Video inspection system for hazardous environments

• US 4,961,111 A
• Filed: 07/21/1989
• Issued: 10/02/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Safe T V Incorporated 1454 Ormandy Dr Baton Rouge La
• Original Assignee: Safe T V Incorporated
• Inventors: Iglehart, Karl L., Sentell, John S., Herlitz, Nils G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US07/383,182
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 358/99, 358/100, 358/108, 358/210, 358/335, 362/22
• US Class Current: 348/82
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 25/12 Flameproof or explosion-proof arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/005 Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe, G03B37/02 - G03B37/06 take precedence; instruments for performing medical examinations of cavities or tubes of the body by photographic inspection A61B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

A video inspection system for hazardous environments is provided, comprising a housing, sealable so as to contain a pressurized gas therein, having a view opening therein and further including a valve for introducing pressurized gas into the housing, connected to the housing; and a transparent lens, sealingly affixed across the view opening; a camera for recording visual images through the view opening, mounted within the housing; and a power supply, for powering the camera, mounted within the housing and operatively connected to the camera. A method for operating the above system is also provided, including the steps of substantially purging undesirable gases from the interior of the housing; sealing the housing, eliminating external connections thereto; introducing non-flammable gas to the interior of the housing until the pressure in the housing reaches a desired level; and operating the camera within the housing. The system may also be operated as a portable lighting system without the camera.

Claims

1. A video inspection system for hazardous environments, comprising:

a. a housing, sealable so as to contain a pressurized gas therein, having a view opening therein and further including;

i. a means for introducing pressurized gas into said housing, connected to said housing; and

ii. a transparent lens, sealingly affixed across said view opening;

b. a camera means for recording visual images through said view opening, mounted within said housing; and

c. a power supply, for powering said camera means, mounted within said housing and operatively connected to said camera means.

2. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 1, further comprising a purge gas tank mounted within said housing and a means for releasing gas from said purge gas tank when the pressure within said housing falls below a desired level, mounted within said housing and connected to said purge gas tank.

3. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 1, wherein said camera means includes a means for transmitting a signal to a point remote from said housing.

4. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a cylindrical casing having a removable back plate on one end and wherein said view opening is located at the other end of said casing.

5. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 2, wherein said means for releasing gas from said purge gas tank when the pressure within said housing falls below a desired level includes a gas regulator.

6. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 1, further comprising a means for preventing operation of said camera means when the pressure within said housing is below a desired level, mounted within said housing and operatively connected between said camera means and said power source.

7. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 6, wherein said means for preventing operation of said camera means when the pressure within said housing is below a desired level includes a pressure switch.

8. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 6, further comprising a purge gas tank mounted within said housing and a means for releasing gas from said purge gas tank when the pressure within said housing falls below a desired level, mounted within said housing and connected to said purge gas tank.

9. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim further comprising a lighting means for directing light through said view opening, mounted within said housing and directed through said view opening.

10. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 9, further comprising a purge gas tank mounted within said housing and a means for releasing gas from said purge gas tank when the pressure within said housing falls below a desired level, said means for releasing gas being mounted within said housing and connected to said purge gas tank.

11. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 10, wherein said means for releasing gas from said purge gas tank includes a purge distribution line having at least one discharge point directed upon said lighting means.

12. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 9, further comprising a means for preventing operation of said camera means when the pressure within said housing is below a desired level, mounted within said housing and operatively connected between said camera means and said power source.

13. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 12, further comprising a purge gas tank mounted within said housing and a means for releasing gas from said purge gas tank when the pressure within said housing falls below a desired level, mounted within said housing and connected to said purge gas tank.

14. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 13, wherein said means for releasing gas from said purge gas tank includes a purge distribution line having at least one discharge point directed upon said lighting means.

15. In a video inspection system for hazardous environments, comprising a housing, sealable so as to contain a pressurized gas therein, having a view opening therein and further including a means for introducing pressurized gas into said housing, connected to said housing and a transparent lens, sealingly affixed across said view opening;

a camera means for recording visual images through said view opening, mounted within said housing; and

a power supply, for powering said camera means, mounted within said housing and operatively connected to said camera means, a method for video inspection of hazardous environments, comprising the steps of;

a. substantially purging undesirable gases from the interior of said housing;

b. sealing said housing, eliminating external connections thereto;

c. introducing non-flammable gas to the interior of said housing until the pressure in said housing reaches a desired level; and

d. operating said camera means within said housing.

16. A method for preventing explosion when said video inspection system is operating in a hazardous environment according to claim 15, comprising the additional step of switching off power to said camera means when the pressure in said housing falls below a threshold level.

17. In a video inspection system for hazardous environments, comprising a housing, sealable so as to contain a pressurized gas therein, having a view opening therein and further including a means for introducing pressurized gas into said housing, connected to said housing and a transparent lens, sealingly affixed across said view opening;

a camera means for recording visual images through said view opening, mounted within said housing;

a power supply, for powering said camera means, mounted within said housing and operatively connected to said camera means; and

a purge gas tank mounted within said housing and containing pressurized non-flammable gas, a method for preventing explosion when said video inspection system is operating in a hazardous environment should a leak develop in said housing, comprising the steps of;

a. substantially purging undesirable gases from the interior of said housing;

b. sealing said housing, eliminating external connections thereto;

c. introducing non-flammable gas to the interior of said housing until the pressure in said housing reaches a desired level;

d. operating said camera means within said housing; and

e. switching off power to said camera means when the pressure in said housing falls below a first threshold level; and

f. releasing gas from said purge gas tank when the pressure in said housing falls below said threshold level to a second threshold level.

18. A video inspection system for hazardous environments, comprising:

a. a housing, sealable so as to contain a pressurized gas therein, having a view opening therein and further including;

i. a means for introducing pressurized gas into said housing, connected to said housing; and

ii. a transparent lens, sealingly affixed across said view opening;

b. a lighting means for directing light through said view opening, mounted within said housing and directed through said view opening.

c. a power supply, for powering a lighting means, mounted within said housing and operatively connected to said lighting means.

19. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 18, further comprising a means for preventing operation of said lighting means when the pressure within said housing is below a desired level, mounted within said housing and operatively connected between said lighting means and said power source.

20. A video inspection system for hazardous environments according to claim 19, further comprising a purge gas tank mounted within said housing and a means for releasing gas from said purge gas tank when the pressure within said housing falls below a desired level, mounted within said housing and connected to said purge gas tank.