Patent ID: 6769321
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A vehicle for travelling along a conduit having fluid flowing therein, the vehicle comprising:(a) a propulsion apparatus including a first surface engaging device for engaging a surface of the conduit to apply a gripping force thereto, and a second surface engaging device located forwardly in use of said first surface engaging device and adapted to engage a surface of the conduit to apply a gripping force thereto and adapted to move towards and away from said first surface engaging device, wherein said second surface engaging device in use applies a greater gripping force when it is moving towards said first surface engaging device than when it is moving away from said first surface engaging device, and said first surface engaging device applies a larger gripping force when it is moving away from said second surface engaging device than when it is moving towards the or each said second surface engaging device, to cause said propulsion apparatus to move along the conduit; (b) a drive apparatus having a shaft portion adapted to be rotated as a result of fluid flow relative to the drive apparatus; and (c) a connector apparatus for causing said second surface engaging device to move away from said first surface engaging device as a result of rotation of said shaft portion.