Objective The present aim of the project is to use glass fibres to communicate between equipment at an open pipe end with an ispection vehicle carrying an array of ultrasonic probes. The intention is to measure presence of corrosion or cracks in liquid filled pipelines to distances of 5000 metres. Communication of control signals, measurement signals and power will be done by the cable in which the glass fibre technology is incorporated.A considerable amount of electronic design and experiments were done in the year that the project is in hands of RTD. A summary of achievements is :- Cable electronicsWith purchased and RTD designed electronics it was shown that a conventional copper cable of normally up to 500 metres can be replaced by a glass fibre of 15000 metres |- CrawlerA basic concept exists to design a crawler for 16" which can negotiate 3 D bends. This includes space for on board electronics and power supply of the drive motor.- High frequency ultrasonicsTo measure wall thickness reduction to 3 mm a new pulser-amplifier circuitry was designed which allows operation by glass fible cables. These electronics will be used to construct a 32 channel measuring instrument "Sonolog".- High frequency ultrasonic probesA vacuum centrifuge has been designed and built to make the special high frequency probes in conjunction with item 5. 3.- Control box and mixerAll control signals vice versa are digital. Theultrasonic signal is analogue. The mixer takes care that control box and Sonolog signal are synchronized.- Preliminary testThis showed that all essential parts work well and further design can go on.-CableThe specification for the cable has been completed including the optical rotary contact (= slip ring) necessary because the cable will be on a large reel.An utltrasonic pipeline inspection crawler has been designed for diameters of 16" and larger.The articulated tool can pass 3D bends and climb 2D" uphill.Its maximum range is 6000 metres. The aim of the project was to use glass fibres to communicate between electronic equipment at an open pipe end with an inspection vehicle carrying an array of ultrasonic probes. The intention is to measure presence of corrosion in liquid filled pipelines. Communication of control signals, measurement signals, and power is done by a cable in which the glass fibre optic technology is incorporated. The project obtained the name FlexiPIT (Flexible PIpeline Inspection Tool). Specification of the FLexiPIT :Pipe diameter : 16"Suitable to pass : 3D bends 2D" up-hill slopesDrive : 4 wheelsSpeed : 0-150 mm/secReverse speed : 0-1 m/secNet pull traction : 2400 NCable length : 6000mTensile strength (rescue) : 50 kNCable diameter : 30 mm Programme(s) ENG-HYDROCARB 1C - Programme (EEC) of Community projects in the hydrocarbons sector, 1973-1985 Topic(s) 1.8 - PIPELINES Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme DEM - Demonstration contracts Coordinator ROENTGEN TECHNISCHE DIENST BV EU contribution No data Address DELFTWEG 144 POSTBUS 10065 3004 Rotterdam Netherlands See on map Total cost No data