Inspection system and method
US7480041B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/021
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of inspecting a lateral pipe extending from a manhole, the method comprising: (a) extending an imaging head into the manhole using a positioning system, the imaging head comprising an imaging device and at least one lamp capable of producing a light beam, the positioning system comprising an elongated member and a targeting fixture operatively connected thereto, the imaging head being attached to one end of the elongated member, the targeting fixture having a distal end biased outwardly from the imaging head; (b) placing the distal end on a rigid surface proximate to the lateral pipe; (c) pushing down on the elongated member such that the distal end resiliently moves toward the imaging head, thereby allowing the light beam to be centered approximately in the lateral pipe; and (d) imaging a target located within the lateral pipe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.