US 2004/0006448 A1Published application

Apparatus and method for pipeline inspection

OwnerG. Gregory Penzainventor

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Abstract

An inspection apparatus for inspecting the interior of a live gas pipeline includes an entry tube for attaching the apparatus to a valve in the pipeline. A guide pole is sealingly attached to the entry tube, and linearly and rotatably articulates within the tube. Attached to an end of the guide pole is a camera module, mounted to an articulation mechanism. The end of the guide pole is moved into position within the interior of the pipeline, and the camera module sends video image signals to a remote output device, such as a monitor or recorder. A high intensity, adjustable light source is provided to illuminate the interior of the pipeline. An electronic control unit allows an inspector to remotely manipulate the camera module and light source to provide image data from various locations within the interior of the pipeline.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An apparatus for inspecting a pressurized pipeline having an access structure attached thereto for selectively allowing access to an interior of the pipeline, the apparatus comprising:

an attachment structure, a portion of which defines an interior space, the attachment structure being configured for sealing attachment to the access structure of the pipeline;
a guide pole having a pole axis, and at least partially disposed within the interior space of the attachment structure and movable relative to the attachment structure;
a sealing mechanism for sealingly attaching the guide pole to the attachment structure;
an articulation mechanism attached to a first end of the guide pole;
a camera module attached to the articulation mechanism and configured to pass through the access structure and into the interior of the pipeline;
a light source configured to illuminate the interior of the pipeline;
and
an electronic control unit for at least controlling the articulation mechanism and the camera module.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.