In-pipe MT Camera Using a Spiral Spring Wire

Overview

This in-pipe camera is installed on the tip of a spiral spring wire, which can be inserted through 25A steel pipes with an extension of 20 m and eight elbow joints.

Background

Conventional wiring jigs could not pass through continuous joints, such as elbows, from a meter gas valve to a district main offtake.
There were the following requests from on-site operators.
・We want to check inside a gas pipe at a home where gas distribution pressure failure has occurred.
・We want to temporarily stop the gas at a repair location.
・We want to check the gas pipe route.
Insertion through 25A steel pipes with an extension of 20 m and eight elbow joints has been achieved by improving the shape of the spring material.

Features

• The camera can be inserted through eight bends, including continuous joints such as elbows.
• The insertion extension ranges from 5 to 20 m.
• Live pipe insertion is possible using a seal box.
• The status of a gas pipe can be checked from a customer’s home.(The status of the gas distribution pressure failure can be checked.)
• It is possible to locate piping whose route is unknown.

Use of a spiral spring wire

The following items have been achieved by adding various functions to the tip of a spiral spring wire.

• In-pipe inspection: camera (camera + LED lamp)
• Route measurement: gyro sensor (gyro + accelerometer)
• Gas shutoff: umbrella bag, airtight bag
• Response to infiltrated water: water detection sensor, water removal tube

Commendation

Technology Award of the Japan Gas Association in FY2021