PIPELINE EXAMINATION MANIPULATOR, PREFERABLY FOR EXAMINATION OF PIPELINE WELDS IN PLACES WITH DIFFICULT ACCESS, AND METHOD OF ATTACHMENT OF SUCH MANIPULATOR TO A PIPELINE

摘要

Manipulator used to examine pipelines, preferably pipeline circumferential welds with limited access, comprising at least a car (1) to hold at least one probe, a control unit and a clamping element (13) to clamp the assembly around the pipe (14) to be examined. The car (1) is designed for circumferential movement around the pipe (14) being examined, while the clamping element (13) is designed to go round the pipe (14) being examined and has two opposite free ends. The car (1) is provided with two independent driving mechanisms positioned at a distance from each other, which are designed to attach the car (1) to the clamping element (13) and to move on it around the pipe (14) being examined, while the control unit is programmed to control one of the driving mechanisms to ensure the required movement of the car (1) along the pipe (14) being examined and to control the other driving mechanism to ensure tightening of the clamping element (13) during the said movement of the car (1) by tightening the clamping element (13) to the pipe (14).