Pipeline Sensor Holders With Rotational Guides for Stable Standoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pipeline inspection systems face issues with inaccurate data due to frictional drag causing sensor holders to pull away from the pipeline wall, wear and deterioration of skids leading to changes in standoff distance and inclination angle, and uncontrolled deformations resulting in reduced sensor accuracy and potential failure to pass through sections with changing pipeline diameters.
Innovation Solution
The system includes sensor modules with pivotable sensor holders and rotational guides biased towards the pipeline wall to maintain a consistent standoff distance and inclination angle, featuring a drawbar and suspension mechanisms to ensure stability and prevent damage, allowing for accurate data acquisition and 360-degree inspection coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If skids are used to protect sensors and maintain standoff distance, then sensor protection and positioning are improved, but frictional drag causes sensor holders to pull away from the pipeline wall, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from flexible elastomer to rigid wear-resistant material, and changes the geometric parameter by adding rotational guides that constrain the sensor holder orientation. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining sensor protection through rigid structure while preventing pull-away through rotational guidance mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational guides act as intermediary elements between the sensor holder and pipeline wall, providing a mechanical constraint that prevents the sensor holder from pulling away due to frictional drag. This intermediary mechanism maintains measurement precision while the skid continues to provide protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If skids are made flexible to navigate bends, then adaptability to pipeline geometry is improved, but uncontrolled deformations occur, causing skid liftoff and deviations in sensor inclination angle, worsening measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from flexible to rigid, eliminating uncontrolled deformations. Adaptability to pipeline bends is maintained through the rotational guides that allow controlled rotation while preventing uncontrolled deformation that would cause liftoff and angle deviations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If skids are made rigid to prevent deformation, then sensor positioning stability is improved, but wear and deterioration still occur over time, changing standoff distance and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of disposable components by making the skid a replaceable wear component. The rigid skid maintains sensor positioning stability during operation, and when wear occurs, the entire skid assembly can be replaced rather than repaired, maintaining long-term reliability through systematic component replacement.
4Measurement precision
If sensor holders are fixed to maintain set inclination angle, then measurement precision is improved, but frictional drag causes pulling away from the wall, reducing both measurement precision and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic rotational guide mechanism. The rotational guides allow the sensor holder to rotate and maintain contact with the pipeline wall under varying frictional drag conditions, preserving both measurement precision and attachment integrity through adaptive movement.
Data Source
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AI summary
Pipeline inspection systems are provided. In one embodiment, a pipeline inspection system 100 can include at least one sensor module 102a,102b,102c,102d having a module body and a plurality of sensor holders 104 mounted to the module body. Each sensor holder can include a holder body with a first body end, a second body end, and a plurality of sensors 114 positioned therebetween, and a plurality of rotational guides 118 that can be coupled to the holder body and configured to be biased towards an interior surface of the pipeline wall so as to define a standoff distance between each sensor and the interior surface of the pipeline wall. Each sensor holder can be at least partially pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the holder body extending between the first body end and the second body end. Methods of inspecting a pipeline are also provided.