Systems and methods for inspecting pipelines using a robotic imaging system
AssigneeMistras Group, Inc.
InventorsKelly Morris, Elliott Morris, John Musgrave
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for generating and processing images captured while inspecting above-ground pipelines are disclosed. Embodiments may include a robotic crawler or other devices which carry imaging equipment and traverse a target pipe which are configured to capture image data simultaneously from a plurality of angles. Such systems may substantially reduce and in some cases overcome the need to take multiple traversals of a pipeline under inspection. Embodiments may also be directed toward control systems for such devices as well as image processing systems which process the multiple image sets to produce a composite imaging result.
Claims21
A method of operation for a pipeline inspection robot, the method comprising:
- initiating movement of a pipeline inspection robot along a pipeline;
- activating one or more imaging components of the pipeline inspection robot to capture image data;
- controlling a speed of the pipeline inspection robot to match an acquisition speed of the one or more imaging components while capturing the image data with the one or more imaging components, wherein the image data is representative of a first portion of the pipeline and a second portion of the pipeline, and wherein the first portion is separate and distinct from the second portion;
- and
- wirelessly outputting the captured image data to a display, wherein the captured image data indicates one or more characteristics of the pipeline, and wherein the captured image data is output to the display contemporaneously with the image data being captured by the one or more imaging components.
An apparatus comprising:
- a memory;
- and
- a processor in communication with the memory, the processor configured to perform operations including:
- initiating movement of a pipeline inspection robot along a pipeline;
- activating one or more imaging components of the pipeline inspection robot to capture image data;
- controlling a speed of the pipeline inspection robot to match an acquisition speed of the one or more imaging components while capturing the image data with the one or more imaging components, wherein the image data is representative of a first portion of the pipeline and a second portion of the pipeline, and wherein the first portion is separate and distinct from the second portion;
- and
- wirelessly outputting the captured image data to a display, wherein the captured image data indicates one or more characteristics of the pipeline, and wherein the captured image data is output to the display contemporaneously with the image data being captured by the one or more imaging components.
A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations including:
- initiating movement of a pipeline inspection robot along a pipeline;
- activating one or more imaging components of the pipeline inspection robot to capture image data;
- controlling a speed of the pipeline inspection robot to match an acquisition speed of the one or more imaging components while capturing the image data with the one or more imaging components, wherein the image data is representative of a first portion of the pipeline and a second portion of the pipeline, and wherein the first portion is separate and distinct from the second portion;
- and
- wirelessly outputting the captured image data to a display outputting the captured image data to a display, wherein the captured image data indicates one or more characteristics of the pipeline, and wherein the captured image data is output to the display contemporaneously with the image data being captured by the one or more imaging components.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.