Inspection assembly for imaging a pipeline

Abstract

An inspection apparatus for viewing an internal surface of a pipeline comprises a main body including a camera 42 and a light source 54, 56. An optical axis of the camera extends in a radial direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body. The apparatus further comprises a lighting window 92, 94 made of an optically clear material extending over the light source, and an imaging window 96’ made of an optically clear material extending over the camera. The outer surface of the imaging window protrudes radially outwardly relative to the outer surface of the lighting window along the radial direction. The thickness of the imaging window in the radial direction is greater than the thickness of the lighting window. The main body can comprise a plurality of cameras spaced apart around the circumference of the main body. The light source can comprise an array of light emitters spaced apart around the circumference. The imaging window can be an annular window extending around and over the cameras, and the lighting window can comprise an annular window extending around and over the array of light emitters. Figure 9