US12571494USUSPTO Grant XML

System and method for autonomous sewer pipeline assessment

A method is provided for the autonomous assessment of pipelines. The apparatus combines one or more conventional modes of pipeline assessment in a unique untethered and unconstrained pipeline assessment device that is deployed at an upstream sewer access point and then propelled through multiple pipeline segments by the flow of liquid in the pipeline, thus allowing for the assessment of several pipeline segments much cheaper, faster, safer and less disruptive to the community than the current assessment methods.

Patent

Brief

Patent brief

Problem

How can corrosion in underground pipelines and conduits be prevented?

Novelty

The apparatus combines one or more conventional modes of pipeline assessment in a unique untethered and unconstrained pi...

Uses

Patent review

Assignee

Unknown assignee

Published

Mar 10, 2026

Inventors

Timothy Healy

Domain

Infrastructure / energy

Plain-English summary

Problem

How can corrosion in underground pipelines and conduits be prevented?

Solution

method is provided for the autonomous assessment of pipelines.

Key novelty

The apparatus combines one or more conventional modes of pipeline assessment in a unique untethered and unconstrained pipeline assessment device that is deployed at an upstream sewer access point and then propelled through multiple pipeline segments by the flow of liquid in the pipeline, thus allowing for the assessment of several pipeline segments much cheaper, faster, safer and less disruptive to the community than the current assessment methods.

Applications

Patent review

Relevant search intents

9062fd3e3b0c

Claims preview

1 . A method for inspecting multiple segments of below grade sewer pipeline, comprising: providing a below grade sewer pipeline having multiple segments and multiple at grade access points, the sewer pipeline having an inner diameter and containing a flow of liquid only partially filling the inner diameter so as to define a headspace above the level of the liquid flowing in the sewer pipeline; lowering an untethered pipeline assessment device into the sewer pipeline from an upstream at grade access point, wherein the pipeline assessment device has a size that is substantially smaller than the inner diameter of the sewer pipeline, and wherein the pipeline assessment device is configured to float freely on a surface of the liquid in an unconstrained fashion without being in continuous contact with the pipeline wall; and then allowing the untethered pipeline assessment device to float freely downstream with the liquid flowing in the sewer pipeline in an unconstrained fashion without being in continuous contact with the pipeline wall through one or more downstream access points to thereby collect data on multiple segments of the sewer pipeline in a single deployment; and then recovering the pipeline assessment device. 2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the pipeline assessment device is recovered by lowering a retrieval device into the sewer pipeline from a selected downstream at grade access point to capture the pipeline assessment device without the need for manned entry into the sewer pipeline. 3 . The method of claim 2 further comprising capturing images of the sewer pipeline with the pipeline assessment device.

System and method for autonomous sewer pipeline assessment

Plain-English summary

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