The present application discloses a device and method for detecting and ablating hydrates in a natural gas pipeline. The device includes a transmission mechanism, a detection mechanism and an ablation mechanism. The detection mechanism and the ablation mechanism are both connected to the transmission mechanism through an elastic connector, such that the device can smoothly pass through bends in the natural gas pipeline. The transmission mechanism includes a universal wheel component, which forms static friction with an outer wall of an inner natural gas pipeline, such that the device can move along the inner natural gas pipeline. The detection mechanism detects the temperature of the natural gas pipeline and determines whether hydrates are generated in the natural gas pipeline to block the pipeline, and then the blockage is heated by the ablation mechanism to ablate the hydrates.

The present application discloses a device and method for detecting and ablating hydrates in a natural gas pipeline. The device includes a transmission mechanism, a detection mechanism and an ablation mechanism. The detection mechanism and the ablation mechanism are both connected to the transmission mechanism through an elastic connector, such that the device can smoothly pass through bends in the natural gas pipeline. The transmission mechanism includes a universal wheel component, which forms static friction with an outer wall of an inner natural gas pipeline, such that the device can move along the inner natural gas pipeline. The detection mechanism detects the temperature of the natural gas pipeline and determines whether hydrates are generated in the natural gas pipeline to block the pipeline, and then the blockage is heated by the ablation mechanism to ablate the hydrates.

A pipeline sphere is shown which houses an electronics package. The sphere is formed as a hollow elastomeric body having a predetermined wall thickness and an initially void interior. A carrier tube is positioned within the initially void interior of the sphere and is supported by oppositely arranged carrier plates which are themselves embedded within oppositely arranged end openings of the sphere. A removable inflation valve is contained in one of the valve plates at a first end of the carrier tube. The carrier tube has a plurality of apertures formed through its wall to enable inflating or deflating the sphere. One electronics package that can be used is an electrical tracking device.

A pipeline sphere is shown which houses an electronics package. The sphere is formed as a hollow elastomeric body having a predetermined wall thickness and an initially void interior. A carrier tube is positioned within the initially void interior of the sphere and is supported by oppositely arranged carrier plates which are themselves embedded within oppositely arranged end openings of the sphere. A removable inflation valve is contained in one of the valve plates at a first end of the carrier tube. The carrier tube has a plurality of apertures formed through its wall to enable inflating or deflating the sphere. One electronics package that can be used is an electrical tracking device.

A travelling device for an apparatus for rehabilitating pipelines, including an adjustable undercarriage and a support device to which the undercarriage is fastened. The undercarriage includes a plurality of wheel sets, each wheel set having at least two wheels, wherein the wheels of a wheel set are rotatably mounted on a wheel holding element. The wheel holding element includes a spacer positioned intermediate the at least two wheels, the spacer configured so that the wheels of the wheel sets do not jam in the pipeline when moving the device.

A travelling device for an apparatus for rehabilitating pipelines, including an adjustable undercarriage and a support device to which the undercarriage is fastened. The undercarriage includes a plurality of wheel sets, each wheel set having at least two wheels, wherein the wheels of a wheel set are rotatably mounted on a wheel holding element. The wheel holding element includes a spacer positioned intermediate the at least two wheels, the spacer configured so that the wheels of the wheel sets do not jam in the pipeline when moving the device.

A pipeline inspection apparatus includes a main body. A sealing structure attached to the main body seals against an internal surface of the pipeline. An imaging module includes a camera and a light source. The light source is arranged to emit light in a direction towards the internal surface of the pipeline. The camera is arranged such that, in use, the camera captures image data of the internal surface of the pipeline. Control circuitry includes a power supply and memory for storing data captured by said camera, wherein the sealing structure forms a seal against the internal surface of the pipeline such that, in use, a fluid flowing along the pipeline applies a driving force to the pipeline inspection apparatus to propel the apparatus along the pipeline.

A pipeline inspection apparatus includes a main body. A sealing structure attached to the main body seals against an internal surface of the pipeline. An imaging module includes a camera and a light source. The light source is arranged to emit light in a direction towards the internal surface of the pipeline. The camera is arranged such that, in use, the camera captures image data of the internal surface of the pipeline. Control circuitry includes a power supply and memory for storing data captured by said camera, wherein the sealing structure forms a seal against the internal surface of the pipeline such that, in use, a fluid flowing along the pipeline applies a driving force to the pipeline inspection apparatus to propel the apparatus along the pipeline.

A Conduit Descaling System (CDS) is provided and includes an anchor structure, wherein the anchor structure includes a first anchor end, a second anchor end and a structure center portion and wherein the structure center portion connects the first anchor end with the second anchor end; a descaling chain ring, wherein the descaling chain ring defines a chain ring center cavity and is connected to the structure center portion; and a Forward Descaling Article (FDA), wherein the FDA includes an FDA structure having an FDA structure first end, an FDA structure second end and an FDA structure center portion, wherein the FDA structure center portion includes a plurality of FDA anchor structures distributed along the circumference of the FDA structure center portion, and wherein FDA further includes a plurality of FDA descaling links having a plurality of FDA descaling link cutting teeth.

A Conduit Descaling System (CDS) is provided and includes an anchor structure, wherein the anchor structure includes a first anchor end, a second anchor end and a structure center portion and wherein the structure center portion connects the first anchor end with the second anchor end; a descaling chain ring, wherein the descaling chain ring defines a chain ring center cavity and is connected to the structure center portion; and a Forward Descaling Article (FDA), wherein the FDA includes an FDA structure having an FDA structure first end, an FDA structure second end and an FDA structure center portion, wherein the FDA structure center portion includes a plurality of FDA anchor structures distributed along the circumference of the FDA structure center portion, and wherein FDA further includes a plurality of FDA descaling links having a plurality of FDA descaling link cutting teeth.