Mobile equipment for measuring telluric current potential difference

Abstract

Mobile equipment for measuring telluric current potential difference is disclosed. The disclosed present invention is characterized in that: measurement can be performed during autonomous driving or manual driving; six electrodes can be one-touch coupled and separated by the magnetic force and repulsive force of a magnet; the volume of measurement equipment can be reduced since an upper handle frame can be horizontally folded; measurement can be performed even in confined spaces since an electrode bar and an electrode can be separated; and the like.

Description

Mobile earth current potential difference measuring equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a geocurrent potential difference measuring device for measuring the presence of a coating defect in an underground buried pipe using a non-excavation method.

[0002] More specifically, it relates to a mobile earth current potential difference measuring device having the following features: the ability to measure while driving autonomously or manually; the ability to combine and separate six electrodes with one touch through the attractive and repulsive forces of a magnet; the ability to fold the upper handle frame horizontally to reduce the volume of the measuring device; and the ability to measure even in narrow areas by separating the electrode bar and electrode.

[0003] Unless otherwise stated herein, the matters described in this section are not prior art to the claims of this application, and their inclusion in this section should not be construed as prior art.

[0004] City gas pipelines and nuclear power plant pipelines buried underground are more difficult to inspect and maintain for safety than exposed pipelines, and thus require continuous and thorough preventive management. Therefore, a huge amount of budget and manpower is invested every year for safety management.

[0005] Safety accidents such as leaks, water leaks, and oil leaks from buried pipes are primarily caused by natural disasters like earthquakes and ground subsidence, damage from other construction projects, and corrosion. Accidents in buried pipes can lead to major accidents, so ongoing safety assessments and inspections are conducted. However, the increasing number of aging pipes and limited manpower and budget make on-site inspections of all pipes difficult.

[0006] Indirect inspection methods such as direct current voltage gradient (DCVG) and closed interval potential survey (CIPS) are known as methods for indirectly measuring the location of city gas pipelines, finding damaged areas of the covering, or areas with high potential for corrosion, such as anticorrosion abnormalities.

[0007] Typically, trenchless indirect inspection methods, such as the direct current voltage gradient (DCVG) and close-interval potential survey (CIPS), measure the potential and potential gradient of a pipe in which a piping system is installed to identify defects. However, when measuring the potential and potential gradient of a pipe using methods such as the direct current voltage gradient (DCVG) and close-interval potential survey (CIPS), the measurement accuracy is significantly reduced if there is a source of interference with the potential to be measured or if the pipe is laid in multiple layers.

[0008] For example, in the case of detecting damage to the covering of buried pipes, a worker moves while touching the ground with the electrode of a detection stick. When a concentrated area of ​​current flowing through the buried pipe is detected, the potential difference with the reference electrode is compared to determine whether the covering is damaged.

[0009] However, the above-mentioned detection stick is inconvenient to use because the worker must use the detection stick with both hands while looking at the terminal's display screen while moving, and the movement speed is slow, which reduces work efficiency.

[0010] Accordingly, Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0066525 (Detection system for underground pipes) has been disclosed. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, in the above prior art, when a worker wearing a terminal (20) moves along the pipe (1) while current is flowing in the buried pipe (1), when the worker reaches a location where the covering is damaged, a potential difference is generated between the electrodes (11) located at the bottom of the two detection sticks (10) due to the current concentration phenomenon.

[0011] Since the signal resulting from the generation of a potential difference is displayed on the display unit (26) of the terminal (20), the worker can accurately identify the damaged area of ​​the pipe coating, and since the measurement signal is also transmitted to the alarm generating unit (12) equipped in the detection stick (10), the vibrator (12a), lamp (12b), and speaker (12c) are operated, so that the damaged area of ​​the pipe coating can be identified.

[0012] Therefore, the worker can move around without looking at the display screen during the detection work, making the work convenient and increasing the work speed, thereby increasing work efficiency.

[0013] However, the above prior literature has the problem that since measurements must be made with two electrodes, the electrodes must be moved to each location to be measured, which is greatly affected by the potential of the buried pipe changing frequently, and the measurement time is very long, which significantly reduces work efficiency.

[0014] Additionally, it has been pointed out that the worker's fatigue is high because he or she must hold the detection stick in both hands and wear the terminal around his or her neck while performing the detection work.

