Abstract: A method and system for re-establishing fluid communication between a main pipe and a branch conduit extending from the main pipe following lining of the main pipe with a liner includes moving a robot supporting a cutting tool down the lined main pipe to a location proximate to the branch conduit. The cutting tool is selectively extendable from the robot for cutting the liner. The cutting tool is extended from the robot toward the liner at a location where the branch conduit has an opening into the main pipe on an opposite side of the liner. The liner cuts at the location with the cutting tool. The cutting during said step of cutting the liner is monitored and the operation of the cutting is adjusted based on information acquired by monitoring the cutting tool.

Abstract: A method and system for using a remote cutter to make cuts, for example in a pipe liner. An automated cutting path is computed for a cutting tool as a function of shape and position data relating to an opening of the branch conduit into the main pipe. The cutting tool is moved along the computed cutting path to cut the liner for reestablishing fluid communication between a branch conduit extending from a host pipe and the lined main pipe.

Abstract: A robot and method of controlling a tool carried by a robot in a main pipe where the tool is operable to extend into a branch conduit extending from the main pipe. The robot can be moved to a location in the main pipe corresponding to a branch conduit opening location where the branch conduit opens into the main pipe by referencing a digital map of the main pipe. The tool can be extended from the robot toward the branch conduit opening at an angle corresponding to an angle the branch conduit makes with the main pipe so as to reduce the likelihood of contact of the tool with a wall of the branch conduit.

Abstract: A method and system for reestablishing fluid communication between a main pipe and a branch conduit includes moving a robot down the lined main pipe. Visual images of the liner in the main pipe are transmitted from a camera associated with the robot to a monitor outside of the main pipe for viewing by a human operator. An interior view of the lined main pipe from the transmitted visual images is displayed on the monitor. An image representing the location of the branch conduit opening is superimposed on the monitor so that the image appears on the monitor to be located on the liner as shown in the interior view.

Abstract: A method and system for locating a branch conduit opening into a main pipe following lining the main pipe with a liner includes moving a robot down the lined main pipe and scanning the liner using an infrared scanner mounted on the robot. A temperature drop outside the liner as compared to the adjacent surfaces to acquire infrared data is sensed with an infrared scanner. The infrared data is compared with other location data regarding the branch conduit opening and a branch conduit opening location outside of the liner is determined based on the infrared data and the other data. In another aspect, the infrared scanner is tuned to more particularly sense temperatures associated with the presence of a branch conduit opening.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a semiconductor memory, such as but not limited to a three dimensional (3D) NAND flash memory array. In some embodiments, the memory has non-volatile memory cells arranged into addressable blocks. Each memory cell is configured to store multiple bits. A program/read control circuit programs data sets to and reads data sets from the memory cells in the addressable blocks to service a sequence of host access commands. The circuit concurrently performs background reads in conjunction with the servicing of the host access commands. The background reads result in the reading of a different data set from each of the addressable blocks over each of a succession of time intervals of selected duration. The background reads condition the memory cells prior to a first read operation associated with the host access commands.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a semiconductor memory, such as but not limited to a three dimensional (3D) NAND flash memory array. In some embodiments, the memory has non-volatile memory cells arranged into addressable blocks. Each memory cell is configured to store multiple bits. A program/read control circuit programs data sets to and reads data sets from the memory cells in the addressable blocks to service a sequence of host access commands. The circuit concurrently performs background reads in conjunction with the servicing of the host access commands. The background reads result in the reading of a different data set from each of the addressable blocks over each of a succession of time intervals of selected duration. The background reads condition the memory cells prior to a first read operation associated with the host access commands.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a semiconductor memory, such as but not limited to a three dimensional (3D) NAND flash memory array. In some embodiments, the memory has non-volatile memory cells arranged into addressable blocks. Each memory cell is configured to store multiple bits. A program/read control circuit programs data sets to and reads data sets from the memory cells in the addressable blocks to service a sequence of host access commands. The circuit concurrently performs background reads in conjunction with the servicing of the host access commands. The background reads result in the reading of a different data set from each of the addressable blocks over each of a succession of time intervals of selected duration. The background reads condition the memory cells prior to a first read operation associated with the host access commands.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a semiconductor memory, such as but not limited to a three dimensional (3D) NAND flash memory array. In some embodiments, the memory has non-volatile memory cells arranged into addressable blocks. Each memory cell is configured to store multiple bits. A program/read control circuit programs data sets to and reads data sets from the memory cells in the addressable blocks to service a sequence of host access commands. The circuit concurrently performs background reads in conjunction with the servicing of the host access commands. The background reads result in the reading of a different data set from each of the addressable blocks over each of a succession of time intervals of selected duration. The background reads condition the memory cells prior to a first read operation associated with the host access commands.