Automated borescope insertion system
First Claim
1. A system for inserting and orienting a probe into a machine, the system comprising:
- a probe, comprising at least one sensor and a cable, the at least one sensor producing at least one signal;
a cable insertion unit configured to orient and feed the probe; and
a computer communicatively coupled to both the probe and the cable insertion unit, the computer comprising an installed digital model of the machine, the computer configured to receive the at least one signal from the probe and produce a location model, the location model comprising at least one of a two dimensional or three dimensional model representing the probe'"'"'s real-time location relative to the machine,wherein the cable insertion unit, under the guidance of the computer, orients and feeds the probe into the machine.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for inserting and orienting a probe into a machine includes a probe, a cable insertion unit, and a computer communicatively coupled to both the probe and cable insertion unit. The probe includes at least one sensor and a cable. Further, the at least one sensor produces at least one signal. The cable insertion unit is configured to orient and feed the probe. The computer includes an installed digital model of the machine. Further, the computer is configured to receive the at least one signal from the probe and produce a location model. The location model includes at least one of a two dimensional or three dimensional model representing the probe'"'"'s real-time location relative to the machine. As such, the cable insertion unit orients and feeds the probe into the machine under the guidance of the computer.
73 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for inserting and orienting a probe into a machine, the system comprising:
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a probe, comprising at least one sensor and a cable, the at least one sensor producing at least one signal; a cable insertion unit configured to orient and feed the probe; and a computer communicatively coupled to both the probe and the cable insertion unit, the computer comprising an installed digital model of the machine, the computer configured to receive the at least one signal from the probe and produce a location model, the location model comprising at least one of a two dimensional or three dimensional model representing the probe'"'"'s real-time location relative to the machine, wherein the cable insertion unit, under the guidance of the computer, orients and feeds the probe into the machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of automated probe insertion into a machine, the method comprising:
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attaching a cable insertion unit to the machine at an access port; feeding a probe into the cable insertion unit, the probe comprising at least one sensor and a cable; transferring a signal from the probe to a computer installed with a digital model of the machine, the computer configured to produce a location model representing the probe'"'"'s real-time location relative to the machine, the computer further communicatively coupled to and in control of the cable insertion unit; and inserting the probe into the machine using the cable insertion unit under the guidance of the computer, the computer automatically sending signals to the cable insertion unit to feed and orient the probe. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for determining the real-time location of a probe in a machine, the method comprising:
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placing the probe near an internal object that has a known location, the probe comprising a sensor and cable; transferring a signal from the probe to a computer installed with a digital model of the machine; and producing a location model of the real-time location of the probe in relation to the machine. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification