Apparatus for viewing and inspecting a surface area of an object

Abstract

An apparatus for viewing and inspecting the surface area of an object, including a probe having a viewing window defining a field of view, and an image-forming lens within the probe. The probe also includes an image detector on an opposite side of the image-forming lens relative to the viewing window for receiving a viewed image of the surface area through the lens, and transmitting electrical signals indicative thereof. At least one of a focal length of the lens, a primary object distance between the lens and a primary target plane wherein image resolution is optimal, and a primary image distance between the lens and the detector, is selected to: (i) form the primary target plane at approximately the viewing window of the probe; (ii) focus approximately the entire field of view onto the image detector; and (iii) define a depth of the field of view at least approximately equal to a height of the field of view. At least one light source is mounted within the probe between the viewing window and the image-receiving lens. The apparatus also includes an image display remotely mounted relative to the hand-held probe and coupled to the image detector for receiving the image signals transmitted by the detector and generating an enlarged image of the viewed surface area on the display.