Water-conducting channels inspection device with pneumatic sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting sewage canals require manual, dry inspections, which disrupt operations, are dependent on operator experience, and struggle with precise measurement of cracks due to the need for emptying and ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pressure-tight housing, compressed air supply, and suction device allows for in-operation inspection by displacing water with air and sealing the housing for clear imaging of the canal walls, enabling automatic crack measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection in dry sewer is performed, then damage can be recorded and classified, but operations are impeded and extensive measures must be taken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses compressed air to blow water away from the inspection area and a suction device to remove residual water, creating a dry inspection environment without requiring complete sewer emptying. This pneumatic-hydraulic approach enables continuous operation while maintaining inspection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection device extracts only the necessary water from the sewer using localized blowing and suction, rather than requiring complete emptying of the sewer. This selective water removal maintains operational continuity while enabling precise damage measurement.
2Loss of information
If camera is mounted on carriage for videoscopic inspection, then images can be recorded, but water must still be emptied from sewers
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses compressed air blowing and vacuum suction to create a localized dry environment for the camera to capture wall condition information, eliminating the need for complete sewer emptying while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces compressed air and vacuum suction as intermediary elements between the camera and the water-filled sewer, creating a temporary dry zone that enables image recording without disrupting overall sewer operation.
3Reliability
If seal is used to seal cavity on duct wall, then water can be excluded from housing, but seal must adapt to curved duct walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible seal that can conform to curved duct walls while maintaining the water-tight seal of the housing. This flexible membrane approach provides both reliability in excluding water and adaptability to various wall geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed to be dynamically adaptable, allowing it to flex and conform to the curved surface of the duct wall while maintaining sealing effectiveness. This dynamic flexibility ensures reliable water exclusion across different installation geometries.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise, automatic inspection and measurement of sewer walls during operation without the need for emptying or ventilation, improving efficiency and reducing reliance on operator experience.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed air supply ending in the housing for blowing out water when the pressure-tight housing is positioned on the wall
Implementation Method 2
a suction device for sucking off residual water from the cavity after the positioning of the housing
Implementation Method 3
a seal surrounding the edge of the access opening for sealing the cavity on the wall of the duct to be inspected
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Inspection device has compressed air supply for cleaning of water when positioning the pressure-tight housing at the channel wall, which ends in the housing. A suction device (15) is arranged for sucking off residual water from the hollow chamber after the positioning of the pressure-tight housing (1). The waterproof camera unit is provided for taking pictures of the channel wall in the housing. A hollow chamber enclosing pressure-tight housing is arranged with an immersion bell shaped inlet opening (13). The edge of the inlet opening encompassing a seal (7) is provided for sealing the hollow chamber at the wall of the channel, which can be examined. An IDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for the procedure for the inspection of the water carrying channels.