초록 ▼

An inspection system configured for “no-blow” use in a pressurized gas pipeline includes a push rod wound around a spool for convenient deployment and portability. A camera disposed on one end of the push rod is configured to relay images back to a monitor. A motor is configured for remote actuation

An inspection system configured for “no-blow” use in a pressurized gas pipeline includes a push rod wound around a spool for convenient deployment and portability. A camera disposed on one end of the push rod is configured to relay images back to a monitor. A motor is configured for remote actuation by an operator, and provides for self-propelled movement of the camera in the pipeline. An entry tube is configured for sealed entry into the pipeline to facilitate entry of the camera and push rod. A guide shoe at the end of the entry tube provides a smooth transition for the camera and push rod as it leaves the entry tube and enters the pipeline. An automatically deployable and retractable positioning system is used to keep the camera away from an interior surface of the pipeline, and in the case of smaller pipelines, centers the camera within the pipeline.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An inspection system for a pressurized pipeline that defines a first longitudinal axis, the inspection system comprising: an elongate flexible guide member; a first conduit having a first end and a second end with an opening in a sidewall of the first conduit, and defining a second longitudinal a

1. An inspection system for a pressurized pipeline that defines a first longitudinal axis, the inspection system comprising: an elongate flexible guide member; a first conduit having a first end and a second end with an opening in a sidewall of the first conduit, and defining a second longitudinal axis, the second end of the first conduit being configured for insertion into an opening in the pipeline, and further configured to receive the guide member therein to facilitate entry of the guide member into the pipeline, the opening in the second end of the first conduit being sized and positioned such that it is inserted past an edge of the opening in the pipeline when the second end of the first conduit is inserted into the pipeline through the opening in the pipeline; wherein a portion of the sidewall of the first conduit facing a direction of the opening in the first conduit is insertable past the edge of the opening in the pipeline when the second end of the first conduit is inserted into the opening of the pipeline; a camera attached to the guide member and configured to pass through the first conduit and into the pipeline; and a transition member disposed at the opening in the second end of the first conduit and having a first surface forming an oblique angle with the first longitudinal axis and further forming an oblique angle with the second longitudinal axis, the first surface facilitating a change in direction of the guide member as the camera contacts the first surface of the transition member, the opening in the second end of the first conduit being further sized and positioned such that the guide member is prevented from contacting the edge of the opening in the pipeline when the guide member passes through the first conduit and into the pipeline. 2. The inspection system of claim 1, further comprising a motor arrangement operable to move the guide member through the first conduit and into the pipeline. 3. The inspection system of claim 2, wherein the motor arrangement includes a motor and a pair of rollers at least one of which is driven by the motor and configured to capture the guide member therebetween, thereby pushing the guide member through the first conduit and into the pipeline. 4. The inspection system of claim 1, the pressurized pipeline being selectively accessible through a valve system, the inspection system further comprising a second conduit having first and second ends and configured to receive the first conduit therein, the first end of the second conduit being configured for attachment to the valve system, thereby facilitating entry of the first conduit into the pipeline through the valve system. 5. The inspection system of claim 4, further comprising a retaining structure configured to secure the first conduit relative to the second conduit after the first conduit is moved through the second conduit and into the pipeline. 6. The inspection system of claim 1, further comprising: a biasing member disposed between a first end of the guide member and the camera, the biasing member having a first end axially fixed relative to the first end of the guide member, and a second end axially movable relative to the first end of the guide member; andat least two flexible arms, each of the arms having a first end pivotally disposed between the biasing member and the camera, forming respective pivotal attachments, and a second end pivotally disposed between the camera and the biasing member, thereby facilitating automatic outward movement of a portion of each of the arms as the second end of the biasing member moves away from the first end of the biasing member when the arms exit the first conduit into an interior of the pipeline, and further facilitating inward movement of a portion of each of the arms when the arms are retracted into the first conduit, thereby causing a movement of the second end of the biasing member toward the first end of the biasing member. 7. The inspection system of claim 6, further comprising a support member disposed between the first end of the guide member and a first end of the camera for supporting the camera remotely from the first end of the guide member, thereby providing a distance between the first end of the guide member and the camera to facilitate use of the arms. 8. The inspection system of claim 6, wherein the biasing member includes a coil spring, and the second end of each of the arms includes an aperture therethrough, the coil spring being disposed through each of the apertures, thereby forming the pivotal attachments between the biasing member and each of the arms. 9. The inspection system of claim 6, further comprising an adapter member configured for attachment to the first end of the guide member, and further configured to receive the first end of the biasing member, thereby axially fixing the first end of the biasing member relative to the first end of the guide member. 10. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein the first conduit has a cross section with an outer width dimension, and the transition member is configured to not extend beyond the outer width dimension of the first conduit. 11. The inspection system of claim 10, wherein the cross section of the first conduit is generally circular and the outer width dimension is an outer diameter of the first conduit. 12. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein the opening in the second end of the first conduit is configured as an open channel. 13. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein the opening in the pipeline is disposed in a top of the pipeline and the opening in the second end of the first conduit is disposed at a bottom of the pipeline when the second end of the first conduit is inserted into the pipeline through the opening in the pipeline and contacts a bottom of the pipeline. 14. An inspection system for a pressurized pipeline that defines a first longitudinal axis, the inspection system comprising: a conduit defining a second longitudinal axis and having an opening in a sidewall thereof, the opening being located at a position relative to an end of the conduit and having a length in a direction along the second longitudinal axis that is smaller than a diameter of the pipeline such that the opening in the conduit is disposed entirely within the pipeline, and a portion of the sidewall of the conduit facing a direction of the opening in the conduit is inserted past an edge of an opening in a wall of the pipeline, when the end of the conduit is inserted into the opening in the wall of the pipeline and contacts an opposing wall of the pipeline;a guide member configured for insertion into the conduit; anda transition member disposed at the opening in the conduit and configured to be contacted by the guide member when the guide member is inserted into the conduit, the transition member being sized and shaped to facilitate a change in direction of the guide member as it is inserted in the conduit from a direction along the second longitudinal axis to a direction along the first longitudinal axis. 15. The inspection system of claim 14, further comprising: a camera attached to the guide member and configured to pass through the conduit and into the pipeline;a biasing member disposed between a first end of the guide member and the camera, the biasing member having a first end axially fixed relative to the first end of the guide member, and a second end axially movable relative to the first end of the guide member; andat least two flexible arms, each of the arms having a first end pivotally disposed between the biasing member and the camera, forming respective pivotal attachments, and a second end pivotally disposed between the camera and the biasing member, thereby facilitating automatic outward movement of a portion of each of the arms as the second end of the biasing member moves away from the first end of the biasing member when the arms exit the conduit into an interior of the pipeline, and further facilitating inward movement of a portion of each of the arms when the arms are retracted into the conduit, thereby causing a movement of the second end of the biasing member toward the first end of the biasing member. 16. The inspection system of claim 15, wherein the biasing member includes a coil spring, and the second end of each of the arms includes an aperture therethrough, the coil spring being disposed through each of the apertures, thereby forming the pivotal attachments between the biasing member and each of the arms. 17. The inspection system of claim 14, wherein the opening in the wall of the pipeline is disposed in a top of the pipeline, and the opening in the conduit is disposed at a bottom of the pipeline when the end of the conduit is inserted into the opening in the wall of the pipeline and contacts the opposing wall of the pipeline. 18. The inspection system of claim 14, wherein the opening in the conduit is configured as an open channel. 19. An inspection system for a pressurized pipeline that defines a first longitudinal axis, the inspection system comprising: a conduit defining a second longitudinal axis and having an open channel therein with a first end disposed toward an end of the conduit and a second end disposed away from the end of the conduit in a first direction along the second longitudinal axis, the open channel being sized and shaped such that a wall of the conduit beyond the second end of the channel in the first direction is disposed within the pipeline when the end of the conduit is inserted into an opening in a wall of the pipeline and contacts an opposing wall of the pipeline;an elongate flexible member configured for insertion into the conduit, through the open channel, and into the pipeline; anda transition member disposed at the opening in the conduit and configured to be contacted by the elongate flexible member when the elongate flexible member is inserted into the conduit, the transition member being sized and shaped to facilitate a change in direction of the elongate flexible member as it is inserted in the conduit from a direction along the second longitudinal axis to a direction along the first longitudinal axis, the open channel being further sized and shaped such that the wall of the conduit is disposed between the elongate flexible member and an edge in the opening in the wall of the pipeline so that contact between the elongate flexible member and the edge in the opening in the wall of the pipeline is inhibited when the elongate flexible member changes a direction along the second longitudinal axis to a direction along the first longitudinal axis. 20. The inspection system of claim 19, wherein the opening in the wall of the pipeline is disposed in a top of the pipeline, and the open channel is disposed at a bottom of the pipeline when the end of the conduit is inserted into the opening in the wall of the pipeline and contacts the opposing wall of the pipeline.