An In-Pipe Inspection Robot with Permanent Magnets and Omnidirectional Wheels: Design and Implementation

Abstract

This paper aims to present the design and prototype of an inspection robot that can perform both horizontal and vertical locomotion in ferromagnetic pipelines. The proposed robot applies to a range from 5-inch (127 mm) diameter pipes to flat plates. The train-like robot is mainly composed of three sealed modules with omnidirectional driving wheels for longitudinal and transverse movements. Permanent magnets were designed to provide sufficient magnetic adhesion between the robot and the ferromagnetic surface of the pipes. The internal condition of the pipe can be monitored visually through cameras and sensors. Specific experimental conditions have been carried out to validate the robot’s capabilities, including maximum speed, payload capacity, and vertical climbing distance. The experimental results also show that the robot is capable of passing through a straight pipe and elbow fitting in both upward and downward directions.