Pipeline traverse apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus ( 20 ) configured to effect personnel traverse though a pipeline ( 22 ) is presented. This apparatus ( 20 ) is suitable for pipelines ( 22 ) having an inner diameter ( 24 ) of not less than fifteen inches and not greater than thirty-six inches. The apparatus ( 20 ) is made up of a frame ( 26 ), a platform ( 28 ), a single drive wheel ( 40 ), and a pair of guidance wheels ( 72 ). An electric motor ( 48 ) is supported by a motor bracket ( 50 ) affixed to the frame ( 26 ). The motor ( 26 ) is coupled to the drive wheel ( 40 ) by a drive belt or chain ( 52 ). Each of the guidance wheels ( 72 ) has a plane of rotation ( 80 ), and is configured to contact an interior surface ( 36 ) of the pipeline ( 22 ) at a contact point ( 82 ) within that plane of rotation ( 80 ) when that plane of rotation ( 80 ) is substantially perpendicular to the interior surface ( 36 ) of the pipeline ( 22 ). This allows the apparatus ( 20 ) to automatically follow the curvature of the pipeline ( 22 ) during traverse.

1 . An apparatus configured to effect traverse through a pipeline, said apparatus comprising: 
 a platform;    a motor coupled to said platform;    a drive wheel coupled to said platform, coupled to said motor, having a plane of rotation substantially parallel to an axis of said pipeline, and configured to contact an interior surface of said pipeline at a contact point within said plane of rotation; and    a plurality of guidance wheels coupled to said platform, wherein each of said guidance wheels has a plane of rotation substantially parallel to said axis of said pipeline and canted relative to said plane of rotation of said drive wheel, and wherein each of said guidance wheels is configured to contact said interior surface of said pipeline at a contact point within said plane of rotation.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said planes of rotation of said drive wheel and each of said guidance wheels are substantially radial relative to said pipeline.    
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said apparatus additionally comprises a front axle; and    each of said guidance wheels is coupled to said front axle.    
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein: 
 said front axle comprises a plurality of pivoting parts; and    each of said guidance wheels is rotationally coupled to one of said pivoting parts of said front axle.    
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein: 
 each of said pivoting parts of said front axle is configured to pivot so as to allow said plane of rotation of said guidance wheel rotationally coupled to said pivoting part to be substantially parallel to said axis of said pipeline and substantially radial relative to said pipeline.    
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said front axle additionally comprises a fixed part coupled to said platform and coupled between said first and second pivoting parts.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  additionally comprising a frame, wherein said platform is affixed to said frame.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  additionally comprising a motor bracket affixed to said frame and configured to support said motor.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said platform is configured to support an operator; and    said platform comprises: 
 a first section configured to support said operator's chest and arms;  
 a second section configured to support said operator's abdomen; and  
 a third section configured to support said operator's legs.  
   
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  additionally comprising a housing enshrouding said motor and said drive wheel and bifurcating said third section of said platform.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said housing extends above and bifurcates said third section of said platform.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  additionally comprising a cushion coupled to said second section of said platform.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  additionally comprising a speed control coupled to said platform and electrically coupled to said motor.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  additionally comprising a direction control coupled to said platform and electrically coupled to said motor.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  additionally comprising a rear axle, wherein: 
 said rear axle is coupled to said platform; and    said drive wheel is rotationally coupled to said rear axle.    
   
   
       16 . An apparatus configured to effect traverse though a pipeline, said apparatus comprising: 
 a platform;    a motor coupled to said platform; and    only three wheels configured to contact an inner surface of said pipeline, said three wheels comprising: 
 a drive wheel coupled to said platform and coupled to said motor; and  
 a pair of guidance wheels coupled to said platform.  
   
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  wherein: 
 said pipeline has an inner diameter of not less than fifteen inches and not greater than thirty-six inches;    said platform has a width; and    said width is not greater than eighty percent of said inner diameter of said pipeline.    
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  wherein: 
 said drive wheel has a plane of rotation and contacts said interior surface of said pipeline at a point of contact within said plane of rotation; and    each of said pair of guidance wheels has a plane of rotation and contacts said interior surface at a contact point within said plane of rotation.    
   
   
       19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 18  wherein each of said planes of rotation of said drive wheel and each of said guidance wheels is substantially radial relative to said pipeline.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus configured to effect traverse though a pipeline having an inner diameter of not less than fifteen inches and not greater than thirty-six inches, said apparatus comprising: 
 a platform having a width not greater than eighty percent of said inner diameter of said pipeline;    a motor bracket affixed to said platform;    a motor supported by said motor bracket;    a drive wheel coupled to said platform, coupled to said motor, and having a plane of rotation substantially radial to said pipeline; and    a pair of guidance wheels coupled to said frame, wherein each of said guidance wheels has a plane of rotation substantially radial relative to said pipeline.