Gas-detecting sensor pipe manufacturing apparatus, and pipe manufacturing method using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gas-detecting sensor pipe manufacturing apparatus and, more specifically, to an apparatus for manufacturing a pipe that is buried together with a gas pipe, buried in the ground, in order to detect gas leaking therefrom. As a technical means for solving the problem, the present invention comprises: a winding part including a pipe supply part, a re-winder part, and a driving part for driving the pipe supply part and the re-winder part; a transfer control part for controlling the transfer of a pipe supplied from the pipe supply part; a perforation part for perforating, in the circumferential direction, the pipe supplied through the transfer control part; a packaging part for packaging the outer surface of the pipe perforated while passing through the perforation part; and a frame part for supporting the winding part, the transfer control part, the perforation part and the packaging part.

Description

Pipe manufacturing device for a sensor for gas detection and pipe manufacturing method using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe manufacturing device for a sensor for gas detection and a pipe manufacturing method using the same, and more specifically, to a device for manufacturing a pipe that is buried together with a gas pipe buried underground to detect gas leakage from the gas pipe, and a pipe manufacturing method using the same.

[0002] Due to the installation location and structural characteristics, it is difficult to directly detect gas leaks in gas pipes buried underground. Therefore, sensors are installed along with the pipes to detect gas leaks or abnormalities, thereby identifying leaks or pipe damage. While various conventional methods have been used to detect gas leaks from pipes, this invention relates specifically to a piping system for sensors that detects hydrogen gas leaks in hydrogen gas pipes buried underground.

[0003] The piping for gas detection sensors is installed by placing a fiber optic sensor inside a flexible tube and burying it alongside the gas pipe to detect gas leakage. More specifically, a method is used in which a hydrogen-sensing optical fiber is installed parallel to the gas pipe so that if hydrogen gas leaks from the pipe, the fiber optic sensor detects it and notifies the control room or the manager. The fiber optic sensor detects gas leakage by sensing the temperature that causes an exothermic reaction upon contact with hydrogen gas, or detects abnormalities in the gas pipe by sensing vibrations. In this case, the fiber optic sensor is installed inside a flexible pipe, such as a corrugated tube, to protect it from external moisture or other stimuli, and the pipe has multiple perforations formed on its surface to allow gas to flow in. Additionally, to prevent soil or foreign matter from entering through these perforations, the outside of the pipe is wrapped with a woven shielding membrane. The reason for using a woven barrier here is that in the case of a woven structure, when perforating, the drill passes through the fibers, leaving no or minimal holes, and even if the fibers are partially damaged by the drill, the surrounding fibers fill the gap, thus blocking foreign substances such as dirt from entering through the perforated holes.

[0004] Conventionally, since there was no dedicated device for drilling holes in the piping for sensors used for gas detection, people had to drill each hole manually. Consequently, this resulted in very low work efficiency, was time-consuming, and suffered from poor uniformity of the drilling.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problem by providing a pipe manufacturing device for a gas detection sensor that wraps an automatically woven shielding film around the outer side of a corrugated pipe and can punch holes at regular intervals and angles along the circumferential direction of the corrugated pipe wrapped by the shielding film.

[0006] The present invention, as a technical means for solving the above-mentioned problem, comprises: a winding unit comprising a pipe supply unit, a binder unit, and a driving unit that drives the pipe supply unit and the binder unit; a transport control unit that controls the transport of a pipe supplied from the pipe supply unit; a perforation unit that perforates the circumferential direction of the pipe supplied through the transport control unit; a packaging unit that packages the outer surface of the perforated pipe as it passes through the perforation unit; and a frame unit that supports the winding unit, the transport control unit, the perforation unit, and the packaging unit.

[0007] According to the device for manufacturing a pipe for a gas detection sensor of the present invention, a shielding film woven on the outer side of the sensor pipe is automatically wrapped, and holes are automatically punched at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the pipe. This improves work efficiency and enhances the quality and uniformity of the punching, thereby providing the advantage of improving the quality of the pipe protecting the optical fiber sensor. Furthermore, by accurately forming holes at uniform intervals and locations along the circumferential direction of the pipe, the inflow of gas is smooth, and the discharge of moisture or humidity is also smooth, thereby improving the performance of the sensor and extending its lifespan.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a pipe manufacturing device for a sensor for gas detection according to the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a transfer control unit of a pipe manufacturing device for a sensor for gas detection according to the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the configuration of a perforated section of a pipe manufacturing device for a sensor for gas detection according to the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the configuration of a pipe packaging section of a pipe manufacturing device for a sensor for gas detection according to the present invention.

[0012] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013]

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a pipe manufacturing device for a sensor for gas detection according to the present invention.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a pipe manufacturing device for a gas detection sensor according to the present invention comprises a winding unit (110) configured to include a pipe supply unit (113), a rebinding unit (115), and a driving unit (117); a transport control unit (130, 150, 170) that controls the transport of a pipe (10) supplied from the pipe supply unit (113); a perforation unit (190) that perforates the circumferential direction of the pipe (10) supplied through the transport control unit (130, 150, 170); a packaging unit that packages the outer surface of the perforated pipe (10) as it passes through the perforation unit (190); and a frame unit (100) that supports the winding unit (110), the transport control unit (130, 150, 170), the perforation unit (190), and the packaging unit.

[0016] The winding unit (110) is composed of a pipe supply unit (113) that winds the pipe (10) for punching and supplies it to the conveying control unit (130, 150, 170), and a binder unit (115) that winds the pipe (10) after punching and packaging are completed. The pipe supply unit (113) and the binder unit (115) are configured in a roll shape that facilitates winding the pipe (10). In FIG. 1, the drawing of the pipe wound on the winding unit (110) is omitted in order to illustrate the configuration of the winding unit (110) in detail.

[0017] The driving unit (117) rotates the winding unit (110) and / or the binder unit (115) so that the pipe (10) is smoothly unwound and supplied or rewinded. In the drawing, the pipe supply unit (113) and the binder unit (115) are provided side by side, and one driving unit (117) that drives the pipe supply unit (113) and the binder unit (115) is shown. In the above configuration, since the pipe supply unit (113) and the binder unit (115) rotate in the same direction, the direction in which the pipe wound on the pipe supply unit (113) and the pipe wound on the binder unit (115) are opposite, and even if the driving unit (117) rotates the pipe supply unit (113) and the binder unit (115) simultaneously in the same direction, the pipe may be unwound and supplied from the pipe supply unit (113) and the pipe may be wound from the binder unit (115). However, it goes without saying that the driving unit (117) may be provided in the pipe supply unit (113) and the binder unit (115).

[0018] As shown in the drawing, the frame portion (100) is supported and fixed by each component of the pipe manufacturing device for a gas detection sensor according to the present invention, and can be configured in various shapes and arrangements as needed. A detailed description of the frame portion (100) is omitted below.

[0019]

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a transfer control unit (130, 150, 170) of a pipe manufacturing device for a sensor for gas detection according to the present invention.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the transfer control unit (130, 150, 170) of the pipe manufacturing device for a gas detection sensor according to the present invention is configured to include a guide unit (130), a pipe transfer unit (150), and a pipe fixing unit (170).

[0022]

[0023] The guide section (130) is composed of a first guide section (133) provided on one side and a second guide section (135) provided spaced apart and parallel to the other side of the first guide section (133). The guide section (130) is provided with a pair of rollers (137) that support both sides of the pipe (10) and face each other, and the rollers (137) can be configured to adjust their width according to the thickness of the pipe (10). Since the sensor pipe (10) processed in the present invention mainly uses a corrugated pipe with a round cross-section, it is preferable that the rollers (137) also have concave round structures facing each other so as to face the outer surface of the pipe (10). Thus, when the pipe (10) is transported, the rollers (137) rotate to guide it so that it is transported smoothly, and the pipe (10) can be prevented from deviating in the up-down and left-right directions. The roller (137) may be equipped with an elastic pressurizing function as needed to lightly press the surface of the pipe (10).

[0024]

[0025] The pipe conveying unit (150) is provided between the first guide unit (133) and the second guide unit (135) and comprises a gripper unit (153) capable of gripping the pipe (10), a gripper guide unit (155) that causes the gripper unit (153) to be conveyed along the longitudinal direction, and a gripper driving unit (157) that pushes or pulls the gripper unit (153) along the gripper guide unit (155).

