Patent US2928277A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4601204A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4601204A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus with means of self-displacement for its advance within a duct, in particular for remote inspection and/or treatment and/or tubing of said duct
Assignee: ROULAND DANIEL 23 RUE PHILIBERT DELORME 75017 PARIS FRANCE
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Filing: 1984-09-20
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Granted: 1986-07-22
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Expires: 2004-09-20
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an apparatus with a self-displacing device for its advance in the interior of a duct for remote inspection and/or treatment. The apparatus comprises a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and interchangeable at will, each element fulfilling a definite function and being of a length adapted for the curves to be taken, at least one of the elements constituting a displacing element and advantageously another one of the elements constituting an element for operating the displacing element. At least one element is a holding element including a holding device bearing selectively upon the internal wall of the duct, whereas the displacing element preferably is a puller-pusher element. The apparatus is supplied with electric power and with compressed-air through a cable and a compressed-air conduit, respectively. The apparatus has considerable tractive force reaching 3 tons and can cover a distance of 2 kilometers.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Fournot
- 👤 Francois Le Bozec
- 👤 Daniel Rouland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/005; B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/027; B08B9/04; B08B9/049
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element, said elements being coupled to one another by flexible linking means, said flexible linking means being provided with sliding and centering bearing means so that the apparatus is adapted to pass any curve.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element, said elements being coupled to one another by flexible linking means, said flexible linking means being provided with sliding and centering bearing means so that the apparatus is adapted to pass any curve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said displacing element is an element for displacement by pulling or pushing, referred to as a puller-pusher element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the puller or pusher element is provided with anti-rotatory means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one element is a holding element including holding means selectively bearing on the internal wall of said duct so as to resist tractive efforts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein at least one of the holding elements comprises a body provided at its periphery with several rigid arms which advantageously are adjustable in length, independently movable, pivoted at one end and provided with holding shoes at their free opposite ends, so as to be displaceable between a folded or rest position substantially parallel to the body of the holding elements and an unfolded or holding position in which the holding shoes bear on the internal wall of the duct.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said holding element includes rigid actuators for rotating the arms in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the duct.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of said holding elements includes a body provided at its periphery with a plurality of independent flexible actuators radially projecting towards the internal wall of the duct and having a free end provided with holding means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of said holding elements comprises an inflatable balloon which, in the deflated condition, is of an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the duct, and which, in the inflated condition, directly engages the internal wall of the duct.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said inflatable balloon is internally provided with a rigid actuator for stretching the balloon, the body of which is secured to either one of two opposing front and rear wall portions of said balloon, said actuator comprising a piston connected to the other one of said two opposing wall portions of the balloon, so as to axially stretch the balloon thus reducing its diameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said displacing element is arranged between an upstream holding element and a downstream holding element alternately actuated by the operating element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said displacing element is constituted by an actuator including a body connected to a part of the coupled elements at least one of which is a holding element, and an actuator piston connected to the remaining part of the coupled elements, at least one of which is a holding element.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element, said elements being coupled to one another by cable means, said cable means having free ends provided with sleeves press-fitted on said free ends, said sleeves being inserted into sockets provided in the elements to be assembled.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element, said elements being coupled to one another by cable means, said cable means having free ends provided with sleeves press-fitted on said free ends, said sleeves being inserted into sockets provided in the elements to be assembled.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curve to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element, said elements being coupled to one another by cable means provided with sliding and centering bearing means including cup-shaped members clamped between two separable side-plates, said cup-shaped members being provided with recesses to allow the passage of unfixed extraneous matter.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curve to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element, said elements being coupled to one another by cable means provided with sliding and centering bearing means including cup-shaped members clamped between two separable side-plates, said cup-shaped members being provided with recesses to allow the passage of unfixed extraneous matter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 13, comprising an independent complementary displacing element constituted by a hydraulically-operated actuator mounted downstream of the preceding elements and of the preceding displacing element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 14, comprising a pressure multiplying element following the complementary displacing element, and said pressure multiplying element being followed by an element constituting a hydraulic tank, an operating element being provided for the said complementary elements.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating each said displacing element, said elements being coupled to one another by cable means provided with sliding and centering bearing means comprising substantially tubular sledge members.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating each said displacing element, said elements being coupled to one another by cable means provided with sliding and centering bearing means comprising substantially tubular sledge members.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element, each operating element is the last of each series of elements which it operates and includes actuating means of each other element which it operates, said actuating means receiving actuating signals transmitted by an electric cable connected to a control station located outside the duct, said elements being coupled to one another by flexible linking means provided with sliding and centering bearing means, so that the apparatus can pass any curve.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element, each operating element is the last of each series of elements which it operates and includes actuating means of each other element which it operates, said actuating means receiving actuating signals transmitted by an electric cable connected to a control station located outside the duct, said elements being coupled to one another by flexible linking means provided with sliding and centering bearing means, so that the apparatus can pass any curve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least some of said elements are pneumatically-operated elements and said electric cable is placed within a compressed air conduit feeding the said pneumatically-operated elements.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said control station comprises programmed means for automatic control of the various elements constituting the apparatus.