Deformable Foam Pipe Pig for Pipeline Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe inspection pigs are expensive, time-consuming, and prone to getting stuck in pipelines, limiting their versatility and requiring specialized equipment for deployment and retrieval, and are not well-suited for pipelines with varying diameters or complex geometries.
Innovation Solution
A pipe pig with a deformable foam body and electromagnetic sensors that induce and receive signals from the pipe wall, allowing for inspection while being propelled by fluid pressure and capable of compressing to navigate different diameters, reducing the risk of getting stuck and eliminating the need for specialized launch and retrieval stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid body with moveable arms is used for sensor mounting, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability to different pipeline diameters and geometries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid body with a flexible foam body that can deform to conform to different pipeline internal diameters and geometries. The flexible material allows the sensor array to maintain contact with the pipe wall across varying diameters while preserving inspection capability, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability.
2Extent of automation
If inspection pigs are made long and heavy to include necessary equipment, then functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to getting stuck and requiring specialized launch/retrieval stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically adaptable foam body that can change its physical properties (compressibility, shape) in response to pipeline conditions. This dynamic characteristic allows the inspection device to navigate complex geometries without getting stuck, eliminating the need for specialized heavy-duty launch and retrieval infrastructure while maintaining full inspection functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inspection pigs are used to cover wider pipeline ranges, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal inspection device through the flexible foam body that can adapt to various pipeline diameters and geometries within a wide range. This single multi-functional device replaces the need for multiple specialized inspection pigs, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining broad adaptability across different pipeline specifications.
4Reliability
If specialist launching and receiving stations are used for pig deployment, then reliability of inspection is improved, but loss of time and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible foam body enables the inspection device to be self-deployable through standard pipeline access points without requiring specialized launching stations. The material's compressibility and adaptability allow it to navigate the pipeline autonomously, eliminating the time-consuming preparation and retrieval processes associated with traditional rigid inspection pigs while maintaining inspection reliability.
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
The deformable pipe pig effectively inspects pipeline conditions, reduces costs and logistical efforts, and can navigate complex pipeline geometries, providing a cost-effective and efficient inspection solution without the risk of getting stuck.
Implementation Method 1
The means for inducing an electric current in the wall of the pipe may include a generating coil for producing a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
the means for receiving an electromagnetic signal from the wall of the pipe, such that data about the pipe wall can be obtained
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A pipe pig for travelling along the bore of a pipe, the pipe pig comprising a body formed of a deformable material comprising foam, and a plurality of electromagnetic sensors disposed about an outer surface of the body or within the body. The plurality of electromagnetic sensors include means for inducing an electric current in a wall of the pipe, and means for receiving an electromagnetic signal from the wall of the pipe, such that data about the pipe wall can be obtained as the pipe pig travels along a bore of the pipe.