Borehole photography device

Abstract

To provide an in-hole imaging device that can easily and continuously photograph a condition of the ground in a hole in an axial direction simply by pulling out a drilling rod.SOLUTION: An in-hole imaging device 1 that photographs an inside of a hole A drilled by a drilling rod 4 with a drilling bit 3 attached to a tip of a rod 2 includes a capsule body that communicates from a hole opening side of the drilling rod 4 to the tip and can be inserted into a hollow tube 5 opened at a tip of the drilling bit 3, and a fixing mechanism (guidance function 20) that fixes a capsule body 13 transported toward the tip of the drilling rod 4 by air flow or water flow to the tip of the drilling rod 4, and the capsule body 13 includes therein, a camera 12 that photographs the inside of the hole, a recorder 31 that records an image captured by the camera 12, and a battery 32 that supplies power to the camera 12 and the recorder 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-hole photography device for photographing the inside of a borehole. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to grasp the geological conditions inside the hole during advanced drilling, a camera is inserted into the hole to take videos and confirm the geology at each depth and the location of spring water. The camera is inserted into the hole after the drilling work is completed and all the hole retaining pipes and drilling rods have been removed, assuming that the hole wall is self-supporting.

[0003] Therefore, when the borehole wall was not self-supporting or there was a lot of slime in the borehole, it was difficult to insert the camera into the borehole or to take pictures due to the material adhering to the tip of the camera. Also, if the borehole wall collapsed during borehole observation, it became difficult to retrieve the camera, and the camera often had to be abandoned. Furthermore, the borehole wall often collapsed immediately after the rod was pulled out.

[0004] Therefore, a geological exploration method has been proposed in which an endoscope insertion portion of an industrial endoscope device is inserted through a drilling water supply passage from the hole mouth side of a rod equipped with a drilling bit at its tip, the tip of which protrudes outside from the drilling water discharge hole of the drilling bit, and the endoscope insertion portion is used to explore the condition of the ground ahead of the drilling bit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-130811 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the conventional technology, when continuously exploring the condition of the ground inside the hole in the axial direction, it is necessary to pull out the rod with a traction tool and pull out the endoscope insertion part in sync, which is a cumbersome task. In addition, since the drilling rod is connected every predetermined length (e.g., 3 m), it is necessary to rotate and remove the drilling rod when pulling it out. Therefore, the cable connected to the endoscope insertion part must also be connected every predetermined length, and it is necessary to repeatedly cut and connect it when pulling it out.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to solve the problem and provide an in-hole photography device that can easily take continuous axial photographs of the condition of the ground inside a hole by simply pulling out the drilling rod. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The borehole photography device of the present invention is an in-hole photography device for photographing the inside of a borehole drilled by a drilling rod having a drilling bit attached to the tip of the rod, and comprises a capsule body which is insertable into a hollow tube which communicates from the hole mouth side to the tip of the drilling rod and opens at the tip of the drilling bit, and a fixing mechanism which fixes the capsule body which has been transported by an air flow or water flow towards the tip of the drilling rod to the tip of the drilling rod, and the capsule body incorporates a camera which photographs the inside of the borehole, a recorder which records the images photographed by the camera, and a battery which supplies power to the camera and the recorder. The camera, the recorder and the battery are distributed and built into the capsule bodies, and the capsule bodies are connected to each other via a damper member. It is characterized by: The borehole photography device of the present invention is an in-hole photography device for photographing the inside of a hole drilled by a drilling rod having a drilling bit attached to the tip of the rod, and comprises a capsule body that can be inserted into a hollow tube that communicates from the hole mouth side to the tip of the drilling rod and opens at the tip of the drilling bit, and a fixing mechanism that fixes the capsule body, which has been transported toward the tip of the drilling rod by an air flow or a water flow, to the tip of the drilling rod, and the capsule body has a built-in camera that photographs the inside of the hole, a recorder that records the images captured by the camera, and a battery that supplies power to the camera and the recorder, and is characterized in that a guide member that abuts against the inner surface of the hollow tube is attached as a guide mechanism for guiding the transport of the capsule body, and a cover member that urges the attached guide member in a radial direction is provided, and the guide member fits into a circumferential groove formed on the inner surface of the tip of the drilling rod, and the cover member is urged against the inner surface of the hollow tube, so that the guide mechanism functions as the fixing mechanism. Furthermore, the borehole photography device of the present invention may comprise a plurality of connected capsule bodies, and the camera, the recorder and the battery may be distributed and built into the plurality of capsule bodies. Furthermore, in the borehole imaging device of the present invention, the capsule bodies may be connected to each other via a damper member. 。 Furthermore, in the borehole photography device of the present invention, when the capsule body is fixed to the tip of the borehole drilling rod by the fixing mechanism, the fixing mechanism may function as a shielding mechanism that blocks the air flow or water flow that transports the capsule body. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, since the borehole photographing device equipped with a camera, a recorder and a battery can be fixed to the tip of the borehole rod and the borehole rod can be pulled out, the state of the natural ground in the borehole can be easily and continuously photographed in the axial direction by simply pulling out the borehole rod. Also, the borehole wall can be photographed reliably along the entire line without worrying about collapse of the borehole wall. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an in-hole imaging device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the camera capsule shown in FIG. 1 during transportation. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram showing a configuration when the camera capsule shown in FIG. 1 is positioned. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a guide mechanism shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example in which a plurality of the guide mechanisms shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Next, a mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as an "embodiment") will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1(a), the borehole photography device 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, after boring a hole with a drilling rod 4 having a drilling bit 3 attached to the tip of the rod 2, the rod 2 is inserted into a hollow tube 5 that communicates with the tip of the drilling bit 3 in the drilling rod 4, and is transported toward the tip of the drilling rod 4 by an air flow or water flow toward the tip. Note that, in this embodiment, the hole is drilled horizontally, but there is no particular restriction on the direction of the hole.

