US4961111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video inspection system for hazardous environments
Assignee: SAFE T V Inc 1454 ORMANDY DR BATON ROUGE LA
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Filing: 1989-07-21
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Granted: 1990-10-02
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Expires: 2009-07-21
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Nils G. Herlitz
- 👤 Karl L. Iglehart
- 👤 John S. Sentell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:18
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/51; F; F21; F21V; F21V25/00; F21V25/12; F21V31/00; G; G03; G03B; G03B37/00; G03B37/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
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.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
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.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
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.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
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.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
146 words
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.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
146 words
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.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
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.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
219 words
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.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
219 words
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.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
94 words
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.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
94 words
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.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
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.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
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.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-01 | 1994-04-02 | 1994-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-01 | 1998-04-02 | 1998-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-01 | 2002-04-02 | 2002-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |