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A review of mechanical model, structure, and prospect for long-distance pipeline pig and robot

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 July 2022

Jianguo Zhao*
Affiliation:
School of Mechatronic Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500, China State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China
Ju Wang
Affiliation:
School of Mechatronic Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500, China
Qingyou Liu
Affiliation:
School of Mechatronic Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500, China State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China
Xu Luo
Affiliation:
School of Mechatronic Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China
Xuecheng Dong
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China
*
*Corresponding author: E-mail: zhaojianguo_1@qq.com

Abstract

The safety and reliability of robots are very important for the inspection in a long-distance pipeline used for the oil and gas transportation. In this paper, the long-distance pipeline pig and robots (LDPPRs) are classified into two categories, which are velocity-uncontrollable type and velocity-controllable type. Among them, the velocity control of velocity-controllable LDPPR has three ways, which are friction resistance, driving force, and self-running. Meanwhile, the mechanical models of the motion of the LDPPRs are classified into the dynamic model of the velocity-uncontrollable LDPPRs, velocity-controllable LDPPRs, and vibration, and the contact mechanics model between the rubber barrel and the pipe wall. In addition, the anti-stuck technologies, the inspection technologies, and the location technologies are investigated and analyzed. Thus, the purpose of this review is to provide a concise reference for the development and research directions, as well as the design of the LDPPRs.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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