Deflection measurement device for flexible piping

Abstract

A mechanical inspection sled which can be pushed through a pipeline using a series of connecting rigid rods. Mechanical measuring devices are mounted on the sled. These devices deflect when the pipe's internal diameter decreases. The deflection is visually observable by the user through a series of reflective indicators. The measuring devices are sufficiently pliable to allow the sled to pass beyond distorted areas and complete a full inspection of the pipeline. The measurement devices are adjustable to allow the sled to be used in many different pipe sizes. Because the device is purely mechanical, it is quite rugged and able to withstand harsh environments.

Having described our invention, we claim:  
     
         1 . A pipeline inspection device allowing a user to visibly inspect for deformation of a pipeline, with said pipeline having an internal diameter generally composed of a bottom region, a first side region, a second side region, and a top region, and having a horizontal diameter and a vertical diameter, comprising: 
 a. a base portion, having a forward end and a rear end, configured to move along said bottom region of said internal diameter so that it lies on said vertical diameter;    b. a lateral fixed hoop, oriented horizontally, and being mounted to said base portion by conventional rigid means so that said lateral fixed hoop lies on said horizontal diameter, with a portion of said lateral fixed hoop extending outward far enough from said base portion to contact said first side region of said internal diameter;    c. a lateral test hoop, being mounted to said base portion by conventional flexible means, so that said lateral test hoop lies on said horizontal diameter, with a portion of said lateral fixed hoop extending outward far enough from said base portion to contact said second side region of said internal diameter, and wherein said lateral test hoop is free to elastically move inward when said inspection device encounters a reduction in said horizontal diameter; and    d. visual indication means capable of indicating to said user when said lateral test hoop moves inward.    
     
     
         2 . A pipeline inspection device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a. a plumb, rotatably mounted to said base portion proximate said rear end, and wherein said plumb is normally oriented vertically; and    b. a plumb reflector, affixed to said base proximate said rear end immediately forward of said plumb and sized so that so long as said plumb remains in said vertical orientation, said plumb reflector is not visible to said user.    
     
     
         3 . A pipeline inspection device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said visual indication means comprises: 
 a. a reflector positioned so as to be visible to said user; and    b. an occluding device, moveable in relation to said reflector, and configured so that as said lateral test hoop moves inward, said occluding device occludes said reflector.    
     
     
         4 . A pipeline inspection device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said visual indication means comprises: 
 a. a reflector positioned so as to be visible to said user; and    b. an occluding device, positioned so as to normally occlude said reflector, but moveable in relation to said reflector, so that as said lateral test hoop moves inward, said occluding device moves away from said reflector thereby exposing said reflector.    
     
     
         5 . A pipeline inspection device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for mounting said lateral fixed hoop and said lateral test hoop to said base portion allow for the use of a plurality of said lateral fixed hoops and a plurality of said lateral test hoops, with a particular lateral fixed hoop and lateral test hoop being calibrated for use in a particular size of said pipeline.  
     
     
         6 . A pipeline inspection device allowing a user to visibly inspect for deformation of a pipeline, with said pipeline having an internal diameter generally composed of a bottom region, a first side region, a second side region, and a top region, and having a horizontal diameter and a vertical diameter, comprising: 
 a. a base portion, having a forward end and a rear end, configured to move along said bottom region of said internal diameter so that it lies on said vertical diameter;    b. a vertical test hoop, having a forward end and a rear end, oriented vertically, and being mounted to said base portion by conventional flexible means, so that said vertical test hoop lies on said vertical diameter, with a portion of said vertical test hoop extending outward far enough from said base portion to contact said top region of said internal diameter, and wherein said vertical test hoop is free to elastically move downward when said inspection device encounters a reduction in said vertical diameter of said pipeline; and    c. visual indication means capable of indicating to said user when said vertical test hoop moves downward.    
     
     
         7 . A pipeline inspection device as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 a. a plumb, rotatably mounted to said base portion proximate said rear end, and wherein said plumb is normally oriented vertically; and    b. a plumb reflector, affixed to said base proximate said rear end immediately forward of said plumb and sized so that so long as said plumb remains in said vertical orientation, said plumb reflector is not visible to said user.    
     
     
         8 . A pipeline inspection device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said visual indication means comprises: 
 a. a reflector positioned so as to be visible to said user; and    b. an occluding device, moveable in relation to said reflector, and configured so that as said vertical test hoop moves downward, said occluding device occludes said reflector.    
     
     
         9 . A pipeline inspection device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said visual indication means comprises: 
 a. a reflector positioned so as to be visible to said user; and    b. an occluding device, positioned so as to normally occlude said reflector, but moveable in relation to said reflector, so that as said vertical test hoop moves downward, said occluding device moves away from said reflector thereby exposing said reflector.    
     
     
         10 . A pipeline inspection device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said means for mounting said vertical test hoop to said base portion allow for the adjustment of the undeflected position of said vertical test hoop so as to allow for the inspection of a plurality of different sizes of said pipeline.  
     
     
         11 . A pipeline inspection device allowing a user to visibly inspect for deformation of a pipeline, with said pipeline having an internal diameter generally composed of a bottom region, a first side region, a second side region, and a top region, and having a horizontal diameter and a vertical diameter, comprising: 
 a. a base portion, having a forward end and a rear end, configured to move along said bottom region of said internal diameter so that it lies on said vertical diameter;    b. a first lateral fixed hoop, oriented horizontally, and being mounted to said base portion by conventional rigid means so that said first lateral fixed hoop lies on said horizontal diameter, with a portion of said first lateral fixed hoop extending outward far enough from said base portion to contact said first side region of said internal diameter;    c. a second lateral fixed hoop, oriented horizontally, and being mounted to said base portion by conventional rigid means so that said second lateral fixed hoop lies on said horizontal diameter, with a portion of said second lateral fixed hoop extending outward far enough from said base portion to contact said second side region of said internal diameter;    d. a flex mast, oriented vertically, having a contact point on its upper extremity, wherein said flex mast is mounted to said base portion so that said flex mast lies on said vertical diameter; and    e. visual indication means capable of indicating to said user when said contact point encounters a reduction in said vertical diameter.    
     
     
         12 . A pipeline inspection device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said visual indication means comprises: 
 a. a tube, perpendicularly attached to said flex mast proximate said contact point, and oriented with its long axis parallel to said base portion;    b. wherein said tube is closed on a first end distal to said user and on a second end proximate said user;    c. wherein said tube contains a reflector proximate said first end and facing said user; and    d. wherein said second end opens into an orifice, so that when said user shines a light toward said tube, said light will be reflected back through said orifice so long as said flex mast remains vertical, but so that said light will not be reflected if said flex mast has deflected.