predetermined time. In this case, the processing circuit 40 notifies the operator that the pipe 1 is filled with liquid via the display unit 21 or speaker. In this embodiment, when the receiving unit 35 receives the first reflected wave 5A and the second reflected wave 5B within a predetermined time, the display unit 21 is configured to light up two of its light-emitting diodes 21A to 21C: the green light-emitting diode 21B which indicates contact detection and the red light-emitting diode 21A which indicates water detection. [Examples]

[0039] The pipe fluid detector 11 of this embodiment differs from the pipe fluid detector 10 of Embodiment 1 in that, as shown in Figure 8, it further comprises a main body 20 and a gimbal mechanism 50 (a gimbal mechanism 50 having two orthogonal rotation axes 51 and 52 when viewed from the front side of the paper in Figure 8(A)) to which an ultrasonic probe 31 and a magnet 32 ​​are pivotably connected to a measuring section 30 via a hole 34D provided in the center of the bottom surface 34A of the groove 34. In other words, in the pipe fluid detector 11 of this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 31 and magnet 32 ​​can be tilted in the vertical direction of the paper in Figure 8(A) with respect to the cylindrical part 50A, and the cylindrical part 50A having the ultrasonic probe 31 and magnet 32 ​​can be tilted in the horizontal direction of the paper in Figure 8(A) with respect to the rotation axis 51 which extends in the horizontal direction of the paper. Since the other components are the same as in Example 1, the same reference numerals are used and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0040] In this embodiment of the pipe fluid detector 11, when the ultrasonic probe 31 is in contact with the pipe 1 by the operator's operation, the main body 20 can swing relative to the ultrasonic probe 31 and the magnet 32 ​​via the gimbal mechanism 50. That is, when the pipe fluid detector 11 is in contact with the pipe 1, even if the main body 20 is tilted, the orientation of the ultrasonic probe 31 and the magnet 32 ​​can be kept facing the center of the pipe 1, as long as it is within a predetermined angle (for example, the swingable angle of the gimbal mechanism 50).

[0041] Figure 9(A) shows the ultrasonic probe 31 of the pipe fluid detector 11 in this embodiment in contact with the pipe 1. On the other hand, Figure 9(B) shows the ultrasonic probe 31 of the pipe fluid detector 12, which does not have a magnet 32 ​​or a gimbal mechanism 50, in contact with the pipe 1 as a comparative example of this embodiment.

[0042] As shown in Figure 9(A), it was found that in the pipe fluid detector 11 of this embodiment, even if the main body 20 is tilted, as long as it is within a predetermined angle, almost no gap is formed between the ultrasonic probe 31 and the pipe 1. In contrast, it was found that in the pipe fluid detector 12 of the comparative example, a large gap is formed between the ultrasonic probe 31 and the pipe 1.

[0043] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1 Piping 2. Exterior wall surface 3 center axis 4. Interior space 5A 1st reflected wave 5B 2nd reflected wave 10, 11, 12 tube liquid tester 20 Main unit 21. Display unit (light-emitting part) 21A, 21B, 21C Light-Emitting Diodes 22 Operating switches 22A Adjustment Switch 22B Power switch 30 Measuring part 31, 131 Ultrasonic probe 31A Tip 31B Side 32 magnets 33 Holder 34A Bottom 34B, 34C Guide surface (guide section) 34D Hole 35 Receiving section 36 Transmitter 40 Processing circuit (determination unit and notification unit) 41 memory 42 Drive Circuit 43 Receiving circuit 44 Batteries 50 Gimbal mechanism 50A Cylindrical section 51, 52 Rotation axis

Claims

1. A handheld tube fluid detector for detecting the fluid inside a tube containing a magnetic material, When inspecting the liquid inside the aforementioned tube, the main body is held in the operator's hand, An ultrasonic probe is provided at one end of the main body, capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves into the inside of the tube from the outer surface of the tube, and receiving a first reflected wave at the inner wall of the tube on the side where the ultrasonic waves were incident, and a second reflected wave at the inner wall of the tube on the side opposite to where the ultrasonic waves were incident. A magnet is provided in an annular shape around the side of the ultrasonic probe that is closer to the main body than the tip of the ultrasonic probe, at a position where the ultrasonic probe does not come into contact with the tube when the ultrasonic probe is brought into contact with the tube, and where magnetic attraction to the tube is possible. A pipe liquid detector characterized by having the following features.

2. The main body is further provided with a gimbal mechanism that swingably connects the ultrasonic probe and the magnet, The pipe fluid detector according to claim 1, characterized in that when the ultrasonic probe is in contact with the pipe due to the operator's actions, the main body is oscillating relative to the ultrasonic probe and the magnet.

3. The main body is provided with a determination unit that determines that if only the first reflected wave is received within a predetermined time, the tube is not filled with liquid, and if both the first reflected wave and the second reflected wave are received within the predetermined time, the tube is filled with liquid. The main body is provided with a notification unit which, when the determination unit determines that the tube is not filled with liquid, notifies the operator of this fact by a sound generating unit or a light emitting unit, and when the determination unit determines that the tube is filled with liquid, notifies the operator of this fact by a sound generating unit or a light emitting unit, The pipe liquid detector according to claim 1, characterized by being equipped with the following features.

4. The ultrasonic probe is a two-element transducer having a receiving unit and a transmitting unit located adjacent to each other, The pipe fluid detector according to claim 1, characterized in that a pair of guide parts are provided to guide the ultrasonic probe so that the receiving unit and the transmitting unit are aligned along the axial direction of the pipe, and the incident direction of the ultrasonic waves of the ultrasonic probe is from a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer wall surface of the pipe toward the central axis of the pipe.

Images