Patent ID: 7651464
Filing Date: 2010-01-26
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for searching for and detecting defects on parts that are substantially inaccessible, being located behind a wall, the apparatus comprising: a rigid tubular cylindrical rod including a longitudinal axis and being configured to pass an endoscope through an orifice in the wall; pipes positioned in the rod, a plurality of the pipes being configured to deposit penetration test substances on a portion of the part under examination; a light guide received in the rod and configured to illuminate the part under examination; and first image transmission means received in the rod and configured to allow a user to observe said portion of the part under examination, wherein the light guide and the first image transmission means comprise a first endoscope that operates solely with visible light mounted axially in the rod and that is adjacent to the pipes, said first endoscope includes a first tube in which the visible light guide and the first image transmission means are mounted in parallel, the first image transmission means has a diameter greater than that of the light guide, wherein the pipes received inside the rod include an air pipe, a powder pipe, and a liquid pipe and extend from a first end of the rod to a second end of said rod opposite the first end of the rod and each pipe has a first end for connection to feed means, the powder and liquid pipes have respective opposite ends that open to an outside of the rod in a same direction as the light guide and the first image transmission means open, and the air pipe has an opposite end opening out axially at the second end of the rod to generate a flow of air for protecting the end of the first endoscope inside the orifice, and said first endoscope is free of any means for producing ultraviolet light; and a second endoscope that operates solely with ultraviolet light, independent of the first endoscope and of said rod, configured to allow a user to observe the portion of the part that has been treated by the penetration test substances, wherein said second endoscope is free of any pipe for depositing penetration test substances on said portion of the part under examination, and is free of any means for producing visible light, and the second endoscope includes,