GB2604114A

GB2604114A - A pipeline inspection system and method

Info

Publication number: GB2604114A
Application number: GB2102585.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Jon; Sales Darren
Original assignee: Scanprobe Techniques Ltd
Current assignee: Scanprobe Techniques Ltd
Priority date: 2021-02-24
Filing date: 2021-02-24
Publication date: 2022-08-31
Also published as: GB202102585D0

Abstract

A pipeline inspection system comprising: a data capturing member configured to capture pipe data of a pipeline, the data capturing member comprising: a body comprising a flexible portion affixed to a distal end of a rigid portion; and a head 320 affixed to a distal end of the flexible portion; a control unit comprising a processor; and a frame configured to accommodate the data capturing member and the control unit; wherein the control unit is in electrical communication with the data capturing member and a remote communication device; and wherein the processor is operable to cause the data capturing member to capture the pipe data; wherein the flexible portion is configured to facilitate negotiation of pipe bends of the pipeline. The system provides a data capturing means that may be fed through a significant distance of pipeline without kinking or curling up, whilst also being able to negotiate a bend in the pipeline.

Description

A PIPELINE INSPECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pipeline inspection system and method and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in a system and method for providing a user with feedback related to an interior of a pipeline.

Background to the Invention

Pipelines are crucial to the physical infrastructure of today's society and are often used in, for example, long-distance fluid or gas transport. It is therefore vital that the pipelines are inspected for obstructions, defects, and other anomalies so that they can be detected and repaired efficiently.

An example method for inspecting a pipeline is video inspection, which has been a baseline fundamental analytical tool for the evaluation and assessment of pipeline integrity. Conventional video pipe inspection systems have included a semi-rigid push-cable that provides an electromechanical connection between the ruggedized camera head that encloses and protects a video camera and a rotatable push reel used to pay out cable and force the camera head down the pipe. However, these conventional video pipe inspection systems provide the operator little more than direct video-image information, sometimes time-tagged by frame in the recording.

Some pipeline inspection systems have built-in control boxes which are used to extract and provide useful data based on the video-image information. The technology is based on bespoke, bulky hand held devices with built in Microsoft/Linux software designed to incorporate the needs of their customers.

However, a problem with these bespoke devices is the speed in which technology advances, making these pieces of equipment expensive to update and maintain and giving them a very limited shelf life. They also require a large volume of components, seals and bespoke mouldings to manufacture, so constructing them becomes expensive and time consuming.

Additionally, the cameras for these systems are also limited in their application, with most designed for 3" diameter pipelines and above. This limits their application when surveying smaller diameter pipes and navigating the bends within them. The cameras currently available for these environments have limited functionality due to their size. Another main limitation is picture rotation. Existing devices use bearings to keep the image upright, but due to the potential size of the camera head itself, this is no longer practical.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a pipeline inspection system that frees the user from expensive control units with limited lifespans that is also capable of surveying smaller diameter pipes having bends. Objects and aspects of the present invention seek to provide such a system and method.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pipeline inspection system comprising: a data capturing member configured to capture pipe data of a pipeline, the data capturing member comprising: a body comprising a flexible portion affixed to a distal end of a rigid portion; and a head affixed to a distal end of the flexible portion; a control unit in electrical communication with the data capturing member and a remote communication device, the control unit comprising a processor; and a frame configured to accommodate the data capturing member and the control unit. The processor is operable to cause the data capturing member to capture the pipe data of the pipeline.

In the context of the present invention, the term "pipeline" will be understood by the skilled addressee as referring to a hollow cylinder having a radius and a length. The radius of the pipeline may be as low as 3 cm and the length of the pipeline may be several kilometres. Additional radii and lengths may be envisaged. The function of the pipeline may be for transporting oil, gas, or any other fluid. Additional uses for the pipeline may be envisaged.

Preferably, the rigid portion comprises a length. The length is preferably configured to allow the data capturing member to extend a distance of, for example 120 metres along the pipeline, without kinking or curling up when a force is applied at a proximal end of the rigid portion. The proximal end of the rigid portion will be understood by the skilled addressee as referring to a portion of the rigid portion at which a force is applied in order to feed the body through the pipeline. The rigid portion is preferably a push-rod. The skilled addressee will understand that the rigid portion may be any apparatus suitable for facilitating the extension of the data capturing member without kinging or curling up when a force is applied.

