Self-powered pipeline vehicle for carrying out an operation on a pipeline and method
First Claim
1. A pipeline vehicle having a body comprising:
- a plurality of linked modules including a traction module providing drive power such that the linked modules form a self-powered train for traveling within a pipeline;
at least one of the linked modules being capable of carrying out an operation on the pipeline;
one of the linked modules having a detector for an item to be operated on;
a module including a clamp that holds the vehicle at a fixed point in the pipeline;
a rotational device within another module, operable to rotate axially at least one part of the body relative to the pipeline so as to align the module capable of carrying out the operation with the item detected; and
a control mechanism within the vehicle automatically controlling alignment and operation thereof in dependence on information from the detector.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An in-pipe vehicle for carrying out at least one operation in a pipeline. The vehicle includes a train of modules interlinked by suspension units to allow serpentine movement through pipe bends. The vehicle train has its own internal power supply and drive mechanism in the modules. A detector module determines the presence of a service junction using magnetic field information. A manipulative module allows the vehicle to be temporarily wedged in the pipeline while providing rotational movement to facilitate the desired operation at the junction. This may include drilling and welding of a service pipe to the main using appropriate modules. A remote probe typically containing a magnetic field generator can be used to assist in service junction location by the vehicle.
216 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A pipeline vehicle having a body comprising:
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a plurality of linked modules including a traction module providing drive power such that the linked modules form a self-powered train for traveling within a pipeline; at least one of the linked modules being capable of carrying out an operation on the pipeline; one of the linked modules having a detector for an item to be operated on; a module including a clamp that holds the vehicle at a fixed point in the pipeline; a rotational device within another module, operable to rotate axially at least one part of the body relative to the pipeline so as to align the module capable of carrying out the operation with the item detected; and a control mechanism within the vehicle automatically controlling alignment and operation thereof in dependence on information from the detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of effecting an operation on a pipeline comprising the steps of:
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passing a self-powered vehicle consisting of a train of separate flexibly linked modules including a traction module providing drive power for the vehicle through the pipeline; detecting a presence of an item to be operated on; then moving the vehicle to align a module with the item to carry out a desired operation; said moving step including a substep of clamping a portion of the vehicle; said clamping substep including a further substep of effecting axial rotational movement of the module relative to the pipeline to allow the operation on the pipeline to be automatically performed; and carrying out the desired operation automatically. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A self-powered pipeline vehicle comprising:
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a traction module that provides drive power for the vehicle and that has a generally cylindrical body portion configured to move generally coaxially within a pipeline bore; a control mechanism configured to control operation of the vehicle; a power source which provides operational power to the vehicle; a magnetic detector mounted on the vehicle and being capable of detecting a presence of a pipe junction in a main pipeline; a device carried by the vehicle and configured to form an aperture in a liner within the main pipeline; and an apparatus that axially rotates the cylindrical body portion relative to the pipeline bore to align the aperture forming device with the pipe junction prior to forming the aperture at the pipe junction; wherein said control mechanism receives information from the magnetic detector to control automatically movement of the vehicle and to control automatically formation of the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification