Spring assemblies with variable flexibility for use with push-cables and pipe inspection systems
AssigneeSeescan, Inc.
InventorsMark S. Olsson, Eric M. Chapman, James F. Kleyn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Push-cables and associated apparatus for pipe inspection systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a pipe inspection system includes a camera head, a push-cable including an outer covering enclosing a plurality of electrical conductors for transmitting signals and/or power between the camera head and an electronic device operatively coupled to the push-cable, and a spring assembly disposed about the push-cable near the distal end where the spring assembly comprises a spring with a tapered flex section having a varying cross-sectional area and/or a varying cross-sectional shape.
Claims21
A push-cable system, comprising:
- a push-cable having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a spring assembly coupled to the distal end of the push-cable, comprising:
- an outer coiled spring having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring.
A push-cable system spring assembly, comprising;
- an outer coiled spring having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring, wherein the inner coiled spring is sized so as to enclose a pipe inspection system push-cable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.