The most common way to transport oil and natural gas in Canada is by using pipes. In the last years, population growth has led to an increase in the pipeline network. This increase will generate new areas of research such as the detection of leakages or cracks and the maintenance of the pipeline system as a whole. In this thesis, a novel hypermobile robot, capable of moving along pipes of different diameters, is proposed and developed. The robot is composed of three modules, two propulsive modules and one control module linked by passive joints. The propulsive module has eight actuators: four gearmotors to propel the robot along the pipe, and four servomotors to control the radial position of the robot in the pipe and to maintain the robot's balance. A Raspberry Pi is used to control the actuators, acquire sensor feedback, and receive commands from a remote wireless user-controlled GUI. An existing dynamic controller is adapted to the robot's architecture. Simulations and experimental tests in open-loop and closed-loop modes are performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the robot's design and controller. The results show the efficiency of the mechanical and electronic components of the robot since it is capable of following the generated paths. The outcome of this thesis can be used in trajectory tracking controllers and for in-pipe robot design.

Offshore oil production presents major challenges due to extreme environmental conditions. With present state of the art robotics, precision mechanics and automation it is now possible to provide solutions to those working conditions. The present work is part of a solution to the problem of the unblocking a subsea oil pipeline of small diameter and extensive length by designing and manufacturing a robot capable of moving inside the pipeline. Based on the previous study of an interdisciplinary group, the implementation of an umbilical cable was defined with the purpose of assuring the supply of electrical power for the robot’s energy requirements, control signals and a mechanical link to avoid the possibility of getting stuck. Similarly, the robot's movement strategy was defined based on a high reliability mechanism, capable of overcoming the great tension resulting from the interaction of the long umbilical cable with the inside of the pipe. In this work, the mechanical design is performed to implement a robot capable of overcoming big cable tensions with small components, integrating commercial components and others custom made. A solution was implemented to convert the electric power received through the cable to the mechanical power in the form required by the displacement mechanism. For this, a detailed engineering design is presented that integrates a high performance electric motor, a two-stage planetary gear transmission for high reduction ratio, a power split transmission driven by disc clutches and a mechanical power distribution stage required by the mechanism responsible for the displacement. / La producción de petróleo offshore presenta grandes desafíos por las condiciones en que se lleva a cabo, actualmente es posible darle solución con la ayuda de la robótica, la mecánica de precisión y la automatización. El presente trabajo es parte de una solución al problema de la desobstrucción en una tubería de petróleo submarina de pequeño diámetro y largo tendido mediante el diseño y la construcción de un robot capaz de trasladarse por el interior de la misma. En base al estudio previo de un grupo interdisciplinario se definió la implementación de un cable umbilical con el propósito de asegurar el suministro de potencia eléctrica para los requerimientos de energía de robot, el enlace de señales destinadas al control y un vínculo mecánico para proveer seguridad ante un eventual desperfecto. Similarmente se definió la estrategia de movimiento del robot en base a un mecanismo de alta confiabilidad, capaz de vencer una gran tensión producto de la interacción del largo cable umbilical con el interior de la tubería. En este trabajo se realiza el diseño mecánico para implementar un robot capaz de realizar grandes esfuerzos con componentes de tamaño reducido, integrando componentes comerciales y otros hechos a medida. Para ello, se implementó una solución para convertir la potencia eléctrica recibida a través del cable a la potencia mecánica en la forma requerida por el mecanismo que da lugar al movimiento. Para dicha solución se presenta un diseño detallado que integra un motor eléctrico de alto desempeño, una transmisión planetaria reductora de dos etapas, una transmisión inversora accionada por embragues de discos y una etapa de distribución de potencia mecánica requerida por el mecanismo responsable del movimiento.

