Lock Gate Sill Damage Detection Using Filtered Water Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting the damage degree of a lock gate sill, such as underwater photographing and ultrasonic detection, face challenges with poor image definition due to limited light transmittance and visibility in muddy water.
Innovation Solution
A damage detection apparatus that includes a support with rollers and motors for movement, a water storage tank with a filter system to clarify water, and a camera positioned within a truncated conical cavity to ensure clear imaging, allowing for effective detection of abrasion on the lock gate sill.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If underwater photographing is used to detect the lock gate sill, then the position and amount of abrasion can be detected intuitively, but the light transmittance and visibility are limited in muddy water causing poor image definition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the camera from the muddy water environment by placing it inside a water storage tank filled with clear water. The tank acts as an isolated observation chamber that separates the imaging device from the turbid external environment, allowing clear photography without being affected by muddy water
Solution Approach 2:
The water storage tank filled with clear water serves as an intermediary medium between the camera and the muddy water environment. This intermediary layer maintains optical clarity while still allowing the camera to observe and photograph the lock gate sill through the transparent tank walls
2Measurement precision
If a water storage tank is used to maintain clear water for the camera, then image definition is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like filter device and water pump
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device and water pump are equipped with automatic control functions that enable the water circulation and filtration system to operate autonomously. The system automatically filters muddy water and maintains clear water in the tank without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing operational complexity despite the additional components
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is positioned at the bottom of the water storage tank, then the shooting angle is wide, but the lower ends of water discharge pipes may interfere with the lens
Solution Approach 1:
The water discharge pipes are arranged asymmetrically within the water storage tank, with their lower ends positioned strategically away from the camera lens location. This asymmetric arrangement allows the camera to be placed at the bottom for wide shooting angles while preventing pipe interference with the lens
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
The apparatus ensures clear and defined images of the lock gate sill's abrasion by filtering muddy water and maintaining the camera in a clear water environment, enabling accurate detection and intuitive results.
Implementation Method 1
a filter device is disposed in the water inlet barrel, a sediment discharge pipe is disposed on the filter device for discharging sediment filtered out by the filter device
Implementation Method 2
a water pump, disposed on the support, wherein the water inlet end of the water pump is communicated with the water outlet of the water inlet barrel, and the water outlet end of the water pump is communicated with the water storage tank
Implementation Method 3
the lower ports of the water discharge pipes together compose a truncated conical cavity, a camera is disposed at the bottom of the water storage tank in a sealed manner, a lens of the camera is located in an upper part of the truncated conical cavity and coaxially disposed with the truncated conical structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a damage detection apparatus for a lock gate sill, including a support, a water storage tank, a water inlet barrel, a filter device, a water pump, and a control device, wherein a barrier is vertically disposed at the bottom of the water storage tank, multiple water discharge pipes are vertically disposed in the barrier, upper ends of the water discharge pipes are communicated with the water storage tank, the water discharge pipes have different heights, lower ports of the water discharge pipes together compose a truncated conical cavity, a camera is disposed at the bottom of the water storage tank in a sealed manner, and a lens of the camera is located in an upper part of the truncated conical cavity. When it is desired to perform damage detection for the lock gate sill, muddy water is filtered by the filter device into clear water, and the clear water is pressurized by the water pump and then discharged from the water discharge pipes, such that the muddy water in the barrier is continuously diluted by clear water, the camera is in a shooting environment of clear water, and the lock gate sill is shot for detection at this time, whereby it is ensured that the taken picture has good definition, and thus the position of abrasion and the amount of abrasion of the lock gate sill can be clearly determined.