This Pipeline Robot Can Be Inserted Into Fire Hydrants to Detect Leaks
Rahul Kalvapalle — July 21, 2017 — Tech
References: news.mit.edu & newatlas
PipeGuard is the name of an innovative new pipeline robot, developed by a team of researchers and engineers at MIT, that is capable of being inserted into fire hydrants in order to search out potential leaks in water pipelines.
What's unique about this pipeline robot is the fact that its shape is inspired by a badminton shuttlecock. The robot comes fitted with a special rubber attachment that expands once the robot is inserted into a pipe. This allows the robot to detect pressure changes in pipeline walls, which are indicative of potential leaks.
While there are other pipeline robots around, what sets the PipeGuard apart is the fact that it can instantly be adapted to pipelines of all kinds of diameters, thanks to the fact that it relies on an expanding rubber umbrella, which expands until it detects the inner walls of a pipe. This allows for more flexible and accurate use in a variety of industrial environments.
What's unique about this pipeline robot is the fact that its shape is inspired by a badminton shuttlecock. The robot comes fitted with a special rubber attachment that expands once the robot is inserted into a pipe. This allows the robot to detect pressure changes in pipeline walls, which are indicative of potential leaks.
While there are other pipeline robots around, what sets the PipeGuard apart is the fact that it can instantly be adapted to pipelines of all kinds of diameters, thanks to the fact that it relies on an expanding rubber umbrella, which expands until it detects the inner walls of a pipe. This allows for more flexible and accurate use in a variety of industrial environments.
Trend Themes
1. Flexible Pipeline Robots - Robots designed with expanding rubber umbrellas and flexible shapes that can adapt to various pipeline diameters present an opportunity for increased accuracy and flexibility in pipeline inspection and maintenance.
2. Shuttlecock-inspired Robotics - Innovative robotics designs that take inspiration from unusual shapes, such as badminton shuttlecocks, could lead to unique solutions for a range of industrial challenges.
3. Pipeline Leak Detection Robots - Robots specifically designed for detecting leaks in pipelines could be particularly valuable in the industrial, manufacturing, and utilities industries, improving safety and reducing waste.
Industry Implications
1. Pipeline Inspection - The pipeline inspection and maintenance industry could utilize more flexible and adaptable robots like PipeGuard to improve the safety and accuracy of their inspections.
2. Manufacturing - Manufacturing plants could benefit from the use of robots that are specifically designed for detecting leaks in pipelines, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
3. Utilities Management - The utilities industry could benefit from the use of PipeGuard and similar robots to detect leaks and prevent water loss, which is a significant concern for many communities around the world.
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