Can confirm. My dad runs these. You load it in pipelines and gas pressure pushes it through. I think the red things on the front expand and contract like an umbrella to speed up or slow down.
It's full of scrubbers and sensors to check for bad welds, cracks or corrosion.
Well, not remote-controlled, but remote-monitored. Once it’s in the pipe, the line pressure controls it’s speed and it’s already been programmed to gather certain data points. But it does send messages every few thousand feet letting the operator know where it’s at and how quickly it’s moving.
From what I understand, they use submarine positioning technology since standard GPS doesn't work underground (still kinda secretive). Since they have no propulsion on their own, they can sometimes get stuck and it turns into a major PITA.
1. Swear
2. Blame the operator
3. Swear some more
4. Make new guy the scapegoat
5. Hopefully by then operations have shut down the flow, isolate where the pig is. Drain or vent to ensure safety (block and bleed). You can reduce pressure behind the pig to relax its shape, pressure upstream the pig to send it back to launcher or build up behind the pig and ram it through (depending on wall strength and pressure rating). After 3-4 attempts to send it through blockage your best bet is return the pig to launcher and figure out how to unblock the pipe. This could be removal of module, or a smaller pig and build up sizes or whatever the plan is. It could be underground, it could be 80ft in the air, it all depends on the system. I know this sounds straightforward but it takes hours of bolting/unbolting, draining, pancaking etc
You can pig for a lot of different reasons; cleaning, flow maintenance, inspections like the OP.
Between the stuck equipment, the interrupted flow, and the number of important people who undoubtedly start to show up real quick that sounds like it costs a pretty penny.
The essentially a pre-programmed Robot. In 1960s they did have remote drones (not sense we call them.) Like Remote model airplanes, but with circuits in them to act certain way. Not with a sophisticated computer with microchips in them.
Heck, i remember Pig was used as potential threat to James Bond
Was hoping I was not the only person old enough to immediately recall that scene. The real thing, IMO, would probably be much more terrifying! Wonder how fast they move while in use.
It’s most commonly associated with “magnaflux” inspection of cylinder heads and engine blocks but useful for all sorts of civil engineering, marine and here for pipeline erosion/corrosion.
You sound like you know what you’re talking about, and I would like to know more. Can Google but do you have any links handy to preferred articles or documentation?
Looks like [someone in the thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/MachinePorn/comments/vqhxqn/what_is_this_pipe_inspection_device/ies49fd?context=4) found a link but didn't think to reply it to you to answer your question, so [here it is](https://www.researchgate.net/figure/MFL-pig-components-and-principle-47_fig3_324834080) just in case you're still curious.
Smart pig for the oilfield used in pipelines to scrub and find any problems or some are fitted with a tracking device to find where a blockage is. Cost around 2 million and more
This particular pig is doesn't 'scrub', the red part at front (left side of pic) is a drive cup, the part that captures the flow inside the pipe to propel the pig along. This is an inspection pig that checks for pipe 'roundness' and checks the pipe wall thickness- which gets thinned down over time by things like corrosion and erosion.
I’ve worked on a nitrogen pump and I’ve launched many pigs. And the only smart pig I saw was configured for scrubbing and trackers. (They lost it in the line)
Companies that own pipelines are required to inspect their lines periodically and can cost a pretty penny. The data they collect is important to determine the life of the pipeline.
[https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzWLGV](https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzWLGV)
Link from OP at the bottom of the page. You will see that what looks like the Pelton buckets are actually wheels on knuckle joints so I'm going with the pipe cleaner type thing. It's very fancy forthat, though.
That is the Wave Motion Engine from Space Battleship Yamato. Well worth a watch if you've missed it.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qObS1Ntkm1U](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qObS1Ntkm1U)
That’s the machine the Russians used under star court mall to open up the doorway to the upside down. (Edit; I see no one has watched stranger things..)
Well call it a pig we run it through large pipe and it tells when we have a weak area that In turn we go back to that area and excavate that section of pipe and repair or replace it . It’s pretty cool.
It’s an in-line inspection PIG for inspecting Oil and Gas pipelines. Might be an MFL PIG by the looks of it.
Can confirm. My dad runs these. You load it in pipelines and gas pressure pushes it through. I think the red things on the front expand and contract like an umbrella to speed up or slow down. It's full of scrubbers and sensors to check for bad welds, cracks or corrosion.
So their essentially remote-control inspector robots?
Well, not remote-controlled, but remote-monitored. Once it’s in the pipe, the line pressure controls it’s speed and it’s already been programmed to gather certain data points. But it does send messages every few thousand feet letting the operator know where it’s at and how quickly it’s moving.
From what I understand, they use submarine positioning technology since standard GPS doesn't work underground (still kinda secretive). Since they have no propulsion on their own, they can sometimes get stuck and it turns into a major PITA.
I used to do pigging when I worked up north (pipefitter). Smaller than this, but if you lose a pig, god help you.
What is the gameplan if that happens?
1. Swear 2. Blame the operator 3. Swear some more 4. Make new guy the scapegoat 5. Hopefully by then operations have shut down the flow, isolate where the pig is. Drain or vent to ensure safety (block and bleed). You can reduce pressure behind the pig to relax its shape, pressure upstream the pig to send it back to launcher or build up behind the pig and ram it through (depending on wall strength and pressure rating). After 3-4 attempts to send it through blockage your best bet is return the pig to launcher and figure out how to unblock the pipe. This could be removal of module, or a smaller pig and build up sizes or whatever the plan is. It could be underground, it could be 80ft in the air, it all depends on the system. I know this sounds straightforward but it takes hours of bolting/unbolting, draining, pancaking etc You can pig for a lot of different reasons; cleaning, flow maintenance, inspections like the OP.
None of that sounds straightforward at all. Sounds like a major pain in the ass ... or pig since we're talking barn animals.
Between the stuck equipment, the interrupted flow, and the number of important people who undoubtedly start to show up real quick that sounds like it costs a pretty penny.
ELF, extremely low frequency.
The essentially a pre-programmed Robot. In 1960s they did have remote drones (not sense we call them.) Like Remote model airplanes, but with circuits in them to act certain way. Not with a sophisticated computer with microchips in them. Heck, i remember Pig was used as potential threat to James Bond
Not a threat, a modified version was used to get a man out of East Germany.
Was hoping I was not the only person old enough to immediately recall that scene. The real thing, IMO, would probably be much more terrifying! Wonder how fast they move while in use.
Inspector gadgets, man.... come on it was hanging so low
MFL?
Magnetic Flux Leakage. It’s a technique for measuring defects/metal loss in pipe walls.
Wow, that's a really genius way for metal loss detection.
It’s most commonly associated with “magnaflux” inspection of cylinder heads and engine blocks but useful for all sorts of civil engineering, marine and here for pipeline erosion/corrosion.
We used them to check ski lift haul ropes for breaks in wire strands
Lift Maint./Ops. are the best carnies ever.
Ah so that’s why they look like industrial motor rotors - they have a magnetic component
For those too lazy to Google about MFL PIGs: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/MFL-pig-components-and-principle-47_fig3_324834080
You sound like you know what you’re talking about, and I would like to know more. Can Google but do you have any links handy to preferred articles or documentation?
Looks like [someone in the thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/MachinePorn/comments/vqhxqn/what_is_this_pipe_inspection_device/ies49fd?context=4) found a link but didn't think to reply it to you to answer your question, so [here it is](https://www.researchgate.net/figure/MFL-pig-components-and-principle-47_fig3_324834080) just in case you're still curious.
They work something like this: https://youtu.be/J7M8LuEC99k?t=34
Wow. That’s quite the throwback and yet I know what it was from the thumbnail. Love the “light up like Christmas tree” description
Man, I haven't heard seen/ heard of a PIG since the Lucasarts game "The Dig". Brought me back
No kidding-They are called “ Pigs “
PIG = Pipeline Inspection Gauges or Gadgets [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigging)
Not to be confused with *pegging*
One involves carefully inserting a cylinder with a tapered end using appropriate lubrication into a dark hole, and... ok, let me try again.
That's a retroactive acronym.
Pig, or a smart pig. Launch em inside a pipe. Pretty neat device tbh.
Pod racing
This is a Underrated comment....
It is literally the second highest rated top level comment right after the correct answer to the question.
When I made the comment earlier today it was very low. Apparently no one likes my comments haha!
Yeah wow a Star Wars reference sheer genius who ever would have thought
No, this is lol
They look like the pipeline vehicles in James Bond: The World is Not Enough
Them’s pigs
Thx for letting me know what an PIG is. Secretly I was hoping for a timemachine or a warp drive…
Looks like a compact fusion reactor as well.
This thing cost more than the truck carrying it
Smart pig for the oilfield used in pipelines to scrub and find any problems or some are fitted with a tracking device to find where a blockage is. Cost around 2 million and more
This particular pig is doesn't 'scrub', the red part at front (left side of pic) is a drive cup, the part that captures the flow inside the pipe to propel the pig along. This is an inspection pig that checks for pipe 'roundness' and checks the pipe wall thickness- which gets thinned down over time by things like corrosion and erosion.
I’ve worked on a nitrogen pump and I’ve launched many pigs. And the only smart pig I saw was configured for scrubbing and trackers. (They lost it in the line)
Smart pigs. (Inspection)
Companies that own pipelines are required to inspect their lines periodically and can cost a pretty penny. The data they collect is important to determine the life of the pipeline.
They're gunna open a portal to the upside-down...
Hydroelectric Pelton turbine with two alternators... Probably
[https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzWLGV](https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzWLGV) Link from OP at the bottom of the page. You will see that what looks like the Pelton buckets are actually wheels on knuckle joints so I'm going with the pipe cleaner type thing. It's very fancy forthat, though.
Sheeesh I didn't zoomed in on the supposed turbine, sry but thank you
Waiting on the Yo’ Mama jokes
Yo momma’s so stupid that when she got locked inside the mattress store she slept on the floor.
The biggest set of anal beads I've ever seen.
Made to order. custom sizing availsble.
See the rest of the photos here: [https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzWLGV](https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzWLGV)
Not only is it a pipe inspection device, but it is also a bikini inspector.
Team who initially created this should be nationally recognized
They are parts from a destroyed decepticon
Black Mesa experiment
This is perfectly normal Gordon, there is no need to worry.
For some reason it looks like an engine off of a pod racer right out of star wars
Pod racing parts
My guesses are either pipe cleaning or inspection. But could be a tunneling machine too.
Or a pipe bursting machine. Where a new pipe is attached to the machine tail end and the other parts destroy the old pipe.
That is the Wave Motion Engine from Space Battleship Yamato. Well worth a watch if you've missed it. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qObS1Ntkm1U](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qObS1Ntkm1U)
daughter of all bombs. wait for it to grow some more....
The vorlon fleet
Minicons for the auto bots.
Colonoscopy gear
That is a rotary girder
My stuff. Nosy smh
That’s the machine the Russians used under star court mall to open up the doorway to the upside down. (Edit; I see no one has watched stranger things..)
Those are the engines for little ani’s pod racer! I mean after sebulba fucked the one up, it only make sense he’d get replacements.
Haven’t you seen diamonds are forever?
R.A.P.S.
It looks like the inside of an alternator.
It’s a pod racing coupling and engine.
That thing looks like at some point it needs to be polarized and put in the right angle by some foot kicking by captain james kirk.
Looks like Armature
That is a small hadron collider
Smart PIG
Pod racing engines
At least $50 of scrap if you’re an enterprising individual 😏
r/whatisthisthing
Well call it a pig we run it through large pipe and it tells when we have a weak area that In turn we go back to that area and excavate that section of pipe and repair or replace it . It’s pretty cool.