Pipe navigation apparatus with collapsible drive assembly
AssigneeGE Infrastructure Technology LLC
InventorsKatelyn Marie Angeliu, Todd William Danko
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Abstract
A navigation apparatus for use in navigating a pipe includes a body, a movable core coupled to the body by a sacrificial connector, and a drive assembly configured to engage an interior wall of the pipe to propel the navigation apparatus through the pipe. The drive assembly including a first arm, a second arm, and a wheel, wherein the first arm is pivotably coupled to the core and the wheel, and the second arm is pivotably coupled to the body and the wheel.
Claims20
A navigation apparatus for use in navigating a pipe, said navigation apparatus comprising:
- a body;
- a movable core coupled to said body by a sacrificial connector;
- and
- a drive assembly configured to engage an interior wall of the pipe to propel said navigation apparatus through the pipe, said drive assembly comprising a first arm, a second arm, and a wheel, wherein said first arm is pivotably coupled to said core and said wheel, and said second arm is pivotably coupled to said body and said wheel.
A pipe navigation system for use in navigating a pipe comprising:
- a tether;
- and
- a pipe navigation apparatus comprising:
- a body, wherein said tether is coupled to said body;
- a movable core coupled to said body by a sacrificial connector;
- and
- a drive assembly pivotably coupled to said body and said movable core, said drive assembly configured to engage an interior wall of the pipe to propel said navigation apparatus through the pipe, wherein said sacrificial connector is configured to break in response to a loading on said tether to disengage said drive assembly from the interior wall and collapse said drive assembly on said body.
A method for controlling a navigation apparatus in a pipe, said method comprising:
- controlling a drive assembly of a navigation apparatus to engage an interior wall of the pipe, the navigation apparatus including a body and a movable core coupled to the body by a sacrificial connector, wherein the drive assembly is pivotably coupled to the core and the body;
- and
- loading a tether connected to the body to break the sacrificial connector and disengage the drive assembly from the interior wall of the pipe, and collapse the drive assembly on the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.