MULTI-SENSOR PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20190339150A1
• Filed: 05/03/2019
• Published: 11/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hydromax USA, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hydromax USA, LLC
• Inventors: Schiavone, Guy, Stewart, Adam Fredrick
• Granted Patent: US 11,598,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/00 Other installations or implements for operating sewer systems, e.g. for preventing or indicating stoppage; Emptying cesspools
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/002 by visual inspection
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/30 Detecting leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/00 Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems the preceding groups and groups F16L57/00, F16L59/00 take precedence; repairing or joining pipes on or under water F16L1/26; nozzles B05B; cleaning of pipes B08B9/02; arrangements of draining devices for water main or service pipe systems E03B7/08; devices for preventing bursting of water pipes by freezing E03B7/10; draining devices for hydrants E03B9/14; for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/00; steam traps for draining of liquids from enclosures containing gases or vapours F16T; arrangements for sealing leaky tubes or conduits of heat-exchangers F28F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/20 for measuring contours or curvatures, e.g. determining profile
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/005 using pigs or moles G01M3/246, G01M3/2823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/007 Leak detector calibration, standard leaks G01M3/207 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/38 by using light G01M3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/8874 Taking dimensions of defect into account
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/888 Marking defects
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/8893 providing a video image and a processed signal for helping visual decision
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8507 Probe photometers, i.e. with optical measuring part dipped into fluid sample
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8803 Visual inspection measuring projectors G01B9/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8851 Scan or image signal processing specially adapted therefor, e.g. for scan signal adjustment, for detecting different kinds of defects, for compensating for structures, markings, edges G01N21/8806 and G01N21/93 - G01N21/95692 take precedence; optical measurement of dimensions G01B11/00; optical scanning G02B26/10; image transformation G06T3/00; computerised image enhancement G06T5/00; image processing per se for flaw detection G06T7/0002
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/954 Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/00 2D [Two Dimensional] image generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

An approach for collecting disparate data within a pipe involves a sensor arrangement configured to be deployed within the pipe. The sensor arrangement includes a plurality of sensors configured to detect disparate data related to the pipe. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors is coupled to a respective collection computer on the sensor arrangement. A synchronization module is configured to synchronize the disparate data. A database is configured to store the synchronized data. A processor is configured to process the synchronized data. A user interface configured to present the synchronized data to a user.

Claims

1. A system for collecting disparate data within a pipe, comprising:

a sensor arrangement configured to be deployed within the pipe, the sensor arrangement comprising;

a plurality of sensors configured to detect disparate data related to the pipe, each sensor of the plurality of sensors coupled to a respective collection computer on the sensor arrangement; and

a synchronization module configured to synchronize the disparate data;

a database configured to store the synchronized data;

a processor configured to process the synchronized data; and

a user interface configured to present the synchronized data to a user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the synchronized data is configured to represent at least one of structural and material defects of the pipe.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a camera configured to capture images above a flow line as the sensor arrangement advances through the pipe.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a sonar sensor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a first Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and a second LIDAR sensor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and a ring laser.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of sensors are configured to operate at different scan rates.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the synchronization module is configured to synchronize the disparate data using a heartbeat signal between the collection computers.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the synchronized data is configured to represent three-dimensional geometrical representation of the pipe.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cable coupled to the sensor arrangement; and

a reel coupled to the cable and configured to increase and decrease the length of the cable within the pipe.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the reel is configured to provide locomotion to the sensor arrangement.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a battery configured to provide power to the plurality of sensors.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement is a floating sensor platform.

15. A method for collecting disparate data within a pipe, comprising:

deploying a sensor arrangement within the pipe;

collecting disparate data related to the pipe using a plurality of sensors;

synchronizing the disparate data from the plurality of sensors;

storing the synchronized data in a database;

processing the synchronized data; and

presenting the synchronized data to a user.

16. The method of claim 16, capturing images above a flow line as the sensor arrangement advances through the pipe.

17. The method of claim 16, operating at least two of the plurality of sensors at different scan rates.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising synchronizing the disparate data using a heartbeat signal.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the synchronized data is configured to represent three-dimensional geometrical representation of the pipe.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing locomotion to the sensor arrangement using a reel.