[0015] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and a primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a mobile earth current potential difference measuring device capable of measuring while driving autonomously or manually, thereby enabling measurement suited to the environmental conditions of the measurement area.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile earth current potential difference measuring device that can simplify installation and disassembly work by allowing one-touch coupling and disassembly of six electrodes by the attractive and repulsive forces of a magnet.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile earth current potential difference measuring device capable of reducing the volume of the measuring device by horizontally folding the upper handle frame.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile earth current potential difference measuring device capable of measuring even in a narrow area by separating the electrode bar and electrode.

[0019] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0020] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises: a driving cart that automatically or semi-automatically drives a set section of the ground by the power of a mounted driving motor; a measurement module that is detachably provided at the front and rear of the driving cart and measures the ground current of an underground pipe, rising while the driving cart is moving and descending when it reaches a measurement position to detect the ground current; a control module that is mounted on the driving cart and controls the operation of the driving cart and the measurement module and stores measured data; an external port panel that is provided on the upper surface of the driving cart and is connected to the control module and has a power switch and a plurality of connection ports for connecting external devices; a handle frame that is installed upright so as to protrude upward from the external port panel; left and right handles that are provided on the upper side of the handle frame; a clutch control button and an electrode lifting and lowering control button that are provided on one of the left and right handles and that control the driving motor and wheels; a forward and backward control button that controls the forward and backward movement of the driving cart; A mobile earth current potential difference measuring device is provided, which includes a manual operation module including a throttle for controlling the speed of the driving motor while being provided on the other of the left / right handles; and a monitor stand that is foldably installed on the left / right handle.

[0021] Preferably, the handle frame is hinge-joined at the front of its lower part to the external port panel, and the rear of its lower part is fixed by a fixing pin to a rear pin fixing portion provided on the external port frame. When the fixing pin is separated, the handle frame can be folded horizontally on the external port panel by rotating toward the front of the driving cart around the hinge joint portion.

[0022] Preferably, a front pin fixing portion may be provided on the front upper surface of the driving cart to penetrate and connect the front of the folded handle frame and the driving cart by a fixing pin.

[0023] Preferably, a battery pack and a remaining capacity display unit that displays the remaining capacity of the battery pack are provided in one area of ​​the external port panel, and a charging terminal to which a charging cable can be connected may be provided on the battery pack.

[0024] Preferably, the measurement module comprises: a horizontal electrode bar connected to electrode pins provided at the front and rear of the driving cart in a connected state; and three electrodes detachably installed in electrode coupling portions provided on the bottom surface of each electrode bar; wherein a plurality of first magnets are arranged in a ring shape on the upper side of the electrodes, with cathodes and anodes alternately arranged, and a second magnet is formed on the lower side of the electrode coupling portion, which is formed of only one of the cathodes or anodes and has the same number of cathodes or anodes as the first magnets, so that the electrodes and the electrode coupling portion can be coupled in one touch by an attractive force by making the first magnet and the second magnet face each other with opposite polarities, and can be separated by a repulsive force by making the same polarities face each other by rotation of the probe electrode.

[0025] Preferably, electrode bar holders are provided on both sides of the upper surface of the driving cart for inserting and mounting separated electrode bars, and a tightening band may be provided on the electrode bar holder for banding and tightening the mounted electrode bars.

[0026] Preferably, the manual operation module further includes a user function button, wherein the user function button can perform any one of: moving the driving cart to the next location, moving the driving cart to the previous location, automatic measurement in which the ground current is measured at 1 m intervals and the measurement data is automatically saved, and semi-automatic measurement in which the user saves the measurement data after measuring the ground current at 1 m intervals.

[0027] Preferably, the monitor stand may further include a mouse stand that is slidably pulled out from one side of the monitor stand.

[0028] According to the embodiment, the earth current can be measured automatically or semi-automatically while driving autonomously or manually depending on the setting, thereby reducing the user's labor.

[0029] Additionally, it can be folded to reduce volume when not in use, making it easy to handle and store.

[0030] In addition, the electrode bar can be detached from the driving cart, so that wide-area measurement is possible using a wide electrode bar in a wide area, and in a narrow area, the electrode bar can be detached and the electrode can be directly connected to the electrode terminal provided on the driving cart for detection, so that measurement conditions can be changed according to the measurement terrain.

[0031] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the detailed description of the present invention or the composition of the invention described in the claims.

[0032] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a conventional manual earth current potential difference measuring device.

[0033] Figure 2 is a state diagram of measurement performed by a conventional manual earth current potential difference measuring device.

[0034] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a mobile earth current potential difference measuring device according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 is a partially separated perspective view of a mobile earth current potential difference measuring device according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 is a drawing for explaining the electrode coupling part and electrode detachment structure according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 6 is a detailed view of an external port panel according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 7 is a drawing of the handle frame according to the present invention before and after folding.

[0039] Figure 8 is a configuration drawing of a manual operation module according to the present invention;

[0040] Figure 9 is a drawing of the handle frame according to the present invention in a folded state;

[0041] Figure 10 is a schematic drawing of a monitor stand and a mouse stand according to the present invention.

[0042] The following examples illustrate the invention. These examples may be modified in various ways, and the scope of the patent application is not limited or restricted by these examples. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives to the examples are included within the scope of the invention.

[0043] The terms used in the examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood to not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0044] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0045] In addition, when describing with reference to the attached drawings, identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the drawing numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. When describing embodiments, if a detailed description of a related known technology is judged to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiment, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0046] Additionally, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used to describe components of the embodiments. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components are not limited by the terms. When a component is described as being "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component may also be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" between each component.

[0047] Components included in one embodiment and components with common functions will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the descriptions given in one embodiment can be applied to other embodiments, and detailed descriptions will be omitted to the extent of overlap.

[0048] The attached Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a mobile earth current potential difference measuring device according to the present invention, Fig. 4 is a partially separated perspective view of the mobile earth current potential difference measuring device according to the present invention, Fig. 5 is a drawing for explaining the detachable structure of the electrode coupling portion and the electrode according to the present invention, Fig. 6 is a detailed drawing of an external port panel according to the present invention, Fig. 7 is a drawing before and after folding of a handle frame according to the present invention, Fig. 8 is a configuration drawing of a manual operation module according to the present invention, Fig. 9 is a drawing of a folded state of a handle frame according to the present invention, and Fig. 10 is a drawing of the main parts of a monitor stand and a mouse stand according to the present invention.

[0049] The mobile earth current potential difference measuring device (100) according to the present invention is for measuring earth current while driving automatically, semi-automatically, or manually, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and may include a driving cart (110), a measuring module (130), a control module (not shown), an external port panel (150), a handle frame (170), and a manual operation module (180).

[0050]

[0051] The above driving cart (110) can drive autonomously or semi-autonomously along a set section on the ground by the power of the mounted driving motor (not shown), or can be driven manually by a worker as needed.

[0052] To this end, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the driving cart (110) has a pair of driving wheels (111) on the left and right sides of its body that can be driven by a motor (not shown), and the motor can be controlled by a control module for rotation speed (rpm), rotation direction, and on / off.

[0053] The above measurement module (130) is installed at the front and rear of the driving cart (110) and serves to measure the ground current of the underground pipe. The measurement module (130) rises while the driving cart (110) is moving and descends when it reaches the measurement position to measure the ground current.

[0054] The above measurement module (130) may be specifically composed of a horizontal J electrode (131) connected to the electrode pins (112) (illustrated in FIG. 8) provided at the front and rear of the driving cart (110), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4; and a total of six electrodes (135), three of which are detachably installed in the electrode connection portions (132) provided on the bottom surface of each electrode bar.

[0055] Here, the electrode bar (131) is combined in a detachable state as needed.

[0056] Referring to Fig. 9, when the electrode bar (131) is separated, it can be inserted into the electrode bar holders (113) provided on both sides of the upper surface of the driving cart (110) and placed in the longitudinal direction of the driving cart. In this case, in order to prevent the electrode bar (131) from being detached from the electrode bar holder (113), the upper side of the electrode bar can be banded by a tightening band (114) provided on the electrode bar holder.

[0057] In addition, in order to enable the electrode (135) to be detached from the electrode coupling portion (132), magnets are installed at the coupling portions of the electrode coupling portion (132) and the electrode (135) to enable one-touch coupling and separation by attractive and repulsive forces.

