초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for internally inspecting a relatively small diameter live pipeline with a camera introduced into an elongated hole cut into the wall of the pipeline at a strategic location. A housing formed by a pair of opposed oblique nipples is secured to the pipe and a rotary cutter is op

A method and apparatus for internally inspecting a relatively small diameter live pipeline with a camera introduced into an elongated hole cut into the wall of the pipeline at a strategic location. A housing formed by a pair of opposed oblique nipples is secured to the pipe and a rotary cutter is operated successively through the nipples to produce the elongated hole. The camera is introduced successively through each of the nipples to scan both upstream and downstream of the location of the elongated hole. The oblique orientation of the nipples simplifies the elongated hole forming operation and reduces flexural stresses on a cable used to propel the camera through the pipeline.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for inspecting a pipeline in service comprising a housing adapted to be fixed on the exterior of the pipeline to isolate a portion of its wall from the environment, means for rotary cutting receivable in the housing, means on the housing for supporting said rotary cutting means for rotatio

Apparatus for inspecting a pipeline in service comprising a housing adapted to be fixed on the exterior of the pipeline to isolate a portion of its wall from the environment, means for rotary cutting receivable in the housing, means on the housing for supporting said rotary cutting means for rotation and advance into the isolated wall portion on two separate cutting axii, each of said axii and the longitudinal axis of the pipe lying in substantially the same plane, the separate cutting axii each forming an oblique angle with the axis of the pipe and being arranged such that movement along each towards the pipeline includes a directional component opposite that of the other, means associated with each axis of the housing for valving the housing from the atmosphere, said rotary cutting supporting means including means for actuating carried by said housing outwardly of said valving means, the actuating means having a shaft for rotating and axially advancing said rotary cutting means successively along each of said cutting axii, said cutting axii and rotary cutting means being arranged to cut a hole in the side of the pipeline that is elongated in the axial direction of the pipeline and is greater in length in such direction that a hole which could be cut by said cutting means operating along only one of said axii whereby a relatively bulky elongated camera can be fully received in said pipeline through the elongated hole.