Technology Available for Licensing

Case 13758

Robotic Apparatus and Process for Pipeline Rehabilitation

Keywords:

Pipeline leakage, robot inspection

Applications:

Pipelines of various geometry

Problem:

Pipeline leakage.

Technology:

This invention presents the design of a robotic device for patching pipeline leaks. A stretchable curing patch is designed for the pipe which ensures that it fits perfectly within the pipe. The patch is driven by a robotic device which carries a camera and can be controlled wirelessly. The curing patch can be designed to fit both circular and non-circular pipe geometry.

Advantages:

Fixing the pipeline from the inside is a more secure solution for pipeline leakage.

The whole process is robotic which can be controlled wirelessly.

Inventors:

• Professor Kamal Youcef-Toumi(Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT)
• Professor Muhammad A. Hawwa (Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals)

Intellectual Property:

US Patent Application 61/479523 filed on April 27, 2011

Publications:

N/A

Please contact: Jim R. Freedman MIT Technology Licensing Officer 1 Cambridge Center, Kendall Square, NE18-501 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142-1601

Email: jrftlo@mit.edu Tel: 617-253-6966 Fax: 617–258-6790 Website: http://tlo.mit.edu