US3715484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Duct scanning apparatus
Assignee: ConocoPhillips Co
•
Filing: 1971-02-11
•
Granted: 1973-02-06
•
Expires: 1991-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A duct scanning apparatus such as for use in determining leaks in a sewer pipe or the like wherein means are provided for progressively picturing the length of the inside of the duct. The picturing means may include a television vidicon pickup tube mounted within a tubular housing. The housing is preselected to be smaller in diameter than the inside of the sewer duct and means are provided for slidably carrying the housing on the duct wall so as to dispose the axis of the housing substantially below the axis of the duct. The apparatus further includes illuminating means carried on the housing for illuminating the portion of the interior of the sewer duct being pictured.
Inventors
- 👤 R Latall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/005; G01M3/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for progressively picturing the length of the inside of a tubular duct defining a longitudinal duct axis, comprising: a tubular housing having an outer diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of said duct and defining a longitudinal housing axis; slide means carried by the housing for supporting the housing in the duct with said housing axis parallel to and spaced below said duct axis; electronic means carried by said housing for picturing the inside of said duct from a position centered on said duct axis; support means in said housing carrying said electronic picturing means and defining a circular periphery and O-ring means concentrically carried on said periphery for resiliently supporting said electronic picturing means in said housing; and means for progressively axially moving said housing through said duct, the center of gravity of said apparatus being spaced below said duct axis thereby effectively minimizing climbing of said duct by said apparatus during such axial movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for progressively picturing the length of the inside of a tubular duct defining a longitudinal duct axis, comprising: a tubular housing having an outer diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of said duct and defining a longitudinal housing axis; slide means carried by the housing for supporting the housing in the duct with said housing axis parallel to and spaced below said duct axis; electronic means carried by said housing for picturing the inside of said duct from a position centered on said duct axis; support means in said housing carrying said electronic picturing means and defining a circular periphery and O-ring means concentrically carried on said periphery for resiliently supporting said electronic picturing means in said housing; and means for progressively axially moving said housing through said duct, the center of gravity of said apparatus being spaced below said duct axis thereby effectively minimizing climbing of said duct by said apparatus during such axial movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for progressively picturing the length of the inside of a tubular duct defining a longitudinal duct axis, comprising: a tubular housing having an outer diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of said duct and defining a longitudinal housing axis; slide means carried by the housing for supporting the housing in the duct with said housing axis parallel to and spaced below said duct axis; electronic means carried by said housing for picturing the inside of said duct from a position centered on said duct axis; support means in said housing carrying said electronic picturing means and defining a circular periphery and O-ring means concentrically carried on said periphery for resiliently supporting said electronic picturing means in said housing; and means for progressively axially moving said housing through said duct, the center of gravity of said apparatus being spaced below said duct axis thereby effectively minimizing climbing of said duct by said apparatus during such axial movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for progressively picturing the length of the inside of a tubular duct defining a longitudinal duct axis, comprising: a tubular housing having an outer diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of said duct and defining a longitudinal housing axis; slide means carried by the housing for supporting the housing in the duct with said housing axis parallel to and spaced below said duct axis; electronic means carried by said housing for picturing the inside of said duct from a position centered on said duct axis; support means in said housing carrying said electronic picturing means and defining a circular periphery and O-ring means concentrically carried on said periphery for resiliently supporting said electronic picturing means in said housing; and means for progressively axially moving said housing through said duct, the center of gravity of said apparatus being spaced below said duct axis thereby effectively minimizing climbing of said duct by said apparatus during such axial movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The duct picturing apparatus of claim 1 further including illuminating means extending upwardly from said housing to closely adjacent the upper portion of said duct for illuminating the portion of the inside of said duct being pictured by said picturing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The duct picturing apparatus of claim 2 including means for operating said illuminating means and electronic means at the same power supply voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The duct picturing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said voltage is less than approximately 14 volts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The duct picturing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said slide means comprises means of said housing for selectively mounting any one of a plurality of different size slide members corresponding to different size ducts for centering said picturing means position selectively at the axis of each of said different size ducts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The duct picturing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support means includes a plurality of rigid carriers each having a peripheral portion corresponding to the inside configuration of said housing, and an elongated, resilient element encircling said peripheral portion and providing a resilient mounting of said electronic meAns in said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The picturing apparatus of claim 6 wherein said support means includes a plurality of such resilient mounting elements spaced axially in said housing and means rigidly connecting said carriers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The picturing apparatus of claim 6 wherein said support means is arranged to carry said electronic circuitry in a lower portion of said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3168909A
Cited
US2971259A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |