Self-leveling inspection system methods and devices for use in inspecting buried pipes or other cavities are disclosed. The system includes a camera head with an image sensor, an orientation sensor, and a signal processing module including a processing programmed to receive an image from the image sensor, and an orientation signal from the orientation sensor, generate a second image based at least in part on information provided from the orientation sensor, and store the second image in a non-transitory memory.

The system utilizes conductivity equipment as well as a camera, pressure sensor, and acoustic hydrophone within a probe deployed via cable into a pipe to be inspected. The probe completes an electric circuit back to ground when the probe is adjacent a defect through which electric currents can pass, thus producing varying electric current. The camera, incorporated into the electric probe, is utilized for both inspection and navigation through the pipe by providing a close-circuit video data feed. The pressure sensor detects alterations in the pressure and flow field of the fluidic region in the area of a leak. The acoustic hydrophone listens for the sound leaks in pressurize pipes may create. The inspection device is tethered to a cable and inserted a measured distance into the pipeline, typically with the pipeline under pressure, via a launch tube. Multi-sensor data versus pipe position is thus obtained.

A method for performing ultrasonic inspection to a pipe is described, comprising: introducing an in-line inspection tool assembly into a pipe, wherein the in-line inspection tool assembly comprises a gel reservoir and an ultrasonic inspection tool flanked by a pair of batching pigs, wherein the gel reservoir holds a first gel couplant; and driving the in-line inspection tool assembly along the pipe while performing ultrasonic inspection; wherein a gel slug is formed between the pair of batching pigs, and the gel slug facilitates the ultrasonic inspection.

A system for providing an interactive inspection map of an inspection surface inspected by an inspection robot includes an inspection circuit structured to interpret inspection data of the inspection surface from the inspection robot and a user interaction circuit structured to interpret a user focus value from a user device. The user focus value includes an activation state value. The system further includes an inspection visualization circuit structured to provide the interactive inspection map to the user device in response to the user focus value. The interactive inspection map is based on the inspection data. Also, the system includes an inspection data validation circuit that determines an inspection data validity description of the inspection data. The inspection data validity description is provided as a display layer on the interactive inspection map to indicate whether the inspection data is valid.

A system for inspecting the condition of a conduit while fluid is flowing in the conduit includes an inspection apparatus and a retrieval unit insertable into the conduit for catching the apparatus and removing the apparatus from the conduit. The inspection apparatus includes first and second chambers interconnected together in spaced apart relationship, one of the chambers is positively buoyant and the other chamber is negatively buoyant. Sensing devices to detect and sense physical parameters of at least one of the fluid and the conduit are disposed within at least one of the first and second chambers. The retrieval unit includes a catchment device shaped to capture the apparatus and a deployment device to deploy the catchment device to be in position to catch the inspection apparatus. Once the inspection apparatus is caught, the deployment device removes the inspection apparatus from the conduit.

An inspection robot, including, a multi-sensor sled carriage including a plurality of sleds arranged on the multi-sensor sled carriage, each one of the plurality of sleds including a sensor opening, an acoustic inspection sensor coupled to the corresponding sensor opening; where a width of the multi-sensor sled carriage and a radial position of the plurality of sleds are configured to accommodate an inspection surface including a pipe outer diameter; a plurality of acoustic inspection sensors coupled to the sensor opening of the plurality of sleds.

A system and method for detecting blockages or leaks in a piping system. A water-resistant pill sensor is tracked while it travels through the piping system. The pill sensor's travel speed, travel time, movement, images, audio, and/or other data determines if a leak or blockage exists, and if so, an electronic notification detailing the blockage or leak, its location, and corrective action is sent.