Patent ID: 6715370
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
A method of inspecting district heating pipes using a sensor, said method comprising:introducing a vehicle into said pipe, said vehicle including an uninflated balloon and a pulley in which a cable is inserted; immobilizing said vehicle in said pipe by inflating said balloon; and moving said sensor in said pipe by fixing it to one end of said cable and pulling on the other end of said cable to move said sensor toward said immobilized vehicle in order to inspect said pipe, wherein said vehicle includes a parachute and is propelled in said pipe by introducing into said pipe a fluid under pressure that acts on said parachute, said balloon is deflated when said sensor reaches said vehicle immobilized in said pipe, and said vehicle and said sensor are withdrawn from said pipe by pulling on the end of said cable so that the inspection is carried out during the return travel of said vehicle and said sensor.