WO2009152622A1

WO2009152622A1 - Section simulator for simulating a section of an object and method for assisting calibration of a profiler

Info

Publication number: WO2009152622A1
Application number: PCT/CA2009/000857
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ludovic Legendre; Yan Drolet Mihelic; Daniel Demers
Original assignee: 9022-5582 Québec Inc. (C-Tec)
Priority date: 2008-06-19
Filing date: 2009-06-19
Publication date: 2009-12-23

Abstract

A section simulator for simulating a section of an object comprising a supporting frame, a displacement mechanism mounted to the supporting frame and displaceable in at least two dimensions, a reference element mounted to the displacement mechanism and actuating means for actuating the displacement mechanism in the at least two dimensions The section simulator also comprises a control unit coupled to the actuating means for controlling an actuation of the displacement mechanism so as to enable a movement of the reference element according to a predetermined path representative of the section of the object to simulate and acquisition means for acquiring measurement data representative of a plurality of positions of the reference element to thereby simulate the section of the object. A method for assisting calibration of a profiler used for imaging sections of an object is also disclosed.

Description

SECTION SIMULATOR FOR SIMULATING A SECTION OF AN OBJECT AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING CALIBRATION OF A PROFILER

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of US Provisional Patent Application serial number 61/073,816 filed on June 19, 2008 and entitled SURFACE SIMULATOR FOR AN OPTICAL PROFILER, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of measurement methods, and more particularly concerns a section simulator for simulating a section of an object, for calibration or validation of measuring systems for example. The invention also concerns a method for assisting calibration of a profiler used for imaging sections of an object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the inspection of the inside surface of pipes or sewers, measurement tools referred to as profilers are used to measure defects such as deformations.

Typical optical profilers generally comprise a laser plan generator and an imaging system, such as a camera. The profiler is driven inside the pipe and acquires images of subsequent sections of the pipes. Then, a simulation of the inside surface of the pipe may be obtained for further processing such as human inspection or automated inspection.

During their development process, these optical profilers have to be validated. In addition, once a profiler has just been manufactured, it has to be calibrated prior to being delivered to end customers. Moreover, they also have to be certified after manufacturing and every year during their operation lifetime. Tools commonly used in the art for performing such calibration typically consist of several ring sections made of concentric disks, each having a predetermined diameter.

A section of a pipe provided with deformations of known dimensions may also be used but this method is not flexible and doesn't provide the desired results.

The dimensions of the rings and the size of the deformations measured by a profiler under calibration or validation are compared with the real defect dimensions, and adjustments are made to parameters of the profiler until the measured dimensions are within the desired precision and accuracy intervals.

As known to the skilled addressee, the measurements obtained by a profiler on a certain type of surface may be more accurate if the tool has been previously calibrated with a surface similar to the one to be inspected.

With the different tools and methods presently available, certification agents and calibration labs must have in stock a large variety of rings having different diameters to be able to calibrate profilers correctly. In some cases, it is even impossible for laboratories to keep in stock the required calibration material, due to its size and weight. It is also difficult for laboratories or certification agents to anticipate the different shapes of pipelines subject to be inspected by profilers' end users.

In addition, the rings and sections of pipelines used in the art for calibrating profilers are not easily exportable and relocatable. They are heavy and cumbersome and their transport costs are high.

For these reasons, annual re-certification and calibration of profilers often occurs at the manufacturer's site, which results in high re-certification costs and reduced autonomy of distributors, who may offer re-certification services and maintenance agreements to profilers' end users if they had a more compact certification tool at their disposal.

Samples representing various internal surfaces of pipelines are used during development phases of profilers. Indeed, the various profiler prototypes need to be calibrated and validated several times throughout their development, to determine and improve their precision and accuracy. The validation process used with existing pipeline samples is often long and tedious, and it slows down the development of new generations of profilers.

Therefore, it would be desirable to be provided with a tool that would be adapted to simulate various types of pipelines sections, where the tool would contribute to reduce at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Accordingly, the invention provides a section simulator for simulating a section of an object. The section simulator comprises a supporting frame and a displacement mechanism mounted to the supporting frame and displaceable in at least two dimensions. The section simulator comprises a reference element mounted to the displacement mechanism and actuating means for actuating the displacement mechanism in the at least two dimensions. The section simulator comprises a control unit coupled to the actuating means for controlling an actuation of the displacement mechanism so as to enable a movement of the reference element according to a predetermined path representative of the section of the object to simulate. The section simulator also comprises acquisition means for acquiring measurement data representative of a plurality of positions of the reference element to thereby simulate the section of the object.