Offshore oil production presents major challenges due to extreme environmental conditions. With present state of the art robotics, precision mechanics and automation it is now possible to provide solutions to those working conditions. The present work is part of a solution to the problem of the unblocking a subsea oil pipeline of small diameter and extensive length by designing and manufacturing a robot capable of moving inside the pipeline. Based on the previous study of an interdisciplinary group, the implementation of an umbilical cable was defined with the purpose of assuring the supply of electrical power for the robot’s energy requirements, control signals and a mechanical link to avoid the possibility of getting stuck. Similarly, the robot's movement strategy was defined based on a high reliability mechanism, capable of overcoming the great tension resulting from the interaction of the long umbilical cable with the inside of the pipe. In this work, the mechanical design is performed to implement a robot capable of overcoming big cable tensions with small components, integrating commercial components and others custom made. A solution was implemented to convert the electric power received through the cable to the mechanical power in the form required by the displacement mechanism. For this, a detailed engineering design is presented that integrates a high performance electric motor, a two-stage planetary gear transmission for high reduction ratio, a power split transmission driven by disc clutches and a mechanical power distribution stage required by the mechanism responsible for the displacement. / La producción de petróleo offshore presenta grandes desafíos por las condiciones en que se lleva a cabo, actualmente es posible darle solución con la ayuda de la robótica, la mecánica de precisión y la automatización. El presente trabajo es parte de una solución al problema de la desobstrucción en una tubería de petróleo submarina de pequeño diámetro y largo tendido mediante el diseño y la construcción de un robot capaz de trasladarse por el interior de la misma. En base al estudio previo de un grupo interdisciplinario se definió la implementación de un cable umbilical con el propósito de asegurar el suministro de potencia eléctrica para los requerimientos de energía de robot, el enlace de señales destinadas al control y un vínculo mecánico para proveer seguridad ante un eventual desperfecto. Similarmente se definió la estrategia de movimiento del robot en base a un mecanismo de alta confiabilidad, capaz de vencer una gran tensión producto de la interacción del largo cable umbilical con el interior de la tubería. En este trabajo se realiza el diseño mecánico para implementar un robot capaz de realizar grandes esfuerzos con componentes de tamaño reducido, integrando componentes comerciales y otros hechos a medida. Para ello, se implementó una solución para convertir la potencia eléctrica recibida a través del cable a la potencia mecánica en la forma requerida por el mecanismo que da lugar al movimiento. Para dicha solución se presenta un diseño detallado que integra un motor eléctrico de alto desempeño, una transmisión planetaria reductora de dos etapas, una transmisión inversora accionada por embragues de discos y una etapa de distribución de potencia mecánica requerida por el mecanismo responsable del movimiento.

Offshore oil production presents major challenges due to extreme environmental conditions. With present state of the art robotics, precision mechanics and automation it is now possible to provide solutions to those working conditions. The present work is part of a solution to the problem of the unblocking a subsea oil pipeline of small diameter and extensive length by designing and manufacturing a robot capable of moving inside the pipeline. Based on the previous study of an interdisciplinary group, the implementation of an umbilical cable was defined with the purpose of assuring the supply of electrical power for the robot’s energy requirements, control signals and a mechanical link to avoid the possibility of getting stuck. Similarly, the robot's movement strategy was defined based on a high reliability mechanism, capable of overcoming the great tension resulting from the interaction of the long umbilical cable with the inside of the pipe. In this work, the mechanical design is performed to implement a robot capable of overcoming big cable tensions with small components, integrating commercial components and others custom made. A solution was implemented to convert the electric power received through the cable to the mechanical power in the form required by the displacement mechanism. For this, a detailed engineering design is presented that integrates a high performance electric motor, a two-stage planetary gear transmission for high reduction ratio, a power split transmission driven by disc clutches and a mechanical power distribution stage required by the mechanism responsible for the displacement. / La producción de petróleo offshore presenta grandes desafíos por las condiciones en que se lleva a cabo, actualmente es posible darle solución con la ayuda de la robótica, la mecánica de precisión y la automatización. El presente trabajo es parte de una solución al problema de la desobstrucción en una tubería de petróleo submarina de pequeño diámetro y largo tendido mediante el diseño y la