# US 2014/0152803 A1 · System, method & apparatus for remote pipe inspection

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- Number: US 2014/0152803 A1
- Document ID: US20140152803A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/079,924
- Filed: 2013-11-14
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-11-16
- Applicants: Northeast Gas Association
- Inventors: Lee Carlson; Jeffrey Shasho; Nishant Kumar; Jason Herman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152803A1

## CPC

- G01N 21/954: Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores
- B60B 19/003: {Multidirectional wheels}
- B60B 19/006: {Magnetic wheels}
- F16L 55/26: Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
- B60B 2900/551: Handling of obstacles or difficult terrains
- B60Y 2200/40: Special vehicles
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY

## Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the inspection of pipes, and the like, and more particularly to the remote inspection of ferromagnetic pipes. The invention teaches apparatus comprising, in combination: a vehicle equipped with a plurality of wheels capable of propelling the vehicle within a predetermined ferromagnetic environment to be inspected; means for remotely applying drive forces to said wheels; said wheels including a plurality of passive non-driven rollers; said passive rollers including magnetized means; means for acquiring visual images of the condition of said pipes; and means for remotely accessing said visual images; thereby enabling remote inspection of said pipes. An immediate environment in which the use of the present invention is contemplated is in inspection of ferromagnetic pipes which are located above and/or below ground.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of enabling inspection of ferromagnetic pipes, comprising, in combination:
providing a vehicle equipped with a plurality of wheels for propelling the vehicle within a predetermined ferromagnetic environment;
applying propelling forces to said wheels from a remote driving location;
wherein said wheels include a plurality of rollers which are relatively passive and independent with respect to said driving forces;
wherein said passive rollers include magnetized means;
acquiring visual information relating to the condition of such pipes;
providing visual feedback of said acquired visual information to said remote driving location; and
thereby facilitating a person's inspection of said pipe condition at said driving location.

### Claim 2

Apparatus for inspecting ferromagnetic pipes from a remote driving location, comprising, in combination:
a vehicle equipped with a plurality of wheels capable of propelling the vehicle within a predetermined ferromagnetic environment to be inspected;
means for applying drive forces to said wheels from said remote location;
said wheels including a plurality of passive non-driven rollers which are relatively passive and independent of said drive forces;
wherein said passive rollers include magnetized means;
means for acquiring visual images of the condition of said pipes;
means for transmitting said visual images to said remote driving location; and
thereby enabling a person's inspection of said pipes at said remote driving location.