GB2161278A

GB2161278A - Pipeline inspection system

Info

Publication number: GB2161278A
Application number: GB08512650A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Niven
Original assignee: N B SURVEYS Ltd
Current assignee: N B SURVEYS Ltd
Priority date: 1984-05-19
Filing date: 1985-05-20
Publication date: 1986-01-08
Also published as: GB8512650D0

Abstract

A pipeline inspection system for use in inspecting sewer pipes and the like comprises a pipeline inspection and monitoring device e.g. a TV camera and monitoring screen 1, a keyboard 8 having input keys each representing an item of data about the pipeline e.g. type of fault, angular position of fault, and a recording device 5 which records the items of pipeline data. An operator may record on the recording device information about the pipeline derived from the inspection and monitoring device using the keyboard input data keys. The data recorded is then used to produce a printed report. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pipeline inspection system This invention relates to a pipeline inspection system for use in providing inspection reports of sewer pipelines and the like.

The hazardous and unpleasant conditions found in sewer pipelines makes inspection and the production of inspection reports particularly difficult.

In particular it is difficult for a person inspecting the pipeline to make notes of the condition of the pipeline because of the dirty and wet conditions.

According to the present invention there is provided a pipeline inspection system for use in inspecting sewer pipes and the like comprising an inspection device, a data recording device, and a device for reproducing the recorded data.

Preferably, the data recording device comprises a keyboard having input keys each representing an item of data and a recording device which records the data input on the keyboard.

Preferably also, the inspection device comprises a video camera and display screen.

Preferably also, the data recording device is a cassette tape recorder.

Preferably also, the device for reproducing recorded data is a printout device which when inputed with the data recorded by the data recording device produces a printed report of the recorded data.

Preferably also, recorded data is coded such that the printed report is produced with the data displayed in a predetermined layout.

Preferably also, a warning device is incorporated which operates if an incorrect combination of keyboard data input keys are operated.

The system may be powered from a 12v power source such as, for example, a car battery.

The system is fitted into a sewer van and is used on site, inside the van, to record all relevant survey data. The system is designed to provide a printed report and a data tape containing all the information necessary for input into council data bases.

The system has been designed around the recommendations on sewer condition classification by The Department of the Environment National Water Council. The data tape produced is based on the coding recommendations contained in the above. The system also provides a comprehensible type written report to allow the sewer's condition to be assessed easily. Remedial work may then be carried out using the information on the written report.

The overall system and the various connections between its component parts are designed to be robust enough to withstand usage in the conditions found in a sewer system.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating the layout of the system of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of a function control keyboard of the system of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings a pipeline inspection system comprises a pipeline monitor screen 1 and an associated video text keyboard 2, a functional control keyboard 3 and an associated prompt screen 4 and a data tape recorder 5. In addition various items of inspection equipment together with a distance travelled recorder are included (not shown).

A printer 6 is used to produce a print out of the data recorded by the recorder 5.

When the system is in use the prompt screen 4 displays an initial prompt and answer routine to ensure that an operator inputs the correct data relating to a pipeline to be surveyed. This information provides a record of all the relevant data regarding the particular section of pipeline being surveyed. When this initial data has been recorded the survey begins. The operator then uses the functional control keyboard 3 to enter inspection data regarding the pipeline onto a tape in the tape recorder 5. The functional control keyboard 3 will be described in greater detail below. At the same time the prompt screen 4 displays the data being inputed by the operator to provide a visual check.

When the survey has been completed the data tape from the recorder 5 can be used to provide a printed report from the printer 6. For this purpose the keyboard 3 may, as it is portable, be used in conjunction with the printer 6 to produce a printout from the data tape.

Alternatively a separate microcomputer may be used.

Further details of the control keyboard 3 will now be described. The keyboard comprises a standard qwerty type keyboard 7 positioned alongside a data input keyboard 8 (Figure 2). The keyboards are designed to be particularly robust to ensure they can withstand rough treatment without malfunctioning or losing legibility.

The keyboard 8 has a number of groups of keys on it. The first group 9 comprises various keys relating to the system operation, for example, a start key 9a, a finish key 9b and an abandon key 9c.

Group 10 of keys comprises keys relating to changes in the size, construction and material of the pipeline. After depressing one of these keys the operator then inputs the actual change details using the standard keyboard 7. Group 11 of keys comprises keys relating to various pipe defects and various obstructions. The keys at 12a allow a record of connections and junctions to be recorded and those at 12b record the size of the connections and junctions. The keys at 13 marked 1 to 12 are used to record an o'clock position of details in the pipeline in combination with relevant detail keys.

The keys at 14 record details of directional deviation of the pipeline. A photo key 15 operates a camera everytime it is pressed and increments the number shown on a LCD counter display 16 by one.

The system also incorporates three types of buzzer which operate inconjunction with the keyboard. The first of these is a continuous tone buzzer which sounds when an incorrect sequence of keys has been pressed. The second is an inter mittent buzzer which sounds when a key that has been pressed requires further key inputs. The third buzzer is a single tone that sounds each time a key onthe keyboard 8 is pressed to assist the operator in determining that a key has been correctly pressed.

Various other types of information may be incorporated in the system and the system may be arranged to provide a printed record of each survey in various different formats.

The system may also be adapted for use in the inspection of structures other than sewer pipelines with the use of appropriate information input keys.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A pipeline inspection system for use in inspecting sewer pipes and the like comprising an inspection device, a data recording device, and a device for reproducing the recorded data.

2. A pipeline inspection system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the data recording device comprises a keyboard having input keys each representing an item of data and a recording device which records the data input on the keyboard.

3. A pipeline inspection system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the inspection device comprises a video camera and display screen.

4. A pipeline inspection system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data recording device is a cassette tape recorder.

5. A pipeline inspection system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device for reproducing recorded data is a printout device which when inputed with the data recorded by the data recording device produces a printed report of the recorded data.

6. A pipeline inspection system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein recorded data is coded such that the printed report is produced with the data displayed in a predetermined layout.

7. A pipeline inspection system as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein a warning device is incorporated which operates if an incorrect combination of keyboard data input keys are operated.

8. A pipeline inspection system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.