DEVICE FOR TESTING DUCTS

• US 20160069821A1
• Filed: 09/25/2014
• Published: 03/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taferner Marko
• Original Assignee: Taferner Marko
• Inventors: TAFERNER, Marko
• Granted Patent: US 9,804,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. Device (1) for registering data and features of ducts, comprising 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.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one camera (3, 5) is provided with an illumination apparatus (4).

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein a location sensor (10), which emits data relating to the current position of the device (1), is provided.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein an inclination measurement device (inclinometer and gyrocompass 9) is provided.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) is provided with a passive or active drive for moving the device (1) along the duct.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the drive is formed in the manner of a propeller (15) to which a drive motor (16) is assigned.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein an energy storage device (11) is provided in the device (1) for supplying the components that are present in the device (1) with electrical power.

8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device for measuring properties of the medium contained in the duct is chosen from the group comprising the conductivity sensor (17), the turbidity sensor (19), and the acoustic pickup sensor (18).

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein an air bladder (6) is provided in the device (1) for regulating the buoyancy of the device (1).

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the air bladder (6) communicates with the medium contained in the duct, especially with the liquid contained in the duct.

11. Device according to claim 5, wherein the drive is a passive drive that comprises surfaces (20, 21) designed in the manner of screens.

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the passive drive is a circular screen (20) provided on the device.

13. Device according to claim 11, wherein the passive drive is a parasail-like screen (21) connected with the device.

14. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) comprises a casing (2), in or on which the elements and components of the device (1) are provided.

15. Device according to claim 3, wherein the location sensor (10) is an electronic transmitter that can be located with a duct location device.

16. Device according to claim 1, wherein an acoustic pickup sensor (18) is provided that registers leaking in the duct through drip loss or leakage.

17. Device according to claim 1, wherein a storage (12), coupled to a control unit, is assigned to the device.

18. Device according to claim 17, wherein the storage (12) is provided with a transmitter for the data collected by the device, in order to relay the data concerning the duct wirelessly to an evaluation device.

19. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) is provided with an inclinometer and gyrocompass in order to locate the course of the duct.

20. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) is provided with a device for measuring wall thickness.