Millennium Projects
Technical Details
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.