Small, Untethered, Mobile Robots for Inspecting Gas Pipes
TBMG-7653
06/01/2003
- Content
Small, untethered mobile robots denoted gas-pipe explorers (GPEXs) have been proposed for inspecting the interiors of pipes used in the local distribution natural gas. The United States has network of gas- distribution pipes with a total length of approximately 109 m. These pipes are often made of iron and steel and some are more than 100 years old. As this network ages, there is a need to locate weaknesses that necessitate repair and/or preventive maintenance. The most common weaknesses are leaks and reductions in thickness, which are caused mostly by chemical reactions between the iron in the pipes and various substances in soil and groundwater.
- Citation
- "Small, Untethered, Mobile Robots for Inspecting Gas Pipes," Mobility Engineering, June 1, 2003.