The section simulator may replace real pipeline sections usually required for the calibration, the validation and the testing of profilers, which is of great advantage.

The section simulator may be more compact and more transportable than a cumbersome set of pipe sections having various sizes, which is if great advantage.

The section simulator may help reducing the complexity and tediousness of the calibration and validation processes of measurement tools, which is also of great advantage.

In one embodiment, the acquisition means comprise a profiler. In a further embodiment, the profiler comprises a camera.

In a still further embodiment, the profiler further comprises a laser generator adapted for projecting a laser beam intersecting the predetermined path of the reference element so as to provide a reflective laser beam representative of a position of the reference element and of the section of the object to simulate.

In one embodiment, the section of the object to simulate is a section of a confined space.

In another embodiment, the reference element is a reflective element and projects outwardly from the displacement mechanism.

In one embodiment, the displacement mechanism is displaceable in a third dimension.

In another embodiment, the displacement mechanism comprises a two dimensional table comprising at least one longitudinal guide and a transverse guide, the transverse guide being perpendicular to the at least one longitudinal guide.

In a further embodiment, the transverse guide is slidably mounted on each of the at least one longitudinal guide and the reference element is slidably mounted on the transverse guide.

In another embodiment, the actuating means comprise a first belt operatively connected to a corresponding one of the at least one longitudinal guide and a first motor for actuating the first belt to enable a displacement of the transverse guide along the at least one longitudinal guide, the actuating means further comprising a second belt operatively connected to the reference element and a second motor for actuating the second belt to enable a displacement of the reference element along the transverse guide.

In another embodiment the section simulator further comprises a first position detector associated with a corresponding one of the at least one longitudinal guide for detecting an actual position of the transverse guide along the at least one longitudinal guide and a second position detector associated with the transverse guide for detecting an actual position of the reference element along the transverse guide, to thereby provide an actual position of the reference element in the at least two dimensions.

In one embodiment, the displacement mechanism comprises a pivot center mounted to the supporting frame and a rotating element having a first end and a second opposed end, the first end of the rotating element being rotatably attached to the pivot center so as to enable the second end to move in said at least two dimensions, the reference element being mounted proximate the second end of the rotating element.

In one embodiment, the predetermined path is selected from a group comprising a cylindrical shape having at least one deformation therein, an elliptical shape having at least one deformation therein and a rectangular shape having at least one deformation therein.

In one embodiment The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 28 to 30, wherein the control unit comprises a computing system, the computing system comprising at least one computing application selected from a group comprising a calibration application for calibrating the profiler, a certification application for certifying the profiler and a validation application for validating the profiler.

In one embodiment, the control unit comprises a computing system, the computing system comprising at least one computing application selected from a group comprising a calibration application for calibrating the acquisition means, a certification application for certifying the acquisition means and a validation application for validating the acquisition means.

In one embodiment, the acquisition means comprises a magnetic measuring system.

In one embodiment, the reference element has a cross sectional blade shape and is rotated at a predetermined high speed during the predetermined path. In one embodiment, the reference element has a cross sectional blade shape and, the section simulator further comprising a servomotor for controlling an orientation of the reference element so as to rotate the blade shape of the reference element in a tangential orientation with respect to the laser beam projected by the laser generator during the predetermined path.

According to another aspect, there is also provided a method for assisting calibration of a profiler used for imaging sections of an object. The method comprises providing a profiler; providing a movable reference element mounted on a supporting frame; moving the movable reference element according to a predetermined path representative of a corresponding theoretical section of the object to image; acquiring measurement data representative of a plurality of positions of the movable reference element using the provided profiler; and comparing the acquired measurement data with corresponding theoretical section data to thereby calibrate the profiler.

