Pipeline Sensor System and Method

Abstract

A sensor system and method for sensing conditions of a pipeline is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of sensors that sense a condition of the pipeline, generate a signal indicative of the condition, and communicate the signal. A pipeline device navigates the pipeline receives the signal, stores a value corresponding to the condition, and selectively communicates value.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensor system for sensing conditions of a pipeline comprising:
 a plurality of sensors that:
 sense at least one condition of the pipeline; 
 generate at least one signal indicative of a value corresponding to the at least one condition; and 
 wirelessly communicates the at least one signal; and 
   a pipeline device configured to navigate the pipeline that:
 receives the at least one signal; 
 stores the value corresponding to the at least one condition in an associated memory; and 
 selectively communicates the stored values in response to receiving a request to communicate the stored values. 
   
     
     
         2 . The sensor system of  claim 1  wherein the pipeline device includes a sensor data module that generates a values database and a communication module that receives values stored in the values database and that selectively communicates the values. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor system of  claim 2  wherein the sensor data module determines whether the value corresponding to the at least one condition is greater than a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor system of  claim 3  wherein the sensor data module communicates the value to the communication module when the value is greater than the predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor system of  claim 4  wherein the communication module communicates the value to a remotely located computing device. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor system of  claim 1  wherein the pipeline device includes a spherical case. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor system of  claim 1  wherein the pipeline device enters the pipeline at an entry point and exits the pipeline at an exit point. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor system of  claim 7  wherein the pipeline device is configured to automatically traverse the pipeline between the entry point and the exit point. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor system of  claim 1  wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is disposed on a surface of the spherical case. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor system of  claim 1  wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is disposed on a surface of the pipeline. 
     
     
         11 . A method for sensing conditions of a pipeline comprising:
 sensing at least one condition of the pipeline;   generating at least one signal indicative of a value corresponding to the at least one condition;   wirelessly communicating the at least one signal;   navigating the pipeline;   receiving the at least one signal;   storing the value corresponding to the at least one condition; and   selectively communicating the stored values in response to receiving a request to communicate the stored values.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising generating a values database and selectively communicating the values from the values database. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising determining whether the value corresponding to the at least one condition is greater than a predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising communicating the value when the value is greater than the predetermined threshold value. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising wirelessly communicating the value to a remotely located computing device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising communicating the value to a proximally located computing device via a wired connection. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising entering the pipeline at an entry point and exiting the pipeline at an exit point. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising automatically traversing the pipeline between the entry point and the exit point. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising disposing a plurality of sensors for sensing the at least one condition of the pipeline on a surface of a spherical case that encloses a pipeline device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising disposing a plurality of sensors for sensing the at least one condition of the pipeline on a surface of the pipeline.