Claims:We Claim:
1. An internal rotary inspection system (100) for inspection of a pipe, the internal rotary inspection system (100) comprising;
a drive shaft (102A) that is configured to rotate around the probe holder (104) received within the drive shaft (102A) while keeping the probe holder (104) stationary;
a rotary seal (110) circumferentially disposed between the drive shaft (102A) and the probe holder (104) to seal a fluid flowing through the pipe from reaching to the probe holder (104); and
a drive gear (116) mounted at the end of the drive shaft (102A) configured to rotate the drive shaft (102A).

2. The internal rotary inspection system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive shaft (102A) is configured to rotate around the probe holder (104) by virtue of an axial contact bearing (112) disposed therebetween the drive shaft (102A) and the probe holder (104).

3. The internal rotary inspection system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotary shaft (102) further comprising the drive shaft (102A) and the mirror holding shaft (102B) that are coupled to each other by one or more number of bolts arranged circumferentially on the ends of the drive shaft (102A) and the mirror holding shaft (102B) facing each other.

4. The internal rotary inspection system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive shaft houses the probe holder (104), which holds an ultrasonic transducer probe (106).

5. The internal rotary inspection system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) is sealingly fit within the probe holder (104) through the O-ring seal (108).

6. The internal rotary inspection system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mirror (114) is disposed within the mirror holding shaft (102B) of the rotary shaft (102).

7. The internal rotary inspection system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a probe cover (104A) disposed at the end of the probe holder (104) is adapted to compress the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) and the O-ring seal (108) for facilitating fluid sealing of the ultrasonic transducer probe (106).

8. The internal rotary inspection system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mirror holding shaft (102B) is adapted to allow the fluid flowing inside the pipe to pass through the rotary shaft (102) of the internal rotary inspection system (100).

9. The internal rotary inspection system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mirror (114) is provided with a corrugated back surface for preventing ultrasonic signal/wave loss, while the signal is being reflected on the reflecting face of the mirror (114).

10. The internal rotary inspection system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe cover (104A) further comprising an aperture that is configured to allow the ultrasonic signal/wave from the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) to pass through and thereby targeting the emitted ultrasonic signals at the mirror (114).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the pipe inspection system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an internal rotary inspection system with a rotary seal for carrying out inspection of pipes or conduits.

BACKGROUND
There are certain requirements for carrying inspection in pipes/conduits that are carrying various kinds of fluids in them. There may be instances, where the pipes or conduits gets damaged while carrying fluid through them, this may be caused by exceeding the bearing pressure values for a particular pipe or conduit. Other reasons for internal pipe damage may include prolonged deployment of the conduits at a certain place and in cases where the pipes are transmitting abrasive slurry may cause wear and tear of the internal layer of the pipes. Due to pronounced coanda’s effect, the skin friction between the abrasives in the fluid and the interior of the pipe causes removal of internal layer of the pipe that deteriorates the internal shape of the pipe.
All the reasons mentioned herein above necessitates the monitoring of the pipes/conduits carrying fluid therewithin. The pipe inspection systems known in the art are not efficient while being exposed to the high fluid pressure inside the pipe. The pipe inspection systems as of now are related with configuration trouble of the electronic circuitry and their protection from water or any other fluid flowing through the pipe. Also, the prior art systems are complex in their structures thus making them difficult to function inside the pipe properly. Since, the structures of the prior art systems are complex, therefore, manufacturing is complex with respect to the configuration of the systems for pipes of various diameters. This eventually leads to increase in the production cost of the system.
Further, there are a lot of troubles while operating the inspection probe that is inserted inside the pipe. Fluid pressure inside the pipe obstructs the rotational part of the inspection systems to rotate and impart fluid drag on them. Inability of the rotational parts to rotate properly prevents inspection of the pipe through all the radial directions within the pipe.
This arises a need for the solution to the above-mentioned problems of complex structures of the pipe inspection systems along with the need for protection of the electronic circuitry from being exposed to the fluid flowing through the pipe.

SUMMARY
In view of the foregoing, an internal rotary inspection system for inspection of a pipe. The internal rotary inspection system includes a drive shaft that is configured to rotate around the probe holder received within the drive shaft while keeping the probe holder stationary. A rotary seal circumferentially disposed between the drive shaft and the probe holder to seal a fluid flowing through the pipe from reaching to the probe holder. A drive gear mounted at the end of the drive shaft configured to rotate the drive shaft.
The drive shaft is configured to rotate around the probe holder by virtue of an axial contact bearing disposed therebetween the drive shaft and the probe holder. The drive shaft and the mirror holding shaft are coupled to each other by one or more number of bolts arranged circumferentially on the ends of the drive shaft and the mirror holding shaft facing each other. The drive shaft houses the probe holder, which holds an ultrasonic transducer probe. The ultrasonic transducer probe is sealingly fit within the probe holder through the O-ring seal.
A mirror is disposed within the mirror holding the shaft of the rotary shaft. A probe cover disposed at the end of the probe holder is adapted to compress the ultrasonic transducer probe and the O-ring seal for facilitating fluid sealing of the ultrasonic transducer probe. The mirror holding shaft is adapted to allow the fluid flowing inside the pipe to pass through the rotary shaft of the internal rotary inspection system. The mirror is provided with a corrugated back surface for preventing ultrasonic signal/wave loss, while the signal is being reflected on the reflecting face of the mirror. The probe cover further includes an aperture that is configured to allow the ultrasonic signal/wave from the ultrasonic transducer probe to pass through and thereby targeting the emitted ultrasonic signals at the mirror.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention becomes apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
Fig 1A illustrates a back view of an internal rotary inspection system, according to an embodiment herein;
Fig. 1B illustrates a sectional front view of the internal rotary inspection system, according to another embodiment herein; and
Fig. 2 illustrates a back view of the internal rotary inspection system showing a gear mounted on a drive shaft of the internal rotary inspection system, according to another embodiment herein.
To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various embodiment of the present invention provides an internal rotary inspection system. The following description provides specific details of certain embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings to provide a thorough understanding of those embodiments. It should be recognized, however, that the present invention can be reflected in additional embodiments and the invention may be practiced without some of the details in the following description.
The various embodiments including the example embodiments are now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the various embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity.
It is understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Spatially relative terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is to be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the structure in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
Embodiments described herein refer to plan views and/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, the views may be modified depending on simplistic assembling or manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances. Therefore, example embodiments are not limited to those shown in the views but include modifications in configurations formed on basis of assembling process. Therefore, regions exemplified in the figures have schematic properties and shapes of regions shown in the figures exemplify specific shapes or regions of elements, and do not limit the various embodiments including the example embodiments.
The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the Applicant has contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies. As mentioned, there remains a need to simplify the structure of the pipe inspection systems and protecting the electronic circuitry from being exposed to the fluid flowing through the pipe or conduit, therefore: the present embodiment proposes an internal rotary pipe inspection system.
Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B illustrates an internal rotary inspection system (100) according to an embodiment herein. The internal rotary inspection system (100) includes a rotary shaft (102), a probe holder (104), an ultrasonic transducer probe (106), an O-ring seal (108), a rotary seal (110), an axial contact bearing (112), a mirror (114), and a drive gear (116).
The rotary shaft (102) further includes a drive shaft (102A) and a mirror holding shaft (102B).
The probe holder (104) further includes a probe cover (104A).
The rotary shaft (102) acts as a housing for various components of the internal rotary inspection system (100). The drive shaft (102A) and the mirror holding shaft (102B) are arranged in the same axis and are coupled with each other through a number of bolts that are arranged circumferentially on the ends of the drive shaft (102A) and the mirror holding shaft (102B) facing each other. The drive shaft (102A) is rotatably mounted on the probe holder (104) through the axial contact bearing (112) disposed there between the drive shaft (102A) and the probe holder (104). The probe holder (104) is disposed within the drive shaft (102A) and is sealingly fit within the drive shaft (102A) through the rotary seal (110) that is disposed between the probe holder (104) and the drive shaft (102A). The ultrasonic transducer probe (106) is sealingly fit within the probe holder (104) through the O-ring seal (108). The ultrasonic probe (106) is fixed or maintained at a certain position inside the internal rotary inspection system (100) by virtue of the probe cover (104A) that is disposed at the end of the probe holder (104). The probe cover (104A) thus prevents any misalignment or accidental displacement of the ultrasonic probe (106), while the internal rotary inspection system (100) is inserted inside a tube or conduit for realizing internal inspection of the conduit. The probe cover (104A) is adapted to compress the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) consequently compressing the O-ring seal (108) that facilitates proper water or fluid sealing. The mirror (114) is disposed in a hole provided inside the mirror holding shaft (102B). The drive gear (116) is mounted at the distal end of the drive shaft (102A) that is at the face opposite to the face that is coupled with the mirror holding shaft (102B).
In another embodiment, the mirror (114) is an aluminium block with a buffed reflecting face enabling reflection of the ultrasonic signal/wave.
In another embodiment, the mirror (114) is provided with a corrugated back surface to avoid any ultrasonic signal/wave loss, while the signal is being reflected on the reflecting face of the mirror (114).
In another embodiment, the number of bolts arranged at the circumference of the ends of the drive shaft (102A) and the mirror holding shaft (102B) are eight for easy assembly of the rotary shaft (102).