According to another aspect, there is also provided a kit of a section simulator for simulating a section of an object. The kit comprises a supporting frame and a displacement mechanism mountable to the supporting frame and displaceable in at least two dimensions. The kit also comprises a reference element mountable to the displacement mechanism and actuating means for actuating the displacement mechanism in the at least two dimensions. The kit further comprises a control unit couplable to the actuating means for controlling an actuation of the displacement mechanism so as to enable a movement of the reference element according to a predetermined path representative of the section of the object to simulate. The kit also comprises acquisition means for acquiring measurement data representative of a plurality of positions of the reference element to thereby simulate the section of the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration of an illustrative embodiment thereof, and in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a section simulator for simulating a section of an object, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of a two dimensional table of the section simulator of FIG.1.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of a shaft presence detector of the section simulator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion of the section simulator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C is an enlarged view of a profiler support of the section simulator of FIG. 1 , for supporting a profiler.

FIG. 3D is an enlarged view showing a reference element of the section simulator of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description which follows, and the embodiments described therein are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples of particular embodiments of principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purpose of explanation and not of limitation. In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals.

The present invention concerns a section simulator for simulating sections of an object which may be particularly useful for simulating inner sections of confined spaces, such as pipelines, sewers or ventilation ducts for non-limitative examples.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that the section simulator may replace real pipeline sections usually required for the calibration, the validation and the testing of profilers such as optical profilers, which is of great advantage. The skilled addressee will also appreciate that the section simulator may be transportable and more compact than a set of pipe sections having various sizes, which is if great advantage.

Moreover, the skilled addressee will also appreciate that the section simulator provides an improved flexibility and may help reducing the complexity and tediousness of the calibration and validation processes of measurement tools, which is also of great advantage.

As it will be more clearly understood upon reading of the present description, the section simulator may be used to simulate any section having, but not limited to, a cylindrical, a rectangular, an elliptical or an ovoid shape. It may also be used to simulate deformations in such shapes, such as cracks or the out-of-roundness of a cylindrical underground pipe, as non-limitative examples.

Referring to FIG. 1 , there is shown a surface simulator 10 for simulating a section of an object according to one embodiment. The section simulator 10 comprises a supporting frame 12 and a displacement mechanism 14 mounted to the supporting frame 12 and displaceable in at least two dimensions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the displacement mechanism 14 comprises a two dimensional table which is operatively mounted to the supporting frame 12. The supporting frame comprises a first side supporting bar 34 and a second side supporting bar 36. The supporting frame 12 further comprises a lower longitudinal bar 28 and an upper longitudinal bar 32, each of the longitudinal supporting bars 28, 32 being connected to each of the side supporting bars 34, 36 so as to extend in a parallel and coplanar relationship with each other. In one embodiment, as illustrated, the supporting frame 12 further comprises a middle longitudinal bar 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the supporting frame 12 further comprises a first and a second diagonal bars 24 and first, second and third base supporting bars 26. The two diagonal bars 24 and the three base supporting bars 26 are connected to the longitudinal bar 28 and the side supporting bars 34, 36 and form together a right-angled triangular prism. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the supporting frame 12 may have any other suitable configurations, as long as it is adapted to conveniently support the displacement mechanism 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the two dimensional table comprises a first and a second longitudinal guide 38, 58 parallel to each other and a transverse guide 40. The transverse guide 40 is slidably mounted on each of the first and second longitudinal guides 38, 58 perpendicularly thereto. In one embodiment, only one of the two longitudinal guides 38, 58 is motorized, the one mounted to the middle longitudinal bar 30 in the illustrated case. The skilled addressee will nevertheless appreciate that a single longitudinal guide may be used.

In one embodiment, as better shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first longitudinal guide 38 is secured through connecting plates (not shown) to the middle longitudinal bar 30 of the supporting frame 12. A first U-shaped plate 44, made of aluminum and ball bearing guided in one embodiment, is mounted to the first longitudinal guide 38. The first U-shaped plate 44 is adapted to slide along the first longitudinal guide 38. The back surface of the first U-shaped plate 44 is rigidly connected to the transverse guide 40 to enable a longitudinal movement of the transverse guide 40 along the longitudinal guide 38.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that the second longitudinal guide 58 may be used to further support the transverse guide 40 and help reduce vibrations in the section simulator 10, the vibrations being mainly caused by the movement of the transverse guide 40. The skilled addressee will also appreciate that the second longitudinal guide 58 may help to provide a more rigid structure for the two dimensional table.