[0058] Specifically, on the upper side of the electrode (135), a plurality of first magnets (135a) may be arranged in a ring shape, and negative poles (-) and positive poles (+) may be arranged alternately. On the lower side of the electrode coupling portion (132), opposite to this, the second magnet (132a) may be formed of only one electrode, either the negative pole or the positive pole, and the same number of negative poles or positive poles as the first magnet. Accordingly, when the electrode (135) and the electrode coupling portion (132) are coupled, the opposite polarities of the first magnet (135a) and the second magnet (132a) are made to face each other, so that one-touch coupling is achieved by attractive force, and conversely, the same polarities are made to face each other by rotation of the electrode (135a), so that they can be easily separated by repulsive force.

[0059]

[0060] The control module, which is not shown above, is a type of built-in computer that is mounted inside the driving cart (110) and controls the operation of the driving cart (110) and the measurement module (130). The control module can control, for example, the moving speed of the driving cart (110), movement to the next location, movement to the previous location, etc., according to the user's settings, and can also selectively control semi-automatic measurement and automatic measurement, etc. in the measurement by the measurement module (130).

[0061] For reference, the above semi-automatic measurement is one of the measurement methods, and is performed sequentially in one cycle: moving the cart 1 m (meter) → stopping the cart → lowering the measurement module → measuring → raising the measurement module. Upon completion of one cycle, the user directly analyzes and saves the measurement data.

[0062] Meanwhile, the above automatic measurement automatically measures while the driving cart moves from the current location to a specified distance, and automatically saves the measured data.

[0063]

[0064] The above external port panel (150) is provided on the upper surface of the driving cart (110), and is provided with a power switch, a PC connection port, etc.

[0065] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the external port panel (150) may be configured with a USB 3.0 port (HDMI) (151), two USB 3.0 ports (152), a USB-C port (153), a power switch (154), etc., and additionally, a battery pack (155) may be configured, and a battery remaining capacity display unit (156) may be configured in relation thereto. In addition, the battery pack (155) may be provided with a charging terminal (155a) to which a charging cable can be connected without removing the battery.

[0066]

[0067] The above handle frame (170) is a steel structure that is installed standing up so as to protrude upward from the external port panel (150), and is useful when a user manually operates the entire inspection device in a standing state.

[0068] Here, the handle frame (170) may have a foldable structure.

[0069] That is, the handle frame (170) is hingedly connected at the lower front to the external port panel (150) as shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and 9, and the lower rear is fixed to the rear pin fixing part (157) provided on the external port panel (150) by a fixing pin (P), thereby maintaining the standing state.

[0070] From this, the fixed pin (P) is removed, and the hinge joint (P1) is rotated forward (in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1) to be horizontally placed on the upper part of the driving cart (110) to be in a folded state (see Figs. 7 and 9). Thereafter, the front end of the folded handle frame (170) and the front pin fixing part (115) provided on the upper surface of the front side of the driving cart (110) are connected by penetrating through the fixed pin (P).

[0071] The portable earth current potential difference measuring device (100) folded in this manner can significantly reduce its vertical volume because the handle frame (170) is flatly and horizontally attached to the driving cart (110). Therefore, it is easy to store and carry.

[0072] Meanwhile, it is preferable that a grip handle (116) be provided at the front or rear of the driving cart (110) for easy gripping when the mobile earth current potential difference measuring device (100) is moved in a folded state.

[0073]

[0074] The above manual operation module (180) may include, as shown in FIG. 8, left / right handles (181) provided on the upper left and right sides of the handle frame (170); a clutch control button (182) provided on one of the left / right handles for controlling the motor and drive wheel (111); a lift control button (183) provided on one of the left / right handles for manually controlling the lift of the measurement module (130); a forward / backward control button (184) provided on the forward / backward movement of the driving cart (110); and a throttle (185) provided on the other of the left / right handles for controlling the speed of the driving motor (not shown).

[0075] In addition, the manual operation module (180) further includes a user function button (186), and the user function button can perform any one of the following: moving the driving cart (110) to the next location, moving the driving cart (110) to the previous location, automatic measurement in which the earth current is measured at 1 m intervals and the measurement data is automatically saved, and semi-automatic measurement in which the user saves the measurement data after measuring the earth current at 1 m intervals.

[0076]

[0077] Meanwhile, the mobile earth current potential difference measuring device (100) according to the present invention may further include a plate-shaped monitor stand (190) that is foldably installed on the left / right handles (181), as shown in FIG. 10. A monitor connected to the control module as a connector may be installed on the monitor stand (190), or a laptop connected to the control module may be installed.

[0078] Additionally, one side of the monitor stand (190) may further include a plate-shaped mouse stand (191) that is pulled out in a sliding manner.

[0079]

[0080] The description so far has merely been an illustrative description of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0081] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate, rather than limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical concepts within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0082] [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100: Mobile earth current potential difference measuring device 110: Driving cart

[0084] 111: Drive wheel 112: Electrode pin

[0085] 113: Electrode bar holder 114: Tightening band

[0086] 115: Front pin fixing part 116: Handle for gripping

[0087] 130: Measurement module 131: Electrode bar

[0088] 132: Electrode joint 135: Electrode

[0089] 132a: Second magnet 135a: First magnet

[0090] 150: External port panel 155: Battery pack

[0091] 155a: Charging terminal 156: Battery level display

[0092] 170: Handle frame 180: Manual operation module

[0093] 190: Monitor stand 191: Mouse stand

Claims

1. A driving cart that automatically or semi-automatically drives along a set section of the ground using the power of the mounted driving motor; A measuring module that is detachably installed at the front and rear of the above-mentioned driving cart and measures the ground current of an underground buried pipe, rising while the above-mentioned driving cart is moving and descending when it reaches a measurement position to measure the ground current; A control module mounted on the above driving cart, which controls the operation of the driving cart and the measuring module and stores the measured data; An external port panel provided on the upper surface of the driving cart while connected to the above control module and having a power switch and a number of connection ports for connecting external devices; A handle frame installed standing up so as to protrude upward from the above external port panel; A manual operation module including left and right handles provided on the upper side of the handle frame; a clutch control button provided on one of the left and right handles for controlling the driving motor and wheels, an electrode lifting and lowering control button; a forward and backward control button for controlling the forward and backward movement of the driving cart; a throttle provided on the other of the left and right handles for controlling the speed of the driving motor; and A mobile earth current potential difference measuring device including a monitor stand that is foldably installed on the left / right handles.

2. In claim 1, The above handle frame, The front of the lower part is hingedly connected to the external port panel, and the rear of the lower part is fixed by a fixing pin to the rear pin fixing part provided on the external port frame. A mobile earth current potential difference measuring device characterized in that when the above fixed pin is separated, the driving cart is rotated forward about the hinge joint and folded horizontally on the external port panel.

3. In claim 2, A mobile earth current potential difference measuring device characterized in that a front pin fixing part is provided on the upper surface of the front side of the above driving cart for penetratingly connecting the front of the folded handle frame and the above driving cart by a fixing pin.

4. In claim 2, A mobile earth current potential difference detector characterized in that a battery pack and a remaining capacity display section for displaying the remaining capacity of the battery pack are provided in one area of ​​the external port panel, and a charging terminal for connecting a charging cable is provided on the battery pack.

5. In claim 1, The above measurement module, A horizontal electrode bar connected to the electrode pins provided at the front and rear of the above-mentioned driving cart; and It consists of three electrodes, each detachably installed in an electrode joint provided on the bottom surface of each electrode bar; On the upper side of the above electrode, a plurality of first magnets are arranged in a ring shape, with the cathodes and anodes being arranged alternately. The lower portion of the above electrode joint is configured with a second magnet, which is composed of only one of the cathode or anode and has the same number of cathodes or anodes as the first magnet. A mobile earth current potential difference measuring device characterized in that the electrode and the electrode joint are connected by one-touch by attractive force when the first magnet and the second magnet face each other with opposite polarities, and separated by repulsive force when the same polarities face each other by rotation of the electrode.

6. In claim 5, A mobile earth current potential difference measuring device characterized in that an electrode bar holder for inserting and mounting a separated electrode bar is provided on both sides of the upper surface of the above-mentioned driving cart, and a tightening band for banding and tightening the mounted electrode bar is provided on the electrode bar holder.

7. In claim 1, The above manual operation module is, A mobile earth current potential difference measuring device further comprising a user function button, wherein the user function button performs one of the following: moving the driving cart to the next location, moving the driving cart to the previous location, automatic measurement in which the earth current is measured at 1 m intervals and the measurement data is automatically saved, or semi-automatic measurement in which the earth current is measured at 1 m intervals and the measurement data is saved by the user.

8. In claim 1, A mobile current potential difference measuring device characterized by further including a mouse stand that is pulled out in a sliding manner from one side of the above monitor stand.

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