Using force sensing to prevent borescope damage

A method comprising:

• interchangeably coupling one of a first inspection tube or a second inspection tube to a borescope system, wherein the second inspection tube has a different size or length than the first inspection tube;
• receiving a signal from a force sensor coupled to actuable drive cables within the first inspection tube or the second inspection tube, the signal being indicative of tension within the actuable drive cables of the first inspection tube or the second inspection tube;
• determining that a tension within one or more of the actuable drive cables of the first inspection tube has exceeded a first specified threshold based on the signal when the first inspection tube is being used, or determining that a tension within one or more of the actuable drive cables of the second inspection tube has exceeded a second specified threshold based on the signal when the second inspection tube is being used;
• and
• actuating the actuable drive cables of the first inspection tube or the second inspection tube to provide slack such that an inspection head of the borescope is moved to a straight-ahead position.

A borescope comprising:

• a first inspection tube and a second inspection tube configured to be used interchangeably with the borescope system, wherein the second inspection tube has a different size or length than the first inspection tube, and wherein each of the first and second inspection tubes comprise:
• an actuable portion nearer a distal of the inspection tube than a proximal end of the tube, and
• actuatable drive cables extending a length of the inspection tube, the actuable drive cables attached to a distal end of the inspection tube, the actuable drive cables arranged to transfer motion to the actuable portion;
• a force sensor coupled to each of the actuable drive cables, the force sensor configured to measure tension within each of the actuable drive cables;
• an inspection head attachable to the distal end of the first inspection tube or the second inspection tube;
• and
• a control unit attachable to a proximal end of the first inspection tube or the second inspection tube, the control unit comprising:
• a processor;
• and
• a non-transient memory comprising instructions executable by the processor to:
• receive a signal from the force sensor of the first inspection tube or the second inspection tube, the signal being indicative of tension within the actuable drive cables of the first inspection tube or the second inspection tube;
• and
• actuate the actuable drive cables of the first inspection tube or the second inspection tube to provide slack in response to the signal indicating tension within the actuable drive cables of the first inspection tube or the second inspection tube exceeding either a first specified threshold when the first inspection tube is being used or a second specified threshold when the second inspection tube is being used, the actuable drive cables being actuated such that the inspection head is moved to a straight-ahead position.