The second longitudinal guide 58 is secured to the upper longitudinal bar 32 with connecting plates 42, and extends in a parallel relationship with the first horizontal guide 38.

In one embodiment, two vertical posts 60, which are perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal guides 38, 58 and parallel to the side supporting bars 26, may be connected proximate the ends of the longitudinal guides 38, 58, to further reduce the vibrations within the longitudinal guides 38, 58 and to ensure their parallelism. A second U-shaped plate 62, made of extruded aluminum and provided with ballbearings in one embodiment, is mounted to the second longitudinal guide 58 and is adapted to slide therealong. The back surface of the second U-shaped plate 62 is rigidly connected to the transverse guide 40. In this embodiment, the transverse guide 40 is consequently adapted to move longitudinally along the two longitudinal guides 38, 58. In the embodiment wherein only the first longitudinal guide 38 is motorized, the second U-shaped plate 62 is therefore driven by the movement of the first U-shaped plate 44, since it is linked to the first U-shaped plate 44 via its connection to the transverse guide 40.

Referring again to FIG. 1 and also to FIG. 3D, the section simulator 10 comprises a reference element 18 mounted to the displacement mechanism 14. In one embodiment, the reference element 18 is an elongated reflective shaft that is slidably mounted to the transverse guide 40 of the two dimensional table so as to project outwardly therefrom. In one embodiment, the reference element 18 is mounted to the transverse guide 40 through a third U-shaped plate 64 which is slidably mounted over the vertical guide 40, as better shown in FIG. 2.

As better shown in FIG. 3D, in one embodiment, the reflective element 18 is attached to the back surface of the third U-shaped plate 64. In one embodiment, the reflective element 18 is attached through a connecting plate 42 and screws, but the skilled addressee will appreciate that various other arrangements may be considered. For example, the reference element 18 may be mounted to the transverse guide 40 in a detachable manner, with a set of magnets for example, to prevent any collision which could occur with other parts of the system, as it will become more apparent below.

Referring again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3D, the section simulator 10 comprises actuating means for actuating the two dimensional table in the two dimensions. In one embodiment, as illustrated, the actuating means comprise a first belt 46 operatively connected to a corresponding one of the longitudinal guide 38, 58, the one mounted to the middle longitudinal bar 30 in the illustrated example, and a first motor 48 for actuating the first belt 46 to enable a displacement of the transverse guide 40 along the middle and upper longitudinal guides 38, 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the first belt 46 is operatively connected at a first end to the first U-shaped plate 44 to drive a movement thereof along the longitudinal guides 38, 58. The movement of the first U-shaped plate 44 will therefore drive a longitudinal movement of the transverse guide 40 along the longitudinal guides 38, 58.

In the illustrated case, the first motor 48 is mounted proximate an end of the longitudinal guide 38 but the skilled addressee will appreciate that various other arrangements may be considered.

The actuating means further comprises a second belt 66 operatively connected to the reference element 18 and a second motor 68 for actuating the second belt 66 to enable a displacement of the reference element 18 along the transverse guide 40.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second belt 66 is operatively connected to the third U-shaped plate 64 to drive a movement thereof along the transverse guide 40. In this embodiment, the second motor 68 is mounted proximate an end of the transverse guide 40 but the skilled addressee will appreciate that various other arrangements may be considered.

The skilled addressee will also appreciate that other actuating means may be considered, as long they are adapted to conveniently move the displacement mechanism 14 to enable a movement of the reference element 18.

In one embodiment, the section simulator 10 further comprises a first position detector 54 associated with the middle longitudinal guide 38 for detecting an actual position of the transverse guide 4 0 therealong and a second position detector 70 associated with the transverse guide 40 for detecting an actual position of the reflective element 18 therealong. The skilled addressee will appreciate that this embodiment may be advantageous to provide an actual position of the reference element 18 in the at least two dimensions.

In one embodiment, the first position detector 54 comprises a linear encoder mounted to the middle longitudinal bar 30, or even to the associated longitudinal guide 38, and operatively associated with the first U-shaped plate 44. The second position detector 70 comprises a linear encoder mounted to the transverse guide 40 and operatively associated with the third U-shaped plate 64.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , the section simulator 10 comprises a control unit 74 coupled to the actuating means for controlling an actuation of the displacement mechanism 14 so as to enable a movement of the reference element 18 according to a predetermined path representative of the section of the object to simulate.

As previously mentioned, it may be advantageous to calibrate, certify or validate a profiler according to the specific application it would be devised to. In other words, a profiler calibrated, certified or validated in conditions similar to the ones it may be subjected to may provide more accurate results. Therefore, the predetermined path may be selected according to a particular application, with the same tool, which is of great advantage. For non-limitative examples, the predetermined path may be selected from a group comprising a cylindrical shape, an elliptical or ovoid shape and a rectangular shape. It may also be selected from a group comprising a cylindrical shape having at least one deformation therein, an elliptical shape having at least one deformation therein and a rectangular shape having at least one deformation therein. The skilled addressee will appreciate that, for example, if the profiler to be calibrated may be subject to typically encounter out off rounded deformations during its use, it may be judicious to calibrate it with such defects. The skilled addressee will also appreciate that various other shapes may be simulated, even complex shapes, which is of great advantage. The skilled addressee will also appreciate that the profiler may also be calibrated with various different patterns in a time shorter than in the past, which is also of great advantage.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the control unit 74 comprises a controller 50 operatively connected to the first motor 48 and the second motor 68 for controlling their operation with control signals sent over connection wire 52. In one embodiment, the control unit 74 is also operatively connected to the first and second position detector 54, 70. The controller 50 may use the information related to an actual position of the reference element 18 to remember where over the X-axis the first U-shaped plate 44 is located, and to correct the positioning information it sends via the control signals for displacing the transverse guide 40 longitudinally, should it be necessary. Similarly, the controller 50 may use this information to remember where over the Y-axis the third U-shaped bracket 64 is located, and to correct the positioning information it sends via the control signals for displacing the third U- shaped plate 64 along the Y-axis.

As the skilled addressee will appreciate, by the combined movement of the first 44 and third 64 U-shaped plates, respectively driven by the first 48 and second 68 motors, the reference element 18 is displaceable over a plane defined by the two dimensional table. Its displacement is controlled by the controller 50, via the motors 48, 68 and belts 46, 66, for simulating the shape of any type of section of an object, such as a pipe or a duct. The combined used of the first and second position detectors 54, 70 enables the controller 50 to know precisely the position of the reflective element 18 over the plane formed by the X and Y axis, respectively corresponding to the first longitudinal guide 38 and the transverse guide 40.

In one embodiment, the control unit 74 further comprises a computing system, such a PC or a server. The computing system may integrate different types of applications, such as calibrating application 76, certification application 78 or validation application 80 for calibrating, certifying or validating profilers 82 or prototypes of profilers 82, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3C.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the section simulator 10 also comprises acquisition means for acquiring measurements data representative of a plurality of positions of the reference element 18 to simulate the section of the object. In one embodiment, the acquisition means may comprise a camera 86 for imaging the positions of the reference element 18 during its predetermined path.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , the section simulator 10 may also comprise, in one embodiment, a laser generator 88 mountable to the supporting frame 12 and adapted for projecting a laser beam, a laser plane in one embodiment, intersecting the predetermined path of the reference element 18 so as to provide a reflective laser beam representative of a position of the reference element 18 and of the section of the object to simulate.

In a further embodiment, as more clearly shown in FIG.3C the camera 86 and the laser generator 88 are embedded in an optical profiler 82 and the profiler 82 is mounted to the supporting frame 12 through a profiler support 84 secured to the supporting frame 12 through any appropriate assembly of plates, brackets, fasteners and the like.

In one embodiment, the optical axis of the camera 86 extends perpendicularly to a movement of the reference element 18 and the camera 86 has a field of view which covers the entire intersecting region of the laser beam with the path of the reference element 18, which may be a reflective shaft.

The profiler 82 can then be calibrated or validated by projecting the laser plane over the reflective shaft 18, the reflection of the laser beam being captured by the camera 86. The control unit 74 is then able to process the measurement data using triangulation technique or the like for example, and compare the obtained measurement data obtained with the actual position of the reflective shaft 18 determined from the positions detectors 54 and 70.

