The present disclosure relates to a system and method of a compressor in fluid communication with the system inlet to receive a first fluid from the gas utility pipe. The compressor system and method further including a first fuel bottle in fluid communication with the compressor to receive the first fluid from the compressor, a second fuel bottle adapted to receive a second fluid that is different than the first fluid, and a dual-fuel engine coupled with the compressor to provide input power to the compressor, the dual-fuel engine coupled with the first fuel bottle and the second fuel bottle. The dual-fuel engine is adapted to operate using the first fluid in a first operational mode and the second fluid in a second operational mode.
F17D 3/10 - Arrangements for supervising or controlling working operations for taking out the product in the line
F04B 35/00 - Piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by the driving means to their working members, or by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors, not otherwise provided for
F04B 41/02 - Pumping installations or systems specially adapted for elastic fluids having reservoirs
A system and method for repairing one or more spalls using an autonomous robotic platform is provided. The system for repairing one or more spalls can include a power module, a construction module, a mechanical module, and a processing module. The method for repairing one or more spalls can include: processing coordinates and navigating to a spall, preparing the spall for repair, measuring a volume of the spall and determining an amount of repair material to be used, dispersing the appropriate amount of repair material into the spall, finalizing the repair of the spall, and generating a notification.
E01C 23/07 - Apparatus combining measurement of the surface configuration of paving with application of material in proportion to the measured irregularities
E01C 23/09 - Devices or arrangements for working the finished surfaceDevices for repairing the surface of damaged paving for forming cuts, grooves, or recesses, e.g. for making joints or channels for markings, for cutting-out sections to be removedDevices or arrangements for working the finished surfaceDevices for repairing the surface of damaged paving for cleaning, treating, or filling cuts, grooves, recesses, or fissuresDevices or arrangements for working the finished surfaceDevices for repairing the surface of damaged paving for trimming paving edges
An automated electrical cable preparation system includes a working plate, a cutting tool, a first motor, a second motor, and a controller. The cutting tool is removably mounted to the working plate. The first motor is drivably connected to the working plate. The second motor is drivably connected to the cutting tool. The controller is in communication with the first motor and the second motor.
H02G 1/12 - Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing, or dismantling electric cables or lines for removing insulation or armouring from cables, e.g. from the end thereof
H02G 1/00 - Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing, or dismantling electric cables or lines
An automated cable preparation device including a carriage assembly, a mechanical splice installation tool, a cable shell installation apparatus, a sealant injection tool, and a processor is provided. The mechanical splice installation tool includes a splice actuator. The mechanical splice installation tool is coupled to the carriage assembly. The cable shell installation apparatus includes a cable shell actuator. The cable shell installation apparatus is coupled to the carriage assembly. The sealant injection tool is coupled to the carriage assembly. The processor is in communication with the splice actuator, the cable shell actuator, and the sealant injection tool. The processor is configured to selectively control the mechanical splice installation tool, the cable shell installation apparatus, and the sealant injection tool.
H02G 1/00 - Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing, or dismantling electric cables or lines
H02G 1/12 - Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing, or dismantling electric cables or lines for removing insulation or armouring from cables, e.g. from the end thereof
H02G 1/14 - Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing, or dismantling electric cables or lines for joining or terminating cables
5.
Autonomous collaborative robotic system and method
An autonomous collaborative robotic system for automatically detecting, locating, and mapping underground assets is provided. The collaborative robotic system includes two autonomous robots, each robot including a housing with extendable legs, a camera module, a laser module designed to project a structure light pattern on a pipe interior, a sensor module designed to collect images from the camera module, and a processing module designed to process and stitch data to generate a network of underground assets and identify one or more features within the asset network.
B25J 5/00 - Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages
B25J 19/00 - Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewingSafety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators
G01C 21/00 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups
A system and method for pipeline data acquisition using a robotic system is provided. The robotic system includes a transport module with a video camera designed to capture images as the transport module traverses along an interior of a pipeline. The robotic system also includes a control module with a processor designed to process the images, identify a feature in the images using a machine learning model, and generate a 3-D point cloud of the interior of the pipeline.
