Endoscope holding apparatus for inspecting the interiors of a reciprocating engine and rotary engine having ignition plug holes, endoscope apparatus including the endoscope holding apparatus and inspecting method

An endoscope apparatus for observing the interior of a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine having ignition plug holes comprising:

• an endoscope having an insertable part having in the tip part an observing window for observing said interior of the combustion chamber and an illuminating window for illuminating said interior of said combustion chamber, said insertable part being at one end of said endoscope and being insertable into said combustion chamber, said endoscope having an operating part connected to the opposite end of said endoscope;
• a fixing means for fixing said insertable part in a stationary position in said combustion chamber through the interior of a spark plug hole provided in said engine for insertion of a spark plug for a spark ignition in said combustion chamber, said fixing means extending from said ignition plug hole to the outside of said combustion chamber without extending into said combustion chamber;
• a supporting means for supporting said fixing means in the internal combustion engine;
• and
• a light source apparatus connected to said endoscope and feeding said tip part of said endoscope with an illuminating light for emission through said illuminating window.

An endoscope apparatus for observing a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• an endoscope having an insertable part having in the tip part an observing window and an illuminating window, and said endoscope having an operating part;
• an endoscope holding apparatus rotatably secured in an ignition spark plug hole in said combustion chamber for rotatably fixing a circumferential portion of said insertable part of said endoscope in a circumferential direction and for slidably fixing said insertable part with sufficient friction for supporting the weight of said endoscope in an axial direction;
• and
• a light source.

An endoscope apparatus for observing a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• an endoscope having an insertable part containing an observing window and an illuminating window in a tip part, said endoscope also having an operating part;
• an endoscope holding apparatus rotatably secured in a spark plug hole in said combustion chamber for rotatably fixing a circumferential portion of said insertable part of said endoscope in a circumferential direction and for slidably fixing said insertable part with sufficient friction for supporting the weight of said endoscope in an axial direction;
• and
• a light source.