Probe for pressure meter

Abstract

The invention relates to a probe intended to be fitted to a pressure meter and including a fluid dispenser ( 1 ), a central measuring cell ( 21 ) suitable for being inflated by a pressurized liquid, and two boundary cells ( 22, 23 ) arranged on either side of the measuring cell and suitable for being inflated by a pressurized gas. According to the invention, the cells ( 21 - 23 ) are made from a single resilient sleeve ( 2 ) sheathing a hollow cylindrical mandrel ( 3 ) removably and sealingly fitted onto the dispenser ( 1 ), which dispenser has to this end an external surface in the shape a cylinder.

1 . Probe for a pressure meter, comprising at least one fluid distributor ( 1 ) and three inflatable annular cells ( 21 - 23 ), the distributor ( 1 ) extending parallel to the axis (Z) of the probe and comprising hydraulic fluid passages ( 11 ) and gaseous fluid passages ( 12 ), and the cells ( 21 - 23 ) extending respectively over three successive adjacent longitudinal sections (S 1 -S 3 ) of the probe, surrounding the distributor ( 1 ), and comprising a central cell ( 21 ) connected to at least one hydraulic passage ( 11 ) and two lateral cells ( 22 ,  23 ), each of which is connected to at least one gaseous fluid passage ( 12 ), characterised in that the distributor ( 1 ) has an external surface fitting within a cylinder, in that the probe also comprise a removable and sealed hollow cylindrical mandrel ( 3 ) fitted on the distributor ( 1 ) and having at least three fluid orifices ( 31 - 33 ) sealed off to isolate from one another and opening out respectively in the three longitudinal sections (S 1 -S 3 ) of the probe, the orifice ( 31 ) in the central section (S 1 ) being connected to at least one hydraulic fluid passage ( 11 ) and each of the other two orifices ( 32 ,  33 ) being connected to at least one gaseous fluid passage ( 12 ), and in that the three cells ( 21 - 23 ) are at least partially formed by a single elastic sleeve ( 2 ) fitted on the mandrel ( 3 ) and divided, by means of hoops ( 4   e ,  4   i ) locally applying this sleeve ( 2 ) and sealed against the external face of the mandrel ( 3 ), in order to form the three longitudinal sections (S 1 -S 3 ) of the probe. 
   
   
       2 . Probe according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the hoops ( 4   e ,  4   i ) comprise two end hoops ( 4   e ), each of which consists of a metal crimp. 
   
   
       3 . Probe according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the hoops ( 4   e ,  4   i ) comprises two intermediate hoops ( 4   i ), each of which is formed by a plurality of turns of a flexible tie coiled under tension around the sleeve ( 2 ). 
   
   
       4 . Probe according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the mandrel ( 3 ) has two external peripheral grooves ( 30 ) and in that each intermediate hoop ( 4   i ) applies the elastic sleeve ( 2 ) at the bottom of one of these grooves ( 30 ). 
   
   
       5 . Probe according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the turns of the flexible link of each intermediate hoop ( 4   i ) are held with respect to one another and under tension by adhesive bonding. 
   
   
       6 . Probe according to  claim 2 , characterised in that it also comprises a deformable protective mechanical sheath ( 5 ), for example produced from coated textile. 
   
   
       7 . Probe according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the metal crimps ( 4   e ) are applied against the protective mechanical sheath ( 5 ). 
   
   
       8 . Probe according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises O-ring seals ( 6 ) applied in external peripheral grooves ( 10 ) of the distributor ( 1 ) and sealed off to isolate from one another the three fluid orifices ( 31 - 33 ) formed in the mandrel ( 3 ). 
   
   
       9 . Probe according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the hoops ( 4   e ,  4   i ) comprises two intermediate hoops ( 4   i ), each of which is formed by a plurality of turns of a flexible tie coiled under tension around the sleeve ( 2 ). 
   
   
       10 . Probe according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it also comprises a deformable protective mechanical sheath ( 5 ), for example produced from coated textile. 
   
   
       11 . Probe according to  claim 2 , characterised in that it comprises O-ring seals ( 6 ) applied in external peripheral grooves ( 10 ) of the distributor ( 1 ) and sealed off to isolate from one another the three fluid orifices ( 31 - 33 ) formed in the mandrel ( 3 ).