construcción de un robot capaz de trasladarse por el interior de la misma. En base al estudio previo de un grupo interdisciplinario se definió la implementación de un cable umbilical con el propósito de asegurar el suministro de potencia eléctrica para los requerimientos de energía de robot, el enlace de señales destinadas al control y un vínculo mecánico para proveer seguridad ante un eventual desperfecto. Similarmente se definió la estrategia de movimiento del robot en base a un mecanismo de alta confiabilidad, capaz de vencer una gran tensión producto de la interacción del largo cable umbilical con el interior de la tubería. En este trabajo se realiza el diseño mecánico para implementar un robot capaz de realizar grandes esfuerzos con componentes de tamaño reducido, integrando componentes comerciales y otros hechos a medida. Para ello, se implementó una solución para convertir la potencia eléctrica recibida a través del cable a la potencia mecánica en la forma requerida por el mecanismo que da lugar al movimiento. Para dicha solución se presenta un diseño detallado que integra un motor eléctrico de alto desempeño, una transmisión planetaria reductora de dos etapas, una transmisión inversora accionada por embragues de discos y una etapa de distribución de potencia mecánica requerida por el mecanismo responsable del movimiento.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2017-04-06T18:00:39Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Danilo Sulino Silveira Pinto - 2017.pdf: 5661209 bytes, checksum: a3765119d82a3ef7a763dfcd402dd0ca (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-04-07T11:11:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Danilo Sulino Silveira Pinto - 2017.pdf: 5661209 bytes, checksum: a3765119d82a3ef7a763dfcd402dd0ca (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-07T11:11:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Danilo Sulino Silveira Pinto - 2017.pdf: 5661209 bytes, checksum: a3765119d82a3ef7a763dfcd402dd0ca (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-13 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / During one of the most critical water crises in Brazil, in 2015, a Folha de São Paulo Journal report showed that 37 % of all water treated in Brazil does not reach the final consumer, being the failures in pipes the main cause. This master’s work addresses this problem of waste and failure in piping, for both water and sewage. In this way the characteristics of these types of pipes as well as the most common types of faults are presented. Existing inspection piping methods are also presented. And in an attempt to help reduce this pipeline waste, a pipe failure detection method was developed to achieve a low cost solution so that it can be widely used. The developed solution involved the development of a position control method using a reinforcement learning method, Q-Learning, which allows the robot to run through the pipe without tumbling, using only a gyroscope. It was also developed, using infrared distance sensors and an accelerometer, a method of detecting failures in which it was possible to detect faults with only 2 mm of thickness, in all the times in which the robot passed through it. The developed method is able to overcome the instability and imprecision of the infrared sensor, allowing, during the tests, the detection of all the faults in which the robot crossed, having only 1 false failure accusation in 25 m of course at a speed 60 % greater than the maximum speed of a video inspection. The results were satisfactory, but more work on increasing the inspected surface area and redundancy of fault detection is still required. / Durante uma das mais graves crises hídricas no Brasil, em 2015, uma reportagem da Folha de São Paulo mostrou que 37% de toda a água tratada no Brasil não chega até o consumidor final, sendo as falhas nas tubulações a principal causa. Este trabalho de mestrado aborda esse problema de desperdício e falhas em tubulações, tanto de água como de esgoto. Dessa forma são apresentadas as características desses tipos de tubulações bem como os tipos mais comuns de falhas. Os métodos de inspeção de tubulações existentes também estão apresentados. E na tentativa de auxiliar na redução do desperdício em tubulações foi desenvolvido um método de detecção de falhas de tubulações, objetivando alcançar uma solução de baixo custo para que ela possa ser amplamente utilizada. A solução criada envolveu o desenvolvimento de um método de controle de posição utilizando um método de aprendizagem por reforço, o Q-Learning, que permite o robô percorrer a tubulação sem tombar, apenas utilizando um giroscópio. Foi desenvolvido, utilizando sensores de distância infravermelho e um acelerômetro, um método de detecção de falhas em que se conseguiu detectar falhas com apenas 2 mm de espessura, em todas as vezes em que o robô passou por ela. O método desenvolvido é capaz de superar a instabilidade e imprecisão do sensor infravermelho, permitindo, durante os testes, a detecção de todas as falhas em que o robô atravessou, tendo apenas 1 acusação de falsa falha a cada 25 m de percurso a uma velocidade mais de 60% maior que a velocidade máxima de uma vídeo inspeção. Os resultados foram satisfatórios, porém mais trabalho no aumento da área da superfície inspecionada e na redundância da detecção de falhas ainda se faz necessário.

