Hand-held inspection tool and method
US8310544B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 13, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/0221
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The hand-held inspection tool enhances the ability of an on-site inspector to detect and communicate the presence of contamination on an object or in an area. An on-site inspector directs an excitation light in the sensing head of the tool into an area of interest. If the targeted contamination is present, the excitation light causes the contamination to emit fluorescence. The emitted fluorescent light passes through a narrow spectral band-pass video camera filter and is detected by a video camera mounted in the tool sensing head. The video camera transmits the image to a display visible to the on-site inspector. The invention also includes a means of recording, documenting, and wirelessly communicating the inspection process so that remotely located personnel can view the inspection, and respond to the inspection findings in real time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.