Modular Sensor-Carrier Segment for Adaptable Pipeline Pig Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and high costs associated with developing and maintaining different mechanical parts for ultrasonic sensors in pipeline inspection pigs, due to varying pipeline diameters and wall thicknesses, necessitate a solution to reduce development effort and costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular design for the sensor-carrier body of a pig, where ultrasonic transducers are mounted on releasable bars that can be easily swapped with different supporting structures, allowing for quick adaptation to various pipeline sizes and orientations using a standardized interface, enabling the same supporting structure to accommodate multiple types of bars and ultrasonic transducers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different types of fixing arrangements are designed for different pipeline parameters, then the inspection system can accommodate various pipeline diameters and wall thicknesses, but the device complexity and development costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of bars with different ultrasonic transducer configurations. This allows a single supporting structure to serve multiple inspection purposes by simply changing the bar component, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized fixing arrangements for different pipeline parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into modular components: a reusable supporting structure and interchangeable bars. Each bar contains specific ultrasonic transducers configured for particular inspection tasks. This segmentation allows independent selection and combination of components based on inspection requirements, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized mechanical parts are developed for different sensor configurations, then various inspection tasks can be performed, but the development effort and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure serves as a universal platform that can accommodate different bars through a standardized interface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to develop multiple specialized supporting structures, significantly reducing development effort and manufacturing costs while maintaining the capability to perform various inspection tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the common functional elements (supporting structure, interface mechanism) into a single reusable component, while only the task-specific elements (ultrasonic transducers on bars) are varied. This combining approach reduces redundant development work and lowers overall manufacturing costs.
3Device complexity
If ultrasonic transducers are directly mounted on the supporting structure, then the structure is simpler, but adapting to different pipeline parameters requires redesigning the entire supporting structure
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the mounting function from the sensor configuration by introducing intermediate bars. The supporting structure maintains a simple, standardized interface, while the bars contain the variable ultrasonic transducer configurations. This segmentation allows the supporting structure to remain simple while achieving high adaptability through bar interchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bars serve as intermediary components between the supporting structure and the ultrasonic transducers. This intermediary layer allows the simple supporting structure to accommodate diverse sensor configurations by simply changing the bar, without requiring redesign of the supporting structure itself.
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
This modular approach reduces the need for multiple specialized parts, lowers development costs, and allows for quick adaptation to different inspection tasks by enabling the same supporting structure to be used with various bars and orientations, thereby expanding the application area and simplifying the process of changing sensor configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The pig then runs through the pipeline and records the sensor signals as a function of the distance traveled... The ultrasonic sensors used to examine pipelines are selected on the basis of certain parameters
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a segment (16) for a sensor-carrier body (14) of a pig (10) for inspecting a pipeline (12), characterized in that the segment (16) has a supporting structure (18), on which at least one bar (20) including at least one ultrasonic transducer (22) is arranged, wherein the at least one bar (20) is releasably fastened to the supporting structure (18).