Patent ID: 9127803
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: F16L,G01M,G03B

Abstract:
1. A pipe inspection system, comprising an inspection head at the end of a flexible shaft, wherein the inspection head comprises a rigid distal end portion and a rigid intermediate portion spaced from the distal end portion by a flexible region, wherein the flexible region comprises a series of sections with pivotal connections between adjacent sections which allow pivoting about two orthogonal axes, wherein the range of pivoting between adjacent sections is limited such that the complete series can be pivoted by a maximum angle of between 80 and 100 degrees, wherein a drive mechanism is provided spaced from the distal end portion, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a rotary bearing mounted on the shaft, and an expandable web which is attached to the rotary bearing by support rods which are pivotally connected to the rotary bearing such that they can contract to collapse the web around the shaft or expand to form an open web which functions as a drive mechanism driven by the fluid flow in the pipe.