Patent ID: 6044769
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
An in-pipe work device comprising:at least two movement mechanisms connected with each other in a longitudinal direction of a pipe by a flexible tube, and a control device for controlling the movement mechanisms, the movement mechanisms including:a body connected to the flexible tube;a guide member installed on the body such that the guide member is slidable in an axial direction;a support leg drive mechanism provided on the guide member and having a support leg movable in a radial direction of the pipe, for pressing the support leg against an inner wall of the pipe, thereby to hold the guide member kept unmovable in an axis direction of the pipe;a slide mechanism for relatively sliding the guide member and the body, with the support leg pressed against the inner wall of the pipe, thereby to slide the body in the axis direction of the pipe,wherein the control device controls the in-pipe movement device so as to move in a pipe by itself, by sequentially operating the movement mechanisms in a predetermined order,wherein the support leg drive mechanism includes:a slider provided on the guide member such that the slider is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the pipe;a roller provided on the support leg and having a contact with a tapered surface of the slider; anda slider drive means for driving the slider in a direction toward a top of the pipe, thereby to drive outwardly the support leg in the radial direction of the pipe by means of the roller.