Pneumatic telecommunication conduit inspection system

Abstract

This paper describes telemeasurement for telecommunication conduits, which are long, winding, and cramped inside. Methods of transferring sensor devices or sensor signals along the line to measure the length and state of conduits are studied. A pneumatic system consisting of a thin wire, some balls attached to the wire, a microphone attached to the first of the balls, and a blower is designed. The blower generates airflow in a conduit, and the wire is carried along the conduit by the pressure against the balls. The microphone output indicates when the wire reaches the opposite end of the conduit. Experiments are conducted using a prototype to confirm the effectiveness of this system by evaluating its performance.<>