When calibrating or validating an optical profiler 82, the computing system running a calibration 76 or validation 80 application, may store parameters of the optical profiler 82 being calibrated and may then use this information to modify the parameters used by the measurement algorithms of the optical profilers.

In one embodiment, the precision of the displacement of the reflective element 18 over the two dimensional table is 0.07% of the diameter of the pipe simulated. In a further embodiment, the simulated pipeline surfaces have a diameter varying from 8" to 50".

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , a cable rack is located between the first 38 and second 58 longitudinal guides to route the first position detector wires to the computing system. A second cable rack is located along the transverse guide 40 to route the second detector wires to the control unit 74 without interfering with the movement of the vertical axis.

Of course, the skilled addressee will appreciate that, in other embodiments, the two-dimensional table may be turned by 90 degrees, the X-axis becoming the Y- axis and vice-versa. It may also be positioned so that the plane of displacement of the reference element is parallel to the ground or in any other orientations. The skilled addressee will also appreciate that, in another embodiment, the longitudinal guide may be mounted to slide over the transverse guide.

In a further embodiment, the displacement mechanism may, in lieu of a two dimensional table driven in two dimensions according to Cartesian coordinates X, Y, rely on an angular displacement. In this embodiment which is not illustrated, the displacement mechanism comprises a pivot center mounted to the supporting frame and a rotating element having a first end and a second opposed end. The first end of the rotating element is rotatably attached to the pivot center so as to enable the second end to move in the two dimensions. In one embodiment, the reference element may be mounted proximate the second end of the rotating element. The position of the reference element may then be provided by a radial distance over the reference element from the pivot center, and an angle provided by the rotation of the pivot center.

In a further embodiment, the displacement mechanism may further comprise a circular bracket mounted to the supporting frame. In this case, the second end of the rotating element may be slidably attached to the circular bracket for enabling a circular movement of the second end of the rotating element therein.

In still a further embodiment, the circular bracket may comprise an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a diameter of the circular bracket.

As illustrated in FIG.3A, in one embodiment, a reference element detector 72 may also be placed at the top end of the transverse guide 40, and connected to the controller 50, for detecting the presence of the reference element 18 on the third U-shaped plate 64, so that during a calibration process, the calibration application 76 is informed of the presence or absence of the reference element 18. The calibration method would then not start until the reference element 18 is in place in the surface simulator 10.

In one embodiment, the reference reflective element 18 has a cross sectional blade shape and is rotated at a predetermined high speed during the predetermined path. This is of great advantage since it enables to improve the accuracy of the obtained data. Indeed, when rotating at a high speed while enlighten with the laser beam, the two elongated facing sides of the reflective element may be more visible in the acquired image when oriented in a facing relationship with the beam of light. When the laser generator is a beam of light projected at 360 degrees, the more visible sides of the reflective element would be tangential to the light beam, which may be of great advantage to improve the resolution of the acquired data and therefore the accuracy of the calibration and certification applications.

In another embodiment, the reference element has a cross sectional blade shape and a servomotor is provided for controlling an orientation of the reference element so as to continuously rotate the blade shape of the reference element in a tangential orientation with respect to the laser beam projected by the laser generator during the predetermined path. As previously mentioned, this embodiment may help in providing a more accurate detection of the actual position of the reference element.

By increasing the accuracy and resolution of the detection of the actual position of the reflective element, an improved calibration or an improved validation of the profiler may be obtained, which is of great advantage.

Throughout the present description, the section simulator has been mainly described with an exemplary embodiment related to the calibration and certification of optical profilers. The skilled addressee will nevertheless appreciate that the section simulator is not limited to applications relating to optical profilers nor applications specifically concerning the simulation of inner sections of a pipe.

On the contrary, the skilled addressee will understand that the section simulator may be particularly useful in various other applications wherein the simulation of a section or a portion of a section of an object may be useful. For example, the acquisition means, which may be any acquisition unit suitable for acquiring measurement data, may comprise an optical measuring system, a magnetic measuring system, an acoustic measuring system, a range finder or any other measuring system using electromagnetic waves. Such systems may be used in various applications, including but not limited to, various applications in the general field of measurement such as in the aerospace field.