G06T 7/33 - Determination of transform parameters for the alignment of images, i.e. image registration using feature-based methods
G06V 10/75 - Organisation of the matching processes, e.g. simultaneous or sequential comparisons of image or video featuresCoarse-fine approaches, e.g. multi-scale approachesImage or video pattern matchingProximity measures in feature spaces using context analysisSelection of dictionaries
An advanced cable preparation system for automatically and accurately preparing electric cables for termination is provided. The system includes multiple subassemblies and modules for removing one or more cable layers in order to prepare the cable end(s) for safe and effective termination. The system can include a housing with a sensor module, a processing module, and a one or more subassemblies including a cutting module, a power module, a neutral handling module, and a communication module. Some embodiments of the system can also include a heating module and a roller module. The advanced cable preparation system and method automatically detects one or more cable parameters of the electric cable using the sensor module and adjusts the configuration of one or more modules to appropriately remove one or more layers of the electric cable to prepare the electric cable for termination.
H02G 1/12 - Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing, or dismantling electric cables or lines for removing insulation or armouring from cables, e.g. from the end thereof
8.
VACUUM EXCAVATION FOR LOCAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND METHOD
A system and a method for vacuum excavation of local transmission are provided. The system for vacuum excavation of local transmission may include an end effector coupled to a vacuum hose. The end effector may include a manifold coupled to one or more valves and one or more pipes, each coupled to one of the one or more valves. The excavator head may include a nozzle array coupled to the one or more pipes, wherein the nozzle array may include one or more nozzles, each coupled to one of the one or more pipes. The one or more valves may be controlled to actuate individually, as a subset, or collectively, thus changing an air pattern exhausted from the nozzles.
A portable robotic platform system and method for automatically detecting, locating, and marking underground assets are provided. The portable robotic platform includes a housing with a sensor module including ground penetrating radar (GPR), LiDAR, and electromagnetic (EM) sensors. The robotic platform automatically collects GPR and EM data and uses onboard post-processing techniques to interpret the sensor data and identify the location(s) of underground infrastructure. The portable robotic platform can be deployed to apply paint to a ground surface to identify the located underground assets.
A system and method for additive manufacturing are provided. The system for additive manufacturing can include a fabrication robot configured to perform a fabrication process within a pipe, and a support robot configured to support the fabrication robot. The fabrication process may include the fabrication robot depositing a material on the pipe, thus consuming material throughout the fabrication process. The support robot may traverse between an entrance of the pipe and the fabrication robot to obtain additional material and to refill the fabrication robot and the material is consumed. The support robot may further be configured to install and remove one or more tether management rings along bends within the pipe, such that the tether management rings can reduce drag caused by a tether of the fabrication robot.
A system and method for asset identification and mapping is provided to capture and process information related to one or more objects using a machine learning algorithm. The captured information can be processed using a trained object identification system to identify, label, and map the object(s).
G01C 21/00 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups
G01S 19/47 - Determining position by combining measurements of signals from the satellite radio beacon positioning system with a supplementary measurement the supplementary measurement being an inertial measurement, e.g. tightly coupled inertial
G06F 18/2413 - Classification techniques relating to the classification model, e.g. parametric or non-parametric approaches based on distances to training or reference patterns
G06V 20/56 - Context or environment of the image exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
G09B 29/00 - MapsPlansChartsDiagrams, e.g. route diagrams
12.
System and method for acoustically detecting cross bores
An assembly and method for detecting cross bores and the location of underground pipe system assets includes an acoustic generator placed within an interior of the sewer system and an acoustic receiver placed within proximity of the lateral(s) of the pipe system. The acoustic generator generates an acoustic signal to transmit through the interior of a sewer pipe of the sewer system. A controller detects, in response to the acoustic receiver hearing the acoustic signal, a location of the underground pipe.