[0026] The clamping part (153) serves to fix both sides of the pipe (10) by applying pressure. The clamping part (153) may be configured such that clamps in the shape of jaws with a concave round structure corresponding to the outer surface of the pipe (10) face each other. Thus, the clamps facing each other can fix both sides of the pipe (10) by applying pressure. The clamping part (153) is driven by a hydraulic device. However, it goes without saying that various known driving means may be applied as long as the clamping part is structured to reciprocate in a vertical direction relative to the pipe and grip the pipe with a constant pressure.

[0027] The above configuration is merely an example of a conventional and practical form capable of efficiently gripping the exterior of a pipe (10) having a circular cross-section; it goes without saying that the shape of the gripper part (153) can also be configured in various known shapes as long as it is a structure capable of gripping and fixing the pipe (10). For example, the gripper part (153) may be configured such that an arm is provided on only one side rather than both sides, and a gripper shape is provided at the end of the arm to grip the pipe (10).

[0028] The clamp guide section (155) serves to guide the clamp so that it can move along the conveying direction of the pipe (10). As shown in the drawing, the clamp guide section (155) is provided with a guide at the bottom of the clamp section (153) so that the clamp section (153) can move along the guide to one side or the other side. The clamp guide section (155) may use a known LM guide, etc.

[0029] The gripper drive unit (157) provides the power necessary for the gripper unit (153) to reciprocate along the gripper guide unit (155). The gripper drive unit (157) may be a hydraulic system as shown in the drawing, or it may be composed of a combination of a servo motor and a lead screw, although not shown in the drawing. In addition, various known methods may be applied as long as they enable the gripper unit to perform linear reciprocating motion on the gripper guide.

[0030] The pipe fixing part (170) is provided in the passage through which the pipe (10) passes and serves to temporarily fix the pipe (10). The pipe fixing part (170) is provided parallel to the pipe conveying part (150) described above. It is preferable that the pipe fixing part (170) be provided in a position adjacent to the second guide part (135) inside the guide part (130), as shown in the drawing.

[0031] The pipe fixing part (170) is configured to fix the pipe (10) by applying pressure, similar to the clamp part (153), by having a jaw that fixes both sides of the pipe (10). However, it goes without saying that various known shapes, types, and structures can be applied to the pipe fixing part (170) as long as they are structured to firmly fix the cylindrical pipe (10) without crushing or damaging it.

[0032] In the above configuration, the clamp part (153) is positioned on one side of the guide part (130) (position of the first guide part (133)) and grips the pipe (10) hanging on the guide part (130). Then, when the clamp driving part (157) pushes the clamp part (153) toward the other side (direction of the second guide part (135)), the pipe (10) moves toward the other side along the clamp guide part (155) while being gripped by the clamp part (153). When the pipe (10) is being transported, the guide part (130) supports it from both sides to ensure stable and accurate transport. Also, while the pipe (10) is being transported, the pipe fixing part (170) does not fix the pipe (10).

[0033] After the clamp part (153) gripping the pipe (10) is transported a specific distance, the clamp part (153) releases the grip on the pipe (10) and moves in one direction again. At this time, when the clamp part (153) releases the grip on the pipe (10) and moves in one direction, the pipe (10) may move, and as will be explained later, the pipe (10) may also move when the drilling part (190) drills. Therefore, to prevent this, the pipe fixing part (170) grips the pipe (10) and firmly fixes it before and after the clamp part (153) releases the grip on the pipe (10). The transport control part (130, 150, 170) transports the pipe (10) supplied from the pipe supply part (113) toward the drilling part (190) while repeating the above process.

[0034]

[0035] The perforation section (190) serves to make holes at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the pipe (10). The pipe for the sensor for gas detection according to the present invention is buried around the gas pipe to detect gas leakage. Since the pipe (10) is equipped with a fiber optic sensor (not shown) capable of detecting gas, if gas leaks from the gas pipe, the gas must flow into the inside of the pipe for the sensor to be detected. Therefore, a plurality of holes are made along the circumferential direction of the pipe (10) to allow gas to flow in smoothly, and perforations are made around the circumferential pipe for the sensor.

[0036] The perforation unit (190) is composed of a perforation means (191) for making a hole in the circumferential direction of the pipe (10), a perforation guide unit (193) for transporting and guiding the perforation means (191), and a perforation drive unit (195) for transmitting driving force to the perforation means (191).

[0037] The drilling means (191) may be any known means capable of drilling a hole in the circumferential direction of the pipe (10). The pipe (10) is mainly a corrugated pipe made of synthetic resin such as PVC. Although a drill is shown as an example in the drawing, in addition to a drill, any known drilling means capable of drilling a pipe (10) made of synthetic resin, such as a laser or a heating element, may be applied. Below, a configuration in which a drill is applied as the drilling means is described as an example.

[0038] The drilling means (191) is equipped with a pair of drills facing each other in a vertical direction with respect to the pipe (10), and the drills penetrate the surface of the pipe (10).

[0039] The drilling guide section (193) serves to guide the drilling means (191) as it moves, and an LM guide or the like may be applied. As shown in the drawing, the drilling guide section (193) is provided with a pair of guides in a vertical direction on both sides of the pipe (10), and is configured so that the end of the drill is positioned in the center of the pipe (10). Then, the drilling means (191) is mounted on the drilling guide section (193) and configured to reciprocate along the longitudinal direction.

[0040] The perforation drive unit (195) pushes or pulls the perforation means (191) to allow the perforation means (191) to move forward or backward along the perforation guide unit (193). The perforation drive unit (195) is composed of a drive motor (196) coupled to the end of the perforation guide unit (193) and a drive shaft (197) having one end connected to the rotation axis of the drive motor (196) and the other end fixed to the perforation means (191). The rotation axis of the drive motor (196) is configured in a cam manner so that when the drive motor (196) rotates, the drive shaft (197) reciprocates, allowing the perforation means (191) to move back and forth along the perforation guide unit (193). However, the driving part (195) is not limited to the cam method shown in the drawing, and it goes without saying that various known methods or structures, such as a combination of a servo motor and a lead screw or a hydraulic method, can be applied.

[0041] As shown in the drawing, the perforations (190) described above may be configured sequentially in multiple numbers, such as a first perforation (190_1), a second perforation (190_2), and a third perforation (190_3), and the multiple perforations (190) may each be configured to form different angles. That is, as shown in the drawing, the first perforation (190_1) may be configured in a horizontal direction, the second perforation (190_2) in a direction tilted about 45° to the right, and the third perforation (190_3) in a direction tilted about 45° to the left. Thus, when each perforation (190) sequentially perforates the surface of the pipe (10), holes can be uniformly drilled at 60° intervals along the circumference of the pipe (10).

[0042] Each perforating section (190) is provided with at least one support section (199). The support section (199) supports the circumferential direction of the pipe (10) around the perforating means (191) to prevent the pipe (10) from moving while the perforating section (190) perforates the pipe (10). It is preferable that the support section (199) be configured to support the circumferential direction of the pipe at three points as shown in the drawing, and a roller is provided at the end of each support section (199) so that the pipe (10) can be supported and transported smoothly.

[0043] The pipe (10) that is perforated while passing through the perforation section (190) is transferred to the pipe packaging section (210) so that the packaging material wraps around it in the circumferential direction.

[0044]

[0045] Since the piping for the gas detection sensor according to the present invention is buried underground with holes drilled in its surface, there is a high possibility that foreign substances such as soil or rainwater may enter through the holes. Because the holes are perforated in the circumferential direction, rainwater can be naturally discharged or evaporated over time, but foreign substances such as soil accumulate without being discharged, which can cause the sensor to malfunction. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a paving material that prevents the entry of foreign substances such as soil into the perforated portion (190) while allowing gases such as gas to pass through smoothly. Various known paving materials that satisfy these conditions may be applied.

[0046]

[0047] The pipe packaging section (210) is configured to include a packaging material supply section (213), a packaging material wrapping section (215), and a packaging material fixing section (217). The packaging material supply section (213) is configured in the form of a roll in which the packaging material described above is wound, so that the packaging material can be supplied continuously. The supplied packaging material is supplied continuously while facing one side (the bottom side in the drawing) of the pipe (10).

[0048] The packaging material wrapping section (215) is positioned to wrap the supplied packaging material along the circumferential direction of the pipe (10) while facing the lower part of the pipe (10). As shown in the drawing of the packaging material wrapping section (215), a plurality of wrapping rollers (220) are sequentially provided from the lower side to the upper side of the pipe (10), so that as the wrapping rollers (220) rotate, the packaging material wraps the circumferential direction of the pipe (10) in a sequential manner. That is, the first wrapping roller (221) is provided at the bottom to fold the packaging material upward, the second wrapping roller (222) folds the packaging material folded upward toward the side of the pipe (10), and the third wrapping roller (223) folds the upper part of the packaging material toward the upper direction of the pipe (10) so that the packaging material wraps the circumferential direction of the pipe (10).

