Abstract

The present invention provides a robot which is suitable for travel through a pipeline. The inventive robot comprises at least one tracked drive means and at least one roller means that can swivel about an axis substantially normal to a rolling axis thereof, wherein said at least one tracked drive means and at least one roller means are provided with magnetic means for generating a magnetic adhesion force between the robot and an internal wall of the pipeline.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 55/32 - Constructional aspects of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables being self-contained
• B60B 19/00 - Wheels not otherwise provided for or having characteristics specified in one of the subgroups of this group
• B62D 55/02 - Endless-track vehicles with tracks and additional ground wheels
• B62D 55/265 - Ground-engaging parts or elements having magnetic or pneumatic adhesion

Abstract

The present invention provides a robot which is suitable for travel through a pipeline. The inventive robot comprises at least one tracked drive means and at least one roller means that can swivel about an axis substantially normal to a rolling axis thereof, wherein said at least one tracked drive means and at least one roller means are provided with magnetic means for generating a magnetic adhesion force between the robot and an internal wall of the pipeline.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 55/32 - Constructional aspects of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables being self-contained
• B60B 19/00 - Wheels not otherwise provided for or having characteristics specified in one of the subgroups of this group
• B62D 55/02 - Endless-track vehicles with tracks and additional ground wheels
• B62D 55/265 - Ground-engaging parts or elements having magnetic or pneumatic adhesion
• F16L 101/30 - Inspecting, measuring or testing

Abstract

The present invention provides a robot which is suitable for travel through a pipeline. The inventive robot comprises at least one tracked drive means and at least one roller means that can swivel about an axis substantially normal to a rolling axis thereof, wherein said at least one tracked drive means and at least one roller means are provided with magnetic means for generating a magnetic adhesion force between the robot and an internal wall of the pipeline.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 55/32 - Constructional aspects of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables being self-contained
• B60B 19/00 - Wheels not otherwise provided for or having characteristics specified in one of the subgroups of this group
• B62D 55/02 - Endless-track vehicles with tracks and additional ground wheels
• B62D 55/265 - Ground-engaging parts or elements having magnetic or pneumatic adhesion
• F16L 101/30 - Inspecting, measuring or testing

Abstract

Apparatus (100) for performing at least one operation on a pipeline (101) from within the pipeline (101), the apparatus (100) being propellable along and within the pipeline (101), wherein the apparatus comprises: at least one operational means (110, 130, 140, 150, 160) for performing the at least one operation on the pipeline (101) from therewithin, and actuation means for actuating operation of the at least one operational means (110, 130, 140, 150, 160), the actuation means comprising a pressurised fluid, wherein a supply (200) of said pressurised fluid is provided in or on the apparatus (100), the supply preferably being in the form of a reservoir (200) of the pressurised fluid carried onboard a fluid supply module (120) of the apparatus (100).

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 55/28 - Constructional aspects

Abstract

There is provided a robot drive assembly (110) for moving a robot (100) along a substantially cylindrical pipeline within the pipeline, the assembly (110) comprising: a first body (HOB) having a first axis arranged to be oriented, in use, substantially parallel to or coincident with a longitudinal axis of a pipeline; a motor drive (110M1) coupled to the first body (110B); and a worm screw member (112W) coupled to the first body (110B), the worm screw member (112W) carrying an external helical thread (112WE) about a screw axis thereof, the motor drive (110M1) being arranged to cause rotation of the worm screw member (112W) about the screw axis relative to the first body (110B); at least one drive wheel member (111R) configured to engage an internal wall of the pipeline, the at least one drive wheel member (111R) being arranged to be rotatably driven by the helical thread (112WE) of the worm screw member (112W) to cause translation of the assembly (110) within a pipeline.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 55/32 - Constructional aspects of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables being self-contained
• F16L 55/40 - Constructional aspects of the body

Abstract

Apparatus (100) for performing a cutting operation on an inner wall of a pipeline (101) from within the pipeline (101), the apparatus (100) being propellable longitudinally along and within the pipeline (101), wherein the apparatus (101) comprises, e.g. in a dedicated drill module (130) thereof:: cutting means (440) for performing the cutting operation on the pipeline (101) from there within, drive means (410a, 410b) for driving the cutting means (440) so as to perform the cutting operation when in a cutting relationship with the pipeline inner wall to be cut, and displacement means (460a, 460b; 462a, 462b; 468a, 468b) for advancing or retracting the cutting means (440) into or from the said cutting relationship with the pipeline inner wall.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 55/26 - Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
• B23Q 5/34 - Feeding other members supporting tools or work, e.g. saddles, tool-slides, through mechanical transmission

Abstract

Apparatus 100 for providing a fluid connection to a pipeline 101, the apparatus 100 comprising: propulsion means 110 for propelling the apparatus 100 along the pipeline 101 within the pipeline 101; means 130 for forming an aperture in a wall of the pipeline 101 from within the pipeline; and means for coupling 140 to the pipeline 101 from within the pipeline a fitting 140F comprising at least a portion of a connector for making a service connection to the pipeline 101 via the aperture.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 55/26 - Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means