Patent ID: 8336406

Claim:
A method for interrogating a conduit, comprising: positioning a plurality of electrically conductive bristles and at least one relatively more rigid disk member on a support member wherein an outer diameter of the at least one disk member is smaller than an outer diameter of the electrically conductive bristles and wherein a load bearing portion of the at least one disk member is positioned at a radially recessed position relative to the outer diameter of the electrically conductive bristles; moving the electrically conductive bristles and the at least disk member inside the conduit; engaging an inner surface of the conduit with the electrically conductive bristles by radially extending the electrically conductive bristles, wherein an electrical response of the electrically conductive bristles changes due to a deformation of the electrically conductive bristles; moving the electrically conductive bristles and the at least disk member inside the conduit and engaging a radially inwardly projecting feature of the inner surface of the conduit with the at least one disk member; measuring an electrical voltage differential across a portion of the conduit using the electrically conductive bristles; and determining a parameter of interest relating to the conduit using the measured electrical voltage differential.