Technology put to work.
1995-97
ripple
Ripple is used to traverse the interior of pipe networks. The robot uses extendible feet to brace itself against the pipe and, an inchworm like motion, move along the pipe length. It can be equipped with a variety of inspection sensors and tools including UT Sensors, Flux leakage sensors, manipulators, machining equipment or welders.
Ripple is a design developed for traversing the interior of pipe networks. The robot uses extendible feet to brace itself against the pipe and an inch worm like motion to move along the pipe length. It can be equipped with a variety of tools including manipulators, machining equipment or welders. A prototype of the concept was built and tested in mock up to prove the viability of the concept. A conceptual design of a variation of Ripple was developed for NASA for inspection of ductwork inside the space shuttle orbiter. This version used inflatable bladders instead of feet, in order to operate inside the Kevlar ductwork in the shuttle.