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least two of said elements constituting respectively a first holding element and a second holding element, each holding element including holding means selectively bearing on the internal wall of said duct, said displacing element being arranged between said first holding element and said second holding element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element and actuating alternately said first holding element and said second holding element, said elements being coupled to one another by flexible cable-type means, said flexible cable-type means being provided with sliding and centering bearing means, thereby forming a self-displaceable apparatus able to pass any curve.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least two of said elements constituting respectively a first holding element and a second holding element, each holding element including holding means selectively bearing on the internal wall of said duct, said displacing element being arranged between said first holding element and said second holding element, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element and actuating alternately said first holding element and said second holding element, said elements being coupled to one another by flexible cable-type means, said flexible cable-type means being provided with sliding and centering bearing means, thereby forming a self-displaceable apparatus able to pass any curve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said flexible cable-type means have free ends provided with sleeves press-fitted on said free ends and inserted into sockets provided in the elements to be assembled, said sliding and centering bearing means include cup-shaped members clamped between two separate side-plates, and said cup-shaped members are provided with recesses to allow the passage of unfixed extraneous matter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said first holding element and said second holding element each comprises an inflatable balloon which, in deflated condition, is of an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the duct, and which, in inflated condition directly engages the internal wall of the duct, and said operating element is arranged downstream with respect to said holding elements and said displacing element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said first holding element and said second holding element each comprises a body provided at its periphery with a plurality of independent flexible actuators radially projecting towards the internal wall of the duct and having a free end provided with holding means, and said operating element is arranged downstream with respect to said holding elements and said displacing element.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least two of said elements constituting respectively a first holding element and a second holding element, each holding element including holding means selectively bearing on the internal wall of said duct, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element and actuating alternately said first holding element and said second holding element, said displacing element being located between said first holding element and said second holding element, said operating element being arranged downstream with respect to said holding elements and said displacing element, at least one of said remaining elements constituting an independent complementary displacing element constituted by an hydraulically operated actuator mounted downstream of the preceding elements, said complementary displacing element being followed downstream by a complementary operating element operating said complementary displacing element, said elements being coupled to one another by flexible linking means, thereby forming a self-displaceable apparatus able to pass any curve.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least two of said elements constituting respectively a first holding element and a second holding element, each holding element including holding means selectively bearing on the internal wall of said duct, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element and actuating alternately said first holding element and said second holding element, said displacing element being located between said first holding element and said second holding element, said operating element being arranged downstream with respect to said holding elements and said displacing element, at least one of said remaining elements constituting an independent complementary displacing element constituted by an hydraulically operated actuator mounted downstream of the preceding elements, said complementary displacing element being followed downstream by a complementary operating element operating said complementary displacing element, said elements being coupled to one another by flexible linking means, thereby forming a self-displaceable apparatus able to pass any curve.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
276 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least two of said elements constituting respectively a first holding element and a second holding element, each holding element including holding means selectively bearing on the internal wall of the duct, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element and actuating alternately said first holding element and said second holding element, said displacing element being located between said first holding element and said second holding element, said operating element is arranged downstream with respect to said holding elements and said displacing element, at least one of said remaining elements constituting an independent complementary displacing element constituted by a hydraulically operated actuator mounted downstream of the preceding elements, said complementary displacing element being followed downstream by a complementary operating element operating said complementary displacing element, a pressure-multiplying element following the complementary displacing element, said pressure-multiplying element being followed by an element constituting a hydraulic tank, said complementary operating element also operating said pressure-multiplying element with hydraulic fluid taken from said hydraulic tank, said elements being coupled to one another by flexible linking means, thereby forming a self-placeable apparatus able to pass any curve.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
276 words
An apparatus with self-displacement means for its advance in the interior of a duct, notably for remote inspection or treatment of the duct, comprising a plurality of elements coupled to one another so as to make up a train, each element of which constitutes a wagon independent of the other elements and being interchangeable at will, each said element performing a definite function and being of a length adapted for any curves to be taken, at least one of said elements constituting a displacing element, at least two of said elements constituting respectively a first holding element and a second holding element, each holding element including holding means selectively bearing on the internal wall of the duct, at least one other of said elements constituting an operating element for operating said displacing element and actuating alternately said first holding element and said second holding element, said displacing element being located between said first holding element and said second holding element, said operating element is arranged downstream with respect to said holding elements and said displacing element, at least one of said remaining elements constituting an independent complementary displacing element constituted by a hydraulically operated actuator mounted downstream of the preceding elements, said complementary displacing element being followed downstream by a complementary operating element operating said complementary displacing element, a pressure-multiplying element following the complementary displacing element, said pressure-multiplying element being followed by an element constituting a hydraulic tank, said complementary operating element also operating said pressure-multiplying element with hydraulic fluid taken from said hydraulic tank, said elements being coupled to one another by flexible linking means, thereby forming a self-placeable apparatus able to pass any curve.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said flexible linking means are provided with sliding and centering bearing means comprising substantially tubular sledge members.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said flexible linking means are provided with sliding and centering bearing means including cup-shaped members clamped between two separate side-plates, said cup-shaped members being provided with recesses to allow the passage of unfixed extraneous matter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-21 | 1990-01-20 | 1990-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-21 | 1994-01-20 | 1994-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-21 | 1998-01-20 | 1998-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |