Untethered, unpowered, rollable device to sense condition of pipeline wall
US8098063B2 · kind B2 · utility
15Cited by
2References
17Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/383
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor unit for use in sensing conditions in a pipeline comprises an untethered a ball-shaped surround adapted to roll along the interior surface of a pipeline, and instrument package within the ball-shaped surround. The package contains at least one magnetometer or accelerometer. Preferably, three magnetometers, arranged orthogonally, are present. Other sensors can also be present as required, such as an acoustic sensor to detect leaks and a temperature or chemical sensor. Recording means record the data acquired by the magnetometer(s) or accelerometer and the sensors, and optionally also record a timing trace.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.