System Captures Video And Sound In Active Pipelines

System Captures Video And Sound In Active Pipelines
The LDS1000 long distance CCTV inspection and leak detection platform, part of a suite of inspection tools offered by JD7

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The LDS1000 long distance CCTV inspection and leak detection platform, part of a suite of inspection tools offered by JD7, is designed for internal investigation of live pipelines with a minimum flow of about 0.98 fps.

The inspection service system features a 1.4-inch-diameter by 6-inch-long tri-sensor head with high-resolution digital camera, focused lighting, 240 kHz hydrophone and 512 Hz sonde for mapping and leak detection.

“It’s providing three different functions inside the pipe,” says Mark Ames, regional manager for JD7. “The way it works is typically we pull off a fire hydrant and put a sealed launch tube on top of the spool and open the valve up to the hydrant. A parachute deploys on the front of the cable and pulls the camera system, sonde and hydrophone through the line.”

The inspection head (about 12 ounces) can be inserted through air valves, tappings or pressure fittings with an internal diameter of 2 inches for inspecting 3- to 12-inch lines. Larger lines can be inspected, but visual quality decreases. Although the standard launch of the system is through a hydrant spool, other access points just need an isolation valve and a place to bolt on the launch tube.

“The HD camera is able to see any problems or issues inside the pipe,” Ames says. “We’re able to track the system and locate any leaks up to 3,000 feet. Most of the time you really don’t know what the inside of the pipe looks like. You only see it when it fails. There can be sections of pipe with issues that you aren’t aware of, including debris and tuberculation in the line or failure points.”

The sensor head has a wide-angle optic, fixed-focus (PAL system) with 3 Lux illumination at F1.2. A chlorination disinfection system prevents contamination of the water supply. The inspection system can operate in temperatures from 23 to 104 degrees F.

“One of the other things that make the LDS1000 unique is its buoyant tether that transmits the data,” Ames says. “The only thing the parachute needs to move forward is the weight of the camera.”

Sound and video are transmitted to a control truck with mechanized reel, TV monitors, video and acoustical analysis software.

“We can input into the control box how quickly the cable goes out and how quickly it can be pulled back in so it can measure the feet per second or feet per minute,” he says. “It might be possible to do two launches a day, which would be 6,000 feet, or over a mile, depending on the job site conditions.” 858/242-1640; www.jd7us.com.



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