Device for pipe inspection and method of using same

• US 9,739,792 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2013
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RedZone Robotics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: RedZone Robotics, Inc.
• Inventors: Atwood, Christopher C., Juchniewicz, Richard P., Kratzer, Eric, Slifko, Adam, Johns, Philip Jake
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sinha, Tarun
• Application Number:
  US13/967,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20130332088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• Field of Search: 73865
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/12 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of driving sprockets
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/244 Moulded in one piece, with either smooth surfaces or surfaces having projections, e.g. incorporating reinforcing elements
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/12 Installations enabling inspection personnel to drive along sewer canals
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00 Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/44 inspection

Abstract

A device is described that includes a sensor portion and a chassis portion. The sensor portion includes a plurality of sensing devices. The chassis portion is connected to the sensor portion and includes a first track and a second track. The second track is positioned adjacent the first track. The first and second tracks cooperate to substantially cover an entire width of the chassis portion.

Claims

1. A method for inspecting an interior of a pipe, comprising:

a) traversing the pipe with a mobile pipe inspection robot, wherein the mobile pipe inspection robot comprises a chassis portion having a first track and a second track positioned adjacent to the first track, wherein the first track and the second track cover a substantial width and an entire length of the chassis portion, and are located below a body of the mobile pipe inspection robot, with a substantial portion of the first track and second track located beneath the body of the mobile pipe inspection robot; and

b) capturing data associated with an interior of the pipe while the pipe is being traversed using a sensor included in the body of the mobile pipe inspection robot,

wherein the traversing comprises accessing a memory device of the mobile pipe inspection robot to execute software configured to control the mobile pipe inspection robot as the mobile pipe inspection robot navigates the interior of the pipe.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the traversing is performed automatically.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the capturing is performed automatically.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting an internal timer to start the traversing at a predetermine time.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the predetermined time corresponds to a wait mode.