Leak location visualization device and leak location visualization method

Abstract

To provide a leakage position visualization device and a method for visualizing a leakage position that can easily specify the position of a leakage in a pipe arranged on one side of a shielding object, from another side of the shielding object.SOLUTION: A leakage position visualization device 30 includes: a reception unit 34 for receiving a signal from a signal output unit 26 in a wire top end arranged in a leakage position L1 in a pipe 10 on one side of a floor 14 in a work space R on another side of the floor 14; and a display unit 50 for displaying the intensity of the signal received by the reception unit 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a leak location visualization device and a leak location visualization method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when a leak is detected in a gas supply pipe, it is necessary to identify the location of the leak. The following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for detecting the flow velocity of a fluid in a pipe and identifying the location of the fluid leak based on the change in the flow velocity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-101231 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although various techniques have been proposed for identifying the location of a leak in a pipe, when the pipe itself is covered by an obstruction, for example, when the pipe is covered by a floor or wall inside a building, the leak location cannot be seen directly. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the leak location through the obstruction, which makes it difficult to identify the exact location.

[0005] In consideration of the above-mentioned facts, the present invention aims to provide a leak location visualization device and a leak location visualization method that can easily identify the leak location of a pipe arranged on one side of a shield from the other side of the shield. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The leak location visualization device of claim 1 comprises a receiver that receives a signal from a signal output unit at a wire tip that is positioned at a position where a leak has been confirmed in a pipe on one side of a shielding body on the other side of the shielding body, and a display unit that displays the intensity of the signal received by the receiver.

[0007] In the leak location visualization device according to claim 1, a signal from a signal output unit arranged in a pipe on one side of a shield is received by a receiver on the other side of the shield. The signal output unit is located at the tip of a wire, and the tip of the wire is arranged at a position in the pipe where a leak has been previously confirmed. The display unit shows the strength of the signal received by the receiver. By checking this display, an operator can recognize the relationship between the position of the receiver and the strength of the signal. Therefore, it can be determined that a position showing a high strength is close to the leak position.

[0008] Claim 1 The leak location visualization device according to the present invention displays, on the display unit, a target image including the position of the receiver, and position signal strength information that associates the receiving position at the receiver on the target image with the received signal strength.

[0009] Claim 1 In the leak location visualization device according to the present invention, a display unit displays a target image including the placement position of a receiver and position signal strength information. The position signal strength information is information that associates the reception position of the receiver on the target image with the strength of the received signal. This allows an operator to determine that a position on the target image that displays a high signal strength as the position signal strength information is close to the leak location.

[0010] Claim 2 The leak location visualization device according to the present invention maps and displays a plurality of pieces of position signal strength information on the target image.

[0011] The mapping display here refers to displaying positions on the target image in correspondence with positions of multiple pieces of position signal strength information. According to the leak position visualization device of claim 3, the operator can determine that the position displayed with a higher signal strength among the multiple pieces of position signal strength information on the target image is the position closest to the leak position.

[0012] Claim 3In the leakage location visualization device according to the present invention, the signal output section is formed of an antenna including a coil, and an electromagnetic wave is output as a signal.

[0013] Claim 3 According to the leak location visualization device of the present invention, the leak location can be visualized by using electromagnetic waves from a signal output unit having a simple configuration.

[0014] Claim 4 The leak location visualization method relates to a method for visualizing a leak location, in which a signal from a signal output unit at a wire tip located at a position where a leak has been confirmed in a pipe on one side of a shielding is received by a receiver on the other side of the shielding, and the strength of the signal received by the receiver is displayed on a display unit.

[0015] Claim 4 In the leak location visualization method according to the present invention, a signal from a signal output unit arranged in a pipe on one side of a shield is received by a receiver on the other side of the shield. The signal output unit is located at the tip of a wire, and the tip of the wire is arranged at a position in the pipe where a leak has been previously confirmed. The display unit shows the strength of the signal received by the receiver. By checking this display, an operator can recognize the relationship between the position of the receiver and the strength of the signal. Therefore, it can be determined that a position showing a high strength is close to the leak position.

[0016] Claim 4 The leak location visualization method relates to displaying, on the display unit, a target image including the position of the receiver, and position signal strength information that corresponds the receiving position at the receiver on the target image with the received signal strength.

[0017] Claim 4 In the leak location visualization method according to the present invention, a target image including the placement position of a receiver and position signal strength information are displayed on a display unit. The position signal strength information is information that associates the reception position of the receiver on the target image with the strength of the received signal. This allows the worker to determine that a position on the target image that is displayed as the position signal strength information with a high signal strength is close to the leak location.

[0018] Claim 5 The leak location visualization method according to the present invention maps and displays a plurality of pieces of position signal strength information on the target image.

[0019] The mapping display here refers to displaying positions on the target image in correspondence with positions of multiple pieces of position signal strength information. According to the leak position visualization method of claim 7, the operator can determine that a position on the target image that is displayed with a high signal strength among multiple pieces of position signal strength information is close to the leak position.

[0020] Claim 6 In the leakage location visualization method according to the present invention, the tip of the wire of the signal output section is formed of an antenna including a coil, and an electromagnetic wave is output as a signal.

[0021] Claim 6 According to the leak location visualization method, the leak location can be visualized by using electromagnetic waves from a signal output unit with a simple configuration. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the leak location visualization device and leak location visualization method of the present invention, the leak location in a pipe arranged on one side of a shield can be easily identified from the other side of the shield. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of a building in which the leak location visualization device of this embodiment is used. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a searching tool used in the present embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a leak location in a pipe is being detected using a detection tool. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a transmitter used in the present embodiment. [Figure 3B] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a signal transmitting portion of the transmitting device is disposed at a leakage position. FIG. [Figure 4A]1 is a perspective view of the leakage location visualization device of the present embodiment as viewed from the camera side. FIG. [Figure 4B] 1 is a perspective view of the leakage location visualization device of the present embodiment as viewed from the display unit side. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the leak location visualization device of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the leak location visualization device of the present embodiment is receiving a signal near the leak location. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of a display process executed by the controller. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which initial position signal strength information is displayed on a display unit of the leak location visualization device of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a plurality of pieces of position signal strength information are displayed on a display unit of the leak location visualization device of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which position signal intensity information according to a modified example is displayed on the display unit of the leak location visualization device of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which position signal strength information and a frame are displayed on a display unit of the leak location visualization device of the present embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] An embodiment of a leak location visualization device and method according to the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, a case where a gas leak is detected in a building will be described as an example.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the subject piping 10 is arranged along the wall 12 and floor 14 of a building, and supplies gas to a gas consuming appliance (not shown). The wall 12 has an inner wall 12A and an outer wall 12B that are parallel to each other. The inner wall 12A is disposed on the indoor side and divides the indoor space, and the outer wall 12B divides the outside space from the inside of the wall 12D. The inner wall 12A and the floor 14 correspond to the shield of the present invention. In this embodiment, an inspection hatch 12C is provided in the outer wall 12B, and an opening 10A of the piping 10 is provided at a position corresponding to the inspection hatch 12C. The inside of the piping 10 can be accessed from the inspection hatch 12C and the opening 10A.

[0026] The piping 10 is disposed on one side of an inner wall 12A and a floor 14. The other side of the inner wall 12A and the floor 14 is the room interior, that is, a work space R.

[0027] The leak position L1 in the pipe 10 can be identified in advance using a search tool 16 in the following manner. As shown in Fig. 2A, the search tool 16 has an air tube 16A and a balloon 16B. The balloon 16B is attached to the tip of the air tube 16A. One end of the air tube 16A is connected to the inlet of the balloon 16B, and air can be sent into the balloon 16B from the other end using a blowing means such as a rubber bulb 16C.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2B, the search for the leak position L1 with the search tool 16 is performed by inserting the air pipe 16A from the balloon 16B side into the piping 10 from the inspection hatch 12C from the balloon 16B side with the air deflated. Then, air is sent at an arbitrary position to block the piping 10 with the balloon 16B, and the airtight state downstream of the blocking position is confirmed to determine whether there is a leak downstream of the blocking position. By changing the position of the balloon 16B and repeating the above operation, the position of the balloon 16B where the airtight state is maintained and the position of the balloon 16B where the airtight state is not maintained are brought closer to each other, and the position of the balloon 16B closest to the consumer device where the airtight state is maintained can be determined as the leak position L1. The insertion length of the air pipe 16A of the search tool 16 allows the distance from the inspection hatch 12C to the leak position L1 to be confirmed.

[0029] Next, the transmitting device 20 will be described.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3A, the transmitter 20 has a power supply unit 22, a wire 24, and a signal transmission unit 26. The signal transmission unit 26 is provided at the tip of the wire 24, and is composed of an antenna including a coil 26A. The axial direction S of the coil 26A is arranged along the extension direction of the wire 24 (the extension direction of the pipe 10). The maximum diameter 26R of the coil 26A is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe 10. By passing a current from the power supply unit 22, an electromagnetic wave is generated from the signal transmission unit 26, and the electromagnetic wave is transmitted as a signal.

[0031] 3B, the wire 24 of the transmitting device 20 is inserted into the piping 10 from the side of the signal transmitting unit 26 through the inspection hatch 12C and the opening 10A. By making the insertion length of the wire 24 the same as the insertion length when the leak position L1 is detected by the searching tool 16, the signal transmitting unit 26 can be positioned at the leak position L1.

[0032] Next, the leak location visualization device 30 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the leak location visualization device 30 of this embodiment has a main body unit 32, a receiver 34, a connection bar 36, a camera 38, a position measuring device 48, and a display unit 50.

[0033] The receiver 34 is composed of an antenna including a coil 34A, and receives an electromagnetic wave signal from the signal transmitter 26. The coil axis S2 of the coil 34A is disposed at an angle with respect to the extending direction of the connecting bar 36. In the measurement work described below, the coil axis S2 of the coil 34A is disposed close to the floor 14 in a direction along the floor surface (parallel to the floor surface).

[0034] The connecting bar 36 is rod-shaped, and the receiver 34 is attached to the tip of the connecting bar 36. The main body 32 is attached to the base end of the connecting bar 36 via an attachment portion 37.

[0035] The main body 32 is substantially rectangular in front view and has a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body 32 includes a housing 39, a controller 40, a camera 38, a position measuring device 48, and a display unit 50. The controller 40, the position measuring device 48, and the display unit 50 are housed in the housing 39. The housing 39 is transparent in a portion corresponding to the display unit 50 so that the information displayed on the display unit 50 can be seen from the outside. The display unit 50 is disposed on one side 32A of the main body 32, and the camera 38 is disposed on the other side 32B of the main body 32 opposite to the display unit 50. An image captured by the camera 38 is displayed on the display unit 50 via the controller 40. The receiver 34 is included in the range of the image captured by the camera 38. In the image captured by the camera 38, the position of the receiver 34 is identified, and the strength K1 of the electromagnetic waves received at that position, together with the position information P1 measured by the position measuring device 48, is stored in the memory unit 45 described later as position signal strength information D1.

[0036] The housing 39 constitutes the outer shape of the main body 32, and the mounting part 37 is attached so as to sandwich the housing 39 in the thickness direction. The mounting part 37 has a pocket 37A for inserting the connecting bar 36 and a fixing part 37B that is fixed to the housing 39.

[0037] The position measuring device 48 measures the position of the receiver 34 and outputs position information P1 to the controller 40. The position measuring can be performed using a GPS, LiDAR, or the like. Also, a marker or a QR code (registered trademark) (not shown) may be attached to the receiver 34 for recognition by the camera 38 to measure the position.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 5, the controller 40 is electrically connected to the receiver 34, the camera 38, the position measuring device 48, and the display unit 50. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the controller 40 according to the present embodiment.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 40 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 41, a read only memory (ROM) 42, a random access memory (RAM) 43, an input / output interface (I / F) 44, and a storage unit 45.

[0040] The CPU 41, the ROM 42, the RAM 43, and the I / F 44 are connected to each other via a bus 46. The I / F 44 is connected to each of the functional units including a storage unit 45. These functional units are capable of communicating with the CPU 41 mutually via the I / F 44.

[0041] For example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, etc. are used as the storage unit 45. The storage unit 45 stores a control program for controlling each part of the leak location visualization device 30 and various data. The control program and various data may be stored in the ROM 42.

[0042] In this embodiment, a display processing program and the like are stored as part of the control program. In addition, position signal strength information D1, strength information K1, position information P1, and the like are stored as data used in this processing.

[0043] Next, the operation of the leak location visualization device 30 of this embodiment will be described.

[0044] The leak location visualization device 30 is used in the working space R, as shown in Fig. 6. The signal transmission unit 26 of the transmitting device 20 is placed at the leak location L1 in advance, and a current is applied from the power supply unit 22. This causes the signal transmission unit 26 to transmit an electromagnetic wave signal.

[0045] The receiver 34 of the leak position visualization device 30 is placed in a low position near the floor 14, near where the leak position L1 is estimated to be, so that the coil axis S2 of the receiving coil antenna 34A is aligned with the floor surface, and the power (not shown) is turned on. When the power is turned on, the camera 38 starts capturing images, and the captured images (target images G) are displayed on the display unit 50 at a predetermined rate. The receiver 34 also starts receiving electromagnetic signals, and the position measuring device 48 measures the position of the receiver 34. The camera 38, LiDAR, etc. also start acquiring the spatial shape, a spatial map is created, and self-position estimation is performed. Then, the controller 40 executes a display processing program shown in FIG. 7.

[0046] In step S10, position information P1 of the receiver 34 measured by the position measuring device 48 is acquired, in step S12, intensity information K1 of the electromagnetic wave signal received by the receiver 34 is acquired, and in step S14, position signal intensity information D1 that corresponds to the acquired position information P1 and the intensity information K1 is created and stored in the memory unit 45.

[0047] Next, in step S16, the position signal strength information D1 is displayed on the display unit 50. The position signal strength information D1 is displayed by displaying the strength information K1 at a position corresponding to the position information P1 on the target image G displayed on the display unit 50 (mapping display). As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the position information P1 is displayed as a circle at a corresponding position on the target image G, and the color of the circle is changed according to the strength information K1. For example, the strength information can be displayed in red for high strength information, orange for medium-high strength information, yellow for medium strength information, and blue for low strength information. In FIG. 9, the circle dot corresponding to red is the darkest, and the dots become lighter in the order of orange, yellow, and blue. The blue is displayed in white.

[0048] Next, in step S18, it is determined whether or not an instruction to end the process has been given. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S10 and the above process is repeated. The operator moves the position of the receiver 34 so that the above process is repeated. This makes it possible to obtain the signal strength information K1 at a plurality of different positions, and to display a plurality of pieces of position signal strength information D1 on the display unit 50.

[0049] 9 shows an example in which a large number (plurality) of pieces of position signal strength information D1 are displayed on a target image G. That is, the strength of the electromagnetic wave signal acquired by the receiver 34 at different positions is mapped and displayed with the colors of the circles. It can be determined that the portion close to the dark circle has a high strength of the electromagnetic wave signal and is close to the position of the signal transmitter 26, i.e., is close to the leakage position L1.

[0050] If the determination in step S18 is affirmative, this process ends.

[0051] In the leak position visualization device 30 of this embodiment, the strength of the electromagnetic wave signal from the signal output unit 26 arranged in the piping 10 arranged under the floor 14 is displayed on the display unit 50 as position signal strength information D1 associated with the received position at the corresponding position of the target image G. Therefore, the operator can easily determine that the position in the corresponding image G where high strength information K1 is displayed is close to the leak position L1.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple pieces of position signal strength information D1 are mapped and displayed on the target image G, so that by comparing the position signal strength information D1 at multiple points, it is possible to easily determine that the position displaying higher strength information K1 is closer to the leak position L1.

[0053] By identifying the leakage position L1 in this way, the opening to be formed by breaking the floor 14 during repairs can be made smaller, and work costs can also be reduced.

[0054] In this embodiment, multiple pieces of position signal strength information D1 are mapped and displayed on the target image G, but it is also possible to display only one position received by the receiver 34 in real time and display the electromagnetic wave strength as a numerical value E1, as shown in Fig. 10. Furthermore, when multiple pieces of position signal strength information D1 are mapped and displayed on the target image G, a frame display E2 may be displayed after measurement to surround an area with high strength information K1, as shown in Fig. 11.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the intensity information K1 of the electromagnetic wave signal is displayed on the target image G, but it is also possible to display only the intensity information K1 as numbers or the like on the display unit 50 without displaying the target image G.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an electromagnetic wave signal is emitted from the signal emitting unit 26. However, the emitted signal is not limited to an electromagnetic wave signal, and other signals that can pass through the floor 14, such as a sound wave signal, may be emitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 12A Inner wall (shielding object) 14 Floor (shield) 26 Signal transmitter 30 Leak location visualization device 34 Receiver 50 Display section D1 Location signal strength information K1 Strength Information L1 Leak location

Claims

1. a receiver that receives, on the other side of the shield, a signal from a signal output unit at a tip of a wire that is disposed at a position where a leak has been confirmed in the piping on one side of the shield; a camera for capturing an image including the receiver; A display unit that displays the strength of a signal received by the receiver; Equipped with a target image including the position of the receiver captured by the camera and position signal strength information associating the reception position of the receiver on the target image with the strength of the received signal, on the display unit; Leak location visualization device.

2. a mapping display of a plurality of pieces of position signal strength information on the target image; The leak location visualization device according to claim 1 .

3. The signal output unit is formed of an antenna including a coil, and outputs an electromagnetic wave as a signal. The leak location visualization device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A signal is output from a signal output unit at a tip of a wire disposed at a position where a leak is confirmed in the piping on one side of the shield, and is received by a receiver on the other side of the shield; displaying on a display unit a target image including the placement position of the receiver captured by the camera and position signal strength information associating the reception position of the receiver on the target image with the received signal strength; Leak location visualization method.

5. a mapping display of a plurality of pieces of position signal strength information on the target image; The leak location visualization method according to claim 4 .

6. The tip of the wire of the signal output unit is formed as an antenna including a coil, and an electromagnetic wave is output as a signal. The leak location visualization method according to claim 4 or 5.

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