Thread: Major engineering challenge

I confirmed it with one of our field guys and they are closed. Even though he liked the tracked vehicle idea (even went overboard and started talking AI, so I had to curb his enthusiasm), he did warn me of a couple of difficulties... He started talking about wedges left in there and drilled around (i didn't get into too much detail as I was trying to get started on my lunch) and holes erroding to even 10".

Is there a reason you couldn't use a micro-controller on the end to serialize the data and send it over only 1 line instead of 8? Seems like that might save a lot of cable weight and friction.

AFIK it can't be done due to the equipment at the receiving end. However, I'll pass that suggestion on as well.

I've read through this several times. The wire is supposed to be heavy. Then there is mention of eight data lines. How many individual wires have to be run? What gauge? What values of voltage, current, or signal are on them? What is the purpose of running these lines into a blind hole? Is there some kind of sensor or group of sensors at the blind end? If it is a heavy gauge wire, is the purpose of the heavy gauge to increase tensil strength so that the wire can be pulled? Can lubricants be used to aid the pulling?

Rick

I was wondering what these wires are meant to connect to? If there is no access how will they be connected? Unless they are for some other reason that I don't understand?!

Just to get our hands on the data, we will be needing 8 wires. If we use a crawler and no batteries, I'm assuming 3 more (+, -, control). They are fairly heavy (similar to household electrical wires) possibly b/c they need to be rugged for field use. I am not sure how we'll set up the sensing equipment. My lack of experience shines through.

You might give consideration to lighter gauge wire in the 18 to 20 gauge size range and run redundant groups. Small telephone cables are 25 pairs of 18 gauge. There is also circular ribbon cable. With a Kapton (polyimide) exterior it would be abrasion resistant. Throw in a little teflon and it will slide easily. The sensor, if not available with other than 8 bit data, could be coupled with an adaptor that will convert to rs232 serial or similar for less wires needed. It would be easy to reconvert on the other end.

What about a hydraulic ram type of thing with two inflatable collars, one on the outer tube and one on the ram itself that inflate one at a time. The one on the ram when it's extended and then the one on the jacket when it's compressed which would allow it to move a bit like a worm?

Here's a Japanese designed pipe inspection robot. Not sure of how well something like this would work with holes with vary from 2-10"ID, but it's worth looking at.

http://www-robot.mes.titech.ac.jp/ro...es/thes_e.html

Another update:
1) Gas should not be an issue
2) Some of those holes may be flooded and the pressure could be significant