sylinderrader

The sylinderrader is an autonomous inspection and maintenance device designed to operate inside large cylindrical structures, such as oil and gas pipelines, storage tanks, and hull interiors. The term is used in industrial robotics and maintenance planning. The name combines cylinder and raider, reflecting its purpose to travel along the interior surface to inspect and monitor.

Design and capabilities: Commonly about 25 to 40 cm in length and 8 to 12 cm in diameter, weighing 2 to 5 kg. It uses magnetic compliant wheels or spring-loaded rollers to maintain steady contact with metal walls, and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, with some models supporting tethered power for long deployments. Sensor suites vary, but typical units include a high-resolution camera, infrared thermography, ultrasonic thickness gauges, and sometimes a small laser scanner or structured-light system. Data are logged locally and transmitted to a surface workstation when connectivity allows.

Operation and navigation: Navigates using a combination of inertial measurement, wheel odometry, and magnetic field localization. Some variants use beacons or SLAM-based mapping to maintain position within long runs. It is designed for vertical and horizontal sections and can negotiate bends or internal fasteners with articulated mounting.

Applications: Main use is non-destructive testing and contamination monitoring inside cylindrical structures. Typical tasks include corrosion detection, wall-thickness measurement, leak detection, weld inspection, and valve or joint monitoring. It complements pigging operations in pipelines and can perform periodic surveys without entry of humans.

History: Early prototypes emerged in the 2010s from robotics firms seeking non-entry inspection tools. Since then, multiple commercial lines have been marketed to energy, chemical, and maritime sectors, with ongoing development to extend battery life, sensing resolution, and modular payloads.