Pipe tool positioning system
OwnerJeffrey M. Tannerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pipe tool positioning system for efficiently inserting, positioning, and orienting a tool for use within a pipe. The pipe tool positioning system generally includes a sleeve with a receiver opening adapted to receive and removably retain a tool such as a grinder or the like. The sleeve includes radially-offset bladders extending outwardly from its outer surface. Each of the bladders may be individually inflated and/or deflated to aid in positioning of the tool within a pipe. A control unit may be provided with controllers for individually controlling each of the bladders. A camera may also be included adjacent to the sleeve to feed a display included with the control unit. By utilizing the present invention, various tools may efficiently be inserted and positioned for use within a pipe.
Claims19
A pipe tool positioning system, comprising:
- a plurality of bladders defining a receiver opening, wherein said plurality of bladders extend outwardly from said receiver opening and wherein said receiver opening is adapted to receive a tool;
- at least one conduit fluidly connected to said plurality of bladders to provide a pressurized fluid to said plurality of bladders;
- and
- a sleeve, wherein said plurality of bladders extend from an outer surface of said sleeve and wherein said sleeve includes said receiver opening.
A pipe tool positioning system, comprising:
- a sleeve comprising a first end having a first opening, a second end having a second opening, and a receiver opening extending between said first opening and said second opening;
- a tool positioned with said receiver opening of said sleeve;
- a plurality of bladders radially extending from an outer surface of said sleeve, wherein said plurality of bladders are comprised of a first bladder, a second bladder, and a third bladder, wherein said first bladder, said second bladder, and said third bladder are radially offset with respect to each other;
- a camera positioned adjacent to said sleeve;
- a spray jet positioned adjacent to said camera for cleaning said camera;
- a plurality of conduits, wherein said plurality of conduits are comprised of a first conduit, a second conduit, and a third conduit;
- and
- a control unit, wherein said first conduit fluidly connects said first bladder with said control unit, wherein said second conduit fluidly connects said second bladder with said control unit, and wherein said third conduit fluidly connects said third bladder with said control unit;
- wherein said control unit is adapted to individually control each of said bladders by selectively directing airflow through one or more of said conduits, wherein said control unit includes a first controller for said first bladder, a second controller for said second bladder, and a third controller for said third bladder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.