[pt] A inspeção interna de tanques de armazenamento pode ser uma tarefa longa, custosa e até nociva à saúde do inspetor. Uma alternativa à inspeção humana é a utilização de sistemas robóticos. Esses sistemas podem ser teleoperados de fora dos tanques, permitindo realizar a inspeção de maneira mais segura, rápida, e em alguns casos, sem que seja necessário esvaziá-lo. Para poder fornecer a localização de eventuais defeitos no tanque, o robô móvel precisa ser capaz de conhecer sua posição relativa dentro dele. Auto-localização é de grande importância para a navegação de robôs móveis. Robôs de inspeção são, na sua maioria, veículos de rodas ou esteiras magnéticas fixas. Esta configuração adiciona duas dificuldades que precisam ser abordadas na tarefa de localização. Devido à sua configuração, neste tipo de veículo, deslizamento das rodas é intrínseco ao seu funcionamento, sendo essencial levar em conta seu efeito para modelar seu comportamento adequadamente. Outra dificuldade está no uso de rodas magnéticas, devido ao forte campo magnético gerado por estes elementos, que interferem nas medições de sensores magnéticos, como por exemplo bússolas. Neste trabalho, um filtro de Kalman foi desenvolvido e implementado para a localização de um robô de quatro rodas magnéticas fixas, a partir da fusão de sensores inerciais e odometria. Na modelagem do veículo, foi utilizado um modelo cinemático como base para um modelo dinâmico, o que permitiu considerar o deslizamento intrínseco do sistema. Na fusão de sensores, foram dispensadas as medições do magnetômetro embarcado, devido à grande interferência produzida pelas rodas e à grande distância que seria necessária entre eles para não ser afetado pelo ruído. Simulações e experimentos comprovaram a eficiência do filtro implementado. / [en] Internal inspection of storage tanks can be long, costly and even detrimental to the health of the inspector. An alternative to human inspection is the use of robotic systems. These systems can be teleoperated from outside the tanks, making it possible to carry out the inspection more safely, quickly and in some cases without having to empty it. In order to provide the location of any defects in the tank, the mobile robot must be able to know its relative position within it. Self-localization is of great importance for mobile robot navigation. Inspection robots are, for the most part, vehicles with wheels or tracks. This configuration adds two difficulties that need to be addressed in the localization task. Due to its configuration, in this type of vehicle, wheel slip is intrinsic to its operation, being essential to take into account its effect to model its behavior properly. Another difficulty is the use of magnetic wheels, due to the strong magnetic field generated by these elements, which interfere with the measurements of magnetic sensors, such as compasses. In this work, a Kalman filter was developed and implemented for the localization of a four-wheel fixed magnetic robot, from the fusion of inertial sensors and odometry. In the modeling of the vehicle, a kinematic model was used as the basis for a dynamic model, which allowed to consider the intrinsic slippage of the system. In the sensor fusion, measurements of the magnetometer on board were discarded, due to the great interference produced by the wheels and the great distance that would be necessary between them to be unaffected by noise. Simulations and experiments have proven the efficiency of the implemented filter.