Friction drive wheels
AssigneeBritish Gas Corporation
InventorDavid M. Wright
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A friction drive wheel, particularly for obtaining a rotary drive for a hydraulic pump or electrical dynamo on a pipeline inspection pig, has a hub with a central hole and keyway for mounting on a axle. Attached to the hub is a rim in which are mounted bundles of bristles in ferrules. The bundle axis is at an acute angle to the radius of the wheel so that the bristles will act as a leading strut. A flange stop may be provided to limit deflection of the bristles.
Claims12
A friction drive wheel adapted to be mounted upon a pipeline inspection pig for continuous rotation about an axis perpendicular to the normal direction of movement of the pig as the latter moves longitudinally through a pipeline, said wheel being adapted to rotate with its circumferential periphery in frictional contact with the interior surface of the pipeline during said movement, said wheel having surface-engaging means comprising a plurality of bristles mounted with their longitudinal axes arranged in one or more planes extending normally of the axis of rotation of the wheel and with said longitudinal axes inclined at an acute angle relative to a line extending perpendicularly through said axis of rotation.
A pipeline inspection pig including a friction drive wheel mounted thereon for continuous rotation about an axis perpendicular to the normal direction of movement of the pig as the latter moves longitudinally through a pipeline, said wheel being adapted to rotate with its circumferential periphery in frictional contact with the interior surface of the pipeline during said movement, said wheel having surface-engaging means comprising a plurality of bristles mounted with their longitudinal axes arranged in one or more planes extending normally of the axis of rotation of the wheel and with said longitudinal axes inclined at an acute angle relative to a line extending perpendicularly through said axis of rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.