Robotic Arm Sensor Positioning for Pressurized Pipe Inspection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for inspecting pressurized pipes are slow, disruptive, expensive, and provide inconclusive results, leading to system downtimes and resource wastage due to defects like wall thinning and leaks.
Innovation Solution
A non-disruptive robotic arm equipped with high-precision linear actuators and robotic motors for sensor insertion, capable of collecting high-frequency multi-input-multi-output data through mm-scale time reversal imaging, sweeping the pipe's cross-section without disrupting the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional devices are used for pipe inspection, then the inspection can be performed, but the process is slow and causes system downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical inspection devices with an acoustic-based inspection system. Sensors emit and detect acoustic waves that propagate through the pipe wall, enabling non-contact inspection that does not require mechanical traversal of the pipe interior, thereby eliminating system downtime and accelerating the inspection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to transfer inspection information through the pipe wall. Instead of direct mechanical contact, acoustic waves serve as the mediator that carries defect information from the pipe structure to the sensors, enabling rapid non-intrusive inspection without disrupting pipe operations.
2Measurement precision
If intrusive sensors are inserted into pressurized pipes, then high-frequency data can be collected, but the system flow is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical intrusion of sensors into the pipe flow with acoustic wave-based measurement. High-frequency sensors are positioned externally or at access points to emit and detect acoustic waves through the pipe wall, eliminating the need for sensors to be inserted into the flowing medium and thus maintaining continuous system flow while achieving precise defect detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the fluid stream and positions it at the pipe boundary or external surface. Sensors are placed at access points or externally coupled to the pipe wall, separating the measurement process from the flowing medium, which allows high-precision data collection without disrupting the flow continuity of the pressurized pipe system.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional inspection methods are used, then the process is simple, but the results are inconclusive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple visual or mechanical inspection methods with acoustic wave-based detection. Sensors emit high-frequency acoustic waves that interact with pipe wall defects, and the reflected or transmitted waves are analyzed to detect defects. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving defect detection accuracy and providing conclusive results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from low-frequency mechanical contact or visual inspection to high-frequency acoustic wave interaction. By using acoustic frequencies in the range of 10-100 kHz with wavelengths of a few centimeters, the system achieves much higher sensitivity to small defects while keeping the inspection process straightforward, thus improving reliability without sacrificing ease of operation.
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 accurate, efficient, and reliable data collection for defect detection in pressurized pipes, ensuring high-resolution imaging and minimal system disruption, with the robotic arm acting as a transmitter and receiver to gather comprehensive data without interrupting the flow.
Implementation Method 1
enables mm-scale time reversal (TR) imaging
Implementation Method 2
capable of generating and detecting high-frequency signals (10 to 100 kHz) with a short wavelength of a few centimeters
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic arm comprises a translation module extendable into a pipe to be detected and configured for positioning sensors within the pipe, an arm-axis rotation module fixed to a distal end of the translation module and rotatable around a first rotation axis, a pipe-axis rotation module fixed to the arm-axis rotation module and rotatable around a second rotation axis, and a detection module for data collection fixed to the pipe-axis rotation module for rotating along with the pipe-axis rotation module around the second rotation axis.