Hub connection for pipeline inspection device
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorsSamuel J. Krohlow, Christopher J. Turner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims13
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, when the hub is coupled to the drum, the core is positioned between the hub and the drum.
A pipeline inspection system, comprising:
- a pipeline inspection device including
- a rotatable drum housing a cable, the cable extendable into a pipe,
- a camera positioned on an end of the cable and configured to capture images of the interior of the pipe,
- a hub housing electrical components of the pipeline inspection device and including a wireless communication module, and
- a stand including a mounting assembly supporting the drum and the hub, the mounting assembly including a core configured to selectively couple the hub to the drum, the core having a mechanical engagement member and an electrical connection configured to mechanically and electrically connect to the hub;
- a dedicated monitor removably coupled to the stand, the dedicated monitor configured to display images captured by the camera, the dedicated monitor including a wireless communication module in wireless communication with the hub;
- and
- a smart device configured to display the images captured by the camera, the smart device including a wireless communication module in wireless communication with the hub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.