| abstract |
An inspection sensor module (100) for an in-line pipe inspection tool (110) has a support (170) for mounting the module (100) on the tool (110), a finger (150) pivotally attached at one end (160) to the support (170) and pivotally attached at the other end (158) to an inspection sensor, preferably a sensor block (190) carrying one or more inspection sensors. Means for resiliently biasing the finger (150) outwardly, preferably a first leaf spring (180) extending from the support (170) to the finger (150) to bias the finger (150) outwardly, and a second leaf spring (182) extending from the support to the carrier to bias the sensor block (190). At least one, but preferably a pair of biasing sensors (142, 144) detect movement of the biasing means, and are preferably mounted on the leading and trailing edges of the first leaf spring (15) to detect movement of the first leaf spring(180) corresponding to movement of the inspection sensors towards or away from the support (170). The biasing sensors (142, 144) may comprise strain gauges. |