Patent · US Active

Underground pipe inspection device and method

US7493817B2 · kind B2 · utility

45Cited by
8References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 2005
Grant dateFeb 24, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 13, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16L55/40
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for inspecting the walls of an underground pipe from inside the pipe in which an inspection apparatus having a circular planar platform having a plurality of lever arms having one end pivotably attached to one side of the platform, having a pipe inspection device connected to an opposite end, and having a system for pivoting the lever arms is inserted into the underground pipe, with the inspection apparatus oriented with the planar platform disposed perpendicular to the pipe axis. The plurality of lever arms are pivoted toward the inside wall of the pipe, contacting the inside wall with each inspection device as the apparatus is conveyed along a length of the underground pipe.

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