Automation in a robotic pipe coating system
US11731281B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 2020 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30152
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automated system for performing multiple operations on one or more weld joints of a pipe string includes a main controller including a user interface; and a first robotic device that is in communication with the main controller and is configured to controllably travel inside of the pipe string and detect and uniquely identify each weld joint within the pipe string based on a vision-based weld detection module that is executed on a first onboard computer. The vision-based weld detection module provides at least one of: (1) images captured within the pipe string and (2) a live video feed within the pipe string that is displayed on the user interface for allowing a user to review and approve detection of the weld joint, whereupon once the user confirms the approval, the first robotic device automatically positions itself a predefined distance from the detected weld joint and automatically begins to perform at least one operation on the weld joint.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.