Preferably, the flexible portion is configured to bend, preferably to an angle exceeding 90 degrees relative to the axis, without breaking. In this way, the push-rod camera may negotiate 90 degree bends without breaking. Advantageously, the present system may investigate pipelines that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Preferably, the processor is further operable to: communicate with a remote communication device comprising a control application; receive operational instructions from the remote communication device, the operational instructions being generated by the control application; and execute the operational instructions to the data capturing member, thereby allowing a user of the remote communication device to control the data capturing member from a remote location.

In the context of the present invention, the term "remote communication device" will be understood by the skilled addressee as referring to a device which is not a constituent component of the pipeline inspection system and may be situated at a distance from the system. For example, the remote communication device may be a mobile phone In the context of the present invention, the term "operational instructions" will be understood by the skilled addressee as referring to a set of instructions that, when carried out by the processor, causes the data capturing member to perform actions according to the instructions.

A key advantage of the present invention is that the system may provide a user with a system that frees the user from expensive control units with limited lifespans by providing a user interface and control software within the remote communication device that allows the user to control the operation of the system. The system also advantageously provides a data capturing means that may be fed through a significant distance of pipeline without kinking or curling up, whilst also being able to negotiate a bend in the pipeline. Furthermore, the present invention advantageously provides a system for performing inspections of a pipeline without the need for complex and heavy duty equipment. Accordingly, the design of the present invention allows for a reduced manufacturing effort and/or cost.

Preferably, the flexible portion comprises a spherical member. The spherical member is preferably hollow such that the spherical member comprises an outer shell and an interior cavity. The outer shell preferably comprises a Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) material. Advantageously, the PEEK material facilitates communication between a device housed in the interior cavity and the processor. Further advantageously, the PEEK material provides a mechanically and thermal resistant material that may protect the device housed within the interior cavity. The spherical member preferably comprises a diameter. The diameter is preferably configured to allow the data capturing member to fit within an interior of the pipeline. The diameter of the spherical member is also preferably configured not to impede the data capture of the data capturing device. For example, the diameter of the spherical member may be 18 mm. Advantageously, the data capturing member may fit within the interior of a pipeline having a diameter of greater than 18 mm. Further advantageously, the present invention provides a device that may traverse pipes having a small diameter with the functionality of larger devices. The skilled addressee will understand that the diameter of the spherical member may be any diameter suitable for fitting within the pipeline interior.

Preferably, the flexible portion comprises: a body portion; and a head portion, wherein a posterior end of the body portion is affixed to the distal portion; wherein the head is affixed to an anterior end of the head portion; and wherein the spherical member is affixed to a posterior end of the head portion and an anterior end of the body portion. Preferably, the posterior end of the head portion is affixed to a first point of the spherical member and the anterior end of the body portion is affixed to a second point of the spherical member, wherein the first point and the second points are antipodal points of the spherical member.

The flexible portion preferably comprises a spring. The spring preferably comprises a spring constant configured to displace the head (the head being attached to a distal end of the spring) in response to a force being applied to a proximal end of the spring. The skilled addressee will understand that the force originates from the rigid portion, which is attached to the proximal end of the spring. The force preferably causes the spring to compress beyond an elastic limit of the spring, thereby causing the distal end of the spring to displace along the pipeline axis. Preferably, the spring is configured to allow the spring to traverse a bend of the pipeline. Alternatively, the flexible portion may comprise a coiled cord. In this case, a force applied to a proximal end of the coiled cord may cause the coiled cord to compress. Each coil may subsequently contact its neighbouring coil such that the force propagates along the cord, thereby displacing the head. Advantageously, the flexible portion may flexibly extend further when in use while being able to retract to take up less space when not in use.

Preferably, the spring comprises a stainless steel wire. Advantageously, the wire may be flexible and rigid enough to facilitate navigation along the pipeline. Additional materials may be envisaged. Preferably, the wire comprises a diameter. The diameter may be 1.5 mm. Additional diameters may be envisaged.

Preferably, the spring comprises a coil radius extending along a longitudinal axis of the spring. Further preferably, the body portion spring comprises: a first body coil radius at the posterior end of the body portion; and a second body coil radius at the anterior end of the body portion. Preferably, the second body coil radius is greater than the second body coil radius. Preferably, the body coil radius increases at a uniform rate along a longitudinal axis of the body portion, between the posterior end and the anterior end. Advantageously, the body portion may be streamlined.

Alternatively, the body coil radius may increase and/or decrease at any suitable rate along the longitudinal axis. Further preferably, the head portion spring comprises: a first head coil radius at the posterior end of the body portion; and a second head coil radius at the anterior end of the head portion. Preferably, the second head coil radius is substantially similar to the second heady coil radius. Accordingly, the head coil radius is preferably substantially uniform along a longitudinal axis of the head portion. Alternatively, the head coil radius may increase and/or decrease at any rate along the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the head comprises a data capturing device. The data capturing device is preferably configured to capture the pipeline data. In this way, the data capturing device is located at a distal end of the data capturing member. Advantageously, the data capturing device may extend as far as possible into the pipeline. The head preferably houses the data capturing device such that the head provides a protective barrier between the data capturing device and the interior of the pipeline. Accordingly, the head preferably comprises a robust material.

Preferably, the head is substantially spherical. Advantageously, the spherical shape may prevent the head from being caught on obstructions within the pipeline. For example, the spherical head may traverse a pipeline having a sharp joint and/or obstruction and may advantageously negotiate the pipeline without snagging on the joint and/or obstruction. The head preferably comprises a diameter. The diameter is preferably configured to allow the data capturing member to fit within an interior of the pipeline. For example, the diameter of the head may be 18 mm. Advantageously, the data capturing member may fit within the interior of a pipeline having a diameter of greater than 18 mm. The skilled addressee will understand that the diameter of the head may be any diameter suitable for fitting within the pipeline interior.

In some embodiments, the data capturing member is an image capturing member, the pipe data is image data, and the data capturing device is an image capturing device. In this embodiment, the head may comprise an illumination member configured to illuminate the pipeline. Accordingly, the user may instruct the image capturing member to record video data and/or image data via the control application.

The image capturing device may be, for example, a camera. Preferably, the image capturing member is configured to provide real-time video data to the control application. Advantageously, the user may be presented with a live video feed of the pipeline.

Preferably, the spherical member comprises a sonde. The sonde is preferably configured to produce a sonde signal configured to be received by wireless communication means and accessed by the processor. The sonde signal advantageously provides a signal that may be traced within 3 metres, thereby provided accurate location data for an obstruction. The skilled addressee will understand that the sonde signal may be traceable with a range of distances. In some embodiments, the sonde signal comprises pipe data taken by the data capturing member. For example, the sonde signal may comprise the image data taken by the image capturing member. Alternatively, the sonde signal may be any signal suitable for representing information about the pipeline.

Preferably, the data capturing member is configured to alternate between a coiled configuration and an uncoiled configuration. Advantageously, the data capturing member may easily be stored when in the coiled positon.

Preferably, the frame comprises a rotatable reel configured to: accommodate the data capturing member; and facilitate the coiling and uncoiling of the body. The reel may be supported by the frame for rotation about a horizontal or a vertical axis. An action of rotating about the axis causes the body to coil or uncoil around the reel. The reel may comprise a slip ring assembly configured to provide electrical connections between the proximal end of the data capturing member and a power source and/or the processor in order to power the data capturing member and receive data signals therefrom. Advantageously, the data capturing member may be easily withdrawn or fed through a pipeline by rotating the reel in a suitable direction.

Preferably, the processor is further operable to: cause the data capturing member to capture the pipe data; and facilitate transmission of the pipe data to the remote communication device. The processor may cause the data capturing member to capture the pipe data in response to the operational instructions comprising data capturing instructions. Transmission of the pipe data to the remote communication device may occur via a transmitter that is in electrical communication with the processor and a receiver comprised in the remote communication device. In this way, the processor may centrally control a data flow of the pipe data.

Preferably, the control application is operable to: accept an input from a user of the remote communication device; generate the operational instructions based on the input; and transmit the operational instructions to the processor. The user may generate the input by interacting with a user interface of the control application. The user interface may comprise a plurality of interactable elements, each element representing a unique function of the data capturing member. The operational instructions may be generated based on the function of the input selected by the user. For example, the user may interact with a "record" interactable element, with the intended function of the data capturing member recording pipe data. The control application may therefore transmit, to the processor, operational instructions containing instructions to record. Advantageously, the user may control the data capturing member via the remote communication device.

Preferably, the control application is further operable to generate a report based on the pipe data. The report may be generated based on pipe data recorded during a time period specified by the user. Advantageously, the user may generate useful information remotely, using the remote communication device.