G01N 29/265 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
G01S 1/74 - Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmittersReceivers co-operating therewith using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves Details
E21B 47/095 - Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wellsIdentifying the free or blocked portions of pipes by detecting acoustic anomalies, e.g. using mud-pressure pulses
13.
BRACKET USABLE FOR SOLAR PANEL MODULE INSTALLATION
A multiple part bracket can be constructed to provide an electrical power connection and a mechanical attachment. The multiple part bracket includes an upper portion and a lower portion of the bracket constructed to be assembled together on an arm of a solar tracker in the field. The lower portion is adaptable in shape and dimensions to attach onto solar trackers from two or more different manufacturers in order to mechanically capture a solar panel module on the arm and to retain the solar panel module in place on the arm of the solar tracker. The multiple part bracket can be used with an autonomous ground vehicle with a robotic arm in order to autonomously install the multiple part bracket onto a solar tracker with the robotic arm.
B25J 15/06 - Gripping heads with vacuum or magnetic holding means
B25J 5/00 - Manipulators mounted on wheels or on carriages
B25J 19/00 - Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewingSafety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators
An electro-magnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) having an electromagnet array is provided. The electromagnet array includes electromagnets. Each electromagnet includes a magnetic core and a wound coil wrapped around the magnetic core. The electromagnet array generates bias magnetic fields having different patterns when the wound coils are energized differently. For instance, the electromagnet array generates a bias magnetic field having a given pattern, for the EMAT to transmit a first type of ultrasonic wave such as shear-horizontal wave, when the wound coils are energized in a given manner; and generates a bias magnetic field having a different pattern, for the EMAT to transmit a second type of ultrasonic wave such as a Lamb wave, when the wound coils are energized in a different manner.
B06B 1/04 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with electromagnetism
A robotic system is configured to autonomously or semi-autonomously rack a circuit breaker from an electrical cabinet or other electrical-connection station. The robotic system may perform work on circuit breakers, ground-and-test devices, or other electrical equipment.
A system for asset identification and mapping is configured to information related to a plurality of objects with at least one sensor. The captured information may be processed to identify one or more assets among the objects, and a map generated including a geographic area proximate to at least one of the one or more assets. The at least one of the one or more assets may then be identified on the map.
G01C 21/00 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups
G09B 29/00 - MapsPlansChartsDiagrams, e.g. route diagrams
G01S 19/47 - Determining position by combining measurements of signals from the satellite radio beacon positioning system with a supplementary measurement the supplementary measurement being an inertial measurement, e.g. tightly coupled inertial
G06V 20/56 - Context or environment of the image exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
G06F 18/2413 - Classification techniques relating to the classification model, e.g. parametric or non-parametric approaches based on distances to training or reference patterns
A magnetic patch system includes a sealing member configured for attachment to a pipeline proximate to a breach in a wall of the pipeline. A magnet is positioned at least partially within a housing arrangement. The magnet may be oriented to generate a force toward the wall of the pipeline to attach the housing arrangement to the wall of the pipeline and capture the sealing member between the housing arrangement and the wall of the pipeline. The system may be installed inside a pipeline using a remotely controlled robotic system.
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (USA)
Inventor
Symington, Alex
Semet, Dennis John
Oktayer, Caner
Shah, Aalap Rajendra
Htaik, Than Lin
Mchugh, Patrick
Chow, Maggie
Murray, George
Jerez, Luis
Campbell, Thomas
Baratta, Michael
Abstract
A system for servicing cable includes a field-end assembly and a live-end assembly, each mounted on a support structure having at least one drive mechanism operable to cause relative linear movement between the field-end assembly and the live-end assembly. A drilling-and-shorting assembly can create a short circuit in a field-end of the cable, and a continuity tester can test the integrity of the short-circuit. The field end of the cable can then be ejected from the system, and an end-cap-cradle assembly can position an end cap on a live end of an electrical cable and test its installation.
H02G 1/00 - Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing, or dismantling electric cables or lines
H02G 1/12 - Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing, or dismantling electric cables or lines for removing insulation or armouring from cables, e.g. from the end thereof
H02G 1/14 - Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing, or dismantling electric cables or lines for joining or terminating cables
A system and method for pipeline data acquisition may include a software program that can autonomously review new and legacy videos collected by camera-equipped robotic systems from inside the pipelines, and automatically detect and categorize different features. Three-dimensional (3-D) point clouds may also be generated using software algorithms that stitch together like features in different video frames.
G06V 10/75 - Organisation of the matching processes, e.g. simultaneous or sequential comparisons of image or video featuresCoarse-fine approaches, e.g. multi-scale approachesImage or video pattern matchingProximity measures in feature spaces using context analysisSelection of dictionaries
21.
System and method for acoustically detecting cross bores
An assembly and method for detecting cross bores involving a sewer system and a gas pipe includes an acoustic generator placed within an interior of the sewer system and an acoustic receiver placed either within an interior of the gas pipe or in proximity to an end of the gas pipe. The acoustic generator generates an acoustic signal to transmit through the interior of a sewer pipe of the sewer system. A controller detects, in response to the acoustic receiver hearing the acoustic signal, a cross bore involving the sewer pipe and the gas pipe. A microphone may be placed within the interior of the sewer system at a location remote from the acoustic generator. In this case, the controller determines, in response to the acoustic receiver not hearing the acoustic signal and the microphone hearing the acoustic signal, that a cross bore involving the sewer pipe and the gas pipe is absent.
G01S 1/74 - Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmittersReceivers co-operating therewith using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves Details
G01N 29/265 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
E21B 47/095 - Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wellsIdentifying the free or blocked portions of pipes by detecting acoustic anomalies, e.g. using mud-pressure pulses
22.
Electro-magnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) for both lamb and shear horizontal wave transduction
An electro-magnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) generates both Lamb waves and shear horizontal (SH) waves or Lamb waves only. In configurations, the EMAT includes first and second coils shifted in alignment relative to one another and a magnet array overlaid over the coils. The EMAT generates a Lamb wave when the first coil is excited with an electrical current and generates a SH wave when the second coil is excited with an electrical current. In other configurations, the EMAT includes a coil and a magnet array which are movable relative to one another between a first position and a second position shifted in alignment relative to one another. The EMAT generates a Lamb wave when the coil is excited with an electrical current while in the first position and generates a SH wave when the coil is excited with an electrical current while in the second position.
An electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) system for inspecting a part includes an EMAT sensor and a power supply for supplying an output power to the EMAT sensor. The power supply includes a DC/DC converter to boost an input DC voltage into a boosted DC voltage, a DC/AC inverter having Silicon Carbide (SiC) Mosfet power switches to invert the boosted DC voltage into an AC square voltage, and an output filter to filter the AC square voltage into an AC sinusoidal voltage. The AC sinusoidal voltage is the output power from the power supply to the EMAT sensor.
B06B 1/04 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with electromagnetism
H02M 1/08 - Circuits specially adapted for the generation of control voltages for semiconductor devices incorporated in static converters
B64C 39/02 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for characterised by special use
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
G01N 29/265 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
H02M 3/335 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output with intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate AC using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
H02M 7/5387 - Conversion of DC power input into AC power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only, e.g. single switched pulse inverters in a bridge configuration
An apparatus for detecting a cross-bore between a first pipe and a second pipe that are installed underground includes a support and an electronic circuit assembly. The support is movable through the first pipe. The electronic circuit assembly is mounted to the support to move through the first pipe with the support. The electronic circuit assembly includes a controller and a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor outputs a capacitance value based on an interaction of an electric field generated by the capacitance sensor with an environment of the first pipe. The capacitance sensor outputs to the controller a given capacitance value when the capacitance sensor is at a location where the environment of the first pipe is a cross-bore intersection with the second pipe. The controller generates an indicator indicative of a presence of a cross-bore upon the capacitance sensor outputting the given capacitance value.
