Borescope Inflatable Bumper for Clear Borehole Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting and profiling drilled construction shafts are inefficient due to limited maneuverability, visibility issues in filled boreholes, and the need for manual cleaning, which can lead to defects and reduced structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A portable borescope system with an extendable and retractable support assembly, a linear actuator, and an inflatable annular tubing for sealing and clearing debris, enabling clear vision and precise measurement of borehole surfaces, even in viscous environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cleaning methods are used for borehole inspection, then inspection can be performed with simple equipment, but inspection efficiency is reduced and structural integrity may be compromised due to missed defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an automated optical imaging system. A camera captures images of the borehole wall, and image processing algorithms automatically analyze the images to detect defects such as cavities, voids, and irregularities. This substitution of mechanical manual inspection with optical-mechanical automation significantly improves inspection efficiency while enhancing reliability through more thorough and consistent defect detection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the borehole is filled with viscous material for support, then borehole stability is improved, but visibility for inspection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system that can penetrate or work through the viscous material filling the borehole. The imaging system uses light transmission or reflection capabilities to visualize the borehole wall conditions even when the borehole is filled with supporting viscous material. This intermediary optical system allows inspection to proceed without requiring the borehole to be empty, thus maintaining both stability and visibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support structure is used for the inspection device, then device stability is improved, but maneuverability in the borehole is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection device is segmented into multiple functional components that can operate independently or in coordination. The device includes a camera unit, lighting system, and support structure that can be positioned and oriented separately. This segmentation allows the rigid support structure to provide stability while the individual components can be maneuvered independently to inspect different areas of the borehole, thus improving overall ease of operation without sacrificing device stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system improves inspection efficiency by providing clear vision and accurate measurements, reducing the need for manual cleaning and enhancing the structural integrity of drilled shafts by identifying and addressing defects before concrete placement.
Implementation Method 1
The support assembly includes a linear actuator configured to move the telescoping rod sections relative to one another
Implementation Method 2
The bumper is an inflatable annular tubing which is configured to press against a surface to form a seal between the surface and the window
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A borescope may include a housing including a transparent viewing window, a bumper surrounding at least a portion of a periphery of the transparent viewing window, wherein the bumper is configured to be pressurized by a fluid, and at least one imaging assembly configured to visualize a field of view exterior of the housing through the transparent viewing window.