Modular Pressure Vessels With Elastomeric Links for Pipeline Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic systems face challenges in operating within small diameter pipelines due to the need for protection from high hydrostatic pressures, efficient heat removal, and maintaining electrical and hydraulic connections, with existing solutions being bulky and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The use of laminated carbon fiber pressure vessels with elastomeric conduits and heat pipe technology allows for modular separation of components, efficient heat dissipation, and flexible interconnections, enabling movement within high-pressure environments without relying on costly commercial connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metallic structure is used to protect electronics from high hydrostatic pressure, then protection reliability is improved, but system volume increases and mobility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs carbon fiber composite materials to construct the pressure vessel structure. These composites provide high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent pressure resistance, enabling the protective structure to withstand high hydrostatic pressures while maintaining a compact size suitable for small diameter pipelines. The anisotropic properties of carbon fiber composites allow optimization of structural strength in specific directions while minimizing overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system is divided into modular pressure vessel units that can be connected in series. Each module contains protected electronics and can function independently, allowing the system to navigate through pipeline curves and intersections by bending at module connections. This segmentation enables the protective structure to be both strong enough for pressure resistance and flexible enough for mobility in confined spaces.
2Reliability
If commercial connectors are used for electrical and hydraulic interconnections, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates electrical and hydraulic connection functions into a unified elastomeric conduit system. The elastomeric material provides both electrical insulation and hydraulic sealing in a single component, eliminating the need for separate commercial connectors. This merging reduces the number of parts, simplifies the interconnection system, and decreases the space required for connections between modular units.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastomeric conduits and seals are used to provide both electrical and hydraulic connections between modules. The flexible nature of elastomeric materials allows the connections to accommodate module movement and bending while maintaining sealing integrity. This approach replaces rigid commercial connectors with flexible thin-walled structures that are simpler and more adaptable to the modular configuration.
3Temperature
If heat exchanger system is integrated into module structure, then heat removal efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carbon fiber composite pressure vessel structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical strength for pressure resistance, acts as a thermal conduction path for heat removal, and maintains structural integrity. The same structural components that protect against pressure also function as heat sinks, eliminating the need for separate heat exchanger assemblies and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
Carbon fiber composites possess high thermal conductivity in the fiber direction, which is exploited to create passive heat removal paths from electronic components through the pressure vessel walls. The composite material structure naturally conducts heat from internal sources to the external environment without requiring additional active cooling systems, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective heat removal.
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 reduces waste and manufacturing costs, allows for efficient heat removal, and enables robotic systems to operate in small diameter pipes and high-pressure environments with enhanced mobility and connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
Each module has a heat exchanger system (sink) to remove the heat generated by the electronic equipment installed inside thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is used to compose the structure of a system that operates inside pipelines. It can be used in a robotic system in the form of a train to move tools inside small diameter tubes or ducts. It avoids the need for costly commercial connectors with limited variety of connections.The proposed solution is to partition/separate the electronic or hydraulic components into pressure vessel modules, thereby making it necessary to provide an adequate means of interconnection between said modules by means of an elastomeric conduit. Each module has a heat exchanger system (sink) to remove the heat generated by the electronic equipment installed inside thereof. The product of the invention has a sufficient degree of freedom to move in ducts and underwater pipes, where the hydrostatic pressure is extremely high.