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Development of an Inspection Robot for Penstocks
Masayuki Hori*, Takayuki Nimura*, Masamichi Miura,**
Tomoji Fujisawa***, Tomoaki Satou,*** Tadashi Morimoto***
and Satoru Moriya****
*Electric Power Development Co., 6-1-5, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104, Japan
**NKK, 2-1 Suehiro-cho Turumi-ku, Yokohama 230, Japan
***NKK, 1-1 Minamiwatarida-cho, Kawasaki-ku Kawasaki 210, Japan
****NKK, 4-1-3, Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102, Japan
Published:October 20, 1990
Abstract
An inspection robot has been developed jointly with the Electric Power Development Co. for the purpose of inspecting the corrosion and coating deterioration of penstocks (3500 to 5000mm) for electric power generation, particularly their sloping sections. This robot is a simplified device which, equipped with a centering apparatus consisting of cylinders, travels in a spiral fashion by pressing its wheels along the surface of a pipe, and is capable of propelling itself to climb the sloping sections of penstocks after passing through their bends and reducers. After testing with penstocks and twice-conducted field tests, a working model has been completed, and it was even possible to get the model to perform the additional task of repairing. We therefore present here a complete report.
Cite this article as:M. Hori, T. Nimura, M. Miura, T. Fujisawa, T. Satou, T. Morimoto, and S. Moriya, “Development of an Inspection Robot for Penstocks,” J. Robot. Mechatron., Vol.2 No.5, pp. 373-383, 1990.Data files:
