Inspection equipment

Abstract

To increase sealing properties between an inspection device and a tubular body.SOLUTION: An inspection device includes: a body section; an annular sealing body 3 provided on one side in an axial direction of the body section; and a pipe that is connected to a fluid supply source and supplies fluid to the sealing body 3. The sealing body 3 includes: an engagement section 31 engaged with the body section in a section along a radial direction; a rising section 32 extending in the radial direction from the engagement section 31; a peripheral wall section 33 as a side face in a circumferential direction; and a corner section 34 as a connection section between the rising section 32 and the peripheral wall section 33. A coating thickness of the corner section 34 is larger than that of the engagement section 31, the rising section 32, and the peripheral wall section 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus for use in inspecting a joint between pipes. [Background Art]

[0002] Buried pipes such as water pipes and gas pipes are laid by joining a plurality of pipes having a length transportable by a vehicle or the like. At this time, defective joining between the pipes at the joint causes leakage of fluid (such as water or gas) flowing inside the pipes. Therefore, when laying this type of pipes, it is necessary to inspect the joint between the pipes, and various inspection apparatuses for such inspection have been proposed.

[0003] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-49241 (Patent Document 1) discloses a hydraulic pressure test apparatus aiming at enabling easy replacement of a water stopper in accordance with a plurality of types of pipes having different diameters, and having a simple structure and reduced cost. Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-272300 (Patent Document 2) discloses a hydraulic pressure tester that facilitates positioning by providing an extendable movable rod. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-49241 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-272300 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] In the inspection apparatuses of the type described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it was necessary to improve the sealing performance between the inspection apparatus and the pipe in order to increase the inspection pressure at the joint.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to realize an inspection device that can improve the airtightness between the inspection device and the pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inspection apparatus according to the present invention comprises a main body, an annular sealing body provided on one side of the main body in the axial direction, and piping connected to a fluid supply source for supplying fluid to the sealing body, wherein the sealing body has, in a cross section along the radial direction, an engaging portion that engages with the main body, a rising portion extending radially from the engaging portion, a circumferential wall portion which is a side surface in the circumferential direction, and a corner portion which is a connection portion between the rising portion and the circumferential wall portion, and the thickness of the corner portion is greater than that of the engaging portion, the rising portion, and the circumferential wall portion. The rising portion has a constricted portion which is the part where the rising portion is narrowed. It is characterized by the following:

[0008] With this configuration, when the sealing body deforms, the deformation of the thicker corners is suppressed, allowing the peripheral walls to more easily contact the inner surface of the pipe parallel to each other, thereby improving airtightness. In addition, the fact that the corners fit between the main body and the inner surface of the pipe also contributes to improving airtightness. Furthermore, because the constricted portion deforms preferentially during the deformation of the sealing body, it is easier to maintain parallelism between the peripheral wall and the inner surface of the pipe.

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the examples of preferred embodiments described below.

[0012] In one embodiment, the inspection apparatus according to the present invention comprises a main body having a central member positioned in the axial center, a flange member fixed to one side of the central member in the axial direction, and a spacer member positioned between the central member and the flange member, wherein the engaging portion preferably engages with the spacer member.

[0013] This configuration makes it easier to regulate the fixing force that secures the seal to a certain level or higher, thus ensuring that the seal is securely fixed.

[0014] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer through the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a side cross-sectional view of an inspection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the sealing body according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the sealing body according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the sealing body according to the embodiment (cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Figure 2). [Figure 5] This figure shows the procedure for watertightness testing using the inspection device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows the procedure for watertightness testing using the inspection device according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows the deformation of the sealing body of the inspection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows the procedure for watertightness testing using the inspection device according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows the procedure for watertightness testing using the inspection device according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Embodiments of the inspection apparatus and inspection method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Below, an example will be described in which the inspection apparatus and inspection method according to the present invention are applied to an inspection apparatus 1 used for watertightness testing of a joint 100 of a cast iron pipe.

[0017] [Configuration of the inspection device] The inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 2, two sealing members 3 attached to the main body 2, and a pipe 4 extending to each part via the inside of the main body 2 (Fig. 1). In the following description, regarding the front-rear direction of the inspection apparatus 1, the left side of Fig. 1 is referred to as "front" and the right side of Fig. 1 is referred to as "rear". Furthermore, with the fact that the inspection apparatus 1 is generally a cylindrical apparatus kept in mind, the front-rear direction is sometimes defined as the axial direction, and the direction intersecting the axial direction is sometimes referred to as the radial direction.

