Dynamic spacer for a smart pipeline inspection gauge
First Claim
1. An in-line inspection tool for a pipeline, comprising:
- a body configured to be propelled through the pipeline, the body defining a central axis; and
a plurality of sensor assemblies mounted to the body and distributed circumferentially about the central axis, each sensor assembly configured to move through a range of radial positions in a respective radial direction that is perpendicular to the central axis,wherein a first sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes a first elongate arm, at least one first sensor carried by the first arm, and a first spacer that extends from the first arm,wherein a second sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes a second elongate arm and at least one second sensor carried by the second arm, andwherein contact between the first spacer and the second arm results in application of a force to the second arm in a circumferential direction relative to the central axis and maintains an expected circumferential spacing between the first arm and the second arm over the range of radial positions.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An in-line inspection tool for a pipeline includes a body that is propelled through the pipeline and a plurality of sensor assemblies mounted to the body. The sensor assemblies are distributed circumferentially about a central axis of the body with each sensor assembly configured to move through a range of radial positions in a respective radial direction. A first sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes a first elongate arm, a first sensor carried by the first arm, and a first spacer that extends from the first arm. A second sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes a second elongate arm and a second sensor carried by the second arm. The first spacer contacts the second arm and maintains an expected circumferential spacing between the first arm and the second arm over the range of radial positions as the body is propelled through the pipeline.
28 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An in-line inspection tool for a pipeline, comprising:
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a body configured to be propelled through the pipeline, the body defining a central axis; and a plurality of sensor assemblies mounted to the body and distributed circumferentially about the central axis, each sensor assembly configured to move through a range of radial positions in a respective radial direction that is perpendicular to the central axis, wherein a first sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes a first elongate arm, at least one first sensor carried by the first arm, and a first spacer that extends from the first arm, wherein a second sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies includes a second elongate arm and at least one second sensor carried by the second arm, and wherein contact between the first spacer and the second arm results in application of a force to the second arm in a circumferential direction relative to the central axis and maintains an expected circumferential spacing between the first arm and the second arm over the range of radial positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An in-line inspection tool for a pipeline, comprising:
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a plurality of sensor assemblies distributed circumferentially about a central axis, each sensor assembly of the plurality of sensor assemblies including an elongate arm, at least one sensor carried by the arm, and at least one spacer with a flexible wing that extends from a lateral side of the arm and contacts an adjacent sensor assembly, wherein the flexible wing defines a slide surface that extends from the lateral side of the arm and a contact surface that intersects the slide surface, the contact surface configured to contact an adjacent spacer of the adjacent sensor assembly to maintain an expected circumferential spacing between the sensor assembly and the adjacent sensor assembly. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for inspecting a pipeline with an in-line inspection tool, comprising:
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propelling a plurality of sensor assemblies through the pipeline, the sensor assemblies distributed circumferentially about a body of the in-line inspection tool and configured to move radially with respect to a central axis defined by the body, each sensor assembly including an elongate arm, at least one sensor carried by the arm, and a spacer that extends from the arm, and maintaining an expected circumferential spacing between the sensor assemblies via contact between the spacer of each sensor assembly and an adjacent sensor assembly, wherein said contact results in application of a circumferential force to the adjacent sensor assembly. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification