Spring assemblies with variable flexilibility for use with push-cables and pipe inspection systems
AssigneeSeescan, Inc.
InventorsEric M. Chapman, Mark S. Olsson, James F. Kleyn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Push-cables and associated apparatus and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a push-cable assembly for use with a pipe inspection system may include a push-cable element having a proximal end and a distal end, with a spring assembly having varying flexibility coupled to or near the distal end. The spring assembly may include an outer coiled spring having a proximal and a distal end, and an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring. A camera head and/or other elements such as a cutting or jetting apparatus may be coupled at or near the distal end.
Claims29
A push-cable system, comprising:
- a push-cable having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- a spring assembly coupled to the distal end of the push-cable, comprising:
- an outer coiled spring having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring;
- wherein one or both of the inner coiled spring and the outer coiled spring includes three or more sections, wherein each of the three or more sections have a different flexibility;
- and/or
- wherein the inner coiled spring is shorter than the outer coiled spring and the inner coiled spring is nested within the outer coiled spring at the proximal end of the outer coiled spring.
A push-cable system, comprising:
- a push-cable having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- a spring assembly coupled to the distal end of the push-cable, comprising:
- an outer coiled spring having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring;
- wherein the outer coiled spring includes a first section having a first plurality of coils having a first coil diameter and a second, reduced diameter section having a second plurality of coils with diameters less than the diameter of the first plurality of coils;
- and
- wherein the reduced diameter section is less than 10 percent of the outer coiled spring length.
A push-cable system, comprising:
- a push-cable having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- a spring assembly coupled to the distal end of the push-cable, comprising:
- an outer coiled spring having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring;
- wherein the outer coiled spring includes a first section having a first plurality of coils having a first coil diameter and a second, reduced diameter section having a second plurality of coils with diameters less than the diameter of the first plurality of coils;
- and
- wherein the inner coiled spring has tapered ends such that coils of one or both of the end windings of the inner coiled spring have diameters greater than the diameter of coils central to the inner coiled spring.
A push-cable system, comprising:
- a push-cable having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- a spring assembly coupled to the distal end of the push-cable, comprising:
- an outer coiled spring having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring;
- wherein the coils of a first lengthwise section of one or both of the inner coiled spring and the outer coiled spring have a different cross-sectional coil shape than the coils of a second lengthwise section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.