Patent ID: 6091489
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: F21W,G02B

Abstract:
An optic device for use with high pressure vessels, the optic device comprising:a body including a cylinder retained between an upper head and a lower head, said upper head having a first axial bore, said lower head having a second axial bore, said first axial bore and said second axial bore being coaxial with said cylinder, said body adapted to be coupled to an exterior of the high pressure vessel;a reciprocatable hollow tube coaxially extending through said cylinder and said first and second axial bores;a pressure resistant viewing head at one end of said hollow reciprocatable tube, said viewing head adapted to extend into the pressurized vessel upon movement of said tube and receive light from within the high pressure vessel;a cavity is defined between an outer surface of said reciprocatable hollow tube and an inside surface of said cylinder, said device further comprising a piston ring disposed on the outside surface of and about said reciprocatable hollow tube, said piston ring dividing said cavity into an upper variable volume chamber and a lower variable volume chamber, the volume of said chambers being dependent upon the axial position of said reciprocatable hollow tube relative to said cylinder;a first port in said upper head providing communication between said first variable volume chamber and atmosphere; anda second port in said lower head providing communication between said second variable volume chamber and atmosphere,whereby selective pressurization and evacuation of said first and second variable volume chambers via said respective first and second ports effects axial movement of said reciprocatable hollow tube to effect insertion and retraction of said viewing head into and out of the vessel.