A pig system for transporting liquid or pasty substances two pig stations which are connected to one another by way of a pig line. The pig system includes a number of pigs. Accordingly, the two pig stations have a number of parking positions, to which a controllable media connection is respectively assigned. Appropriate activation of the media connections allows the effect to be achieved that only some of the pigs at a time shuttle back and forth between the two pig stations. Defective pigs or operational pigs that are being kept on standby in this case remain in corresponding parking positions of the two pig stations.

Provided is a pipe interior inspection robot that has characteristics of having an extremely simple device structure to easily achieve dustproof and waterproof properties, being able to pass through a pipe bent in any direction, and enabling the selection of the advancing direction.

A pipe interior inspection robot for inspecting the inside of a pipe branched from a pipe header, the robot including: 1) a moving means having a structure capable of being introduced from a pipe base, which is an inlet of the pipe header, and capable of moving in the pipe header and being fixed to a pipe wall inside the pipe header at a desired position; 2) a mechanism for specifying a position of a pipe to be inspected; and 3) a mechanism for inspecting a condition inside the pipe to be inspected.

An in-line pipeline inspection tool includes a plurality of sensors assemblies distributed about a central body. Each sensor assembly includes a sensor body coupled at the ends thereof to the central body by first and second linkage assemblies. The linkage assemblies include first and second links, the first link coupled by a first pivot to the central body and by a second pivot to the second link. The second link is coupled to the sensor body by a third pivot. As the tool is moved in one direction, the sensor body is urged away from the first linkage assembly, which engages a block that prevents further rotation of about one of the pivots. As the tool is moved in another direction, the block disengages, thereby permitting rotation about all three pivots. The second linkage assembly functions in an identical fashion.

An apparatus for installing a connection fitting into an aperture formed in a wall of a main pipeline in the making of a service connection between a side connection and the main pipeline includes propulsion means for propelling the apparatus along the main pipeline to a site at which the service connection is to be made, and installation means for installing, from within the main pipeline, at least a portion of the connection fitting into the aperture. The installation means may include a storage device for storing at least one connection fitting intended for installation, a conveyance device for conveying a connection fitting to be installed from the storage device to an installation location, and an insertion device for inserting the connection fitting conveyed to the installation pad or platform from the installation pad or platform into the aperture formed in the wall of the main pipeline.

One aspect provides a modular infrastructure asset inspection robot, including: a plurality of modules for use in fluid conveyance infrastructure assets; each of the plurality of modules including at least one standardized electromechanical connection permitting a connection to be established with another of the plurality of modules; the plurality of modules being interchangeable and allowing reconfiguration of said modular infrastructure asset inspection robot to perform one or more of: two or more deployment methods for a first infrastructure asset type; and one deployment method for the first infrastructure asset type and a second infrastructure asset type. Other aspects are described and claimed.

The present invention provides apparatus, including a pigging tool, that comprises a spraying mechanism configured to move along an inner surface of a pipeline, including a slurry transport pipeline in a minable oilsands facility or plant, and to spray a coating on the inner surface of the pipeline; and a curing source, including an ultraviolet (UV) light source, a microwave source or an RF source, configured to cure the coating sprayed on the inner surface of the pipeline in situ as the spray mechanism moves along the inner surface of the pipeline.

The present invention provides apparatus, including a pigging tool, that comprises a spraying mechanism configured to move along an inner surface of a pipeline, including a slurry transport pipeline in a minable oilsands facility or plant, and to spray a coating on the inner surface of the pipeline; and a curing source, including an ultraviolet (UV) light source, a microwave source or an RF source, configured to cure the coating sprayed on the inner surface of the pipeline in situ as the spray mechanism moves along the inner surface of the pipeline.

Provided is an inspection robot that is self-propelled on piping, measures moisture contained in a lagging material using a mounted inspection device, for example, a neutron moisture meter, and detects risk of corrosion. The inspection robot includes a main frame 1 including a recessed part 17 fit onto an outer circumferential surface of piping P, a main frame drive mechanism (first drive mechanism) D1 that causes the main frame to advance/retract in an axis direction of the piping, a revolving member 32 supported in an advanceable/retractable manner along an arc-shaped locus in the recessed part of the main frame, a revolving member drive mechanism (second drive mechanism) D2 that moves the revolving member, and an inspection device mounted on the revolving member.

Provided is an inspection robot that is self-propelled on piping, measures moisture contained in a lagging material using a mounted inspection device, for example, a neutron moisture meter, and detects risk of corrosion. The inspection robot includes a main frame 1 including a recessed part 17 fit onto an outer circumferential surface of piping P, a main frame drive mechanism (first drive mechanism) D1 that causes the main frame to advance/retract in an axis direction of the piping, a revolving member 32 supported in an advanceable/retractable manner along an arc-shaped locus in the recessed part of the main frame, a revolving member drive mechanism (second drive mechanism) D2 that moves the revolving member, and an inspection device mounted on the revolving member.

An apparatus for electrically charging a rechargeable power source of a pipeline tool while the tool is located within a pipeline comprises a power module including a charging power source, an insertion module including an insertion mechanism having a charging plug for mating with a charging socket of the pipeline tool and a drive assembly operable to extend and retract the charging plug, and a power line electrically connecting the charging power source to the charging plug. The charging power source, power line, and charging plug may be enclosed by a pressure barrier and brought into pressure equalization with the pipeline, wherein the power line does not cross the barrier. The charging power source may include batteries or a generator. If a generator is employed and a pressure barrier must be maintained, a magnetic coupling may be used to transmit kinetic energy across the barrier for input to the generator.