An inspection robot for unpiggable gas lines

The US Department of Energy and the Northeast Gas Association are sponsoring research to develop a robotic pipeline inspection system, which is capable of navigation through typical obstacles that make transmission. The robotic platform, Roboscan, is a train-like assembly of individual modules that integrates two basic mechanical elements motorized tractors for repulsion, and reconfigurable magnetic-flux-leakage (MFL) sensors. The platform offered several advantages that simplify the launch and retrieval hardware compared to convectional pigging. The robot can be 'driven' into the main line rather than having to be pressurized and 'blown' in from behind that reduces the complexity of the pluming and operation of the launch and retrieval traps. Roboscan can be launched in its smallest configuration, which can result in a launch station that is much smaller in diameter compared to the receiving pipeline.