[0013] The transported borehole camera 1 is then positioned and fixed by circumferential groove 51 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the tip of drilling rod 4, as shown in Figure 1(b). In this state, borehole camera 1 is capable of photographing inside borehole A, and by simply removing drilling rod 4, it is possible to continuously photograph the condition of the natural ground inside borehole A in the axial direction.

[0014] The hollow tube 5 may be connected from the mouth of the drilling rod 4 to the tip and open at the tip of the drilling bit 3. For example, a drilling water supply pipe that supplies drilling water to the tip of the drilling bit 3, or an internal rod that discharges drilling chips to the outside when the drilling rod 4 is a reverse circulation drill, may be used. If the inner peripheral surface of the drilling rod 4 is not uneven, it may be substituted for the hollow tube 5. In addition, in Figs. 1 and 2, the diameter of the hollow tube 5 is set to the maximum diameter that can be accommodated within the rod 2 for the purpose of explanation, but there is no limit to the diameter of the hollow tube 5 as long as the borehole camera 1 can be inserted.

[0015] Referring to Figure 1, the borehole photography device 1 has a configuration in which a camera capsule 10 is equipped with a light 11 that irradiates light into the borehole A and has a built-in camera 12 that photographs the borehole A, a recording capsule 30a that has a built-in recorder 31 that records the images captured by the camera 12, and a battery capsule 30b that has a built-in battery 32 that supplies power to the light 11, the camera 12 and the recorder 31.

[0016] The camera capsule 10 and the recording capsule 30a are connected by a cable 40 for power supply and shooting data, and a damper member 50 such as a spring is provided to prevent collision between the camera capsule 10 and the recording capsule 30a. Similarly, the recording capsule 30a and the battery capsule 30b are connected by a cable 40 for power supply, and a damper member 50 such as a spring is provided to prevent collision between the recording capsule 30a and the battery capsule 30b. The dimensions of each component of the camera capsule 10, the camera 12, etc. are selected according to the shape of the drilling rod 4 and the hollow tube 4.

[0017] In this way, by configuring the borehole photography device 1 by connecting multiple capsules, each capsule can be made small, and it becomes possible to transport it to the tip even if the hollow tube 5 is bent in the middle. If the diameter of the hollow tube 5 is large or there is no bent part, the recorder 31 and battery 32 may be built into the camera capsule 10 so that one capsule can handle it.

[0018] The borehole photography device 1 is inserted into the hollow tube 5 with the camera capsule 10 at the front. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the camera capsule 10 is equipped with a capsule body 13 having a built-in camera 12 and a lighting device 11 attached to the tip, and a guide mechanism 20 that abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the hollow tube 5 to guide the transport of the camera capsule 10.

[0019] The camera 12 is composed of a CCD camera or a CMOS camera capable of taking moving or still images of the state inside the hole A. The camera 12 may be a borehole camera.

[0020] The capsule body 13 is a cylindrical body having a photographing port for the camera 12 formed at the tip thereof, and in this embodiment, is formed in a cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow tube 5 .

[0021] The guide mechanism 20 includes a pair of cover members 22 to which guide members 21, each of which is made up of a roller that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the hollow tube 5, are attached. The cover members 22 are made of a resin such as rubber, and are arc-shaped in cross section, with an outer peripheral surface having the same curvature as the inner peripheral surface of the hollow tube 5.

[0022] The pair of cover members 22 are attached to the outer periphery of the capsule body 13 at axially symmetric positions so as to be movable in the radial direction along a guide member 14 erected on the outer periphery of the capsule body 13. The pair of cover members 22 are connected by a biasing member 23 such as a spring that biases the pair of cover members 22 in directions away from each other.

[0023] Guide member 21 is attached so that the portion that abuts against the inner peripheral surface of hollow tube 5 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of cover member 22. Therefore, when camera capsule 10 shown in Fig. 2 is transported, guide member 21 is urged toward the inner peripheral surface of hollow tube 5, and a gap X is formed between the inner peripheral surface of hollow tube 5 and the outer peripheral surface of cover member 22. This gap X becomes a passageway for air or water currents transporting in-hole photography device 1.

[0024] Moreover, the recording capsule 30a and the battery capsule 30b each have a capsule body 33 with a built-in recorder 31 and a battery 32, and a guide member 34 consisting of a roller that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the hollow tube 5 is attached to the circumferential surface of the capsule body 33. As a result, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the hollow tube 5 and the capsule body 33 also becomes a passageway for the air current or water current that transports the borehole imaging device 1. Therefore, the borehole imaging device 1, which is formed by connecting the camera capsule 10, the recording capsule 30a, and the battery capsule 30b, is transported at an appropriate speed by riding on the air current or water current.

[0025] 3, camera capsule 10 is positioned with guide member 21 fitted into circumferential groove 51. Circumferential groove 51 is formed to a depth equal to or greater than the length of protrusion of guide member 21 from the outer circumferential surface of cover member 22. Therefore, in a positioned state with guide member 21 fitted into circumferential groove 51, the outer circumferential surface of cover member 22 is biased into contact with the inner circumferential surface of hollow tube 5, whereby guide mechanism 20 functions as a fixing mechanism, camera capsule 10 is fixed to the tip of drilling rod 4, and gap X, which can serve as an escape route for air or water, is also eliminated.

[0026] 2 and 3, but referring to Fig. 4, a sheet member 15 for blocking air flow or water flow is provided between the circumferential surface of the capsule body 13 and the cover member 22 and at the connection portion of the pair of cover members 22. During transportation, the sheet member 15 is in a folded state as shown in Fig. 4(a). In the positioned state, the sheet member 15 is stretched between the circumferential surface of the capsule body 13 and the cover member 22 and at the connection portion of the pair of cover members 22 as shown in Fig. 4(b) to (d), so as to block air flow or water flow.

[0027] That is, in a position where the guide member 21 is fitted into the circumferential groove 51, the guide mechanism 20 functions as a mechanism for blocking the air flow or water flow, and the air flow or water flow does not escape toward the tip of the drilling bit 3. This eliminates the propulsive force caused by the air flow or water flow, and the recording capsule 30a and battery capsule 30b following the camera capsule 10 also stop safely (without collision).

[0028] In addition, as a result of the camera capsule 10 being positioned, the air pressure or water pressure increases on the hole mouth side of the drilling rod 4. Therefore, it is advisable to detect the increase in air pressure or water pressure and stop the air flow or water flow from being pumped, or to restrict the air pressure or water pressure from increasing above a predetermined value.

[0029] The camera 12 may be configured to insert the intra-hole imaging device 1 into the hollow tube 5 with imaging already started, or may be configured to start imaging in a positioned state by providing a sensor that detects that the guide member 21 has fitted into the circumferential groove 51 (for example, a sensor that detects the separation of the cover member 22 from the capsule body 13).

[0030] In addition, when photographing in conjunction with the removal of the drilling rod 4, the camera capsule 10 fixed to the tip of the drilling rod 4 will also rotate, but the orientation of the image can be corrected by performing image processing or by providing a gyrometer that detects the angle of rotation.

[0031] In addition, the circumferential groove 51 is formed with a gentler inclination on the rear end side than on the front end side, so that the guide member 21 can be pulled out of the circumferential groove 51 by the air flow or water flow in the opposite direction, and the borehole imaging device 1 can be easily retrieved.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 5, a plurality of guide mechanisms 20 may be provided on the circumferential surface of the capsule body 13, with the angle around the axis being changed. In this case, the transportation of the camera capsule 10 is stabilized, and the air flow or water flow can be blocked more reliably in the positioned state. The tip of the hollow tube 5 is formed with circumferential grooves 51 in the same number as the guide mechanisms 20, but the circumferential groove 51 located on the tip side of the hollow tube 5 is preferably formed with a gentle inclination on the tip side so that the preceding guide mechanism 20 can easily pass through.

