Further development of an in-pipe leak detection sensor's mobility platform

Abstract

Water leakage is a major global problem and smaller sized leaks are difficult to find despite their prevalence in most water distribution systems. Previous attempts to develop a mobility platform for a sensor in use in such a pipe by the MIT Mechatronics lab have been met with less than desirable results and a new design was needed for functionality. A more integrated, streamlined, and powerful mobility platform was developed from the original design specifications and then constructed according to newly developed techniques. This new mobility platform was then evaluated in a series of tests to determine the experimental drag and thrust, values that would determine its functionality, as well as flow characteristics and waterproof functionality. The new platform was found to be waterproof, have a maximum thrust of 3.47 N and drag at the desired speed of 1.815 N. It was also found to move through a pipe at a speed of 0.9667 m/s, despite some stability concerns.