Development of a Peristaltic Crawling Inspection Robot for Half-Inch Pipes Using Pneumatic Artificial Muscles

Abstract

AbstractThis paper describes the development of an in-pipe inspection robot for use in half-inch pipes. Half-inch pipes are commonly used in factories and residences, and in-pipe inspection is essential for preventing accidents caused by burst pipes or corrosion. In-pipe inspection is currently endoscopically conducted; however, endoscopes cannot be inserted into pipes that are more than 15m long or that have complex shapes, such as elbows. Therefore, various in-pipe inspection robots have been developed, though very few can travel inside half-inch pipes, and none can pass through a 90° elbow. Moreover, no study reports in-pipe robots making long-distance runs within half-inch pipes. The authors have developed a peristaltic crawling inspection robot with pneumatic artificial muscles for use in half-inch pipes; they seek to enable the robot to pass through a 90° elbow and have studied the robot's ability to travel long distances of more than 15m.Keywordspipe inspectionearthwormperistaltic crawlingpneumaticartificial muscle