Grant: Idea to Innovation
University of Regina
$12,000.00
Mobile pipe inspection system (MPIS)
EF 2012-13
Résumé
A market assessment for commercialization of a technology called Mobile Pipe Inspection System (""MPIS"") is proposed. The technology has initially been designed and developed for semi-automated Quality Control (QC) for the manufacture of tubular pipes, and has the potential for adoption for inspecting pipes in situ. The U of R proprietary technology has been proven to conduct QC inspection on pipes of different diameter. Our system: (1) detects defects using conventional image processing techniques at a speed of 0.4 m/sec, (2) measures defects of a size of 2 mm or larger, (3) classifies defects such as poor weld trims, dents, sliver, internal pitting, stress cracking, lamination in hot-rolled pipes, and buckles, and (4) position references the defected spots with high precision, i.e., no more than 2 cm of longitudinal/lateral error relative to a predefined reference point.
The system consists of two major modules, namely (1) the locomotion, and (2) the inspection. The locomotion unit consists of a wheeled mobile robot equipped with basic navigation/communication/control modules to carry the inspection tool inside the pipe. The inspection tools consist of a high-resolution omni-directional imaging unit with zooming capability and a controlled and coherent lighting source (e.g., a laser projecting device). A thin laser line projected on the pipe's wall would provide a way for quantifying defects at a very high resolution. The system can detect defects autonomously, classify defects, measure them, and localize them inside the pipe.
By developing machine-vision based inspection tools, the potential to greatly increase speed and consistence of inspection is possible. If the accuracy of the inspection tool can be made appropriately high, the potential cost savings to the pipe manufacturing community could be very great.
Pipe manufacturers, pipe inspection companies, and also those using pipelines (used in the oil/gas industry and/or water transmission/distribution networks) can benefit from this invention.
Programme
Idea to Innovation
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Saskatchewan, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
445382-2013
Name nom
Mehrandezh, Mehran
Department département
Engineering, Faculty of
Organization id
17
Institution établissement
University of Regina
Province en
Saskatchewan
Province fr
Saskatchewan
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2012
Competition year année de concours
2013
Award amount
12000
Program id
I2IPJ
Program name en
Idea to Innovation
Program name fr
De l'idée à l'innovation
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
1206
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Engineering
Area of application fr
Génie
Research subject code
2100
Research subject group en
Mechanical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie mécanique
Research subject en
Mechanical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie mécanique
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Mobile pipe inspection system (MPIS)
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
A market assessment for commercialization of a technology called Mobile Pipe Inspection System (""MPIS"") is proposed. The technology has initially been designed and developed for semi-automated Quality Control (QC) for the manufacture of tubular pipes, and has the potential for adoption for inspecting pipes in situ. The U of R proprietary technology has been proven to conduct QC inspection on pipes of different diameter. Our system: (1) detects defects using conventional image processing techniques at a speed of 0.4 m/sec, (2) measures defects of a size of 2 mm or larger, (3) classifies defects such as poor weld trims, dents, sliver, internal pitting, stress cracking, lamination in hot-rolled pipes, and buckles, and (4) position references the defected spots with high precision, i.e., no more than 2 cm of longitudinal/lateral error relative to a predefined reference point.
The system consists of two major modules, namely (1) the locomotion, and (2) the inspection. The locomotion unit consists of a wheeled mobile robot equipped with basic navigation/communication/control modules to carry the inspection tool inside the pipe. The inspection tools consist of a high-resolution omni-directional imaging unit with zooming capability and a controlled and coherent lighting source (e.g., a laser projecting device). A thin laser line projected on the pipe's wall would provide a way for quantifying defects at a very high resolution. The system can detect defects autonomously, classify defects, measure them, and localize them inside the pipe.
By developing machine-vision based inspection tools, the potential to greatly increase speed and consistence of inspection is possible. If the accuracy of the inspection tool can be made appropriately high, the potential cost savings to the pipe manufacturing community could be very great.
Pipe manufacturers, pipe inspection companies, and also those using pipelines (used in the oil/gas industry and/or water transmission/distribution networks) can benefit from this invention.