[0018] The two sealing members 3 are provided one each on one side and the other side in the axial direction of the main body 2 (that is, the front and rear sides). Here, the sealing member 3 provided on the front side of the main body 2 is referred to as a first sealing member 3A, and the sealing member 3 provided on the rear side of the main body 2 is referred to as a second sealing member 3B. Furthermore, the pipe 4 includes six pipes (described later), all of which enter the main body 2 from the rear side of the main body 2, bend, and extend to respective parts.

[0019] The main body 2 includes a central member 21 disposed at the center in the front-rear direction, two flange members 22 (a first flange member 22A and a second flange member 22B) fixed to the central member 21, and spacer members 23 (a first spacer member 23A and a second spacer member 23B) disposed between the central member 21 and the flange members 22. The flange members 22 are fixed to the central member 21 by bolts 24 and nuts 25. Furthermore, a traction hook 26 (which is an example of a towed part) and wheels 27 are attached to the flange members 22. The spacer member 23 has an engagement groove 23a for engaging with the sealing member 3.

[0020] The sealing body 3 (the first sealing body 3A, the second sealing body 3B) is an annular body made of chloroprene rubber, and the two sealing bodies 3 have the same shape (Figs. 2 to 4). Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sealing body 3 in a state not attached to the inspection device 1, and the viewpoint thereof corresponds to the front-rear direction (the left-right direction in Fig. 1) in the state where the sealing body 3 is attached to the inspection device 1. Fig. 3 is a side view of the sealing body 3 in a state not attached to the inspection device 1, and the viewpoint thereof corresponds to the left-right direction (the up-down direction in Fig. 1 or the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of Fig. 1) in the state where the sealing body 3 is attached to the inspection device 1. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional shape along the radial direction of the sealing body 3, and the same cross-sectional shape also appears in Fig. 1.

[0021] The sealing body 3 includes an engaging portion 31 that engages with the spacer member 23 (the engaging groove 23a), a rising portion 32 extending radially from the engaging portion 31, a peripheral wall portion 33 that is a circumferential side surface, and a corner portion 34 that is a connecting portion between the rising portion 32 and the peripheral wall portion 33. Further, a constricted portion 32a, which is a constricted site of the rising portion 32, is provided midway in the radial direction of the rising portion 32. The peripheral wall portion 33 is configured as a surface that appears as a straight line in a cross-section along the radial direction (Fig. 4). In addition, the thickness of the corner portion 34 is larger than the thickness of other portions of the sealing body 3 (the engaging portion 31, the rising portion 32, and the peripheral wall portion 33). For example, it is preferable that the thickness of the corner portion 34 is in a range of 1.4 times or more and 2.2 times or less the thickness of the peripheral wall portion 33.

[0022] The sealing body 3 is fixed in a state sandwiched between the central member 21 and the flange member 22. More specifically, tightening of the bolt 24 and the nut 25 generates a force that presses the flange member 22 toward the central member 21, and this force acts as the force for clamping the sealing body 3. More specifically, the sealing body 3 is clamped and fixed at two locations: between the central member 21 and the spacer member 23, and between the flange member 22 and the spacer member 23.

[0023] When fixing the sealant 3, the spacer member 23 and the sealant 3 are placed between the central member 21 and the flange member 22, and the nut 25 is tightened onto the bolt 24. As the nut 25 is tightened, the spacer member 23 comes into contact with the central member 21 and the flange member 22, completing the state in which the sealant 3 is clamped and fixed between the central member 21 and the spacer member 23, and between the flange member 22 and the spacer member 23. Here, regarding the thickness T1 (Figure 4) of the rising portion 32 of the sealant 3 in the unfixed state, and the clearance T2 between the wall surface of the engagement groove 23a and the flange member 22 when the spacer member 23 is in contact with the flange member 22, it is preferable that T1 is in the range of 1.1 times or more and 1.6 times or less of T2. The tightening torque of the nut 25 may also be controlled.

[0024] As will be explained in more detail later, when water is supplied to the sealant 3, the sealant 3 expands radially outward, causing it to adhere tightly to the inner surface of the cast iron pipe. This achieves sealing. Furthermore, if the size of the gap between the flange member 22 and the inner surface of the cast iron pipe is made to be approximately the same as the dimensions of the corner portion 34 of the sealant 3, the corner portion 34 will enter the gap as the sealant 3 expands, thereby achieving a more reliable seal.

[0025] The piping 4 includes two first pipes 41 (41a, 41b), two second pipes 42 (42a, 42b), and two third pipes 43 (43a, 43b). The base end of each pipe is connected to a water source (an example of a fluid supply source) not shown. In this embodiment, the flow of water (an example of a fluid) in the first pipes 41, second pipes 42, and third pipes 43 can be controlled independently. To achieve this, for example, independent control valves may be provided for each of the first pipes 41, second pipes 42, and third pipes 43. Each pipe is provided with a coupler 44 that allows the pipe to be attached to and detached from the main body 2 side and the water source side.

[0026] The tip 41a of the first pipe 41 reaches the first seal 3A. In other words, the first pipe 41 supplies water to the first seal 3A. Starting from the base end, the first pipe 41 extends in the front-rear direction, passing through the second flange member 22B and the central member 21, then bends radially outward in the space between the central member 21 and the first flange member 22A, and passes through the first spacer member 23A to reach the first seal 3A.

[0027] The tip 42a of the second pipe 42 reaches the second seal 3B. In other words, the second pipe 42 supplies water to the second seal 3B. Starting from the base end, the second pipe 42 extends in the front-rear direction, passing through the second flange member 22B, then bends radially outward in the space between the central member 21 and the second flange member 22B, and passes through the second spacer member 23B to reach the second seal 3B.

[0028] The tip 43a of the third pipe 43 protrudes to the outside of the central member 21. In other words, the third pipe 43 supplies water to the outside of the central member 21. The tip 43a of the third pipe 43 is located in the region between the first sealant 3A and the second sealant 3B in the axial direction. Starting from the base end, the third pipe 43 extends in the front-rear direction, passing through the second flange member 22B and the central member 21, then bends radially outward inside the central member 21, and passes through the central member 21 again to reach the outside of the central member 21.

[0029] [Testing Method] Next, a method for watertightness testing using the inspection device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the formation of the joint 100 of the cast iron pipe and the watertightness testing of the joint are performed in parallel. Therefore, the method for watertightness testing will be described in accordance with the construction procedure flow for joining the outer pipe body 101 (an example of the first pipe body) and the inner pipe body 102 (an example of the second pipe body) to form the joint 100.

[0030] First, the outer pipe body 101 is installed, and the inspection device 1 is inserted through the opening of the outer pipe body 101 (Figure 5). Here, the inspection device 1 is positioned to enter the outer pipe body 101 from the front side (the side of the first sealant 3A). At this time, the wheel 27 of the first flange member 22A contacts the inner circumferential surface of the outer pipe body 101, thus reducing the resistance when inserting the inspection device 1 into the outer pipe body 101. The depth to which the inspection device 1 is inserted is such that the central member 21 is positioned near the opening of the outer pipe body 101.

[0031] Secondly, after connecting the couplers 44, water is supplied to the first sealing body 3A through the first piping 41 (Figures 6 and 7). At this point, the towing rope R is connected to the towing hook 26.

[0032] When water is supplied to the first seal 3A, the first seal 3A expands radially outward. As this expansion occurs, the first seal 3A deforms, but the constricted portion 32a of the rising portion 32 deforms preferentially. On the other hand, the corner portion 34 is thicker than other parts and therefore less prone to deformation. Furthermore, because the first seal 3A is sandwiched between the central member 21 and the first flange member 22A, deformation in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in Figure 1) is suppressed, and radial deformation is induced. Through the actions of these parts, the deformation of the first seal 3A to secure the volume to contain the supplied water is achieved in a manner in which the rising portion 32 extends radially outward, and deformation of other parts is suppressed. In particular, because the peripheral wall portion 33 is less prone to deformation, the peripheral wall portion 33 maintains a position parallel to the inner surface of the outer pipe body 101 and contacts the inner surface, so that sealing by the first seal 3A is more likely to be reliably achieved. Furthermore, if the size of the gap C between the first flange member 22A and the inner circumferential surface of the outer pipe body 101 is kept approximately the same as the dimensions of the corner portion 34 of the sealant 3, a more reliable seal can be achieved as the corner portion 34 enters the gap when the sealant 3 expands. In order to maintain the seal, the water pressure inside the first sealant 3A is maintained until the inspection is completed.

[0033] Thirdly, the inner pipe 102 is joined to the outer pipe 101 to form a joint 100 (Figure 8). At this time, the piping 4 of the inspection device 1 is made to pass inside the inner pipe 102.

[0034] Fourth, water is supplied to the second seal 3B through the second pipe 42 (Figure 9). The deformation of the second seal 3B is the same as that of the first seal 3A. Also, the corner portion 34 fits into the gap between the second flange member 22B and the inner surface of the inner pipe body 102, which is the same as the deformation of the first seal 3A. In order to maintain the seal, the water pressure inside the second seal 3B is maintained until the inspection is completed.

