Scavenger submersible visual and acoustical tank inspection system and method

An apparatus for preparing and inspecting the submerged surface of a fluid reservoir, said apparatus comprising:

• a chassis means, sized and shaped to provide an optimally low center of gravity and defining at least a front and an underside of said apparatus;
• propulsion means operative to provide movement to said apparatus and being mounted on said chassis means, said propulsion means comprising two independently controllable motor and track means;
• a scrubbing/vacuuming compartment disposed at said front, underside of said chassis means and comprising:
• scrubbing means designed to mechanically break up sediment on the surface beneath said apparatus;
• and
• vacuuming means to remove sediment and sediment-containing fluid from beneath said apparatus, resulting in a freshly cleaned surface;
• and
• inspection means located immediately behind the scrubbing/vacuuming means with respect to the direction of apparatus travel and operative to inspect said freshly cleaned surface.

A method for preparing and inspecting a fluid reservoir surface coated with sediment comprising:

• scrubbing a section of said surface to loosen said sediment and removing the loosened sediment to prepare a freshly cleaned surface;
• interposing a clean fluid flow between said freshly cleaned surface and an inspection means;
• and
• inspecting said surface through said clean fluid flow with said inspection means.