E21B 47/09 - Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wellsIdentifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
E21B 47/01 - Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelinesProtecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
E21B 47/08 - Measuring diameters or related dimensions at the borehole
G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
A circuit breaker racking system and method may include a movable A-frame operable to attach to and release a circuit breaker, and move it forward and rearward along two space-apart arms. Rails associated with each of the arms may be movable upward and downward to lift and release the circuit breaker from a floor or platform. A drive screw assembly on the circuit breaker racking system may be actuated to pull a circuit breaker forward out of a cabinet or to push the circuit breaker back into the cabinet by engaging with a screw mounted to a wall of the cabinet. The circuit breaker racking system may be manually operated and moved about a control room, or may be remotely moved and actuated by an operator outside of the control room.
A system for extracting liquid from a pipeline includes a flexible elongate member having a first end and including a conduit having an intake port proximate the first end for receiving the liquid. The system also includes a camera arrangement attached to the first end of the flexible elongate member, and a connection arrangement disposed between the camera arrangement and the first end of the flexible elongate member. The connection arrangement including at least one opening in fluid communication with the intake port such that the liquid can pass through the opening and into the intake port.
A gas flow test apparatus and method include a flow monitor that is selectively connectable to a gas pipeline. An air motor driven regenerative blower is used to increase the flow of gas through the around a blockage in the pipeline to simulate an increased gas loading condition on the intake side of the apparatus. The gas drawn from the intake side is not vented to the atmosphere, but rather, is discharged to the exhaust side of the apparatus back into the pipeline. Pipeline pressure is measured on the intake side of the apparatus to ensure that gas supply is adequate for blocking off the pipeline for maintenance.
A testing system and method for performing integrity testing in a gas piping system include using a motorized pump to pressurize the piping system. A pressure sensor is used for measuring the pressure in the piping system, and an input device receives inputs from an operator related to a test to be performed. An output device is provided for communicating information to the operator. A control system includes at least one controller and is configured to: control the pump to pressurize the piping system to a predetermined pressure, receive inputs from the pressure sensor, and output data related to the pressure of the piping system.
G01M 3/26 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
G01M 3/28 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables, or tubesInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipe joints or sealsInvestigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for valves
An inspection system configured for “no-blow” use in a pressurized gas pipeline includes a push rod wound around a spool for convenient deployment and portability. A camera disposed on one end of the push rod is configured to relay images back to a monitor. A motor is configured for remote actuation by an operator, and provides for self-propelled movement of the camera in the pipeline. An entry tube is configured for sealed entry into the pipeline to facilitate entry of the camera and push rod. A guide shoe at the end of the entry tube provides a smooth transition for the camera and push rod as it leaves the entry tube and enters the pipeline. An automatically deployable and retractable positioning system is used to keep the camera away from an interior surface of the pipeline, and in the case of smaller pipelines, centers the camera within the pipeline.
An inspection system configured for “no-blow” use in a pressurized gas pipeline includes a push rod wound around a spool for convenient deployment and portability. A camera disposed on one end of the push rod is configured to relay images back to a monitor. A motor is configured for remote actuation by an operator, and provides for self-propelled movement of the camera in the pipeline. An entry tube is configured for sealed entry into the pipeline to facilitate entry of the camera and push rod. A guide shoe at the end of the entry tube provides a smooth transition for the camera and push rod as it leaves the entry tube and enters the pipeline. An automatically deployable and retractable positioning system is used to keep the camera away from an interior surface of the pipeline, and in the case of smaller pipelines, centers the camera within the pipeline.
G03B 37/02 - Panoramic or wide-screen photographyPhotographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveyingPhotographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe with scanning movement of lens or camera
F16L 55/30 - Constructional aspects of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables
F16L 55/46 - Launching or retrieval of pigs or moles
