US 5,398,560 A · Apparatus for inspecting piping

Abstract

An inspection rabbit for inspecting piping systems having severe bends therein. The rabbit consists of a flexible, modular body containing a miniaturized eddy current inspection probe, a self-contained power supply for proper operation of the rabbit, an outer surface that allows ease of movement through piping systems and means for transmitting data generated by the inspection device. The body is preferably made of flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing or, alternatively, silicone rubber with a shrink wrapping of polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON.RTM.). The body is formed to contain the power supply, preferably a plurality of batteries, and a spool of communication wire that connects to a data processing computer external to the piping system.

Claims17

Dependent claims

Apparatus for inspecting piping, said apparatus comprising:

a body having an axis, said body made of a resilient material, said resilient material having a first coefficient of friction with respect to said piping;
an inspection instrument carded by said body for measuring a characteristic of said piping and generating data related to said characteristic;
and
a flexible outer surface covering said body, said outer surface made of a material selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinyl chloride, said outer surface having a second coefficient of friction with respect to said piping, said second coefficient of friction being less than said first coefficient of friction so that said outer surface enables said apparatus to slip through said piping.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for inspecting piping

Life of this patent

Apparatus for inspecting piping

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17