Hub connection for pipeline inspection device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11892373-B2
Application number	US-202217572251-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 10, 2022
Priority date	May 9, 2018
Publication date	Feb 6, 2024
Grant date	Feb 6, 2024

Abstract

A pipeline inspection device, including a rotatable drum housing a cable, where the cable is extendable into a pipe, a camera positioned on an end of the cable, and a hub housing electrical components of the pipeline inspection device and including a battery housing. A stand includes a mounting assembly having a first portion rotatably supporting the drum and a second portion supporting the hub within an interior of the drum, the second portion including a core, where the hub is removably coupled to the mounting assembly via the core. The hub is removably coupled to the mounting assembly by a first engagement member on the hub and a second engagement member on the core.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A pipeline inspection device, comprising:
a rotatable drum housing a cable, the cable extendable into a pipe;
a camera positioned on an end of the cable;
a hub selectively coupled to the drum, the hub including a first mechanical engagement member and a first electrical connection;
a plurality of electrical components housed within the hub, the plurality of electrical components including a processor and a wireless communication module, the wireless communication module configured to transmit images captured by the camera; and
a core configured to selectively couple the hub to the drum, the core including a second mechanical engagement member and a second electrical connection, the second mechanical engagement member selectively engageable with the first mechanical engagement member, the second electrical connection selectively engageable with the first electrical connection,
wherein the hub is removable from the drum and couplable to a second drum, the second drum having a different shape or size from the drum.

2. The pipeline inspection device of claim 1 , further comprising a stand rotatably supporting the drum, wherein the core is positioned on the stand.

3. The pipeline inspection device of claim 2 , wherein the core is positioned along a rotational axis of the drum.

4. The pipeline inspection device of claim 1 , wherein the hub further includes a battery receptacle.

5. The pipeline inspection device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication module is configured to wirelessly communicate with a dedicated monitor, the dedicated monitor being removably coupled to the drum.

6. The pipeline inspection device of claim 1 , wherein the hub includes a rim, and wherein the first mechanical engagement member is an arcuate engagement member positioned at least partially along the rim.

7. A pipeline inspection device, comprising:
a rotatable drum housing a cable, the cable extendable into a pipe, the drum rotatable about an axis;
a camera positioned on an end of the cable;
a hub selectively coupled to the drum, the hub including a first electrical connection on a first side of the hub and a battery receptacle on a second side of the hub opposite the first side;
a plurality of electrical components housed within the hub, the plurality of electrical components including a processor and a wireless communication module, the wireless communication module configured to wirelessly transmit images capture by the camera; and
a core positioned along the axis of the drum and configured to couple the hub to the drum, the core including a second electrical connection selectively engageable with the first electrical connection;
wherein the hub is removable from the drum and couplable to a second drum, the second drum having a different shape or size from the drum.

8. The pipeline inspection device of claim 7 , further comprising a stand rotatably supporting the drum, wherein the core is positioned on the stand.

9. The pipeline inspection device of claim 7 , wherein the hub further includes a first mechanical engagement member and the core includes a second mechanical engagement member, the second mechanical engagement member selectively engageable with the first mechanical engagement member to couple the hub to the drum.

10. The pipeline inspection device of claim 9 , wherein the hub includes a rim, and wherein the first mechanical engagement member is an arcuate engagement member positioned at least partially along the rim.

11. The pipeline inspection device of claim 7 , wherein the wireless communication module is configured to wirelessly communicate with a dedicated monitor, wherein the hub is powered by a first battery and the dedicated monitor is powered by a second battery.

12. A pipeline inspection device, comprising:
a reel including a rotatable drum and a stand rotatably supporting the drum;
a cable housed within the drum, the cable extendable into a pipe;
a camera positioned on an end of the cable;
a hub selectively coupled to the reel, the hub including
a first mechanical engagement member selectively engageable with a second mechanical engagement member of the reel to couple the hub to the reel,
a first electrical connection selectively engageable with a second electrical connection of the reel when the hub is coupled to the reel, and
a battery receptacle positioned on a side of the hub opposite the first electrical connection, the battery receptacle configured to removably receive a battery; and

a plurality of electrical components housed within the hub, the plurality of electrical components including a processor and a wireless communication module, the wireless communication module configured to transmit images capture by the camera;
wherein the hub is removable from the reel and couplable to a second reel, the second reel being having a different shape or size from the reel.

13. The pipeline inspection device of claim 12 , wherein the hub is coupled to the reel by the stand.

14. The pipeline inspection device of claim 12 , wherein the hub is coupled to the reel by the drum.

15. The pipeline inspection device of claim 14 , wherein the hub is coupled to the reel along a rotational axis of the drum.

16. The pipeline inspection device of claim 12 , wherein the wireless communication module is configured to wirelessly communicate with a dedicated monitor, wherein the hub and the dedicated monitor are powered by the same battery.

17. The pipeline inspection device of claim 12 , wherein the hub includes a rim, and wherein the first mechanical engagement member is an arcuate engagement member positioned at least partially along the rim.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Krohlow Samuel J
• Turner Christopher J

Classifications

• B65H75/4444

  with manually adjustable brake pads · CPC title

• G01M3/005 Primary

  using pigs or moles (G01M3/246, G01M3/2823 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16L55/30

  of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables · CPC title

• G01N21/954 Primary

  Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores · CPC title

• F16L2101/30

  Inspecting, measuring or testing · CPC title