Remote controlled pipeline inspection vehicle for locating pipeline branches

摘要

The vehicle is run inside a pipeline which has been upgraded by installing a plastics liner. It locates the pipeline side branches to enable the remote cutter to open the side branches. The sensor head has a cylindrical body which rotates and which has a line of inductive sensors (10) as well as a ring of sensors (11) to accurately locate the side branches.The dia. of the ring of sensors is between half the dia. of the side branch and the full dia. For non-metallic pipes a metal locating mark is positioned at the edge of the side branch before fitting the liner. The sensor head can be rotated and moved axially, with the position control monitored on the processor.