Inspection assembly for imaging a pipeline

Abstract

An inspection assembly 10 comprises an imaging module 40 including a camera 42 for capturing images of an internal surface of a pipeline and a light source 46 to illuminate the internal surface of the pipeline. It further comprises a control module 30 including circuitry for handling image data from the camera, a power module 20, and first and second sub-assemblies each comprising one or more of the imaging, control and power modules. A coupling 110 connects and permits relative movement between the first and second sub-assemblies such that an angle between the longitudinal axes of the sub-assemblies may be greater than zero. At least one of the first and second subassemblies includes a sealing member 74 to seal against the internal surface of the pipeline such that fluid flowing along the pipeline applies a force to the inspection assembly to propel it along the pipeline. The assembly can comprise a third sub-assembly with a further sealing member, with each of the power, control and imaging modules in a different sub-assembly. The third sub-assembly is coupled to the second sub-assembly and relative movement is permitted such that an angle between the second and third sub-assemblies may be greater than zero. Figure 1