In-Pipe Inspection Vehicle for FRP Pipe Integrity Assessment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) piping is difficult to inspect due to quality issues, soil settlement, and workmanship failures, leading to unplanned shutdowns and revenue loss, with conventional inspection methods requiring impractical excavation.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned vehicle with a vehicle body, propellers, actuators, testing probes, and cameras that can be partially submerged in liquid within conduits to inspect pipe conditions without excavation, using ultrasonic or microwave testing and acoustic emission probes to determine pipe integrity and predict failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional inspection methods are used for FRP piping, then inspection can be performed, but excavation is required which is impractical and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical excavation system with an unmanned inspection vehicle that travels through the pipe interior. The vehicle uses non-contact or minimal-contact sensing methods (cameras, sensors) to inspect the pipe wall and interior conditions without requiring external excavation, thus eliminating the time-consuming excavation step while maintaining inspection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The unmanned inspection vehicle acts as an intermediary between the inspector and the pipe. It carries multiple sensors (cameras, acoustic emission probes, ultrasonic/microwave testing probes) that indirectly detect pipe conditions by measuring physical phenomena (sound waves, electromagnetic waves, acoustic emissions) from within the pipe, allowing inspection without direct physical access through excavation
2Measurement precision
If FRP piping is inspected using traditional methods, then pipe conditions can be assessed, but the process is difficult and requires impractical excavation
Solution Approach 1:
The unmanned inspection vehicle is designed as a multi-functional platform that integrates multiple inspection capabilities (visual inspection via cameras, structural integrity testing via ultrasonic/microwave probes, leak detection via acoustic emission probes) into a single device. This universal design maintains high measurement precision for various pipe conditions while significantly improving ease of operation by eliminating the need for different inspection equipment and procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system is segmented into multiple independent sensing modules (camera system, acoustic emission probe, ultrasonic probe, microwave probe) that can be selectively deployed based on inspection needs. Each module specializes in detecting specific pipe conditions, maintaining high measurement precision while the modular architecture simplifies operation and data analysis
3Reliability
If multiple sensing modalities are integrated in the unmanned vehicle, then comprehensive pipe assessment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing modalities (visual, acoustic, ultrasonic, microwave) and their processing systems into a single integrated unmanned vehicle platform. The vehicle body houses all sensors, power systems, and data processing units, consolidating what would otherwise be separate inspection devices. This merging maintains comprehensive assessment reliability while reducing operational complexity by providing a single unified system rather than multiple separate 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
Enables non-destructive, efficient inspection of FRP piping by avoiding excavation, detecting leaks, anomalies, and predicting failures, reducing downtime and maintenance costs while providing comprehensive pipe condition assessment.
Implementation Method 1
The testing probe can optionally be an ultrasonic or microwave testing probe
Implementation Method 2
The testing probe can optionally be an ultrasonic or microwave testing probe
Implementation Method 3
An acoustic emission probe can be coupled to the vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned vehicle can comprise a vehicle body configured to be at least partially submerged within liquid inside a conduit. At least one propeller can be coupled to the vehicle body. An actuator can be configured to effect movement of the at least one propeller to control motion of the unmanned vehicle within the liquid inside the conduit. A testing probe can be coupled to the vehicle body. The testing probe can optionally be an ultrasonic or microwave testing probe. An acoustic emission probe can be coupled to the vehicle body. A camera can be coupled to the vehicle body.