WATER PIPE INSPECTION ROBOT AND METHOD OF TRAVERSING A WATER PIPE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for traversing a conduit, the device comprising:
- a body having a first member receivable within a second member, the first member slidable relative to the second member;
a first actuator coupled to a first end of the body;
a second actuator coupled to a second end of the body, the second end opposite the first end;
a third actuator coupled to the body between the first actuator and the second actuator, the third actuator spaced apart from the first actuator and from the second actuator; and
a pneumatic system configured to change pressures with the first, second, and third actuators.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for traversing a conduit includes a body having a first member that is receivable within a second member. The first member is slidable relative to the second member. A first actuator is coupled to a first end of the body. A second actuator is coupled to a second end of the body. A third actuator is coupled to the body between the first actuator and the second actuator. The third actuator is also spaced apart from the first actuator and the second actuator. The device also includes a pneumatic system that is configured to change the pressure of the actuators.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A device for traversing a conduit, the device comprising:
-
a body having a first member receivable within a second member, the first member slidable relative to the second member; a first actuator coupled to a first end of the body; a second actuator coupled to a second end of the body, the second end opposite the first end; a third actuator coupled to the body between the first actuator and the second actuator, the third actuator spaced apart from the first actuator and from the second actuator; and a pneumatic system configured to change pressures with the first, second, and third actuators. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A device for traversing a conduit, the device comprising:
-
a body having a first member receivable within a second member, the first member slidable relative to the second member; a tensioning band coupled to both the first and second members; first and second inflatable actuators coupled to an exterior of the first member; and a third inflatable actuator coupled to an exterior of the second member. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for moving a device through a conduit, the device including a body having a first member that is slidably received in a second member, the device including a first inflatable actuator coupled to the body, a second inflatable actuator coupled to the body, and a third inflatable actuator coupled to the body, the method comprising:
-
a first step of inflating the second and third actuators and deflating the first actuator; a second step of deflating the third actuator and inflating the first actuator while the second actuator remains inflated; a third step of deflating the second actuator while the first actuator remains inflated and the third actuator remains deflated; and a fourth step of inflating the third actuator and deflating the first actuator while the second actuator remains deflated.
-
Specification