Inspection and exploration represent a challenging domain in the field of robotics because of the hazardous and limited workspace to which the robots have to adapt and because of the reduced ability to monitor and acquire data about the inspected environment. A pipeline inspection robot must ensure sufficient traction force to pull its tether cable and other equipment while travelling inside a pipeline to complete inspection, maintenance, and repair tasks. This paper presents the design of three minirobots with adaptable structure for in pipe inspection and the experimental determination of their traction force. To measure the traction force of the minirobots, the Xplorer GLX digital measuring device was used.
Kinematic Analysis and Locomotion Strategy of a Pipe Inspection Robot Concept for Operation in Active Pipelines
