Pipeline Inspection Imaging for High-Pressure Corrosion Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pipeline inspection devices face challenges in withstanding harsh and corrosive conditions, high temperatures, and pressures while accurately detecting corrosion and defects in pipes, often being bulky and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline inspection device equipped with a housing, diaphragms, an imaging device, processor, storage, and a machine learning algorithm that can withstand pressures of 3000 psig or greater, featuring extendable arms and an antenna for data transmission, allowing for image-based detection and data processing to identify defects and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pipeline inspection devices are made robust to withstand harsh conditions and high pressures, then reliability improves, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline inspection device is divided into modular components including a propulsion module, imaging module, data processing module, and communication module. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently optimized, allowing the device to withstand harsh conditions without excessive bulk by only including necessary components in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the imaging device and sensors are housed within a protective casing that is itself contained within the main propulsion body. Data processing units are integrated within the imaging module, creating a compact hierarchical arrangement that reduces overall device bulk while maintaining robustness against high pressures and harsh conditions.
2Measurement precision
If imaging devices and data processing equipment are added to detect corrosion and defects, then measurement precision improves, but device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement systems with optical imaging devices and electronic sensors for detecting corrosion and defects. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy mechanical gauges and manual inspection equipment, achieving high measurement precision while significantly reducing device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is designed to perform multiple functions including corrosion detection, defect identification, and pipeline geometry mapping. By using a single multi-functional imaging system rather than separate specialized devices for each function, the patent reduces overall device weight while maintaining high measurement precision across all inspection tasks.
3Loss of information
If real-time data transmission capabilities are added, then information availability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module transmits data in periodic bursts rather than continuously, sending imaging data and sensor readings at predetermined intervals or when significant findings are detected. This periodic transmission approach maintains information availability while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time streaming.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary data processing and filtering onboard before transmission, pre-processing images to identify and flag only significant findings such as corrosion or defects. This preliminary action reduces the volume of data requiring transmission and allows the system to maintain information availability for critical issues while minimizing energy consumption by transmitting only essential data.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipeline inspection device including a housing, an antenna, an imaging device having one or more lenses, two diaphragms extending from the housing and distal to one another along the length of the housing, the two diaphragms sharing a longitudinal axis with the housing, a processor, a storage device in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the processor, storing a machine learning algorithm and instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein the antenna is operable to communicate with a remote transceiver, the remote transceiver being located on a pipeline through which the pipeline inspection device travels. Also disclosed herein are systems and methods for using the same.