Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a device for inserting an optical fiber probe into a pressure vessel to adjustable depths. It comprises an outer probe assembly and a probe barrel with an elongated cylindrical seal member holding a window. A fiber cable is inserted into the probe barrel. <CIT> discloses a mounting system. <CIT> discloses an internal inspection apparatus. <CIT> discloses an in situ inspection apparatus. <CIT> discloses an inspection scope.

The integrity of a vessel can be evaluated using visual inspection techniques through the use of instruments such as borescopes, periscopic cameras, fiberscopes, and the like. Inspections may be used to verify that a vessel is operating properly, for example, for the purpose of preventative maintenance. Inspections can also be used when conducting vessel repairs, to identify defects like cracks, clogs, corrosion, or stripped threads, or to determine the location of valves and fittings for carrying out a repair. Moreover, visual inspections of vessels can sometimes be performed in response to emergency situations, e.g., a leak, where time is of the essence. In some of these scenarios, inspections need not only be accurate, but also quickly performed.

As an example, hydrocarbon extraction systems can utilize a series of vessels, e.g., pipelines or other tubular members, which convey various fluids between components. These components can be coupled to one another using flange connections which are subjected to various loads and environmental conditions during operation of the hydrocarbon extraction system. The conveyed fluids can be pressurized relative to the external environment of the components or other tubular members. For this reason, when inspections are needed, vessels carrying the pressurized fluids can be required to be depressurized to allow for insertion of the inspection tool. Depressurizing the inspection area, and subsequently repressurizing the area, however, can produce undesirable downtime of the system. In other cases, the inspection tool must be pressure-rated to comply with the pressurized vessel. But such tools can be more costly and less prevalent than regular borescopes or other camera-based viewing systems rated for atmospheric conditions.

Accordingly, there remains a need for improved methods and devices for inspection a pressurized vessel.

During inspection of a vessel, depressurizing the inspection area, and subsequently repressurizing the area, however, can produce undesirable downtime of the system. In other cases, the inspection tool must be pressure-rated to comply with the pressurized vessel. But such tools can be more costly and less prevalent than regular borescopes or other camera-based viewing systems rated for atmospheric conditions. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved methods and devices for inspection a pressurized vessel.

An insertion tool according to claim <NUM> and a method of operating an insertion tool according to claim <NUM> are provided.

In some embodiments, a length of the inner shaft can be greater than a length of the housing. Moreover, wherein the housing and the inner shaft can be cylindrically shaped, respectively.

In some embodiments, the inner lumen of the inner shaft can be depressurized so as to accept therein inspection tools rated for depressurized environments. Moreover, a pressure level inside of the inner shaft can be different than a pressure level inside of the pressurized vessel.

The optically transparent member includes an optically transparent member housing and a plurality of optically transparent window portions disposed in the optically transparent member housing. Moreover, when the inspection tool is inserted into the inner shaft, and the inner shaft is advanced distally into the valve assembly toward the interior portion of the pressurized vessel, the plurality of optically transparent window portions of the optically transparent member are configured to enable an image acquisition means of the inspection tool to acquire an image of the interior portion of the pressurized vessel though the optically transparent window portions. Moreover, the plurality of optically transparent portions are disposed in the optically transparent member housing so as to allow for a <NUM>-degree field of view during inspection of the interior portion of the pressurized vessel.

In some embodiments, the insertion tool can further include a piston coupled to the inner shaft, the piston configured to drive the inner shaft distally or proximally. The piston can be disposed on an outer circumference of the inner shaft so as to form a seal with an inner wall of the housing.

In some embodiments, the inner shaft can be driven distally or proximally using pneumatic means, hydraulic means, or electric means.

In some embodiments, the inner shaft can include one or more concentric telescoping inner shaft members. Moreover, the inner shaft can be proximally mounted to the housing. When the insertion tool is coupled to the pressurized vessel, the one or more telescoping inner shaft members can be configured to extend distally toward the interior portion of the pressurized vessel. Thus, the one or more telescoping inner shaft members can be configured to extend distally toward the interior portion of the pressurized vessel while the inner shaft remains in a fixed position. Moreover, the inner shaft can include an inner shaft member proximally mounted to the housing and an outer shaft member configured to extend distally toward the interior portion of the pressurized vessel when the insertion tool is coupled to the pressurized vessel. An outer diameter of the outer shaft member can be greater than an outer diameter of the inner shaft member.

In some embodiments, the insertion tool can further include a proximal housing seal disposed at a proximal opening of the housing and a distal housing seal disposed at a distal opening of the housing.

In some embodiments, the insertion tool can further include an optically transparent member seal disposed at a proximal or distal end of the optically transparent member.

In some embodiments, a flange gasket disposed adjacent to the flange of the housing.

It should be understood that the above-referenced drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

Pipes that contain fluid or gas under high pressure can be regularly inspected to check that there is no damage or defects that could result in a leak. Most pipes can be formed of multiple segments that are connected at joints or flanges that contain a valve assembly. Current inspection techniques can require the pipe segment to be closed off using the valves and depressurized so as to avoid damaging the inspection tool. However, depressurizing the inspection area, and subsequently repressurizing the area, can produce undesirable downtime of the system.

Accordingly, an insertion tool is provided that can couple to a flange on a pressurized pipe, and that allows an inspection tool to be advanced through the valve assembly without the need to depressurize the pipe. The insertion tool includes a sealed chamber that can couple to the pressurize pipe, and a hollow inner shaft that can slide within the sealed chamber. The hollow inner shaft is configured to receive an existing inspection tool. Also, the hollow inner shaft has a transparent end for allowing viewing therethrough. The hollow inner shaft thus functions to protect the inspection tool from the pressure within the pipe. As such, regular borescopes or other camera-based viewing systems rated for atmospheric conditions can be used.

Embodiments of an insertion tool for inspection of a vessel are discussed herein below.

<FIG> illustrates one embodiment of an insertion tool <NUM> that enables external access to a vessel <NUM> under pressure for performing a visual inspection. As shown, the insertion tool <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having proximal and distal ends with a sealed chamber <NUM> therebetween. The distal end of the housing <NUM> includes a flange <NUM> disposed thereon that is configured to engage with a flange <NUM> of a valve assembly <NUM> on a pressurized vessel <NUM>. When the flange <NUM> of the insertion tool <NUM> is mated with the flange <NUM> of the valve assembly <NUM>, and the valve assembly <NUM> is opened, the sealed chamber <NUM> fluidly communicates with the pressurized vessel <NUM>. As a result, the sealed chamber <NUM> can have a pressure that corresponds to a pressure of the vessel <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> can have various shapes and sizes, but in an exemplary embodiment, is in the form of an elongate hollow cylinder. The proximal and distal ends of the housing <NUM> can include cylinder seals or gaskets <NUM> to ensure the chamber <NUM> is fully sealed, as shown in <FIG>, for example. The insertion tool <NUM> further includes a hollow inner shaft <NUM> disposed within the housing <NUM>, as mentioned above. The inner shaft <NUM> can have a length that is greater than a length of the housing <NUM>, and it is slidably disposed through a proximal opening <NUM> in the proximal end of the housing <NUM>, through the sealed chamber <NUM>, and through a distal opening <NUM> in the distal end of the housing <NUM>. As such, the inner shaft <NUM> can be advanced distally into the valve assembly <NUM> toward an interior portion of the pressurized vessel <NUM>, as shown in greater detail in <FIG> and <FIG>. The inner shaft <NUM> can have an opening <NUM> at the proximal end thereof that is positioned proximal of the proximal end of the housing <NUM>, thus allowing for insertion of an inspection tool <NUM>, such as a borescope, periscopic camera, fiberscope, or the like.

The insertion tool <NUM> further includes an optically transparent member <NUM> disposed on the distal end of the inner shaft <NUM>. As such, at least a portion of the distal end of the inner shaft <NUM> is optically transparent. When an inspection tool <NUM>, such as those listed above, is inserted distally in the inner shaft <NUM>, the optically transparent member <NUM> enables an image acquisition means (e.g., a camera or the like) of the inspection tool <NUM> to acquire an image of an interior portion of the pressurized vessel <NUM> through the optically transparent member <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates one embodiment of the distal end of the optically transparent member <NUM> in more detail, showing the member extending distally from the sealed chamber <NUM>. As shown, the distal end generally includes a plurality of optically transparent portions <NUM>, i.e. , windows, also referred to as a "sight globe," rated for high-pressure environments, thus enabling the optically transparent member <NUM> to be exposed to the pressurized interior of the vessel <NUM> during performance of the visual inspection. The optically transparent portions <NUM> are disposed circumferentially around the optically transparent member <NUM> and disposed on a distal-facing end of the optically transparent member <NUM>, allowing for a <NUM>-degree field of view during inspection. The optically transparent portions <NUM> are welded to the inner shaft <NUM>.

