Video pipe inspection distance measuring system
US6545704B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N7/183
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A video pipe inspection system includes a video camera head with an optical sensor connected to a circuit for generating a video image signal representing real time images of scenes in view of the optical sensor. The system further includes a push reel that is rotatably mounted on a support frame. An elongate push cable is normally stored in continuous turns in the push reel. The push cable has a distal end operatively connected to the video camera head and a proximal end operatively connected to a central hub of the push reel. The push cable includes at least one conductor for conveying the video image signal from the camera head. The push cable has a predetermined resiliency and flexibility to permit the push cable to be unwound from the push reel in order to force the camera head a substantial distance down a length of pipe having one or more tight turns. A distance sensing module is mounted to the frame and includes two non-contact sensor pair for detecting an amount and a direction of relative motion of the push reel and for providing a video overlay signal representing a length of push cable that has been pushed into the pipe. An electrical connection is provided between the …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.