CAMERA SYSTEM FOR HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS

• US 20130188036A1
• Filed: 01/25/2013
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Remote Ocean Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Remote Ocean Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Kalfas, Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 9,264,677 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/82
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 17/003 Remote inspection of vessels, e.g. pressure vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 17/01 Inspection of the inner surfaces of vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 19/207 Assembling, maintenance or repair of reactor components G21C3/334 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/84 for processing colour signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/30 Nuclear fission reactors

Abstract

A camera system is provided for use in a high-radiation environment includes a camera assembly with a housing enclosing an image sensor for generating a digital signal of a detected image and a first serializer/deserializer (SERDES) for converting the digital signal from the image sensor into a serial bit stream. A transmission medium transmits the serial bit stream to an image processing module located outside of the high-radiation environment where a second SERDES deserializes the serial bit stream to generate a decoded image signal which is processed by an image processor to generate an output at a display device corresponding to the detected image.

Claims

1. A camera system for use in a high-radiation environment, comprising:

a camera assembly comprising

a housing;

an image sensor disposed within the housing, the image sensor adapted for generating a digital signal corresponding to a detected image of an object; and

a first serializer/deserializer (SERDES) disposed within the housing for converting the signal from the image sensor into a serial bit stream;

a transmission medium for transmitting the serial bit stream; and

an image processing module disposed outside of the high-radiation environment for receiving the transmitted serial bit stream, the image processing module comprising;

a second SERDES adapted for deserializing the serial bit stream to generate a decoded image signal; and

an image processor adapted to process the decoded image signal to generate an output at a display device corresponding to the detected image.

2. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a seal for enclosing the image sensor and the first SERDES in a watertight enclosure.

3. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed from stainless steel.

4. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises radiation shielding enclosing one or more of the image sensor and the first SERDES.

5. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the display device is incorporated within an inspection workstation and wherein the inspection workstation comprises a controller for controlling operation of the camera assembly.

6. The camera system of claim 5, further comprising a robotic delivery system responsive to the controller.

7. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the image sensor comprises a CMOS sensor.

8. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the image sensor is radiation-hardened.

9. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the image sensor is a color image sensor.

10. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the transmission medium is a high-frequency cable.

11. A camera system for use in a hazardous underwater environment, comprising:

a camera assembly comprising;

a housing having a watertight seal;

an image sensor disposed within the housing, the image sensor adapted for generating a digital signal corresponding to an image of an object located within the underwater environment; and

a first serializer/deserializer (SERDES) disposed within the housing for converting the signal from the image sensor into a serial bit stream;

a transmission medium for transmitting the serial bit stream; and

an image processing module for receiving the transmitted serial bit stream, the image processing module comprising;

a second SERDES adapted for deserializing the serial bit stream to generate a decoded image signal; and

an image processor adapted to process the decoded image signal to generate an output at a display device corresponding to the image of the object.

12. The camera system of claim 11, wherein the housing is formed from stainless steel.

13. The camera system of claim 11, wherein the housing comprises radiation shielding enclosing one or more of the image sensor and the first SERDES.

14. The camera system of claim 11, wherein the display device is incorporated within an inspection workstation and wherein the inspection workstation comprises a controller for controlling operation of the camera assembly.

15. The camera system of claim 14, further comprising a robotic delivery system responsive to the controller.

16. The camera system of claim 11, wherein the image sensor comprises a CMOS sensor.

17. The camera system of claim 11, wherein the image sensor is radiation-hardened.

18. The camera system of claim 11, wherein the transmission medium is a high-frequency cable.