[0033] As described above, this embodiment is an in-hole photography device 1 that photographs the inside of a hole A drilled by a drilling rod 4 having a drilling bit 3 attached to the tip of the rod 2, and is equipped with a capsule body that can be inserted into a hollow tube 5 that connects from the hole mouth side to the tip of the drilling rod 4 and opens at the tip of the drilling bit 3, and a fixing mechanism (guide function 20) that fixes the capsule body 13 transported toward the tip of the drilling rod 4 by an air flow or water flow to the tip of the drilling rod 4, and the capsule body 13 has a built-in camera 12 that photographs the inside of the hole, a recorder 31 that records the images captured by the camera 12, and a battery 32 that supplies power to the camera 12 and the recorder 31. With this configuration, the drilling rod 4 can be pulled out with the in-hole photography device 1 equipped with the camera 12, recorder 31 and battery 32 fixed to the tip of the drilling rod 4, so that the condition of the natural ground inside the hole can be easily and continuously photographed in the axial direction simply by pulling out the drilling rod 4. Also, since there is no need for an electric wire to connect the hole mouth side of the drilling rod 4 to the in-hole photography device 1, the operation of pulling out the drilling rod 4 can be carried out smoothly.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plurality of linked capsule bodies 13, 33 are provided, and the camera 12, the recorder 31 and the battery 32 are built in and distributed among the plurality of capsule bodies 13, 33. This configuration allows each capsule body 13, 33 to be made small, and even if the hollow tube 5 is bent midway, it becomes possible to transport the capsule body 13, 33 to the tip.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the capsule bodies 13, 33 are connected to each other via a damper member. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the capsule bodies 13, 33 from colliding with each other and being damaged.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a guide member 21 abutting the inner surface of the hollow tube 5 is attached as a guide mechanism 20 for guiding the transportation of the capsule body 13, and a cover member 22 is provided for biasing the attached guide member 21 in the radial direction, and the guide member 21 fits into a circumferential groove 51 formed on the inner surface of the tip of the drilling rod 4, and the cover member 22 is biased to abut against the inner surface of the hollow tube 5, so that the guide mechanism 20 functions as a fixing mechanism. With this configuration, the guide mechanism 20 can also be used as a fixing mechanism.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the capsule body 13 is fixed to the tip of the drilling rod 4 by the fixing mechanism, the fixing mechanism functions as a shielding mechanism that blocks the air flow or water flow that transports the capsule body 13. This configuration allows for the stopping of transport by air or water currents.

[0038] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in terms of the combination of the respective components, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1. Borehole photography device 2 Rod 3 Drilling Bits 4 Drilling Rod 5 hollow tube 10 Camera Capsule 11. Lighting 12 Camera 13 Capsule body 14 Guide member 20 Guide mechanism 21 Guide member 22 Cover member 23 Pressing member 30a Recording Capsule 30b Battery capsule 31 Recording device 32 Battery 33 Capsule body 34 Guide member 40 Cable 50 Damper member 51 Circumferential groove

Claims

1. An in-hole photography device for photographing the inside of a hole drilled by a drilling rod having a drilling bit attached to the tip of the rod, A capsule body that can be inserted into a hollow tube that communicates with the drilling rod from the hole mouth side to the tip and opens at the tip of the drilling bit; A fixing mechanism for fixing the capsule body, which is transported toward the tip of the drilling rod by an air flow or a water flow, to the tip of the drilling rod; The capsule body includes a camera for photographing the inside of the hole, a recorder for recording the image photographed by the camera, and a battery for supplying power to the camera and the recorder. The capsule body includes a plurality of capsule bodies connected to each other, The camera, the recorder, and the battery are distributed and built into the capsule bodies, The borehole imaging device is characterized in that the plurality of capsule bodies are connected via a damper member.

2. An in-hole imaging device for photographing the inside of a hole drilled by a drilling rod having a drilling bit attached to the tip of the rod, A capsule body that can be inserted into a hollow tube that communicates with the drilling rod from the hole mouth side to the tip and opens at the tip of the drilling bit; A fixing mechanism for fixing the capsule body, which is transported toward the tip of the drilling rod by an air flow or a water flow, to the tip of the drilling rod; The capsule body includes a camera for photographing the inside of the hole, a recorder for recording the image photographed by the camera, and a battery for supplying power to the camera and the recorder. a guide mechanism for guiding transportation of the capsule body, the guide mechanism including a guide member that is attached to an inner circumferential surface of the hollow tube and a cover member that biases the attached guide member in a radial direction; This is an in-hole photography device, characterized in that the guide member fits into a circumferential groove formed on the inner surface of the tip of the drilling rod, and the cover member is forced into contact with the inner surface of the hollow tube, so that the guide mechanism functions as the fixing mechanism.

3. The capsule body includes a plurality of capsule bodies connected to each other, 3. The borehole photographing device according to claim 2, wherein the camera, the recorder and the battery are distributed and built into a plurality of the capsule bodies.

4. 4. The borehole imaging device according to claim 3, wherein the capsule bodies are connected to each other via a damper member.

5. An in-hole photography device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the capsule body is fixed to the tip of the drilling rod by the fixing mechanism, the fixing mechanism functions as a shielding mechanism that blocks the air flow or water flow that transports the capsule body.

Images