Scraper Detector Unit for Fluid Line Profile Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for inspecting the inner lateral surface of fluid lines are complex, bulky, and costly, making them unsuitable for pre-installation quality assurance and prone to forming electrically conductive paint deposits that pose explosion risks in electrostatically operated devices.
Innovation Solution
A detector unit designed like a pig that can move within the fluid line, equipped with a sensor device to measure distances from the inner surface, stabilization sections for maintaining alignment, and conveying means to move the fluid line, allowing for wireless data transmission and magnetic positioning for stationary detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an X-ray unit is used to detect the inner surface of fluid lines, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and bulk increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex X-ray equipment with simple optical sensors and light sources. The sensor device uses optical fibers to transmit light through the fluid line wall and detects reflected or transmitted light to determine inner surface geometry, substituting mechanical/radiological systems with optical ones for simpler, smaller equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or representation of the inner surface geometry by measuring light transmission and reflection characteristics. Instead of directly imaging with X-rays, the system reconstructs the cross-sectional profile from optical measurements, using a simplified indirect copying method
2Productivity
If the detector unit is kept stationary while the fluid line is moved, then pre-installation quality assurance is enabled, but positioning control becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic conveying to move fluid lines through the inspection system. Compressed air or gas flows through the fluid line to propel it past the stationary detector, providing simple, contactless positioning and movement control without complex mechanical positioning devices
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 efficient, non-invasive measurement of fluid line cross-sectional profiles before installation, ensuring quality assurance and preventing conductive deposits by providing accurate, compact, and safe inspection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor device is capable of detecting the distance between the inner surface of the fluid line and the reference axis in one or more directions radial to the reference axis
Implementation Method 2
stabilizers which are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction and each protrude from a housing of the detector unit to the same extent
Implementation Method 3
the positioning device includes at least one magnet arrangement that can be positioned outside the fluid line, and the detector unit includes corresponding counter-magnets
Data Source
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AI summary
The system has a detector unit (10), which is formed in a shape of a scraper, so that the detector unit is movable within a fluid conduit (12) relative to the inner circumferential surface (20), where a reference axis (18) of the detector unit is defined. The detector unit performs with a sensor device (36), by which the distance between the inner circumferential surface of the fluid conduit and the reference axis is detected in one or more directions radial to the reference axis. The sensor device has a tactile pressure sensor (44), which cooperates with the inner circumferential surface.