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Servo actuated steering mechanism for borescope or endoscope

  • US 4,941,454 A
  • Filed: 10/05/1989
  • Issued: 07/17/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a steerable endoscope/borescope of the type having an elongated insertion tube with a viewing head at the distal end, a cable bendable articulation section proximally of the viewing head, and at least one pair of steering cables operatively connected to said articulation section, articulation control means comprising:

  • a servo motor connected to each said pair of cables,steering control means connected to said servo motor,actuator means connected to said steering control means including at least one variable voltage means operatively connected to increase or decrease in value as said actuator is moved in one direction of motion,said steering control means including a pulse generating network and a pulse width modulator circuit for varying the width of generated pulses in accordance with changes in said variable voltage means;

    said variations and pulse width causing said servo motor to rotate a predetermined number of degrees corresponding to the position of said actuator means, so that the bendable section of the insertion tube is actuated the desired amount.

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