The internal rotary inspection system (100) is inserted inside the pipe and/or conduit allowing a fluid such as water flowing through it. The rotary shaft (102) of the internal rotary inspection system (100) is configured to rotate by virtue of the axial contact bearing (112) supported between the drive shaft (102A) and the probe holder (104) while keeping the probe holder (104) stationary. The axial contact bearing (112) is configured to center and support the probe holder (104). The axial contact bearing (112) facilitates to bear or withstand the load exerted in the axial direction of the internal rotary inspection system (100), while the internal rotary inspection system is inspecting the interior of the pipe. The ultrasonic transducer probe (106) is configured to emit ultrasonic signals parallel to the axis of the tube in which the internal rotary inspection system (100) is inserted. The emitted ultrasonic signals are targeted at the mirror (114). The positioning of the mirror (114) in the mirror holding shaft (102B) is configured such that the ultrasonic signals from the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) are targeted at the mirror (114) are directed towards the walls of the pipe or conduit. The ultrasonic signals after being reflected from the walls of the pipe are directed back to the ultrasonic transducer probe (106), where the ultrasonic signals are sensed by the ultrasonic transducer probe (106). Based on the reflected back signals from the walls the conditions of the walls of the pipe are determined. The reflected back ultrasonic signals are indicative of internal wear and tear or the shape deterioration of the pipe and thereby serving the purpose of internal pipe inspection.
In another embodiment, the positioning of the mirror (114) inside the mirror holding shaft (102B) makes an angle of 450 with the longitudinal axis of the rotary shaft (102) of the internal rotary inspection system (100).
In another embodiment, the positioning of the mirror (114) inside the mirror holding shaft (102B) makes an angle between 400-500 with the longitudinal axis of the rotary shaft (102) of the internal rotary inspection system (100).
In another embodiment, the probe cover (104A) includes an aperture that allows the emitted ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) to pass through it for targeting the signals at the mirror (114).
The rotary seal (110) is configured to prevent or abstain flowing of water or any other fluid to reaching at the ultrasonic transducer probe (106). The O-ring seal (108) is configured to prevent or abstain water to reach to electronic circuitry arranged within the probe holder (104). Deployment of the rotary seal (110) in the internal rotary inspection system (100) does not affect the rotation of the rotary shaft (102). Both the rotary seal (110) and the O-ring seal (108) ensures water-tight or water-proof arrangement of the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) inside the probe holder (104).
The electronic circuitry may include a number of wires that are configured to energise or power the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) for enabling the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) to emit the ultrasonic signals or wave.
The design of the mirror holding shaft (102B) facilitates the fluid/water flowing inside the pipe to pass through the rotary shaft (102) of the internal rotary inspection system (100).
Fig. 2 illustrates a back view of the internal rotary inspection system (100) showing the drive gear (116) mounted on the drive shaft (102A) of the rotary shaft (102). The drive gear (116) is configured to drive/rotate the drive shaft (102A). A gear mechanism including a gear train (not shown) is operatively coupled to the drive gear (116) for rotating the drive shaft (102A).
Since, the drive shaft (102A) is connected with the mirror holding shaft (102B), therefore: the rotation of the drive shaft (102A) enables rotation of the mirror (114) disposed within the mirror holding shaft (102B) by keeping the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) stationary. The axial contact bearing (112) allows rotation of the rotary shaft (102) with respect to the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) so that the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) can be kept stationary. The rotation of the mirror (114) enables 3600 coverage for the internal rotary inspection system (100) within the pipe. The ultrasonic signals emitted from the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) are directed towards all the radial directions in the pipe by virtue of rotation of the mirror (114).
In an embodiment, the internal rotary inspection system (100) is configured to detect corrosion, pitting, and wall loss and is most commonly used for tube inspection in boilers, heat-exchangers, air-coolers, and feed water heaters etc.
In another embodiment, the internal rotary inspection system (100) is adapted to bear a fluid pressure of maximum of 50 bar and minimum of 1 bar, when inserted inside the pipe carrying the fluid.
Certain advantages of the internal rotary inspection system (100) are listed as below: -
- The rotary seal (110) prevents any short-circuit and damage to the electronic circuitry associated with the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) by prohibiting entrance of water or any other fluid up to the electronic circuitry and meanwhile the rotary seal (110) does not hinder/obstruct the rotation of the rotary shaft (102) with respect to the ultrasonic transducer probe (106).
- The rotation of the rotary shaft (102) with respect to the probe holder (104) keeps the probe holder (104) stationary. The stationary state of the probe holder (104) prevents entangling of the wiring associated with the electronic circuitry of the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) and thereby safeguarding the electronic circuitry.
- The internal rotary inspection system (100) provides 3600 coverage inside the pipe i.e. the ultrasonic signals emitted from the ultrasonic transducer probe (106) are able to reflect through all the radial directions inside the pipe.
- The drive gear (116) associated with the gear train makes the drive mechanism of the internal rotary inspection system (100) compact. The compactness of the system of the present disclosure allows the system to be inserted or deployed at the large set of pipes irrespective of their dimensions and reducing the manufacturing cost concomitantly. Further, the parts of the gear train are easily available in the market and thus making the manufacturing process of the system simpler.
- The axial contact bearing (112) of the internal rotary inspection system (100) are capable to withstand axial load exerted by the fluid flowing inside the pipe, therefore: enabling the working of the internal rotary inspection system (100) at high fluid pressure areas.
- The arrangement of various components of the internal rotary inspection system (100) provides stability to the system while the system being deployed at extreme conditions of the fluid flow inside the pipe.
The foregoing discussion of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present invention.
Moreover, though the description of the present disclosure has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.