Self-propelled vehicle for use in a conduit
US7597048B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB08B9/051
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A vehicle for travel through a conduit includes a forward and a rearward member, each member being provided with a wall-engaging mechanism for selectively engaging a wall of the conduit to hold the respective member in a stationary position within the conduit. Extensible elements such as a hydraulic ram connect the members for relative movement of the forward member toward and away from the rearward member. Each wall-engaging mechanism includes a plurality of legs extendable outwardly from the respective member and a wall-engaging surface on or fixed to each leg, one actuator engages each of the legs for coordinated extension of the legs to bring each wall-engaging surface into contact with the wall of the conduit. Preferably a rotary cuter is mounted at the front of the vehicle for clearing obstructions in the conduit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.