The optically transparent member <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> with openings (i.e., windows) formed therein, and a cylinder made of glass mounted within the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is affixed to the distal end of the inner shaft <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is welded onto the distal end of the inner shaft <NUM>.

The optically transparent member <NUM> is adequately sealed so as to maintain pressure chamber integrity within the vessel <NUM>, and to maintain the non-pressurized environment within the inner shaft <NUM>. Proximal and distal ends of the optically transparent member <NUM> can include seals or gaskets <NUM> to ensure the optically transparent member <NUM> is fully sealed, as shown in <FIG>, for example. Maintaining a non-pressurized environment within the inner shaft <NUM> can allow for visual inspections of the high-pressure vessel <NUM> to be performed using a standard borescope, for example, even though the pressure level within the vessel <NUM> to be inspected exceeds the design limitations of said borescope.

Thus, the pressure level inside of the inner shaft <NUM> can differ from the pressure level inside of the vessel <NUM>. The pressure level inside of the inner shaft <NUM> is less than the pressure level inside of the vessel <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the inner shaft <NUM> can include a piston <NUM> coupled thereto and forming a seal with an inner wall of the outer housing <NUM>. The piston <NUM> can be mechanically driven (e.g., using an assembly of gears or the like) to allow for translating the inner shaft <NUM> distally (toward the pressurized vessel <NUM>) or proximally (away from the vessel <NUM>), or, alternatively, the piston <NUM> may be pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically driven. In some cases, the sealed chamber <NUM> can contain hydraulic fluid to assist in slidable movement of the inner shaft <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, the inner shaft <NUM> can be advanced or retracted manually.

As further shown in <FIG>, a flange <NUM> is disposed at the distal end of the housing <NUM>. The flange <NUM> is configured to mate with an existing flange <NUM> of a valve assembly <NUM> coupled to a pressurized vessel <NUM>. The flange <NUM> can be exemplarily designed as demonstrated in <FIG>, but may be fashioned in various other suitable forms based on the desired compatibility of the insertion tool <NUM> with vessels to be inspected. In some cases, a plurality of holes <NUM> can be formed in the flange <NUM> so as to correspond with holes formed in the flange <NUM> of the valve assembly <NUM>. Fasteners, such as bolts, pins, or the like, can be inserted through the holes of both flanges to attach the flanges to each other, thereby connecting the insertion tool <NUM> to the pressurized vessel <NUM>. In some cases, an adapter (not shown) can be coupled to the flange <NUM> of the insertion tool <NUM> so as to match the design of the flange <NUM> of the valve assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate one embodiment of the insertion tool <NUM> mated with a valve assembly <NUM> of a pressurized vessel <NUM>. As shown, the flange <NUM> of the insertion tool <NUM> can mate with an existing flange <NUM> of a valve assembly <NUM> coupled to a pressurized vessel <NUM> so as to form a seal. In this regard, the housing <NUM> can be distally mounted (e.g., welded, threaded, etc.) to the flange <NUM> of the insertion tool <NUM>. One or more gaskets <NUM> can be disposed at the region where the mated flange seal is formed (e.g., between the flanges) so as to prevent leakage from the vessel <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, for example. In some cases, the one or more gaskets <NUM> disposed between the mating flanges can be a bolted seal gasket. Mating the flanges together can deform the one or more gaskets <NUM> therebetween, thereby creating a leak-proof seal.

As shown in <FIG>, the gate valve <NUM> of the valve assembly <NUM> coupled to the pressurized vessel <NUM> can be initially closed so as to prevent leakage of fluids and depressurizing the vessel <NUM>. At this stage, pressure within the valve assembly <NUM> distal of the gate valve <NUM> can be equal to the high-pressure of the vessel <NUM>, whereas the valve assembly <NUM> proximal of the gate valve <NUM> may be a depressurized area. Also, at this stage, the inner shaft <NUM> can be in a retracted position whereby the inner shaft <NUM> is proximally located with respect to the housing <NUM>.

After the insertion tool <NUM> is mated to the valve assembly <NUM>, the gate valve <NUM> of the valve assembly <NUM> can be opened, as shown in <FIG>. A pressure level inside the valve assembly <NUM> and surrounding the inner shaft <NUM> can be equalized to that of the high-pressure vessel <NUM>. As pressurized air extends beyond the seal formed by the mating flanges <NUM> and <NUM>, the distally located cylinder seal <NUM> of the sealed chamber <NUM> can prevent the chamber <NUM> from being depressurized. The interior of the inner shaft <NUM> remains non-pressurized as the inner shaft <NUM> and optically transparent member <NUM> form a pressure barrier preventing the high pressure levels within the sealed chamber <NUM> and of the vessel <NUM> from affecting an interior of the inner shaft <NUM>.

At this stage, the inner shaft <NUM> is translated distally into the valve assembly <NUM>, past the gate valve <NUM>, and toward an area of interest within the pressurized vessel <NUM>. In some cases, testing may be performed to ensure no leakage from the vessel <NUM> is occurring prior to advancing the inner shaft <NUM> through the valve assembly <NUM>, using, e.g., a pressure gauge, a gas-sniffer probe, or the like.

Once the inner shaft <NUM> has extended into the vessel <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the inner shaft <NUM> is positioned such that the optically transparent member <NUM> is located in an inspection area within an interior of the pressurized vessel <NUM>. For example, the inspection area of the pressurized vessel <NUM> can be internal threads for attaching a valve or the like, a vessel wall prone to cracking, an area susceptible to clogging, and so forth.

<FIG> illustrates one embodiment of an inner shaft <NUM> of the insertion tool <NUM> extended into the interior of the pressurized vessel <NUM> and an inspection tool <NUM> inserted into an interior of the inner shaft <NUM>. As shown, the hollow inner shaft <NUM> can receive an inspection tool <NUM>, such as a borescope, for conducting a visual inspection of the pressurized vessel <NUM>. An image acquisition means (e.g., camera) of the inspection tool <NUM> can be positioned at the distal interior end of the inner shaft <NUM> so that the area for inspection <NUM> is within the sightline <NUM> of the image acquisition means. The optically transparent member <NUM> of the inner shaft <NUM> can be disposed therebetween so as to provide an unencumbered view of the area <NUM>. That is, the inspection tool <NUM> inserted in the inner shaft <NUM> can perform the visual inspection of the vessel <NUM> through the optically transparent member <NUM>.

As described above, the interior of the inner shaft <NUM> is a non-pressurized environment, as compared to the high-pressure vessel <NUM> in which the distal end of the inner shaft <NUM> is located in <FIG>. Therefore, the vessel <NUM> need not be depressurized, and inspection tools specially designed to withstand high-pressure environments are not necessary to perform the visual inspection within the high-pressure vessel <NUM>. A wide range of visual inspection tools <NUM>, including non-pressure-rated tools, can be utilized as they are protected from the high-pressure levels while disposed within the sealed inner shaft <NUM>. Moreover, the non-pressurized environment of the interior of the inner shaft <NUM> prevents the inspection tool <NUM> from being forcibly ejected from the vessel <NUM> during inspection.

<FIG> illustrates one embodiment of the gate valve <NUM> of the valve assembly <NUM> in an open position to allow the inner shaft <NUM> to fully advance distally such that the optically transparent member <NUM> of the inner shaft <NUM> is positioned within the pressurized vessel <NUM>. This can enable an inspection tool <NUM>, such as a non-pressure rated borescope, to perform a visual inspection of the vessel <NUM> while inside of the inner shaft <NUM>. Conversely, when the valve assembly <NUM> is closed, the gate valve <NUM> can extend across the longitudinal channel so as to preclude distal advancement of the inner shaft <NUM>. When the inspection is completed, the above-described steps can be performed in reverse so as to decouple the insertion tool <NUM> from the valve assembly <NUM>, without having to depressurize the high-pressure vessel <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the construction of the inner shaft <NUM> can vary from that which is illustrated in <FIG>. For instance, the inner shaft <NUM> can include multiple sliding shafts or "stages," enabling the inner shaft <NUM> to telescope distally (i.e., toward the vessel <NUM>). A telescoping inner shaft, as described below, can provide for greater extension of the inner shaft while minimizing the length thereof in a retracted position.

In detail, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate one embodiment of a telescoping inner shaft <NUM>, which is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, for use in the insertion tool <NUM>. <FIG> shows the inner shaft <NUM> in a retracted position, and <FIG> shows the inner shaft <NUM> in an extended position. As shown, the inner shaft <NUM> can include multiple concentrically-shaped shafts, such as inner shaft member <NUM> and outer shaft member <NUM>. The optically transparent member <NUM> can be disposed at a distal portion of the outer shaft member <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the outer shaft member <NUM> can be greater than that of the inner shaft member <NUM>. Thus, in the retracted position, the inner shaft member <NUM> can be positioned inside of a portion of the outer shaft member <NUM>. In other embodiments, the outer diameter of the outer shaft member <NUM> can be less than that of the inner shaft member <NUM>, such that the outer shaft member <NUM> can be positioned inside of a portion of the inner shaft member <NUM> in the retracted position. In the extended position, an inspection tool <NUM> can be inserted in the opening <NUM> of the inner shaft <NUM> and distally translated through the interior of the telescoped inner shaft <NUM> in a manner similar to that which has been described above.

The inner shaft member <NUM> can be fixedly mounted to a proximal portion of the housing <NUM>. In some cases, the inner shaft member <NUM> can be mounted to an inner surface of the housing <NUM>. As such, the inner shaft member <NUM> can remain fixed while the outer shaft member <NUM> extends distally toward the pressurized vessel <NUM>. Thus, in contrast with the inner shaft <NUM> described hereinabove, it can be unnecessary for the inner shaft <NUM> in its entirety to translate distally in order to advance the optically transparent member <NUM> to the vessel <NUM>.

The outer shaft member <NUM> can slide distally, away from the position at which the inner shaft member <NUM> is mounted to the housing <NUM>, in a manner similar to the movement of the inner shaft <NUM> as described above. For example, the outer shaft member <NUM> can include a piston <NUM> coupled thereto, forming a seal with the inner wall of the housing <NUM>. The piston <NUM> can be mechanically driven (e.g., using an assembly of gears or the like) to allow for translating the outer shaft member <NUM> distally (toward the pressurized vessel <NUM>) or proximally (away from the vessel <NUM>), or, alternatively, the piston <NUM> may be pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically driven. In some cases, the sealed chamber <NUM> can contain hydraulic fluid to assist in slidable movement of the outer shaft member <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, the outer shaft member <NUM> can be advanced or retracted manually.

An additional seal <NUM> (e.g., an annular gasket, or the like) can be disposed between the inner shaft member <NUM> and the outer shaft member <NUM> to prevent a leakage of pressure therebetween. As shown in <FIG>, the seal <NUM> can translate in conjunction with the outer shaft member <NUM>, thus maintaining the seal between the inner shaft member <NUM> and the outer shaft member <NUM> during telescoping.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the inner diameter of the outer shaft member <NUM> can change at a mid-point thereof. For example, the inner diameter of a proximal portion of the outer shaft member <NUM>, in which the inner shaft member <NUM> is disposed in the retracted position, can be larger than the inner diameter of a distal portion of the outer shaft member <NUM>. In such case, the distal portion of the outer shaft member <NUM> can be formed such that the inner diameter thereof prevents proximal movement of the outer shaft member <NUM>. That is, the inner diameter of the distal portion of the outer shaft member <NUM> can be less than the outer diameter of the inner shaft member <NUM>, prevent proximal movement of the outer shaft member <NUM> upon the inner shaft member <NUM> abutting a surface of the distal portion of the outer shaft member <NUM>.

It is to be understood that the telescoping inner shaft, as described above, can include any number of sliding shaft members or "stages" in accordance with the desired reach and retracted length of the inner shaft.

For example, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate another embodiment of a telescoping inner shaft <NUM>, which is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, for use in the insertion tool <NUM>. <FIG> shows the inner shaft <NUM> in a retracted position, and <FIG> shows the inner shaft <NUM> in an extended position. As shown, the inner shaft <NUM> can include multiple concentrically-shaped shafts, such as inner shaft member <NUM>, outer shaft member <NUM>, and distal shaft member <NUM>. The optically transparent member <NUM> can be disposed at a distal portion of the distal shaft member <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the outer shaft member <NUM> can be greater than that of the inner shaft member <NUM>. Thus, in the retracted position, the inner shaft member <NUM> can be positioned inside of a portion of the outer shaft member <NUM>. Moreover, the distal shaft member <NUM> can be formed so as to fit inside of the outer shaft member <NUM> in the retracted position. Alternatively, the distal shaft member <NUM> can have an outer diameter greater than that of the inner shaft member <NUM> and the outer shaft member <NUM>, respectively, such that the inner shaft member <NUM> and the outer shaft member <NUM> are positioned inside of the distal shaft member <NUM> in the retracted position. In the extended position, an inspection tool <NUM> can be inserted in the opening <NUM> of the inner shaft <NUM> and distally translated through the interior of the telescoped inner shaft <NUM> in a manner similar to that which has been described above.

Operationally, the telescoping inner shaft <NUM> can function in a manner similar to the telescoping inner shaft <NUM> as described above. For instance, the inner shaft member <NUM> can be fixedly mounted to a proximal portion of the housing <NUM>. In some cases, the inner shaft member <NUM> can be mounted to an inner surface of the housing <NUM>. As such, the inner shaft member <NUM> can remain fixed while the outer shaft member <NUM> and distal shaft member <NUM> extend distally toward the pressurized vessel <NUM>. Thus, in contrast with the inner shaft <NUM> described hereinabove, it can be unnecessary for the inner shaft <NUM> in its entirety to translate distally in order to advance the optically transparent member <NUM> to the vessel <NUM>.

Other structural aspects of the telescoping inner shaft <NUM> can correspond to those of the inner shaft <NUM>.

Accordingly, the insertion tool as discussed herein can allow for visual inspections of a high-pressure or pressurized vessel without having to depressurize, and then repressurize, the vessel, thus saving time and effort as compared to conventional techniques. The insertion tool can further allow for use of standard, i.e., non-pressure-rated, inspection tools during a visual inspection of the vessel, as the interior of the sealed inner shaft may exist at atmospheric pressure levels, despite being positioned within the pressurized vessel where, typically, only pressure-rated inspection tools can be operated. The non-pressurized area inside the inner shaft can also enable use of measuring instruments for the purpose of performing measurements within the pressurized vessel.

Claim 1:
An insertion tool (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having proximal and distal ends with a sealed chamber (<NUM>) therebetween, the distal end having a flange (<NUM>) configured to engage with a flange (<NUM>) of a valve assembly (<NUM>) coupled to a pressurized vessel (<NUM>) to allow the sealed chamber (<NUM>) to fluidly communicate with the pressurized vessel (<NUM>);
a hollow inner shaft (<NUM>) slidably disposed through a proximal opening (<NUM>) in the proximal end of the housing (<NUM>), through the sealed chamber (<NUM>), and through a distal opening (<NUM>) in the distal end of the housing (<NUM>) such that, when the insertion tool (<NUM>) is coupled to the pressurized vessel (<NUM>) via their respective flanges (<NUM>, <NUM>) the hollow inner shaft (<NUM>) is operable to be advanced distally into the valve assembly (<NUM>) toward an interior portion of the pressurized vessel (<NUM>), the hollow inner shaft (<NUM>) having a distal end and an inner lumen that is sealed from the sealed chamber (<NUM>) and that is configured to receive an inspection tool (<NUM>) therein; and
an optically transparent member (<NUM>) directly coupled to the distal end of the hollow inner shaft (<NUM>), a portion of the optically transparent member (<NUM>) being optically transparent to allow viewing therethrough by the inspection tool (<NUM>), wherein the optically transparent member (<NUM>) includes an optically transparent member housing (<NUM>) welded to the distal end of the hollow inner shaft (<NUM>), the optically transparent member housing (<NUM>) including a plurality of optically transparent window portions (<NUM>) rated for high-pressure environments, the plurality of optically transparent window portions (<NUM>) welded to the distal end of the hollow inner shaft (<NUM>) and disposed circumferentially around the optically transparent member housing (<NUM>) and on a distal-facing end of the optically transparent member housing (<NUM>) providing a <NUM>-degree field of view, the optically transparent member housing (<NUM>) further including a cylindrical glass portion mounted within the optically transparent member housing (<NUM>).