Multi-camera pipe inspection apparatus, systems and methods
AssigneeSeescan, Inc.
InventorsMark S. Olsson, Eric M. Chapman, Nicholas A. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A camera head for inspecting pipes or cavities including an array of two or more imaging elements with overlapping Fields of View (FOV) is disclosed. The camera head may include one or more light source elements, such as LEDs, for providing illumination in dimly lit inspection sites, such as the interior of underground pipes. The imaging elements and LEDs may be used in conjunction with a remote display device, such as an LCD panel of a camera control unit (CCU) or monitor in proximity to an operator, to display the interior of a pipe or other cavity.
Claims28
A camera apparatus for inspecting piping, comprising:
- a camera head assembly including:
- a housing;
- a plurality of imaging sensors disposed in the housing;
- an electronic circuit for receiving image or video signals from one or more of the imaging sensors and generating an output signal;
- and
- a communications circuit for sending the output signal to a display device.
A method for inspecting a pipe with a camera head, comprising:
- capturing, in a first image sensor disposed in a camera head, a first image;
- capturing, in a second image sensor disposed in the camera head, a second image, wherein the field of view of the first image sensor overlaps the field of view of the second image sensor;
- and
- generating, in a processing element based on the first image and the second image, an output image corresponding to a digital articulation of the camera head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.