[0049] The packaging fixing part (217) fixes the end of the packaging material or the entire packaging material that wraps the pipe (10) so that the packaging material is fixed in a state where it wraps the pipe (10). Various known methods can be applied to the packaging fixing part (217), such as fixing by wrapping with tape or string, fixing with adhesive, or fusing by applying heat.

[0050]

[0051] When passing through the pipe packaging section (210), the pipe (10) with perforations on its surface is packaged by a breathable packaging material, and the pipe (10) packaged as described above is wound onto the binder section (115) of the winding section (110) to complete the work. The pipe (10) that has been perforated and packaged as described above is used by placing a fiber optic sensor inside.

[0052]

[0053] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a method for manufacturing a piping for a sensor for gas detection according to the present invention.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, the pipe manufacturing device for a gas detection sensor according to the present invention and the pipe manufacturing method using the same comprises the steps of: supplying a pipe through a pipe supply unit (113) (S100); transporting a pipe supported by a guide unit (130) by a pipe transport unit (150) (S200); perforating a pipe in the circumferential direction by a perforating unit (190) (S300); packaging a pipe by a pipe packaging unit (210) (S400); and winding the packaged pipe onto a winding unit (110) (S500).

[0055] Detailed explanations for each of the above steps have already been provided above, so redundant explanations are omitted.

[0056]

[0057] As such, while specific embodiments have been described in the detailed description of the present invention, it is understood that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims set forth below as well as equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A winding unit comprising a pipe supply unit, a binder unit, and a driving unit that drives the pipe supply unit and the binder unit; A transport control unit that controls the transport of the pipe supplied from the above pipe supply unit; A perforating section that perforates the circumferential direction of the pipe supplied through the above-mentioned transfer control section; A packaging section that packages the outer surface of the perforated pipe while passing through the above-mentioned perforation section; and A frame part supporting the above-mentioned winding part, transfer control part, perforation part, and packaging part; A piping manufacturing device for a sensor for gas detection, comprising:

2. In Claim 1, The above transfer control unit is, A pipe manufacturing device for a gas detection sensor, characterized by comprising a guide section for guiding the transport of a pipe, a pipe transport section for transporting the pipe, and a pipe fixing section for fixing the pipe to punch holes.

3. In Claim 2, The guide section is composed of a first guide section provided on one side and a second guide section provided spaced apart and parallel to the other side of the first guide section, and the guide section is provided with a pair of rollers facing each other to support both sides of the pipe. The above pipe conveying unit is configured to include a gripper unit capable of gripping the pipe and provided between the first guide unit and the second guide unit, a gripper guide unit capable of conveying the gripper unit along the longitudinal direction, and a gripper driving unit capable of moving the gripper unit along the gripper guide unit. A pipe manufacturing device for a gas detection sensor, characterized in that the pipe fixing part is provided on the other side of the second guide part and configured to grip and fix the pipe.

4. In Claim 1, The above perforated portion is, A pipe manufacturing device for a gas detection sensor comprising a pair of perforating means provided to face each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pipe, and a support member that supports the circumferential direction of the pipe while the perforating means perforates the pipe.

5. In Claim 4, A pipe manufacturing device for a gas detection sensor, characterized in that the lower part of the perforating means comprises a perforating guide part that transports the perforating means in a vertical direction relative to the pipe and a perforating drive part that enables the perforating means to be transported along the perforating guide.

6. In claim 4 or 5, A pipe manufacturing device for a sensor for gas detection, characterized in that at least two or more perforating portions are provided side by side along the conveying direction of the pipe, and perforating means provided in the plurality of perforating portions are configured to perforate the pipe at different angles.

7. In Claim 1, The above pipe packaging section is, A pipe manufacturing device for a gas detection sensor comprising a packaging material supply unit for supplying packaging material, a packaging material wrapping unit for wrapping the supplied packaging material around the periphery of a pipe, and a packaging material fixing unit for fixing the packaging material wrapping the outer surface of the pipe by the packaging material wrapping unit.

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