Robotic apparatus and method for treatment of conduits

A method for installing a flexible member to an inside wall of a conduit, comprising the steps of:

• providing a robotic vehicle for traversing the conduit;
• advancing an end of the flexible member through the conduit using the robotic vehicle being fitted with a tape head;
• anchoring the advanced end of the flexible member;
• and
• taping the flexible member to the inside wall using the tape head while withdrawing the robotic vehicle.

An apparatus for treating a system of conduits having at least one main conduit and having one or more intersecting sub-conduits comprising:

• a robotic mouse suitable for traversing the one or more sub-conduits;
• a device carried by the mouse for treating the one or more conduits;
• a robotic mule suitable for traversing the main conduit and for transporting said mouse;
• a transport housing supported by the mule and for carrying the mouse;
• and
• means for aligning the transport housing with a sub-conduit.

An apparatus for installing a flexible elongate member to an inside wall of a conduit, comprising:

• a robotic vehicle for traversing the conduit for advancing an end of the flexible member through the conduit;
• a tape head mounted to the robotic vehicle for taping the flexible member to the inside wall while withdrawing the robotic vehicle;
• a supply of tape having a normally flat cross-section, the tape having at least one working face having a flexible member supporting portion and bounding peripheral edges, the working face having adhesive on at least a portion of its working face;
• at least one pair of rollers for shaping the supporting portion of the cross section of the flat tape into one or more concave shapes which correspond with the one or more cross-sections of the flexible member;
• and
• one or more tertiary rollers for guiding the flexible member into the concave supporting portion of the tape and pressing the flexible member and tape into engagement with the inner wall of the conduit.