Study of Drag Forces in Fluid-Filled Pipe Inspection Robot

The design of a pipe inspection robot is essential to the efficient inspection of pipelines in different industries. Robots are astutely designed to assist people in carrying out challenging tasks. This work proposes a novel design for a robotic system comprising two essential modules. The first module controls control, sensing, data gathering, movement control, and wireless communication. In contrast, the second module is the power source, with a compact battery that efficiently distributes power to various components. The battery is housed within a sealed printed circuit board (PCB) for environmental protection. Each module features two adjustable arms equipped with a motor and a wheel for forward movement along the pipe wall. The arms are securely mounted outside the robot's housing at a 180° angle, ensuring stability and quick motion. A unique gear arrangement allows for precise control of the wheels, allowing for accurate and detailed functioning. Computer simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were conducted to study the drag force experienced by the robot in the moving water of pipes. The simulations explored different speeds, pressures, and pipe sizes to assess their impact on the drag force.