Inspection system and method for use in underground boring operations

A visual inspection system for use in an underground boring operation comprising:

• a camera;
• a display;
• a cable connecting the camera to the display;
• and
• a camera rigging adapted to travel through a tunnel created in the underground boring operation, the camera rigging having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, the camera rigging comprising:
• a frame comprising at least one elongated member;
• a camera connector clamp disposed at or adjacent to the first end of the camera rigging and adapting the camera rigging to clamp onto the cable;
• a camera guide disposed at a location between the first and second ends of the camera rigging and adapting the camera rigging to incorporate the camera;
• and
• a connector fitting that adapts disposed at the second end of the camera rigging and adapting the camera rigging for connection to at least one of a pneumatic hose, a utility line, and a drill bit.

A camera rigging for a visual inspection system for use in underground pneumatic boring, the camera rigging having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, the camera rigging comprising:

• a frame comprising at least one elongated member;
• a camera connector clamp disposed at or adjacent to the first end of the camera rigging and adapting the camera rigging to clamp onto a cable that connects a camera to a display;
• a camera guide disposed at a location between the first and second ends of the camera rigging and adapting the camera rigging to incorporate the camera;
• and
• a connector fitting disposed at the second end of the camera rigging and adapting the camera rigging for connection to at least one of a pneumatic hose, a utility line, and a drill bit;
• and
• wherein the camera rigging is adapted to travel through a tunnel created in an underground boring operation.

A method for visually inspecting an underground tunnel for a utility line for potential crossbores, comprising:

• creating the tunnel using a boring tool traveling in a first direction;
• removing the boring tool from an air supply hose;
• attaching a camera to the air supply hose by connecting a camera rigging to the air supply hose, the camera being secured in the camera rigging;
• pulling the air supply hose, the camera and the camera rigging through the tunnel in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
• obtaining inspection data regarding the condition of the tunnel as the camera is pulled through the tunnel in the second direction;
• disconnecting the air supply hose from the camera rigging;
• attaching the utility line to the camera rigging;
• and
• pulling the camera rigging and the utility line through the tunnel in the first direction.

A method for visually inspecting an underground tunnel for a utility line for potential crossbores, comprising:

• creating the tunnel using a drill bit traveling in a first direction;
• attaching a camera to the drill bit by connecting a camera rigging to the drill bit, the camera being secured in the camera rigging;
• pulling the drill bit, the camera and the camera rigging through the tunnel in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
• obtaining visual inspection data regarding the condition of the tunnel as the camera is pulled through the tunnel in the second direction;
• disconnecting the drill bit from the camera rigging;
• attaching the utility line to the camera rigging;
• and
• pulling the camera rigging and the utility line through the tunnel in the first direction.