Optical Inspection of Extensible Flexible Pipe Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring the positional relationships of pipes connected by an extensible flexible pipe joint are unreliable due to issues like relative movement problems between wires and tubes, especially in environments with sands or dust, leading to inefficient and inaccurate slippage data detection.
Innovation Solution
A behavior inspection apparatus and method using a set of measurement tools with cylinders and sensors that measure distance changes between pipes and a sleeve, allowing for reliable electrical detection of positional relationships, with sensors transmitting data through wires or wirelessly, and universal joints ensuring precise displacement measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wires and tubes are used to mechanically measure displacement, then the positional relationships can be inspected, but the measurement becomes unreliable due to tube deterioration and sand/dust interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire-tube measurement system with an optical measurement system. A laser transmitter emits laser beams that reflect off the pipe surfaces, and a laser receiver detects the reflected beams to calculate positional relationships. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues of mechanical systems (tube deterioration, sand/dust interference) while maintaining measurement capability, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If the ground is dug up to expose the extensible flexible pipe joint, then direct inspection is possible, but the process becomes invasive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical laser measurement to enable non-invasive inspection of the extensible flexible pipe joint. The laser transmitter and receiver can measure positional relationships without requiring ground excavation, thus maintaining measurement precision while eliminating the time loss associated with digging and exposing the joint.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple wires are used to measure displacement, then coverage is improved, but the system complexity and susceptibility to environmental interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple mechanical wires with an optical laser measurement system. The laser transmitter can emit beams in multiple directions, and the receiver can detect reflections from multiple pipe surfaces, providing comprehensive coverage without the complexity and environmental susceptibility of multiple physical wires.
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 reliable electrical detection of pipe positional changes, facilitating accurate judgment of the necessity for repair or replacement of the extensible flexible pipe joint, reducing the need for invasive ground excavation and improving measurement precision.
Implementation Method 1
a laser transmitter 22 which transmits laser beams 22a, 22b to the first pipe 1 and the second pipe 2, respectively, and a laser receiver 23 which receives the laser beams 22a, 22b reflected by the first pipe 1 and the second pipe 2
Data Source
AI summary
A behavior inspection apparatus includes: a first measurement tool group including a set of first measurement tools each of which measures a first distance change amount that is a change amount of a distance between a first pipe position in the first pipe and a first reference position of a sleeve of the extensible flexible pipe joint; and a second measurement tool group including a set of second measurement tools each of which measures a second distance change amount that is a change amount of a distance between a second pipe poison in the second pipe and a second reference position of the sleeve. The first and second measurement tools are arranged at different positions in a circumferential direction of the sleeve. Displacement positions of the first and second pipes with respect to the joint are computed based on the measurement data by the first and second measurement tool groups.