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US 8,616,075 B2Granted
System for performing inspections, repairs, and/or other operations within vessels
AssigneeAir Products and Chemicals, Inc.
InventorsVladimir Yliy Gershtein, Andrew James Toth, Christopher R. Butler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is provided to facilitate inspections, repairs, and other operations within vessels without human entry into the vessels, and without introducing contaminants that could reduce the purity of materials held in the vessels below predetermined minimum levels.
Claims19
A system comprising:
- a) a vessel having an internal volume and configured to store an ultra high purity fluid, the vessel comprising:
- a valve system comprising a first valve and a second valve connected by a first conduit;
- a second conduit that connects the first valve and the vessel;
- a third conduit connected to the second valve;
- and a purging device connected to the first conduit;
- and
- b) a device capable of entering the interior of the vessel, the device comprising:
- a body;
- a sensor mounted on the body;
- at least one of a transmitter for transmitting the information from the device and a memory-storage device for storing the information;
- a shell that at least partially encloses the body;
- at least one wheel and/or roller formed from a material that does not reduce the purity of the fluid below a predetermined minimum when the material comes into contact with the fluid;
- and at least one electric motor and at least one drive axle for driving the at least one wheel and/or roller,
- wherein device is inserted into the internal volume by way of the valve system by opening the second valve while the first valve is in a closed position, and inserting the device into the first conduit by way of the third conduit and the second valve.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.