Millennium
Project Number: M-2002-006
Project
Title: ULC Robtic Periscope and Variable Geometry Crawler
Project Start Date: 2002
Projected End Date: 2008
Technical Details:
The objective of this project is to design,
build and demonstrate high-resolution video
inspection equipment for pipeline assessment
of large diameter gas pipe under live-gas conditions.
To accomplish this, NYSEARCH has contracted
with ULC Robotics to build two video inspection
tools Pipeline Periscope and Variable Geometry
Crawler (VGC). These tools will be remotely
controlled and operated and equipped with state
of art digital camera optics, zoom capability
and a built in state-of the-art light source.
Pipeline Periscope and VGC offers video inspection
services on robotic-type platforms using high-resolution
cameras for large diameter (12" thru 48") medium
pressure pipelines operating at pressures up
to 60 psig. The inspection devices are designed
to be quickly and safely deployed under no-blow
conditions, inserted and retrieved thru a 4"
diameter pipe tap using standard tapping and
drilling machines. This will enable gas companies
to react more quickly to emergency and maintenance
issues by providing capability to locate cracks,
pipe damages, service tees, valves, fittings,
water intrusion, etc. This technology can become
an invaluable tool for pre-rehabilitation survey
by providing data necessary for the assessment
of cleanliness, corrosion and structural integrity
Pipeline Periscope, the first ULC inspection
system, can provide video inspection with a
high level of detail for 200 feet and greater
(100 feet in each direction). This tool was
field-tested and is soon to be marketed by ULC.
Variable Geometry Crawler" (VGC), currently
under development, is a true robotic application
that will be capable of traveling inside a pipe
at distances of 500 to 1000 feet and will be
capable of navigating bends and offsets.
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Funding for Millennium Project M-2002-006