Preferably, the control application is further operable to facilitate annotation of the pipe data. In this way, the user may use the remote communication device to annotate pipe data. The annotated pipe data may be comprise in the report.

Advantageously, the user may capture pipe data, annotate the pipe data, and generate a report comprising the pipe data via the remote communication device. For example, the image capturing member may record a video and/or images. The user may then subsequently annotate the recorded video and/or images via the control application. In this case, the annotation may involve highlighting a portion of an image and labelling it as, for example, an "obstruction". Advantageously, the user may annotate a video stream of the pipeline without being on-site.

Preferably, the image capturing member comprises an orientation sensor configured to record orientation data and transmit the orientation data to the control unit. The orientation sensor may be one or more selected from the range of: an accelerometer; a gyroscope; a tilt sensor; and a magnetometer. The processor is preferably further operable to: determine an orientation of an image comprised in the image data; and rotate the image in line with a predetermined image orientation. Alternatively, the sonde may be operable to determine an orientation of an image comprised in the image data; and rotate the image in line with a predetermined image orientation. The predetermined image orientation is preferably upright. Advantageously, the user may be provided with an image that is usable and a position of an obstruction may be more easily determined. An upright image is a preferential image orientation within the pipeline inspection industry and advantageously facilitates an understanding of a fault and/or obstruction location within a cylindrical pipe image. A user may reference faults in terms of a clock face. For example, the user may reference a root ingress at 3 o'clock. This reference may be provided on a report, discussed further below. The dimensions of the image capturing member are preferably taken into account.

The data capturing member may comprise a rotational member configured to rotate the data capturing device in line with the predetermined image orientation. In this way, the data capturing device may be physically rotated in order to orientate the image data in line with the predetermined image orientation. Preferably, the rotational member is a plurality of bearings surrounding the data capturing member.

For example, in the case that the data capturing device is a camera, the plurality of bearings preferably separate the camera from the surrounding spherical head such that the camera may rotate in response to a rotational force.

Preferably, the pipe data comprises a meterage; and a battery status. The meterage may preferably represent a length of the push-rod camera that has been uncoiled from the reel. Advantageously, this length may be used to determine a position of an obstruction. The battery status may preferably be indicative of a state of charge of the camera.

Preferably, the control unit comprises a storage device configured to store pipe data captured by the data capturing member. The processor may store the pipe data received from the sonde to the storage device. Advantageously, if the remote communication device loses connection to the system, the pipe data may still be accessible.

Preferably, the frame further comprises: a power supply; and a power charging means. The power supply is preferably in electronic communication with the camera via the image capturing member such that the power supply is configured to provide charge to the camera. Advantageously, the system may not be reliant on a battery life of the camera. Additionally, the power supply may in turn be charged by the power charging means.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a pipeline inspection system comprising an image capturing member in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a frame in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 3a is a side view of an image capturing member in a resting configuration; Figure 3b is a top-down view of the image capturing member in a bent configuration; Figure 3c is a frontal view of a head of the image capturing member; Figure 3d is a perspective view of the head of the image capturing member; and Figure 4 is a flow diagram showing a method of capturing data and generating a report of said data in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a pipeline inspection system 100 comprising an image capturing member 300. The system 100 further comprises a control unit 102 and a remote communication device 108.

The control unit 102 comprises a processor 106, a power source 112, and a storage device 114. The processor 106 is in electrical communication with the image capturing member 300 and the remote communication device 108. The control unit 102 may be physically or wirelessly connected to the remote communication device 108 such as a smart phone or a remote desktop. For example, the remote communication device 108 may communicate with the processor 106 of the control unit 102 wirelessly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The power source 112 is configured to supply power to the image capturing member 300.

Turning now to Figure 2, there is shown a perspective view of a frame 200 comprising a rotatable reel 210 configured to accommodate the image capturing member 300, wherein a proximal end of the image capturing member 300 is affixed to the reel 210. The frame 200 also accommodates the control unit 102. The reel 210 is supported by the frame 200 for rotation about a horizontal axis. In use, a rotation of the reel 210 about the horizontal axis promotes the uniform spooling of the image capturing member 300. The frame 200 also accommodates the control unit 102. The reel 210 comprises a stepper motor (not shown) configured to rotate the reel 210. The stepper motor 220 is in electrical communication with the processor 106. The reel also comprises a slip ring (not shown) configured to facilitate electrical communication between the image capturing member 300 and the power source 112.

The remote communication device 108 comprises a control application. The control application is configured to provide a plurality of functions to a user of the remote communication device 108 and to transmit an operational instruction, representative of a function from the plurality of functions, to the processor 106. For example, the control application is configured to provide the user with an interactable reel rotation element. In use, the user may interact with the reel rotation element in order to cause the control application to transmit an operational instruction representing a rotation function to the processor 106. The processor 106 subsequently activates the stepper motor 220, thereby causing the reel 210 to rotate. Further functions will be described in the method of Figure 4.

Figure 3a shows a side view of the image capturing member 300 at rest. The image capturing member 300 is configured to record image data of the pipeline. The image capturing member comprises a body 310 and a head 320. The body 310 comprises a linear push-rod 330 having a rod length of 100 m and a rod diameter of 10 mm, and a spring 340. The spring 340 in the present embodiment comprises a stainless steel wire having a diameter of 1.5 mm. A posterior end of the spring 340 extends from a distal end of the push-rod 330. The head 320 is affixed to an anterior end of the spring 340. The spring comprises a body portion 342 extending from the distal end of the push-rod 330 and a head portion 344. Affixed to an anterior end of the body portion 342 is a central sphere 350 having a diameter of 18 mm. The central sphere 350 is also affixed to a posterior end of the head portion 344 such that the central sphere 350 separates the head portion 344 from the body portion 342. The body portion 342 and the head portion 344 are affixed at antipodal points of the central sphere 350. A posterior end of the body portion 342 comprises a first coil diameter and the anterior end of the body portion 342 comprises a second coil diameter. The second coil diameter is greater than the first coil diameter such that the coil diameter of the body portion 342 increases along an axis of the body portion 342, i.e. the coil diameter increases from the push-rod 330 to the central sphere 350. The head 320 is affixed to an anterior end of the head portion 344. The posterior end of the head portion 344 comprises a first coil diameter and the anterior end of the head portion 344 comprises a second coil diameter. The second coil diameter is substantially similar to first coil diameter such that the coil diameter of the head portion 344 is substantially uniform along an axis of the head portion 344, i.e. the coil diameter is substantially the same from the central sphere 350 to the head 320. The spring is configured to provide six degrees of freedom to the head 320.

The central sphere 350 is a hollow sphere comprising an outer shell. The outer shell comprises a Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) material. The central sphere 350 houses a sonde (not shown) within an interior cavity. The sonde is configured to transmit a sonde beacon signal, traceable up to a depth of 3 metres, to the processor 106. The sonde beacon signal is used to determine a position of the head within the pipeline in order to determine a position of an obstruction and/or defect.

Figure 3b shows the image capturing member 300 in a bent configuration. In the bent configuration, the head portion 344 of the spring 340 is bent at 90 degrees relative to an axis of the body 310 shown in Figure 2a. The spring 340 is capable of exceeding a 90 degree bend.

Turning now to Figure 3c, there is shown a front view of the head 320. The head 320 is substantially spherical in shape, comprising a circular cross section and a diameter of 18 mm. The head 320 houses an image capturing device 360, such as a camera 360. The head also comprises an illumination device 370, such as an LED 370, configured to illuminate a pipeline (not shown). The head 320 also comprises an accelerometer (not shown) and a plurality of bearings (not shown) configured to rotate the camera 360. The head 320 is watertight and comprises a robust material configured to protect the camera 360. The components of the head 320 are in electrical communication with the processor 106. Figure 3d shows a perspective view of the head 320 affixed to the spring 340.

Figure 4 is a flow diagram 400 showing an in use method of providing a user with a pipeline report for a pipeline using the pipeline inspection system 100 of Figure 1. The image capturing member 300 is initially in a coiled configuration such that the entire image capturing member 300 is spooled around the reel 210. The remote communication device 108 is a smart phone 108. The pipeline comprises a 32 mm diameter and a pipe bend.

At a first step 402, the control application determines that the user has interacted with the reel rotation element, thereby indicating that the image capturing member 300 is to be uncoiled. For example, the control application may have determined that the user has input a command to the smart phone 108 indicative of an uncoiling function.

At step 404, the control application transmits a reel rotation operational instruction to the processor 106. The operational instruction is a signal comprising instructional information to be executed by the processor 106. In response to the reel rotation operational instruction, the processor 106 executes the instructional information on the stepper motor 220, causing the stepper motor 220 to rotate the reel 210. As the reel 210 rotates, the image capturing member 300 is unwound from the reel 210.

