Coaxial video push-cables for use in inspection systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10764541-B2
Application number	US-201514970362-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 15, 2015
Priority date	Dec 15, 2014
Publication date	Sep 1, 2020
Grant date	Sep 1, 2020

Abstract

Visual pipe and cavity inspection systems including camera heads for video and/or image capture and associated coaxial video push-cables having increased durability and strength, for high frequency alternating current electrical power transmission as well as data and/or video signal communication between the camera heads and a display or control device, are disclosed.

First claim

We claim:

1. A system for video inspection of piping or cavities, comprising:
a camera head including a video signal transmitter;
a coaxial video push-cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the push-cable comprising:
an inner conductor;
an insulating dielectric layer comprising a longitudinal strength material having partial flexibility disposed around the inner conductor;
an outer conductor array comprising a plurality of individual conductors; and
an outer partially flexible structural element disposed around the tubular insulating element; wherein an output of the video signal transmitter is coupled to the conductor at the distal end of the push-cable to send a video signal;
an electrical motor disposed at the distal end of the coaxial video push-cable; and
an AC power supply operatively coupled at a proximal end of the push-cable;
wherein the video signal transmitter receives alternating current (AC) electrical power provided from the coaxial video push-cable to power the video signal transmitter and the electrical motor received AC electrical power provided form the coaxial video push-cable to power the electrical motor.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the video signal transmitter provides a digital video output signal coupled to the coaxial push-cable.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the digital video output signal is a QAM modulated signal.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the video signal transmitter provides an analog video output signal.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the AC power is provided at a frequency of between 1 kHz and 10 kHz.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the inner conductor comprises a conductive wire of a high electrical conductivity material.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the inner conductor comprises a tubular conductor with a structural core and a conductive outer layer, wherein the structural core comprises a material having a first electrical conductivity and the outer conductive layer comprises a material having an electrical conductivity higher than the structural core.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the outer conductive layer material comprises copper or a copper alloy and the structural core comprises a steel material.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the structural core comprises a metallic material and the outer conductive layer comprises a high electrical conductivity cladding.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the metallic material comprises steel and the outer conductive layer comprises copper or a copper alloy.

11. The system of claim 7 , further comprising another insulating layer between the inner conductor and the insulating dielectric layer.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the another insulating layer comprises a polyimide film.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the insulating dielectric layer comprises a synthetic fiber material comprising fiberglass.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the insulating dielectric layer comprises a tubular insulating element of a material having a dielectric constant of 3 or larger.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the insulating dielectric layer comprises a dielectric rod assembly comprising a plurality of rods.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the dielectric rod assembly is varied across the length of the coaxial video push-cable.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the insulating dielectric material consists substantially of a fiberglass or other synthetic fiber material.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the outer conductor array comprises a plurality of helically wound individual conductors.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the individual conductors each comprise an outer structural core and an outer conductor having an electrical conductivity higher than the outer structural core.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the outer conductors each further comprise an insulating layer.

21. The system of claim 17 , further comprising an insulating outer jacket.

22. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool is driven by the electrical motor.

23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the cutting tool is a rotary cutting head.

24. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a sonde, wherein the sonde receives AC electrical power from the coaxial video cable to power the sonde to generate magnetic field signals for sensing by an associated utility locator.

25. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a lighting element, wherein the lighting element receives AC electrical power from the coaxial video cable to power the lighting element.

26. The system of claim 23 , wherein the coaxial video push-cable further includes an optical fiber for communicating optical signals from the camera head to the proximal end of the push-cable.

Assignees

• Olsson Mark S
• Warren Alexander L
• Bench Stephanie M
• Merewether Ray
• Seescan Inc

Inventors

• Olsson Mark S
• Warren Alexander L
• Bench Stephanie M
• Merewether Ray

Classifications

• H04N23/555

  for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes · CPC title

• H01B3/47

  fibre-reinforced plastics, e.g. glass-reinforced plastics · CPC title

• H01B3/306

  Polyimides or polyesterimides · CPC title

• H04N7/183 Primary

  for receiving images from a single remote source · CPC title

• G03B37/005

  Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe, (G03B37/02 - G03B37/06 take precedence; instruments for performing medical examinations of cavities or tubes of the body by photographic inspection A61B1/00) · CPC title