Autonomous Pipeline Inspection Using Flow-Propelled Multi-Sensor Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipeline assessment methods, such as CCTV, are costly, time-consuming, pose safety risks to workers, and cause community disruptions due to the need for extensive traffic control and multiple manhole access points, while also failing to provide comprehensive data on pipeline conditions beyond visual inspection.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous pipeline assessment apparatus that uses fluid flow to propel itself through pipelines, equipped with multiple assessment mechanisms like cameras, sonar, lasers, and gas monitors, reducing the need for manual operation and minimizing community disruption by accessing only two manholes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CCTV assessment method is used with remote-controlled vehicle, then visual inspection capability is improved, but operational complexity and safety risks increase due to tethered connection and traffic control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle performs pipeline assessment independently without requiring tethered connection to operators. The vehicle navigates, collects data, and returns automatically, eliminating the need for continuous human control and traffic management, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining inspection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical tethered control system with an autonomous navigation system. The vehicle uses sensors and onboard computing to navigate the pipeline independently, substituting the complex mechanical tethering and manual control infrastructure with automated electronic navigation
2Loss of information
If CCTV assessment is performed by driving vehicle through pipeline, then location data is collected, but time consumption increases due to multiple manhole access points
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle integrates multiple assessment functions including visual inspection, sonar scanning, laser measurement, and gas detection into a single platform. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive data collection at each location without requiring separate inspection passes, reducing total assessment time while maintaining complete location data collection
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle continuously collects multiple parameters (visual, sonar, laser, gas) simultaneously during a single pass through the pipeline, rather than requiring multiple separate inspections. This continuous multi-parameter collection eliminates redundant travel time and manhole access operations
3Reliability
If traffic control materials are set up for crew access, then worker safety is improved, but community disruption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the workers from the hazardous environment by using an autonomous vehicle that operates independently in the pipeline. The vehicle eliminates the need for workers to access the pipeline or set up traffic control materials, removing the source of community disruption while maintaining safety through automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle acts as an intermediary between the inspection objective and human operators. It performs the dangerous pipeline inspection work remotely, eliminating the need for direct worker presence and associated traffic control measures, thus removing community disruption while preserving safety
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive multi-parameter assessment is implemented, then data quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple assessment technologies (cameras, sonar, laser scanners, gas sensors) into a single integrated autonomous vehicle platform. By merging these systems into one unified device, the patent achieves comprehensive multi-parameter data collection while reducing the overall complexity compared to using separate inspection systems
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle is designed as a universal platform capable of performing multiple assessment functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the single device to collect visual, acoustic, optical, and chemical data, achieving comprehensive data quality without requiring multiple specialized devices
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces assessment costs and time, enhances data collection efficiency, improves worker safety, and allows for more proactive pipeline maintenance by providing comprehensive data on pipeline conditions, including velocity, temperature, turbulence, and gas concentrations, enabling utilities to target rehabilitation efforts more effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an autonomous assessment apparatus that is untethered and propelled by pipeline flow
Implementation Method 2
scans below the liquid surface (sonar)
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for the autonomous assessment of pipelines. The apparatus combines commercially available mechanisms for pipeline assessment in a unique untethered pipeline assessment device that is propelled through the pipeline by the flow of liquid in the pipeline, thus allowing for the assessment of pipelines much cheaper, faster, safer and less disruptive to the community than the current assessment methods.