At step 406, the image capturing member 300 is either manually or automatically inserted into an opening of the pipeline such that a portion of the image capturing member 300 extends along an interior of the pipeline. The stepper motor 220 provides a posterior force such that, as the image capturing member 300 is unwound, it extends along a greater length of the pipeline interior. A user may also provide a posterior force in order to cause the image capturing member 300 to extend along a greater length of the pipeline interior.

At step 408, the control application determines that the user has interacted with an image capture element and an illumination element, thereby indicating that the image capturing member 300 is to capture an image and/or video and the LED 370 is to turn on.

At step 410, the control application transmits an image capturing operational instruction and an illumination operational instruction to the processor 106. The image capturing operational instruction is a signal comprising instructions to be executed by the processor 106 to cause the camera 360 to record image and/or video data. The illumination operational instruction is a signal comprising instructions to be executed by the processor 106 to cause the LED 370 to output light.

At step 412, the processor 106 transmits executes the image capturing instructions on the camera 360, thereby causing the camera 360 to commence recording video data. The processor 106 also turns on the LED 370 in response to receiving the illumination operational instruction. The camera 360 will continue recording video data until the processor receives an operational instruction for concluding the recording of video data.

At step 414, the processor 106 determines an orientation of the camera 360 using accelerometer data measured by the accelerometer.

At step 416, the processor 106 compares the orientation of the camera 360 to a predetermined orientation and determines that the orientation of the camera 360 is misaligned with the predetermined orientation. In the present embodiment, the predetermined orientation is vertical.

At step 418, the processor executes re-orientation instructions on the image and/or video data, thereby causing an orientation of the image data and/or video data to be in line with the predetermined orientation.

At step 420, the sonde transmits the sonde beacon signal comprising the video data to the processor 106, which in turn transmits the video data in real time to the smart phone 108 such that a live video stream is provided. The processor 106 also determines corresponding meterage data from the reel 210 and transmits the meterage data corresponding to the video data in real time. The meterage data represents a length of the pipe along which the image capturing member 300 extends.

The processor 106 also transmits a corresponding battery status of the power source 360 in real time. The live video stream is then displayed on the display of the smart phone 108 such that the user may view the video data. The user is able to view the video data in real time. The control application also causes the video data to be stored on a storage of the smart phone 108.

As the image capturing member 300 extends along a greater length of the pipeline interior, the head 320 meets the pipe bend having a curvature. In response to the posterior force which propagates along the image capturing member 300, an anterior force is applied to the head 320 by an interior wall of the pipe bend. The anterior force is applied orthogonal to an axis of the head, directed to a center of curvature dictated by the curvature of the pipe bend. The anterior force causes the head portion 344 of the spring 340 to bend in line with the pipe bend, thereby allowing the head 320 and the head portion 344 to advance along the bend. Next, the central sphere 350 meets the pipe bend and the anterior force is applied to the central sphere, causing the body portion 342 to also bend in line with the pipe bend. Accordingly, the image capturing member 300 is able to advance around the pipe bend.

At step 422, the control application determines that the user has interacted with an annotation element, thereby indicating that the user wishes to annotate the video data recorded by the camera 360 and stored on the smart phone 108. In particular, the user has highlighted a portion of the video data corresponding to an obstruction in the pipe.

At step 424, the control application stores the highlighted portion of the video data alongside the corresponding meterage data such that a location of the obstruction may be determined.

At step 426, the control application determines that the user has interacted with a report generation element, thereby indicating the user wishes to generate a report based on the video data and the annotated video data.

At step 428, the control application generates a report. The report is generated based on a report template. The report indicates a location of a fault alongside a distance travelled by the head 320, based on the meterage data. A 2D image of the pipeline is generated and the image data corresponding to the fault is overlaid on the 2D image at a position corresponding to the location of the fault present in the image data. Further information such as an image of the site, user information, a report data, a report location, a report reason, and additional comments may also be provided in the report. The user also has excess to a mapping function which may optionally be applied to the report. The mapping function allows the user to overlay industry recognised icons over a satellite image and add pipe runs, direction and other details to provide a complete overview of their pipeline system. Finally, the report can be shared from the remote communication device 108 to generic applications used in the industry.

