A pipeline inspection robot with a linkage type mechanical clutch

Abstract

This paper presents a new pipeline inspection robot with a linkage type mechanical clutch, which is designed for inspection of pipelines with 100mm diameter. This robot has three powered wheel chains each of which has a mechanical clutch. The mechanical clutch is designed by using a parallel linkage mechanism. The kinematic model of the pipeline inspection robot is driven and its proto type has been developed. The performance of this robot system is verified by both simulation and experimentation.