# US 2016/0259237 A1 · Side view downhole camera and lighting apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0259237 A1 - Document ID: US20160259237A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/035,790 - Filed: 2014-11-19 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-20 - Assignees: Abrado, Inc. - Applicants: Abrado, Inc. - Inventors: Marshal Harris; Philip Schultz; Christopher Meyers; Bruce Beacom - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160259237A1 ## CPC - G03B 37/005: {Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe, (G03B37/02 - G03B37/06 take precedence; instruments for performing medical examinations of cavities or tubes of the body by photographic inspection A61B1/00)} - E21B 47/002: by visual inspection - H04N 7/185: {from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control} - E21B 47/017: Protecting measuring instruments - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A downhole camera assembly (100) comprises a camera having a side-view viewport (82) that can be conveyed and manipulated within a wellbore on flexible cable. Light emitted from a light source is diffused and directed by a transparent or translucent material (61) in a substantially 360-degree pattern within a wellbore, thereby illuminating portion(s) of the wellbore positioned laterally to the camera assembly in a field of view of the viewport. The viewport may be selectively rotated 360 degrees by a motor assembly (40) positioned within the camera assembly which can be controlled from the earth's surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An illumination and visual sensor assembly for use in a wellbore comprising: a) a light source; b) a visual sensor having a view field oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said wellbore; and c) a translucent material disposed between said light source and said visual sensor, wherein light from said light source is conveyed via said translucent material to provide illumination within said view field. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a motor for rotating said view field within said wellbore. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 2, wherein said view field is rotated about an axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said wellbore. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cage assembly disposed around said translucent material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one thermal insulation barrier disposed between said light source and said visual sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a) a substantially tubular light pipe having first end, a second end and a central bore extending there through; and b) a second visual sensor having a second view field, wherein said second visual sensor is at least partially disposed within said central bore, and light from said light source is conveyed via said light pipe past said second visual sensor to illuminate said second view field. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode. ### Claim 8 A wellbore illumination and video camera assembly for use in a wellbore comprising: a) a pressure sealed housing having a first end, a second end and a length; b) a light source disposed within said housing; c) a visual sensor disposed within said housing having a view field oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said wellbore; and d) a translucent material disposed between said light source and said visual sensor, wherein light from said light source is conveyed via said translucent material to provide illumination within said view field. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 8, further comprising a motor for rotating said view field within said wellbore. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 9, wherein said view field is rotated about an axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said wellbore. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 8, further comprising a cage assembly disposed around said translucent material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 8, further comprising at least one thermal insulation barrier disposed between said light source and said visual sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 8, further comprising: a) a substantially tubular light pipe having first end, a second end and a central bore extending there through; and b) a second visual sensor having a second view field, wherein said second visual sensor is at least partially disposed within said central bore, and light from said light source is conveyed via said light pipe past said second visual sensor to illuminate said second view field. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 13, wherein said second view field is oriented out of the second end of said housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The wellbore illumination and visual sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.