Cargo Tank Inspection Camera With Adjustable Light Offset
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection methods for cargo tanks require evacuation of protective gas, are time-consuming, costly, and inefficient, especially during poor visibility conditions like foggy conditions inside the tank.
Innovation Solution
An inspection camera with a moveable arm that adjusts the distance between the camera light and image capturing device, allowing compact insertion through small openings and improved image quality during foggy conditions by reducing light reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a related art inspection camera is used, then the insertion depth into narrow and curved inspection targets is limited, but the structure remains simple and cost-effective
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection camera uses a nested structure where the illumination unit is inserted into the observation unit, and both are housed within the protective cover. This nesting allows multiple functional units to be compactly arranged, enabling deeper insertion into narrow targets without proportionally increasing external dimensions or structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is divided into distinct functional segments: observation unit with lens, illumination unit with LEDs, protective cover, and connection unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall compactness, facilitating deeper insertion into curved and narrow inspection targets.
2Reliability
If the inspection camera includes both observation and illumination units, then inspection capability is improved, but the width and height increase making it unsuitable for narrow targets
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination unit is nested within the observation unit, with the illumination case containing LEDs positioned around the optical axis. This nested arrangement provides both observation and illumination functions while maintaining a small cross-sectional area suitable for narrow inspection targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination LEDs are arranged in a circumferential pattern around the optical axis in the radial dimension, rather than extending the device width or height. This dimensional arrangement provides omnidirectional illumination without increasing the device's external footprint.
3Reliability
If the protective cover extends beyond the observation unit, then protection is improved, but insertion into narrow targets becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed with a tapered shape that is wider at the base and narrower at the tip. This dynamic geometry allows the cover to protect the observation unit while the narrowed tip facilitates easy insertion into narrow and curved inspection targets without excessive width or height.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover exhibits asymmetric geometry with different dimensions at its base versus its tip. The broader base provides protection while the narrower tapered end enables insertion into confined spaces, resolving the contradiction between protection and insertability.
4Illumination intensity
If the illumination unit is positioned at the front, then illumination effectiveness is improved, but the device width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination LEDs are arranged in a circumferential pattern around the optical axis, utilizing the radial dimension rather than increasing device width or height. This provides effective front illumination while maintaining a compact cross-sectional area suitable for narrow inspection targets.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~5b
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an inspection camera (12) for remote visual inspection of an interior of a cargo tank (10). The inspection camera (12) comprising: a housing (40) having an elongated shape extending along a longitudinal direction (LO), a moveable arm (41) attached to the housing (40), an image capturing device (42) oriented for capturing images in the longitudinal direction (LO), and a camera light (43), wherein one of the image capturing device (42) and the camera light (43) is located on the housing (40) and the other of the image capturing device (42) and the camera light (43) is located on the arm (41), wherein the arm (41) is moveable in relation to the housing (40) between a first position corresponding to an insertion mode and a second position corresponding to an inspection mode such that a lateral distance (50) between the camera light (43) and the image capturing device (42) is larger in the inspection mode than in the insertion mode. The present disclosure also relates to a method for remote visual inspecting of an interior of a cargo tank (10) by means of such an inspection camera (12).