Device for installation of a probe and probe accommodating arrangement

Abstract

Device for mounting and demounting of a probe ( 12 ) to be arranged in an access tube to a process pipeline. It comprises an hydraulic cylinder ( 14 ), accessing the access tube ( 26 ) with a gripping tool ( 15 ) to engage a probe ( 12 ) for moving this probe into an operating position in the access tube and retrieving the probe from this position. A revolving unit ( 17 ) with at least two chambers ( 27, 28 ) is provided, each for accommodating an axially movable probe ( 12 ). The chambers ( 27, 28 ) are accessible by the gripping tool ( 15 ) to move a probe into a chamber and in a subsequent step from the chamber into the access tube. A power means ( 30, 31 ) is arranged for revolving the revolving unit ( 17 ).

1 . Device for mounting and demounting of a probe ( 12 ) to be arranged in an access tube to a process pipeline or in a tank, comprising an axially acting power means, particularly an hydraulic cylinder ( 14 ), accessing the access tube ( 26 ) with a gripping tool ( 15 ) to engage a probe ( 12 ) for moving this probe into an operating position in the access tube and retrieving the probe from this position, said gripping tool ( 15 ) being provided with locking means, characterized in a revolving unit ( 17 ) with at least two chambers ( 27 ,  28 ), each for accommodating an axially movable probe ( 12 ), said chambers being accessible by the gripping tool ( 15 ) to move a probe into a chamber and in a subsequent step from said chamber into the access tube, a power means ( 30 ,  31 ) being arranged for revolving the revolving unit ( 17 ). 
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the revolving unit ( 17 ) is arranged in a cylindrical chamber ( 11 ), with an axle ( 22 ,  23 ) journalled by the heads ( 18 ,  19 ) of the cylindrical chamber, and with a pair of axial bores ( 27 ,  28 ) which are symmetrically arranged in the revolving unit ( 17 ), providing said two chambers. 
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the revolving unit ( 17 ) is surrounded over a part thereof by a circumferential groove ( 31 ) for a wing shaped piston ( 30 ) to be operated by hydraulic fluid with inlets at the end of the groove. 
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the chambers ( 27 ,  28 ) for the axially movable probe ( 12 ) in one rotational position is aligned with the axially acting power means ( 14 ) and with the access tube ( 26 ). 
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that an hydraulic cylinder ( 44 ) is arranged at the free end of the cylindrical chamber ( 11 ) accommodating the revolving unit ( 17 ), with a piston ( 46 ), a piston rod ( 47 ) carrying the gripping tool ( 15 ) in alignment with the adjacent opening ( 25 ) in the head ( 19 ) of the cylindrical chamber ( 11 ) to be entered through this opening. 
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the gripping tool ( 15 ) is operated by hydraulic fluid through a bore in the piston rod ( 47 ). 
     
     
         7 . Probe accommodating arrangement for mounting and dismounting of a probe ( 53 ) to be arranged in an access tube to a process pipeline and/or a tank, characterized in
 that a guiding funnel ( 56 ) is arranged coaxially around a connection means ( 62 - 63 ) on the structure to be monitored by the probe,   that an element ( 65 ) mating with the guiding funnel ( 56 ) carries the part of the connection means ( 62 ) to be movably connected to the mounted probe ( 53 ).   
     
     
         8 . Probe accommodating arrangement according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the guiding channel ( 56 ) is provided with an axial slot ( 59 ) mating with a radial tab ( 67 ) on a tubular guiding means ( 65 ), said slot ( 59 ) having a V-notch ( 60 ) at it upper end. 
     
     
         9 . Probe accommodating arrangement according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the tubular guiding channel ( 56 ) has an inner annular groove ( 61 ) to engage with a sealing ring ( 69 ) on the element ( 65 ) carrying the movable connecting element ( 62 ). 
     
     
         10 . Probe accommodating arrangement according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a passage ( 71 ) from the bore ( 52 ) accommodating the probe ( 53 ) is connected to a leakage monitoring device.