Sewerage pipe inspection vehicle having a gas sensor

• US 7,024,314 B1
• Filed: 12/03/2004
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alfred Stella, Ray Boyles
• Original Assignee: Alfred Stella, Ray Boyles
• Inventors: Boyles, Ray, Stella, Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Bryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Toan M.
• Application Number:
  US11/003,226
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 702/31, 701/29, 701/23, 901/1, 318/568.12, 318/587, 405/154.1, 738/658, 180/167
• US Class Current: 702/31
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2101/30 Inspecting, measuring or testing
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/30 of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables

Abstract

An apparatus and method for inspecting sewerage pipes, including in combination with a first mobile pipe vehicle, a gas sensor vehicle for detecting pipe ambient gas. The combination includes an interface cable conveying power and operably connecting the combination to a control station positioned outside the pipe, a second vehicle having a support frame connected to the first mobile pipe vehicle, a gas sensor positioned on the second vehicle support frame and connected to the interface cable for sensing pipe ambient gas level, and a transceiver communicating with the gas sensor and connected to the interface cable for therethrough communicating with the control station. The second vehicle is preferably connected to the first mobile pipe vehicle by the interface cable and is thereby towed in the pipe.

Claims

1. A mobile vehicle apparatus for sewer pipe inspection, comprising:

a power source;

a motor connected to said power source;

at least one endless member driven by said motor;

a camera connected to said power source;

a sensor operably connected for sensing sewer pipe ambient gas level; and

a controller responsive to said sensor and programmed to generate an alarm signal at a predetermined sensed ambient gas level approaching a danger level.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller is further programmed to interrupt flow of power to said apparatus at a predetermined sensed ambient gas level.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said danger level is near a flammable level.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said danger level is near an explosive level.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said danger level is near a human toxic level.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power source comprises an on-board power source carried by said apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power source comprises a power source remote to said apparatus and said apparatus further comprises an interface cable connecting said apparatus to said remote power source.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one endless member comprises a track.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one endless member comprises a wheel.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a digital video camera capable of capturing moving video images.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light source for providing lighting for said camera.

12. A gas sensor apparatus for sewer pipe inspection, comprising:

a support frame adapted for travel within the pipe;

an interface cable operably connecting said apparatus to a control station positioned outside the pipe;

a gas sensor for sensing pipe ambient gas level; and

a transceiver communicating with said sensor and connected to said interface cable for therethrough communicating with the control station.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a controller responsive to said gas sensor and programmed to generate an alarm signal at a predetermined sensed sewer pipe ambient gas level.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said predetermined sewer pipe ambient gas level comprises a level approaching flammability.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said controller is further programmed to interrupt power flow to said apparatus at a predetermined sensed sewer pipe ambient gas level.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said sewer pipe ambient gas level comprises an explosive level.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said sewer pipe ambient gas level comprises a human toxic level.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said support frame further comprises at least one endless member adapted for travel through the pipe, said endless member being selected from a skid, a track, a wheel, and combinations thereof.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said gas sensor comprises a source of infrared light.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said gas sensor comprises a laser source.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein power comprises direct current.