Arizona Public Service Company, Inc.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation

John Hugo Stout

David J Brown

Kelly Thomas Richmond

A system () and method for the inspection of a pipeline () is disclosed. The system () is made up of a plurality of flexibly coupled modular units () configured to pass through the pipeline (). One modular unit () is a tractor unit () configured to propel the system () through the pipeline (). Another modular unit () is an RFT transmission unit () with an excitation coil () configured to excite a magnetic field () within the pipeline (). A third modular unit () is an RFT reception unit () incorporating a pair of adjacent differentially connected reception coils () and a differential instrumentation amplifier () affixed to a rotational mount (). A fourth modular unit () is a motor unit () incorporating a motor () which rotates the rotational mount (). The pair of reception coils () detects the magnetic field () and produces a differential detection signal which is then amplified and analyzed. An electrical cable () is used to provide power and/or signals to/from the system.

RFT pipeline inspection system and method therefor

A self-propelled vehicle () for movement within a tubular member () includes propulsion mechanisms () distributed about a core element (). Each of the propulsion mechanisms () includes a drive belt (). A first pulley (), a second pulley (), and a mid-roller assembly () are encompassed by and engage the drive belt (). The mid-roller assembly () is spring-loaded for providing an outwardly-directed force () to an underlying portion () of the drive belt () to press the drive belt () against an inner wall () of the tubular member (). A motor arrangement (), in communication with the propulsion mechanisms (), actuates one of the first and second pulleys () to rotate the drive belt () in contact with the inner wall () of the tubular member () thereby moving the vehicle () within the tubular member ().

Self-propelled vehicle for movement within a tubular member

A pipe-inspection system () is provided. The system () is made up of a transmission cluster () incorporating a transmission unit () between first and second wheeled guidance units (), and a reception cluster (&#x2033;) incorporating a reception unit () between third and fourth wheeled guidance units (). Each wheeled guidance unit () contains a plurality of wheels () radially disposed in each of a plurality of planes (). Transmission unit () contains a transmission device (). Reception unit () contains a reception device (). The system () is compatible with RFEC inspection techniques to inspect a pipeline (), where transmission and reception devices () are an RFEC transmitter and receiver, respectively. A lead line () is attached to the first guidance unit () to move the system () in a forward direction (). Similarly, a trail line () is attached to the fourth guidance unit (&#x2033;) to move the system () in a reverse direction ().

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Buckeye, AZ, United States of America

John Hugo Stout