[0035] Through the steps completed so far, the joint 100 between the outer tube 101 and the inner tube 102 is formed, and the inspection device 1 is installed inside it. In addition, the first sealant 3A is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 101 to form a seal, and the second sealant 3B is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the inner tube 102 to form a seal. As a result, the front and back of the joint 100 are sealed by the first sealant 3A and the second sealant 3B.

[0036] Fifth, water is supplied to the outside of the central member 21 through the third pipe 43. Since the outside of the central member 21 is a joint 100, water will leak if there is a defect in the joint between the outer pipe 101 and the inner pipe 102. Therefore, the presence or absence of water leakage in this state can be used to determine whether the joint 100 is watertight.

[0037] The water pressure (test water pressure) supplied from the third pipe 43 is determined considering the water pressure (operating water pressure) when the joint 100 is in use. For example, the test water pressure is obtained by multiplying the operating water pressure by a predetermined safety factor. In addition, the water pressure (sealing water pressure) supplied from the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 is set to a pressure that can seal the water filled into the joint 100 at the test water pressure.

[0038] Once the inspection is complete, the water is drained from the first seal 3A, the second seal 3B, and the joint 100. Specifically, by stopping the water supply to each pipe and releasing the water pressure in the first seal 3A and the second seal 3B, the seal in the joint 100 is released, and the water drains from the joint 100.

[0039] After draining the water, the inspection device 1 is removed from the joint 100. For example, by connecting a towing rope R to the towing hook 26 of the inspection device 1 and pulling it from the end of the inner pipe 102 on the opposite side of the joint 100, the inspection device 1 can be removed from that end.

[0040] [Variation] In the above embodiment, the bolt 24 may be inserted through the sleeve. In this case, the distance between the central member 21 and the flange member 22 is determined by the length of the sleeve, so the strength of the force that clamps and fixes the sealant 3 can be adjusted by selecting the length of the sleeve.

[0041] [Other Embodiments] Finally, other embodiments of the inspection apparatus and inspection method according to the present invention will be described. Note that the configurations disclosed in each of the following embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as this does not create a contradiction.

[0042] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the sealant 3 is made of chloroprene rubber was described as an example. However, in the present invention, the material constituting the sealant is not limited as long as it is an elastic body. Elastomers can be used as such elastic bodies, and chloroprene rubber is one example.

[0043] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the sealing body 3 has a constricted portion 32a was described as an example. However, in the present invention, the presence or absence of a constricted portion is optional.

[0044] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described as one in which the flow of water in the first pipe 41, the second pipe 42, and the third pipe 43 can be controlled independently. However, in the present invention, it is not essential that the flow of fluid in each pipe can be controlled independently.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the inspection device 1 was described as having a configuration with wheels 27, but in the present invention, the presence or absence of wheels is optional.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the inspection device 1 was described as having a towing hook 26 as an example, but in the present invention, the presence or absence of a towed portion is optional.

[0047] In the present invention, the method of providing the sealing body on both sides of the main body is not limited. That is, the method of fixing the sealing body is not limited to being sandwiched between the central member and the flange member.

[0048] With regard to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, other embodiments modified without departing from the spirit of the invention are naturally included within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0049] This invention can be used, for example, in the inspection of joints between pipes during the laying of water pipes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1: Inspection device 2: Main body 21: Central member 22: Flange member 22A: First flange member 22B: Second flange member 23: Spacer component 23A: First spacer member 23B: Second spacer member 23a: Engagement groove 24: Bolt 25: Nut 26: Towing hook 27 :Wheel 3: Encapsulation body 3A: First sealing body 3B:Second sealing body 31: Engaging part 32: Standing section 32a: Waist area 33: Peripheral wall part 34: Corner 4: Piping 41:First piping 42:Second piping 43:Third piping 44: Coupler 100: Joint 101:Outer tube body 102: Inner tube R: Towing rope

Claims

1. The main body and An annular sealing body provided on one side of the main body in the axial direction, The system includes a piping connected to a fluid supply source that supplies fluid to the sealing body, In a cross-section along the radial direction, the sealing body The main body portion engages with the engagement portion, A rising portion extending radially from the engagement portion, The circumferential wall portion, which is the side surface in the circumferential direction, It has a corner portion which is the connection portion between the rising portion and the peripheral wall portion, The thickness of the corner portion is greater than that of the engaging portion, the rising portion, and the peripheral wall portion. An inspection device having a constricted portion in the rising portion, which is a narrowed part of the rising portion.

2. The main body comprises a central member positioned at the axial center, a flange member fixed to one axial side of the central member, and a spacer member positioned between the central member and the flange member. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion engages with the spacer member.

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