Pipeline pig and method of pipeline inspection
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring the structural condition of a pipeline and its support, the method including the steps of:
- traversing the interior of the pipeline with a pig;
causing the pig to vibrate in at least one of the vertical, longitudinal, lateral, bending and torsional senses;
transmitting the vibrations into the wall of the pipeline;
measuring the vibration response of the pipeline by detecting at least one of the vertical, longitudinal, lateral, bending and torsional motions of the pig; and
displaying and/or recording the measured data in a form which can be used to identify variations in the structural condition of the pipeline and its support.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pipeline inspection apparatus includes a pipeline pig which has a shaker for causing the pig to vibrate in one or more of the vertical, longitudinal, lateral, bending and torsional senses. The vibrations are transmitted into the wall of a pipeline through which the pig is moved and the vibration response of the pipeline is measured by accelerometers in the pig for detecting one or more of the vertical, longitudinal, lateral, bending and torsional motions of the pig. A data acquisition system and computer are used. For displaying and/or recording the measured data in a form which can be used to identify variations in the structural condition of the pipeline.
63 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring the structural condition of a pipeline and its support, the method including the steps of:
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traversing the interior of the pipeline with a pig; causing the pig to vibrate in at least one of the vertical, longitudinal, lateral, bending and torsional senses; transmitting the vibrations into the wall of the pipeline; measuring the vibration response of the pipeline by detecting at least one of the vertical, longitudinal, lateral, bending and torsional motions of the pig; and displaying and/or recording the measured data in a form which can be used to identify variations in the structural condition of the pipeline and its support. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A pipeline pig comprising:
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means for causing the pig to vibrate in at least one of the vertical, longitudinal, lateral, bending and torsional senses; means for transmitting the vibrations into the wall of a pipeline through which it is moved; means for measuring the vibration response of the pipeline by detecting at least one of the vertical, longitudinal, lateral, bending and torsional motions of the pig. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification