What Does
Lateral Launch System Mean?
A lateral launch system is a remotely operated vehicle that can crawl and inspect mainline pipes, as well as launch cameras, attached to the platform by a cable, down lateral lines for distances up to the length of the cable.
Generally, lateral launch systems are a package. They may be installed as part of a pipe inspection platform or a package installed on existing pipeline ROVs with the appropriate plug-and-play capacity and connectivity to accept the lateral launch package.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Lateral Launch System
All lateral launch systems have essentially the same components: A powered platform equipped with electric drive motors driving tractor type wheels on a long platform. The carriage can be maneuvered backward and forward in a mainline. The platform is equipped with a variety of cameras for forwarding, upward and backward views in color or black and white.
Lateral launch ROVs, with the lateral launch package included are made up of:
- A high-powered electric drive motor
- "Tractor-tread" drive wheels
- The lateral launch components, including
- The lateral cameras
- Lighting systems
- Cable-to-lateral camera rollers and up to 100 ft. of cable
- The launch and recovery system, when a stock part of a specialty ROV system, fits into pipes ranging in diameter from 6" to 48"