Pipe inspection system with jetter push-cable
AssigneeSeescan, Inc.
InventorsMark S. Olsson, Eric Chapman, Justin W. Taylor, Matthew J. Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Pipe inspection and pressurized fluid cleaning systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed. A jetter push-cable device may include a high-pressure hydraulic hose core with a helical surround of small-diameter flexible rods and/or conductors, wrapped in such a way as to provide a cable of low bend-radius for use in small-diameter pipe inspections and cleaning. Conductors may be included in the push-cable. End-effectors, such as jetter nozzles and cutters may be coupled to the push-cable. An annular camera assembly, which may include lighting elements, may be further included in the push-cable device.
Claims30
An apparatus for pressurized pipe cleaning, comprising:
- a push-cable structure comprising:
- a hose having a central channel configured for transmitting fluid under pressure through the push-cable structure;
- a stiffening structure helically wrapped around the hose to provide rigidity to the push-cable structure comprising a plurality of rods;
- and
- a jetter nozzle coupled to a distal end of the push-cable structure, the jetter nozzle configured to control a flow of the pressurized fluid from the distal end of the push-cable.
An apparatus for pressurized pipe cleaning, comprising:
- a push-cable structure comprising:
- a hose having a central channel configured for transmitting fluid under pressure through the push-cable structure;
- a stiffening structure helically wrapped around the hose to provide rigidity to the push-cable structure;
- a jetter nozzle coupled to a distal end of the push-cable structure, the jetter nozzle configured to control a flow of the pressurized fluid from the distal end of the push-cable;
- and
- a reinforcing braid disposed around the hose.
A cable apparatus for pressurized pipe cleaning, comprising:
- a push-cable structure comprising:
- a hose having a central channel configured for transmitting fluid under pressure through the push-cable structure;
- a stiffening structure helically wrapped around the hose to provide rigidity to the push-cable structure;
- a jetter nozzle coupled to a distal end of the push-cable structure, the jetter nozzle configured to control a flow of the pressurized fluid from the distal end of the push-cable;
- a camera assembly;
- an extender;
- and
- a plurality of spring stiffeners configured to control the rigidity of sections of the camera assembly and extender.
A cable apparatus for pressurized pipe cleaning, comprising:
- a push-cable structure comprising:
- a hose having a central channel configured for transmitting fluid under pressure through the push-cable structure;
- a stiffening structure helically wrapped around the hose to provide rigidity to the push-cable structure comprising a plurality of rods;
- a jetter nozzle coupled to a distal end of the push-cable structure, the jetter nozzle configured to control a flow of the pressurized fluid from the distal end of the push-cable;
- a reinforcing braid disposed around the hose;
- one or more drain wires distributed among the plurality of rods;
- one or more conductive wires distributed among the plurality of rods;
- copper foil disposed around the rods and conductive wires to providing electrical shielding;
- a camera assembly having a plurality of camera elements disposed on the push-cable structure around the central channel;
- a multi-axis accelerometer disposed in the camera assembly;
- and
- one or more light emitting diode (LED) lighting elements.
A system for pressurized fluid cleaning system, comprising:
- a pump unit;
- a fluid storage unit coupled to the pump unit;
- and
- a push-cable, comprising:
- a hose having a central channel configured for transmitting fluid under pressure through the push-cable structure;
- a stiffening structure comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned rods helically wrapped around the hose to provide rigidity to the push-cable structure;
- a sonde;
- and
- a jetter nozzle coupled to a distal end of the push-cable, the jetter nozzle configured to control a flow of the pressurized fluid from the distal end of the push-cable.
A pipe clearance apparatus, comprising:
- a push-cable structure including:
- a hose having a central channel for transmitting fluid under pressure through the push-cable structure;
- and
- a stiffening structure comprising a plurality of stiffeners helically wrapped around the hose to provide rigidity to the push-cable structure;
- a jetter nozzle coupled to a distal end of the push-cable structure, the jetter nozzle configured to control a flow of the pressurized fluid from the distal end of the push-cable;
- a camera assembly having a plurality of camera elements disposed on the push-cable structure around the central channel;
- and
- an apparatus for providing the pressurized fluid to the push cable and controlling an output of the pressurized fluid using the nozzle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.