PNIPU: Robot for pipeline diagnostics

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2023: Development of a robot design that prevents accidents and eco-accidents

Scientists PNIPU developed a design robot that will help prevent accidents and eco-accidents. This was reported on October 6, 2023 Perm at the Polytechnic.

Gas, oil and urban pipelines, access to which is difficult or impossible from the outside, are diagnosed using robots. With the development of technologies, the accuracy of the results obtained increases and the number of accidents and environmental disasters decreases. Over time, pipelines become more prone to wear, corrosion, leaks and other damage. At the same time, those that have a complex shape and a small diameter are practically not checked from the inside by robotic means. Failure of branches often leads to depressurization. Perm Polytechnic scientists created an innovative robot design for testing pipes and presented modeling of its movement in sequential branches. This development, subject to regular use, will help to ensure the safety and duration of pipeline operation several times.

Robots can perform diagnostics in difficult and difficult-to-reach places, reducing the possible risk to the life and health of people, if we are talking, for example, industrial about pipelines. The development of robots involves the use of technologies and methods such as systems navigation and positioning, sensors and sensors, communication systems and. machine learning to data As of October 2023, there are no optimal methods design and simulations of such devices due to the fact that they represent a complex dynamic system.

The mechanical design of the robot contains a bearing base (body), on which a support leg with a wheeled propulsor is installed. Support legs are located relative to each other at an angle of 60 degrees. In order for each supporting leg to have contact with the tube surface, we have developed a special lever system. The body of the device is designed in such a way that it can move in the branches. As a contact element, a wheel-type mover is chosen, it experiences the least resistance to movement, unlike other types of movers, for example, tracked ones, explained assistant of the Department of Equipment chemical productions and Automation of PNIPU Dmitry Kuchev.

After creating the design of the three-dimensional model of the robot, the scientists gradually modeled its movement along two sequentially located bends with a rotation radius of 1,5D and an angle of 90 degrees. To do this, they carried out mathematical calculations using the Lagrange differential equation (equation of motion of a mechanical system). Calculations made it possible to determine the trajectory of the structure and showed that it moves freely.

Scientists report that the development of a robotic device is already being used in the diagnosis of heat supply pipelines in one of the cities of Russia.