Device for testing ducts

• US 9,804,102 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2014
• Issued: 10/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marko Taferner
• Original Assignee: Marko Taferner
• Inventors: Taferner, Marko
• Primary Examiner(s): STAFIRA, MICHAEL PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US14/787,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20160069821A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/48 Indicating the position of the pig or mole in the pipe or conduit
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/005 using pigs or moles G01M3/246, G01M3/2823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/246 using pigs or probes travelling in the pipe
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/9544 with emitter and receiver on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/954 Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores

Abstract

A device (1) for registering data and features of ducts includes at least one camera (3, 5), at least one distance measurement apparatus and at least one apparatus for measuring properties of the medium contained in the duct. Furthermore, provision can be made for an illumination apparatus (4), a tracking sensor (10), which emits data in relation to the current position of the device (1), and an inclination measurement device (inclinometer and gyroscopic compass 9). The device can have a passive or active drive for moving the device (1) along the duct. The device (1) can register a length recording of the duct with the aid of photo geometry or with sound, radar, acceleration sensors and/or mechanical distance measurements. Thus, after a duct has been inspected, each point can be assigned precisely in terms of length.

Claims

1. A device (1) for examining an interior of ducts and registering data and features of the ducts, comprising:

sensing instruments, including

at least one camera (3, 5),

at least one distance measurement apparatus,

at least one apparatus for measuring properties of the medium contained in the duct, said at least one apparatus being at least one selected from the group consisting of a conductivity sensor (17) and a turbidity sensor (19),

a location transmitter (10) that emits data relating to the current position of the device (1), the location transmitter (10) being an electronic transmitter configured to communicate with a duct locator, and

an acoustic pick-up sensor (18) that registers leaks in the duct by drip loss or leakages;

a control unit for controlling device in communication with the sensing instruments, the control unit having a storage medium for storing data received from the sensing instruments and configured to transfer data to an external data device;

an illumination apparatus (4) assigned to the at least one camera (3, 5); and

an energy storage device (11) configured to provide electrical power for supplying the device with energy,

wherein the device (1) is configured to float freely in the flow of media in a duct being examined, an adjustable air bladder (6) being located in the device (1) configured to adjust a property of flotation of the device (1).

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an inclination measurement device, comprised of an inclinometer and a gyroscopic compass (9), configured to capture a path of the duct.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the air bladder (6) is configured to communicate with a liquid that is contained in the duct.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a casing (2), in or on which the elements and components of the device (1) are provided.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein a transmitter is provided in communication with the control unit configured to relay data stored by the control unit concerning the duct wirelessly to an evaluation device external to the device.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

equipment for measuring a wall thickness of the duct being examined.

7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the air bladder (6) is configured to communicate with a liquid that is contained in the duct.

8. The device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a casing (2), in or on which the elements and components of the device (1) are provided.

9. The device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a casing (2), in or on which the elements and components of the device (1) are provided.

10. The device according to claim 2, wherein a transmitter is provided in communication with the control unit configured to relay data stored by the control unit concerning the duct wirelessly to an evaluation device external to the device.

11. The device according to claim 3, wherein a transmitter is provided in communication with the control unit configured to relay data stored by the control unit concerning the duct wirelessly to an evaluation device external to the device.

12. The device according to claim 4, wherein a transmitter is provided in communication with the control unit configured to relay data stored by the control unit concerning the duct wirelessly to an evaluation device external to the device.

13. The device according to claim 2, further comprising:

equipment for measuring a wall thickness of the duct being examined.

14. The device according to claim 3, further comprising:

equipment for measuring a wall thickness of the duct being examined.

15. The device according to claim 4, further comprising:

equipment for measuring a wall thickness of the duct being examined.

16. The device according to claim 5, further comprising:

equipment for measuring a wall thickness of the duct being examined.

17. The device according to claim 4, wherein the air bladder is in communication with a region outside the casing by way of a duct that terminates at an exterior wall of the casing.

18. The device according to claim 17, further comprising:

an inclination measurement device, comprised of an inclinometer and a gyroscopic compass (9), configured to capture a path of the duct.

19. The device according to claim 18, further comprising:

equipment for measuring a wall thickness of the duct being examined.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the air bladder (6) is configured to communicate with a liquid that is contained in the duct.