Pipe Inspection Relay Port for Push-Cable Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless video inspection systems lack the ability to connect a transmitter to a push-cable or other inspection system devices when a camera control unit (CCU) is not used, hindering the localization of the push-cable and camera head at the ground surface.
Innovation Solution
A connection port is disposed on a wireless pipe inspection video transmission apparatus, attached to a cable storage drum, establishing an electrically conductive pathway with a transmitter to transmit electromagnetic signals to a push-cable and camera head, enabling localization via a utility locator device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a wireless video inspection system operates without a camera control unit (CCU), then the system complexity is reduced and portability is improved, but the ability to connect a transmitter to the push-cable for localization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cable storage drum is designed with a universal connection interface that can accept both video signals from the camera head and electromagnetic signals from a transmitter. This multi-functional connection port allows the drum to serve dual purposes: wireless video transmission and signal injection for localization, eliminating the need for a separate CCU while maintaining transmitter connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of video signal reception and transmitter signal injection into a single integrated system through the cable storage drum. By merging these previously separate functions into one unified interface, the system reduces component count and complexity while preserving the ability to perform both wireless video inspection and localized positioning.
2Measurement precision
If a transmitter is connected to the push-cable through the CCU, then the push-cable and camera head can be localized at the ground surface, but the system requires additional equipment and connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the transmitter connection function from the traditional CCU architecture and relocates it directly to the cable storage drum. This extraction eliminates the intermediate CCU component while maintaining the essential localization capability, reducing the number of equipment pieces required.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable storage drum acts as an intermediary device that directly couples the transmitter output to the push-cable. By serving as the mediation point between transmitter and push-cable, the drum enables signal transmission for localization without requiring the traditional CCU intermediary, simplifying the overall system architecture.
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
Enables the localization of the push-cable and camera head at the ground surface, facilitating precise positioning and efficient inspection of underground pipes or cavities without the need for a CCU.
Implementation Method 1
establishes, via a wire, an electrically conductive pathway with a transmitter to transmit electromagnetic signals to a push-cable and camera head
Implementation Method 2
A common type of locator finds this position by receiving and processing AC magnetic field signals emitted from the pipe (or other conductors disposed in the pipe or in a cavity)
Data Source
AI summary
A novel connection port is described for connecting a signal transmitter to an apparatus configured to wirelessly communicate video and images from a pipe inspection system. Such a connection port may establish an electrically conductive pathway to a push-cable and camera head further disposed in cable storage drum that the wireless communication apparatus may couple thereto. A signal transmitter, having an established electrically conductive pathway to the push-cable and camera head, may transmit electromagnetic signals that may be emitted by the push-cable and camera head and further be located at the ground surface via a utility locator device.