Pipeline inspection device

• US 10,434,547 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2017
• Issued: 10/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Turner, Christopher J., Mueckl, Gareth, Krohlow, Samuel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schnurr, John R
• Application Number:
  US15/844,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20180169719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 348 84
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/043 moved by externally powered mechanical linkage, e.g. pushed or drawn through the pipes
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/364 the stored material being coiled
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/403 Carriage with wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4471 Housing enclosing the reel
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4484 Electronic arrangements or adaptations for controlling the winding or unwinding process, e.g. with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/12 Installations enabling inspection personnel to drive along sewer canals

Abstract

A pipeline inspection device including a cable having a camera disposed on a distal end of the cable, where the camera and the cable are configured to be directed into a conduit. A first drum includes a rear wall, a front wall, and a side wall defining an interior, where the front wall has an opening providing access to the interior, and where the cable is disposed at least partially within the first drum. A stand supports the first drum, where the first drum is rotatably coupled to the stand. A hub houses electrical components of the pipeline inspection device. The hub is removably received in the interior of the first drum via the opening, where the hub is selectively removable from the first drum and insertable into an interior of a second drum.

Claims

1. A pipeline inspection device, comprising:

a cable including a camera disposed on a distal end of the cable, the camera and the cable configured to be directed into a conduit;

a first drum including a rear wall, a front wall, and a side wall defining an interior, the front wall having an opening providing access to the interior, wherein the cable is disposed at least partially within the first drum;

a stand for supporting the first drum, the first drum being rotatably coupled to the stand; and

a hub housing electrical components of the pipeline inspection device, the hub being removably received in the interior of the first drum via the opening, wherein the hub is selectively removable from the first drum and insertable into an interior of a second drum;

wherein the drum is rotatably coupled to the stand by a mounting assembly including a rotatable portion and a fixed portion,

wherein the drum is coupled to the stand by the rotatable portion of the mounting assembly, and wherein the hub is supported within the drum by the fixed portion of the mounting assembly,

wherein the mounting assembly includes a core, and wherein the hub includes a latch that is engagable with the core to support the hub within the drum, and

wherein the core includes a recess, and wherein the hub includes a protrusion that is received within the recess to align the hub within the drum.

2. The pipeline inspection device of claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly includes a rotatable disk having a pair of magnets, and wherein the hub includes sensor for sensing movement of the magnets.

3. The pipeline inspection device of claim 1, wherein the hub includes a channel through which the cable extends, the channel configured to guide the cable into and out of the drum.

4. The pipeline inspection device of claim 1, wherein the hub includes a battery housing configured to removably receive a battery.

5. The pipeline inspection device of claim 1, wherein the camera communicates wirelessly with the monitor or the electrical components in the hub or both.

6. The pipeline inspection device of claim 1, wherein the first drum and the second drum are different sizes.