The push-rod may have any length and diameter suitable for extending along a pipeline. Any suitable motor may be envisaged in place of a stepper motor. The processor may alternatively apply an orientation adjustment module to the video data, thereby adjusting the orientation of the video data in line with the predetermined orientation such that the video data is presented vertically to the user.

The description provided herein may be directed to specific implementations. It should be understood that the discussion provided herein is provided for the purpose of enabling a person with ordinary skill in the art to make and use any subject matter defined herein by the subject matter of the claims.

It should be intended that the subject matter of the claims not be limited to the implementations and illustrations provided herein, but include modified forms of those implementations including portions of implementations and combinations of elements of different implementations in accordance with the claims. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions should be made to achieve a developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort may be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having benefit of this disclosure.

Reference has been made in detail to various implementations, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. In the detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure provided herein. However, the disclosure provided herein may be practiced without these specific details. In some other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure details of the embodiments.

It should also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element. The first element and the second element are both elements, respectively, but they are not to be considered the same element.

The terminology used in the description of the disclosure provided herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations and is not intended to limit the disclosure provided herein. As used in the description of the disclosure provided herein and appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "and/or' as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify a presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term "if' may be construed to mean "when" or "upon" or "in response to determining" or "in response to detecting," depending on the context.

Similarly, the phrase "if it is determined" or "if [a stated condition or event] is detected" may be construed to mean "upon determining" or "in response to determining" or "upon detecting [the stated condition or event]" or "in response to detecting [the stated condition or event]," depending on the context. The terms "up" and "down"; "upper" and "lower"; "upwardly" and "downwardly"; "below" and "above"; and other similar terms indicating relative positions above or below a given point or element may be used in connection with some implementations of various technologies described herein.

While the foregoing is directed to implementations of various techniques described herein, other and further implementations may be devised in accordance with the disclosure herein, which may be determined by the claims that follow. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

Claims 1 A pipeline inspection system comprising: a data capturing member configured to capture pipe data of a pipeline, the data capturing member comprising: a body comprising a flexible portion affixed to a distal end of a rigid portion; and a head affixed to a distal end of the flexible portion; a control unit comprising a processor; and a frame configured to accommodate the data capturing member and the control unit; wherein the control unit is in electrical communication with the data capturing member and a remote communication device; and wherein the processor is operable to cause the data capturing member to capture the pipe data; wherein the flexible portion is configured to facilitate negotiation of pipe bends of the pipeline.
2 The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further operable to: communicate with a remote communication device comprising a control application; receive operational instructions from the remote communication device, the operational instructions being generated by the control application; and execute the operational instructions on the data capturing member, thereby allowing a user of the remote communication device to control the data capturing member from a remote location.
3. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the flexible portion comprises a spherical member. 30
4. The system of claim any preceding claim, wherein the flexible portion comprises a spring.
5. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the head comprises a data capturing device.
6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the head is substantially spherical.
7. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the data capturing member is an image capturing member, the pipe data is image data, and the data capturing device is an image capturing device.
8. The system of any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the spherical member comprises a sonde.
9. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the data capturing member is configured to alternate between a coiled configuration and an uncoiled configuration.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the frame comprises a rotatable reel configured to: accommodate the data capturing member; and facilitate the coiling and uncoiling of the data capturing member.
11. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the processor is further operable to: cause the data capturing member to capture the pipe data; and facilitate transmission of the pipe data to the remote communication device.
12. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the control application is operable to: accept an input from a user of the remote communication device; generate the operational instructions based on the input; and transmit the operational instructions to the processor.
13. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the control application is further operable to generate a report based on the pipe data.
14. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the control application is further operable to facilitate annotation of the pipe data.
15. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the data capturing member comprises an orientation sensor configured to record orientation data and transmit the orientation data to the control unit.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the orientation sensor is one or more selected from the range of: an accelerometer; a gyroscope; a tilt sensor; and a magnetometer.
17. The system of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the processor is further operable to: determine an orientation of an image comprised in image data; and rotate the image in line with a predetermined image orientation.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the data capturing member comprises a rotational member configured to rotate the data capturing member in line with the predetermined image orientation.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the rotational member is a plurality of bearings surrounding the data capturing member.
20. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the pipe data comprises: meterage data; and a battery status.
21. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a wireless communication means configured to facilitate wireless communication between the processor and the remote communication device.
22. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the control unit further comprises a storage device configured to store pipe data captured by the data capturing member.
23. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the frame further comprises: a power supply; and a power charging means.