patches 70 against the inner surface of the pipe p and across the leak l thereby sealing the leak as the device 10 continues to travel through the pipe the tape 66 separates from the back of the applied patch 70 as the tape winds around the roller 62 and is collected on the takeup roll 68 the tape 66 is automatically drawn from its dispensing roll 64 by the capture of the applied adhesive patch 70 against the fixed wall of the pipe p so no drive mechanism is required to dispense the tape 66 a ratchet or sprag mechanism 74 or the like is provided to prevent any reverse movement of the tape 66 back toward the dispensing roll 64 and to assure that a fresh portion of tape 66 with a new adhesive patch 70 is positioned properly when another leak is encountered when the leak detection and repair device 10 has completed its passage through a length of pipe p it may be retrieved conventionally for servicing and reuse the electrical storage battery or batteries 26 may be recharged or replaced and the tape 66 replaced with a new series of adhesive patches 70 thereon the device 10 may optionally be equipped with an on board recorder not shown the recorder may record the travel of the device through the pipe p in accordance with rotation of one or more of the wheels 22 and record the detection of any leaks encountered and the application of repair tape thereto in this manner the operators of the device 10 may retrieve a record of the location s of the leak s and their repair s for reference as required alternatively or in addition to such on board recording the device 10.