James Lee Garrison

US Patent:

20070214994, Sep 20, 2007

Filed:

Mar 16, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/378416

Inventors:

John Ardente - Queen Creek AZ, US
James Garrison - Apache Junction AZ, US

International Classification:

B61B 13/10

US Classification:

104138100

Abstract:

An apparatus () configured to effect personnel traverse though a pipeline () is presented. This apparatus () is suitable for pipelines () having an inner diameter () of not less than fifteen inches and not greater than thirty-six inches. The apparatus () is made up of a frame (), a platform (), a single drive wheel (), and a pair of guidance wheels (). An electric motor () is supported by a motor bracket () affixed to the frame (). The motor () is coupled to the drive wheel () by a drive belt or chain (). Each of the guidance wheels () has a plane of rotation (), and is configured to contact an interior surface () of the pipeline () at a contact point () within that plane of rotation () when that plane of rotation () is substantially perpendicular to the interior surface () of the pipeline (). This allows the apparatus () to automatically follow the curvature of the pipeline () during traverse.