The skilled addressee will also appreciate that although the displacement of the reference element has been mainly described in a two dimensional referential, it may be considered to provide the displacement mechanism with three dimensions displacement capabilities, if required by a particular application.

According to another aspect, there is also provided a kit of a section simulator for simulating a section of an object. The kit comprises a supporting frame and a displacement mechanism mountable to the supporting frame and displaceable in at least two dimensions. The kit also comprises a reference element mountable to the displacement mechanism and actuating means for actuating the displacement mechanism in the at least two dimensions. The kit further comprises a control unit couplable to the actuating means for controlling an actuation of the displacement mechanism so as to enable a movement of the reference element according to a predetermined path representative of the section of the object to simulate. The kit also comprises acquisition means for acquiring measurement data representative of a plurality of positions of the reference element to thereby simulate the section of the object. Although the foregoing description and accompanying drawings relate to specific preferred embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated by the inventors, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and adaptations, may be made.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A section simulator for simulating a section of an object comprising: a supporting frame; a displacement mechanism mounted to the supporting frame and displaceable in at least two dimensions; a reference element mounted to the displacement mechanism; actuating means for actuating the displacement mechanism in said at least two dimensions; a control unit coupled to the actuating means for controlling an actuation of the displacement mechanism so as to enable a movement of the reference element according to a predetermined path representative of the section of the object to simulate; and acquisition means for acquiring measurement data representative of a plurality of positions of the reference element to thereby simulate the section of the object.

2. The section simulator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the acquisition means comprise a range finder.

3. The section simulator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the acquisition means comprise a profiler.

4. The section simulator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the profiler comprises a camera.

5. The section simulator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the profiler further comprises a laser generator adapted for projecting a laser beam intersecting the predetermined path of the reference element so as to provide a reflective laser beam representative of a position of the reference element and of the section of the object to simulate.

6. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein the section of the object to simulate comprises a section of a confined space.

7. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reference element is a reflective element.

8. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reference element projects outwardly from the displacement mechanism.

9. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8, wherein the displacement mechanism is displaceable in a third dimension.

10. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9, wherein the displacement mechanism comprises a two dimensional table.

11. The section simulator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the two dimensional table comprises at least one longitudinal guide and a transverse guide, the transverse guide being perpendicular to the at least one longitudinal guide.

12. The section simulator as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the transverse guide is slidably mounted on each of said at least one longitudinal guide.

13. The section simulator as claimed in claim 12, wherein the reference element is slidably mounted on the transverse guide.

14. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 11 to 13, wherein the actuating means comprise a first belt operatively connected to a corresponding one of the at least one longitudinal guide and a first motor for actuating said first belt to enable a displacement of the transverse guide along the at least one longitudinal guide, said actuating means further comprising a second belt operatively connected to the reference element and a second motor for actuating said second belt to enable a displacement of the reference element along the transverse guide.

15. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 11 to 14, wherein the section simulator further comprises a first position detector associated with a corresponding one of the at least one longitudinal guide for detecting an actual position of the transverse guide along the at least one longitudinal guide and a second position detector associated with the transverse guide for detecting an actual position of the reference element along the transverse guide, to thereby provide an actual position of the reference element in said at least two dimensions.

16. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 15, wherein the supporting frame comprises a first side supporting bar and a second side supporting bar, the supporting frame further comprising a lower longitudinal bar and an upper longitudinal bar, each of the longitudinal supporting bars being connected to each of the side bars so as to extends in a parallel and coplanar relationship with each other.

17. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 14 to 15, wherein the supporting frame comprises a first side supporting bar and a second side supporting bar, the supporting frame further comprising a lower longitudinal bar and an upper longitudinal bar, each of the longitudinal supporting bars being connected to each of the side bars so as to extends in a parallel and coplanar relationship with each other, the longitudinal guide being mounted to at least one of the middle longitudinal bar and the upper longitudinal bar.

18. The section simulator as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first belt is mounted to one of the corresponding longitudinal bar to which the longitudinal guide is mounted and the associated longitudinal guide, the second belt being mounted to the transverse guide.

19. The section simulator as claimed in claim 18, wherein the supporting frame further comprises a middle longitudinal bar, the first belt being further mounted to the middle longitudinal bar, the transverse guide being slidably mounted to the middle longitudinal bar.

20. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9, wherein the displacement mechanism comprises a pivot center mounted to the supporting frame and a rotating element having a first end and a second opposed end, the first end of the rotating element being rotatably attached to the pivot center so as to enable the second end to move in said at least two dimensions, the reference element being mounted proximate the second end of the rotating element.

21. The section simulator as claimed in claim 20, wherein the displacement mechanism further comprises a circular bracket mounted to the supporting frame, the second end of the rotating element being slidably attached to the circular bracket for enabling a circular movement of the second end of the rotating element therein.

22. The section simulator as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the circular bracket comprises an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a diameter of the circular bracket.

23. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 20 to 22, wherein the section simulator further comprises position detecting means for detecting an actual position of the reference element.

24. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 23, wherein the reference element comprises a reflective shaft projecting outwardly and perpendicularly from the displacement mechanism.

25. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 24, wherein the predetermined path is selected from a group comprising a cylindrical shape, an elliptical shape and a rectangular shape.

26. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 24, wherein the predetermined path is selected from a group comprising a cylindrical shape having at least one deformation therein, an elliptical shape having at least one deformation therein and a rectangular shape having at least one deformation therein.

27. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 and 6 to 26, wherein the acquisition means comprise a camera for imaging the predetermined path of the reference element.

28. The section simulator as claimed in claim 27, wherein the camera is embedded in a profiler.

29. The section simulator as claimed in claim 28, wherein the profiler further comprises a laser generator adapted for projecting a laser beam intersecting the predetermined path of the reference element so as to provide a reflective laser beam representative of a position of the reference element and of the section of the object to simulate.

30. The section simulator as claimed in claim 29, the laser beam comprise a laser plane, the profiler being mountable on the supporting frame so that an optical axis of the camera extends perpendicularly to a movement of the reference element.

31. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 28 to 30, wherein the control unit comprises a computing system, the computing system comprising at least one computing application selected from a group comprising a calibration application for calibrating the profiler, a certification application for certifying the profiler and a validation application for validating the profiler.

32. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 30, wherein the control unit comprises a computing system, the computing system comprising at least one computing application selected from a group comprising a calibration application for calibrating the acquisition means, a certification application for certifying the acquisition means and a validation application for validating the acquisition means.

33. The section simulator as claimed in anyone of claims 29 to 31 , wherein the reference element has a cross sectional blade shape.

34. The section simulator as claimed in claim 33, wherein the reference element is rotated at a predetermined high speed during the predetermined path.

35. The section simulator as claimed in claim 33, further comprising a servomotor for controlling an orientation of the reference element so as to rotate the blade shape of the reference element in a tangential orientation with respect to the laser beam projected by the laser generator during the predetermined path.

36. The section simulator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the acquisition means comprises a magnetic measuring system.

37. A method for assisting calibration of a profiler used for imaging sections of an object comprising: providing a profiler; providing a movable reference element mounted on a supporting frame; moving the movable reference element according to a predetermined path representative of a corresponding theoretical section of the object to image; acquiring measurement data representative of a plurality of positions of the movable reference element using the provided profiler; and comparing the acquired measurement data with corresponding theoretical section data to thereby calibrate the profiler.

38. The method for assisting calibration of a profiler as claimed in claim 37, wherein the predetermined path is selected from a group comprising a cylindrical shape, an elliptical shape and a rectangular shape.

39. The method for assisting calibration of a profiler as claimed in claim 37, wherein the predetermined path is selected from a group comprising a cylindrical shape having at least one deformation therein, an elliptical shape having at least one deformation therein and a rectangular shape having at least one deformation therein.

40. A kit of a section simulator for simulating a section of an object comprising: a supporting frame; a displacement mechanism mountable to the supporting frame and displaceable in at least two dimensions; a reference element mountable to the displacement mechanism; actuating means for actuating the displacement mechanism in said at least two dimensions; a control unit couplable to the actuating means for controlling an actuation of the displacement mechanism so as to enable a movement of the reference element according to a predetermined path representative of the section of the object to simulate; and acquisition means for acquiring measurement data representative of a plurality of positions of the reference element to thereby simulate the section of the object.