Patent ID: 6545704
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: G01M,H04N

Abstract:
A video pipe inspection system, comprising:a video camera head including an optical sensor and means for generating a video image signal representing real time images of scenes in view of the optical sensor; a push reel; a support frame; means for rotatably mounting the push reel on the support frame; an elongate push cable normally stored in continuous turns in the push reel and having a distal end operatively connected to the video camera head and a proximal end operatively connected to a central hub of the push reel, the push cable including at least one conductor for conveying the video image signal from the camera head, and the push cable having a predetermined resiliency and flexibility to permit the push cable to be unwound from the push reel in order to force the camera head a substantial distance down a length of pipe; a distance sensing module mounted to the frame and including two non-contact sensor pairs for detecting an amount and a direction of relative motion of the push reel and providing a video overlay signal representing a length of the push cable in the pipe; means for connecting the proximal end of the push cable hub and the distance sensing module so that the video overlay signal can be joined with the video image signal from the camera head to provide an output video signal; a video display unit for receiving the output video signal and displaying real time images of the interior of the pipe along with a visual indication of the length of the push cable in the pipe; and means for conveying the output video signal from the distance sensing module to the video display unit.