Inspection Camera Cable Support Pipe for Cargo Tank Obstacle Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection camera arrangements for cargo tanks are not suitable for fluids as they risk contamination and require evacuation of protective gases, making them time-consuming, costly, and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An inspection camera arrangement with a cable support pipe having a curved or inclined section to navigate obstacles, a flexible sluice for secure conveyance, and a mounting device to connect to the tank interface, allowing remote visual inspection without evacuating protective gases and minimizing contamination risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inspection personnel visually check the tank interior, then inspection can be performed, but it is time-consuming and requires evacuation of protective gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human inspection personnel with an automated inspection camera system. The camera is lowered into the tank via a cable and can capture images and videos of the tank interior, eliminating the need for personnel to physically enter or visually inspect the tank, thereby saving time while maintaining inspection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection camera acts as an intermediary between the inspector and the tank interior. It transmits visual information from the confined tank space to the operator without requiring direct human access, thus enabling rapid inspection while preserving the protective gas atmosphere
2Reliability
If inspection personnel visually check the tank interior, then inspection can be performed, but it requires evacuation of protective gas which is energy-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-intensive human inspection operations with a low-power electronic camera system. The camera consumes minimal energy compared to the energy required to evacuate and refill protective gas, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining inspection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The camera serves as an intermediary that enables inspection without disrupting the protective gas atmosphere, eliminating the energy-consuming cycle of gas evacuation and refilling while preserving inspection capability
3Device complexity
If a straight cable support pipe is used, then the structure is simple, but the inspection camera may collide with obstacles in the vertical path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the cable support pipe, transforming it from a straight line to an arc-shaped structure. This curved configuration allows the inspection camera to navigate around obstacles such as cargo pumps and intermediate supports in the tank, preventing collisions while adding only moderate structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the cable support pipe from a one-dimensional straight path to a two-dimensional curved path. By introducing spatial curvature, the system enables the camera to bypass obstacles in the vertical path without requiring complex mechanical navigation systems
4Reliability
If existing inspection arrangements are used, then inspection can be performed, but they risk contamination of the cargo tank
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection camera acts as a sterile intermediary that can be lowered into the tank without introducing contaminants. The sealed cable connection and closed-channel mounting set prevent external contaminants from entering the cargo tank while enabling visual inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains the inert protective gas atmosphere in the tank during inspection. By using a sealed inspection system that does not require gas evacuation, the original inert environment is preserved, preventing contamination from external air and maintaining cargo purity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5a~5e
AI summary
The present invention relates to an inspection camera arrangement (50) for remote visual inspection of an interior of a cargo tank (10) for a fluid, a cargo tank (10) for a fluid comprising a tank interface (120) configured to be connected to the inspection camera arrangement (50) and a method for inspecting an interior surface of the cargo tank. The inspection camera arrangement comprises an inspection camera (51), cable (52) having a first end (521) connected to the inspection camera (51) and a second end (522) opposite to the first end (521) and a cable support pipe (54) adapted to support a first cable length positioned between the first end and second end (521; 522) of the cable (52), the cable (52) being glidably arranged within the cable support pipe (54). The inspection camera (51) can be inserted into the tank interior by means of the cable support pipe (54).