US 12,181,418 B2 · System and method for in-situ probing of a conduit

Abstract

A device for probing an interior of a tube includes an annular frame configured for engagement with a rotor or an orbital element mount. The annular frame presents a mounting surface. An annular buffer layer is positioned radially inward of and concentrically with the annular frame. A flexible annular sealing layer is joined with the annular buffer layer and positioned radially inward of and concentrically with the annular buffer layer. The sealing layer is configured to form a seal with the tube. A rotational layer is positioned between the annular frame and the buffer layer enabling rotation of the annular frame about the annular buffer layer. A process cartridge frame is mounted on the mounting surface and includes three or more process cartridge openings. Each of the cartridge openings is configured to receive a process cartridge. Each process cartridge is rotatively selectable via rotation of the annular frame.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A device for probing an interior of a tube, comprising:

an annular frame configured for engagement with a rotor or an orbital element mount, the annular frame presenting a mounting surface on a face of the annular frame;
an annular buffer layer positioned radially inward of and concentrically with the annular frame;
a flexible annular sealing layer joined with the annular buffer layer and positioned radially inward of and concentrically with the annular buffer layer,
wherein the flexible annular sealing layer is configured to form a seal with the tube;
a rotational layer positioned between the annular frame and the annular buffer layer enabling rotation of the annular frame about the annular buffer layer;
and
a process cartridge frame mounted on the mounting surface and comprising three or more process cartridge openings,
wherein each of the three or more process cartridge openings is configured to receive a process cartridge,
wherein each process cartridge is rotatively selectable via rotation of the annular frame.

6 more elements

A method for tube inspection, comprising:

positioning, on a tube to be inspected, a multi-purpose orbital tool having at least three process cartridges mounted thereon, the three process cartridges being rotatively selectable;
providing a fluid to a first annular portion of the multi-purpose tool to cause expansion of the first annular portion to exert a force on a flexible annular portion of the multi-purpose tool,
wherein the flexible annular portion forms a seal with the tube upon receiving the exerted force;
rotating a frame of the multi-purpose tool about an axial axis of the tube such that a first cartridge of the at least three process cartridges is aligned with a processing location on the tube;
processing the tube using the first cartridge;
rotating the frame of the multi-purpose tool about the axial axis such that a second cartridge of the at least three process cartridges is aligned with the processing location without disturbing the seal;
and
performing an inspection of an interior of the tube via the second cartridge.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for in-situ probing of a conduit

Life of this patent

System and method for in-situ probing of a conduit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20