Passive alignment mechanism for off-centered probe deployment
US11346489B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2019 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L2101/30
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An in-pipe apparatus for pipe inspection or maintenance using a probe or tool includes: a lateral deployment mechanism including a perpendicular deployment mechanism and a linear actuator configured to deploy the perpendicular deployment mechanism in a lateral direction toward a target point to contact an inner wall of the pipe and passively deploy a probe or tool perpendicularly on or at the target point; and a rotational deployment mechanism coupled to the lateral deployment mechanism and including a motor configured to rotationally deploy the lateral deployment mechanism about the inner circumference with respect to a rotation axis that differs from the pipe axis, to align the lateral deployment mechanism in the lateral direction. The perpendicular deployment mechanism includes: a pivot member to pivot the perpendicular deployment mechanism about a pivot axis parallel to the rotation axis; and a probe or tool holder coupled to the pivot member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.