Abstract: A pipeline inspection vehicle comprises a main body (10) driven through a pipeline by fluid flow against resilient cups (12). Resilient fingers (20) carry a circumferential array of magnetic proximity sensors for sensing the spacing between each sensor and the metal of the pipeline wall. Wheels (18) biased into engagement with the pipeline wall provide one form of distance measurement. The vehicle has on-board data storage by way of a memory housed within a pressure vessel.

Abstract: A method for determining the material from which an underground pipe is made. The method exposes a portion of the pipe, applies a coil having a primary winding and a secondary winding to the exposed portion of pipe such that the pipe contributes to an inductive coupling between the primary winding and the secondary winding, applies an excitation current to the primary winding to induce in the secondary winding a signal indicative of an induction value of the pipe, and determines the material from which the pipe is made dependent upon the signal induced in the secondary winding.

Abstract: A method of lining a main pipe and one or more service pipes extending therefrom is disclosed. The method comprises lining a main pipe with a liner of plastics material, inserting a liner of plastics material into a service pipe from an end of the service pipe remote form the main pipe and penetrating the wall of the main pipe liner to bring the main pipe into fluid communication with the service pipe. The wall of the main pipe liner is preferably penetrated by providing a pig or robot inside the lined main pipe, locating the position at which a service pipe is joined to the main pipe and using the pig or robot to cut, drill or pierce through the wall of the main pipe liner. A further lining portion may be provided along at least a part of any distance between the main pipe liner and the liner inserted into the service pipe. The further lining portion may be an insert of plastics material or may be provided by sealant with a channel formed therein or it may be formed by a combination of the two.

Abstract: A pipeline inspection vehicle which can be towed through a pipeline via a cable. The vehicle includes a power unit, a master processor module, and a coil which generates an eddy current field which passes along the pipe. The resultant field is detected by a master sensor ring and slave sensor ring. Information on an amplitude and phase of the detected field together with vehicle orientation information is sent to a base station which has a computer. A distance encoder also is provided to assist in locating the position of any detected faults.