Patent · US Expired

Pipeline vehicle with linked modules and carriages

US6107795A · kind A · utility

137Cited by
24References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 15, 1998
Grant dateAug 22, 2000
Priority date—
Expiry dateJul 15, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16L2101/30
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An in-pipe vehicle for carrying out at least one operation in a pipeline. The vehicle comprises a train of modules 11-16 interlinked by suspension units 17 to allow serpentine movement through pipe bends. The vehicle train has its own internal power supply and drive mechanism in respective modules. A detector module 14 determines the presence of a service junction and a manipulative module 13 allows the vehicle to be temporarily wedged in the pipeline whilst providing rotational movement to facilitate the desired operation at the junction. This can include drilling and welding of a service pipe to the main using appropriate modules.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.