Modular inline inspection vehicle
AssigneeDarkVision Technologies Inc.
InventorJay Roderick Hope
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An Inline Inspection Tool is provided to image a pipeline as it travels through it, in order to assess damage of the pipeline, such as cracks, leaks and weld problems. The tool is created from several stacked sensor modules removably connected to each other. Each module provides imaging of a certain section of the pipeline and then multiple imaged sections may be combined to visualize the entire pipeline. This creates a versatile tool that can be customized onsite for each job, using different sensors or imaging modes.
Claims18
An Inline Inspection Tool comprising:
- a plurality of stacked sensor modules removably connected to each other;
- seals between adjoining modules to prevent ingress of external fluid into the tool;
- one or more sensors mounted with each module, facing radially outward;
- and
- electronics for operating said sensors and receiving data from said sensors,
- wherein the stack of modules is arranged with said sensors circumferentially distributed around the tool.
A method of performing inline inspection of a pipeline comprising:
- selecting a plurality of sensor modules, each module mounted with at least one imaging sensor facing radially outwards;
- creating an inline inspection tool by stacking the plurality of sensor modules together with said sensors circumferentially distributed around the inline inspection tool;
- sealing adjoining modules to prevent ingress of external fluid into the inline inspection tool;
- deploying the inline inspection tool into and through the pipeline;
- and
- autonomously operating electronics within the inline inspection tool to receive and store data from said sensors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.