The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 19, 1994
Filed:
Jul. 15, 1993
Joseph R Carapezza, Waltham, MA (US);
Linda T Ystueta, Brighton, MA (US);
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Syracuse, NY (US);
Abstract
Internal pipe inspection apparatus is disclosed having a novel collapsible centralizer mechanism for an in-line pipe inspection head. The inspection apparatus is insertable into different size pipelines through a small, lateral service opening. The apparatus includes a compact inspection pipe head having a viewing assembly for imaging the interior of the pipe. The head is sized to pass through a standard lateral service opening substantially less in diameter than the diameter of the pipe. Various collapsible centralizing members are described for positioning the pipe inspection head viewing assembly substantially concentric with an axis of the pipe. The novel centralizers include multiple bendable support legs which are pivotally connected at different points to the inspection device such that each leg forms a substantially sinusoidal shape when extended and each leg collapses close to the inspection head and trailing ferrules when retracted for insertion into (or removal from) the pipe. The sinusoidal-shaped legs are selectively biased to their extended positions.