Inspection apparatus
OwnerG. Penzainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inspection system is provided that includes a camera and a laser distance measuring device. The camera has high magnification capabilities and can be panned and tilted as needed. The laser distance measuring device provides information regarding the distance from the camera to the object being imaged. The camera and laser distance measuring device are carried by a frame, which has an elongated member attached thereto for resting the frame on a surface. This configuration makes the inspection system well suited to inspect horizontal pipelines without feeding the camera along the length of the pipeline.
Claims23
An inspection system, comprising:
- an imaging device configured to output a signal related to an object being imaged;
- a distance measuring device configured to determine a distance between the imaging device and an object to be imaged, and to output a signal related to the determined distance;
- a light source configured to direct light on the object to be imaged;
- a frame for carrying the imaging device, the distance measuring device, and the light source;
- a first elongated member defining a first axis and having an end attached to the frame, the first elongated member being generally rigid, thereby facilitating positioning of the imaging device;
- and
- a second elongated member defining a second axis and having a first end attached to the frame and a second end configured to rest on a surface, thereby supporting the frame at some distance from the surface.
An inspection system, comprising:
- an imaging device configured to output a signal related to an object being imaged;
- a distance measuring device configured to determine a distance between the imaging device and an object to be imaged, and to output a signal related to the determined distance;
- a light source configured to direct light on the object to be imaged;
- a frame having the imaging device, the distance measuring device, and the light source attached thereto, the frame including first and second side members, and first and second beams disposed between the first and second side members and substantially parallel to each other, the first beam including an attachment feature for facilitating attachment of the frame to a support structure;
- a first motor attached to the first beam, and configured to cooperate with the attachment feature for rotating the frame about a first axis;
- and
- a second motor disposed within the first beam and attached to the first side member, the second motor being operable to rotate the imaging device, the distance measuring device, and the light source about an axis generally perpendicular to the first axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.