US3667359A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photo inspection pod assembly for pipelines
Assignee: El Paso Natural Gas Co
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Filing: 1969-11-25
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1989-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained inspection pod assembly for pipelines, propelled by gas pressure within the pipeline. The pod assembly has resilient cups thereon equipped with spring-loaded calibrated valves that stabilize travel speed, and contains rearwardly directed photographic camera means for periodically taking pictures of the pipeline''s interior.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond K Watts
- 👤 Walter Harry Chapman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:17
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G51/00; B65G51/04; B65G51/06; B65G51/36; G; G03; G03B; G03B37/00; G03B37/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for inspecting the interior of a pipeline, comprising: an inspection pod assembly receivable within a pipeline to be inspected, and including casing means; a plurality of propulsion cups mounted on said casing means and supporting said pod assembly centrally within said pipeline; camera means within said casing means, and counter wheel means carried by said pod assembly and engageable with the inner surface of said pipeline, said device being propelled through said pipeline by gas pressure within said pipeline, and said counter wheel means being connected with said camera means to effect periodic operation thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for inspecting the interior of a pipeline, comprising: an inspection pod assembly receivable within a pipeline to be inspected, and including casing means; a plurality of propulsion cups mounted on said casing means and supporting said pod assembly centrally within said pipeline; camera means within said casing means, and counter wheel means carried by said pod assembly and engageable with the inner surface of said pipeline, said device being propelled through said pipeline by gas pressure within said pipeline, and said counter wheel means being connected with said camera means to effect periodic operation thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said propulsion cups has valve means mounted thereon designed to open at a preset value of gas pressure exerted thereon, the remainder of said cups having unobstructed bypass ports therethrough, whereby the speed of said device through said pipeline is stabilized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said inspection pod assembly includes at least two pod units connected by a universal coupler, each of said units including casing means having a plurality of said propulsion cups mounted thereon, the propulsion cups on the rearmost of said pod units having bypass port means, whereby a greater propulsion force is created on the front one of said pod units so that said front pod unit leads said rear pod unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as recited in claim 3, wherein the propulsion cups on said front pod unit have valve means mounted thereon designed to open at a preset value of gas pressure exerted thereon, whereby the speed of said device through said pipeline is stabilized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A deVice as recited in claim 1, wherein said camera means includes: an electrically operated film camera directed rearwardly on the centerline of said pod assembly, and flash lamp means connected to operate with said film camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device as recited in claim 5, wherein the aft end of said casing means is fitted with window means through which said film camera is aimed, and wherein means is provided to bathe the outer surface of said window means in inert gas during the operation of said device.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
246 words
A device adapted to be moved by gas pressure through a pipeline, comprising: a first pod assembly, including casing means; at least two propulsion cups carried by said casing means of said first pod assembly and adapted to extend into engagement with the internal wall surface of a pipeline within which said device is placed, both of said cups having bypass ports therethrough; pressure relief valves mounted within the bypass ports of at least one of said propulsion cups, arranged to open when the pressure therebehind exceeds a preselected value; a second pod assembly disposed rearwardly of said first pod assembly, and including casing means; universal coupler means connecting said first pod assembly with said second pod assembly; a plurality of propulsion cups mounted on the casing means of said second pod assembly, and each having a plurality of unobstructed bypass ports therethrough; a window mounted in the aft end of said second pod assembly; camera means received within the casing means of said second pod assembly, including an electrically operated film camera and flash lamp means; battery means disposed within the casing means of said first pod assembly and connected with said film camera and said flash lamp means; and counter wheel means on one of said pod assemblies for engaging the wall of a pipeline within which said device is received, and connected to periodically operate said film camera and said flash lamp means in response to travel of said device through said pipeline.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
246 words
A device adapted to be moved by gas pressure through a pipeline, comprising: a first pod assembly, including casing means; at least two propulsion cups carried by said casing means of said first pod assembly and adapted to extend into engagement with the internal wall surface of a pipeline within which said device is placed, both of said cups having bypass ports therethrough; pressure relief valves mounted within the bypass ports of at least one of said propulsion cups, arranged to open when the pressure therebehind exceeds a preselected value; a second pod assembly disposed rearwardly of said first pod assembly, and including casing means; universal coupler means connecting said first pod assembly with said second pod assembly; a plurality of propulsion cups mounted on the casing means of said second pod assembly, and each having a plurality of unobstructed bypass ports therethrough; a window mounted in the aft end of said second pod assembly; camera means received within the casing means of said second pod assembly, including an electrically operated film camera and flash lamp means; battery means disposed within the casing means of said first pod assembly and connected with said film camera and said flash lamp means; and counter wheel means on one of said pod assemblies for engaging the wall of a pipeline within which said device is received, and connected to periodically operate said film camera and said flash lamp means in response to travel of said device through said pipeline.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
166 words
A device adapted to be moved by gas pressure through a pipeline, comprising: a pod assembly, including casing means; at least two propulsion caps carried by said casing means and adapted to extend into engagement with the internal wall surface of a pipeline within which said device is placed, both of said cups having by pass ports therethrough; pressure relief valves mounted within the bypass ports of at least one of said propulsion cups, arranged to open when the pressure therebehind exceeds a preselected value; a window carried by the rear end of said casing means; camera means received within said casing means, and including a film camera aimed through said window and flash lamp means; and counter wheel means carried by said casing means and engageable with the inner wall of a pipeline within which said device is received, said counter wheel means being connected to periodically operate said camera and said flash lamp means in response to movement of said device through said pipeline.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
166 words
A device adapted to be moved by gas pressure through a pipeline, comprising: a pod assembly, including casing means; at least two propulsion caps carried by said casing means and adapted to extend into engagement with the internal wall surface of a pipeline within which said device is placed, both of said cups having by pass ports therethrough; pressure relief valves mounted within the bypass ports of at least one of said propulsion cups, arranged to open when the pressure therebehind exceeds a preselected value; a window carried by the rear end of said casing means; camera means received within said casing means, and including a film camera aimed through said window and flash lamp means; and counter wheel means carried by said casing means and engageable with the inner wall of a pipeline within which said device is received, said counter wheel means being connected to periodically operate said camera and said flash lamp means in response to movement of said device through said pipeline.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |