Hollow Cavity Type Patents (Class 396/19)
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Patent number: 11945182Abstract: An assembly (10) for positioning sensors within a tire is provided that has first and second bead sensors (14,16), and first and second side-wall/shoulder sensors (18, 20). A first actuator (30) moves the sensors in a radial direction of the tire, and a second actuator (32) moves the first and second bead sensors in the axial direction of the tire. A third actuator (34) is present and moves the first and second bead sensors in the axial direction relative to the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors. A fourth actuator (36) moves the first and second bead sensors in the axial direction relative to one another, and a fifth actuator (38) moves the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors in the axial direction relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventors: Christopher Gillis, Michael Hansana, Jonathan Kyle Justice, James Secord, Alexandre Nadeau
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Patent number: 11214450Abstract: A proofing air jet having a hollow elongated body having an air outlet and a suction inlet, the air outlet opposing the suction inlet, a pressurized air inlet into the body between the air outlet and the suction inlet, the pressurized air inlet being angled with respect to the hollow elongated body to flow pressurized air in a direction from the pressurized air inlet to the air outlet and provide a suction at the suction inlet, the air outlet having an innerduct/microduct connector for connecting to an opening of the innerduct/microduct, and the suction inlet having a string inlet configured to accept string, and the method further comprising blowing air through the pressurized air inlet into the hollow elongated body and into the innerduct/microduct, wherein the air sucks the string through the string inlet and carries the string through the hollow elongated body and through the innerduct/microduct. A plurality of the proofing air jets can be connected to a manifold.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: CCIIP LLCInventor: Angelo J. Pino, Jr.
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Patent number: 11199755Abstract: A device includes a light-emitting device (LED) having at least two vertical light-emitting sides, and a ring-shaped light guide having a bottom side, a top side comprising a light-emitting surface, an inner sidewall, and an outer sidewall defining an indentation having at least two vertical in-coupling surfaces mated to the at least two vertical light-emitting sides of the LED.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Lumileds LLCInventors: Varun Dev Kakkar, Arjen Van Der Sijde, Erno Fancsali, Chunxia Feng, Nicola Bettina Pfeffer
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Patent number: 10948804Abstract: A device includes a light-emitting device (LED) having at least two vertical light-emitting sides, and a ring-shaped light guide having a bottom side, a top side comprising a light-emitting surface, an inner sidewall, and an outer sidewall defining an indentation having at least two vertical in-coupling surfaces mated to the at least two vertical light-emitting sides of the LED.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Lumileds LLCInventors: Varun Dev Kakkar, Arjen Van Der Sijde, Erno Fancsali, Chunxia Feng, Nicola Bettina Pfeffer
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Patent number: 10947832Abstract: An apparatus, system and/or method for making observations down a wellbore are provided. The wellbore observation system may comprise a mandrel that can be run downhole, and telescoping tracks can be utilized to move a camera and semi-conforming inflatable bladder out of the mandrel and into the wellbore. Once the bladder is inflated, it displaces high turbidity fluid in the wellbore to allow the camera to move about a track and observe the wellbore unobstructed. An alternative embodiment allows the mandrel and telescoping tracks to be utilized with other tools to perform cleaning, fishing, diagnostic, and analytic operations.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Spoked Solutions LLCInventors: Bryce Elliott Randle, Shane Joseph Triche, Heath Lawrence Triche
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Patent number: 10577877Abstract: A flow monitoring device for monitoring mud flow in a return line of a bore hole drilling operation, including a mounting bracket mounted to the return line with a viewing port for access to an interior of the return line. A light source illuminates, through the viewing port, a portion of the mud flow in an observation zone within the return line. A camera creates a plurality of images of the mud flow in the observation zone. A controller is configured to analyze the plurality images to: determine a level of the mud flow in the return line and the presence of at least one irregularity, track a movement of the irregularity across the plurality of images to determine a rate of movement of the irregularity, and calculate a flow rate of the mud flow through the return line based on the movement rate and the determined level.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: J.M. CANTY, INCInventors: Thomas M. Canty, Miles Priore, Colin Dalton
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Patent number: 10433708Abstract: An industrial operation having a system for remotely investigating and monitoring chemical reactions and structural and environmental conditions within the components of the industrial operation. The system includes a capsule having cameras within the capsule that operates to acquire data which is communicated to a monitor and relates to structural, environmental, chemical and/or fluid conditions within the components of the industrial operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Inventors: Bruce Yacyshyn, Mary E. Yacyshyn
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Patent number: 9854960Abstract: An illumination device includes a light output unit having an output end; an optical member that is disposed in a circumferential direction centered on a predetermined axis and that receives illumination light output from the output end and outputs the illumination light from a surface thereof; and a reflective layer that is provided adjacent to a surface of the optical member at an inner side in a radial direction and that reflects the illumination light outward in the radial direction. The optical member includes, in order from one end in a direction along the axis, a light guide layer and a diffusion layer. The light guide layer receives the illumination light from the output end in the direction along the axis and guides the illumination light. The diffusion layer receives the illumination light from the light guide layer and guides the illumination light while diffusing the illumination light.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Koichiro Furuta
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Patent number: 9256954Abstract: An image-capture device 1 includes: an image acquisition unit 111 that acquires a plurality of images that are successively captured; an identification unit 112 that identifies a golf ball B as a predetermined object in each of the plurality of images; a rotation calculation unit 113 that calculates the number of rotations of the predetermined object; a movement amount calculation unit 114 that calculates a total movement amount that the golf ball B has moved; and a slippage amount calculation unit 115 that calculates a slippage amount based on the number of rotations as well as the total movement amount.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventor: Yoshiaki Nakamura
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Patent number: 9222896Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for inspecting and monitoring an inner surface of a pipeline. One system includes a pig arranged within the pipeline, the pipeline being divided into first and second radial divisions, and first and second sets of optical computing devices arranged on the pig adjacent the inner surface of the pipeline, the first set being configured to monitor a first substance on the first radial division and the second set being configured to monitor a second substance on the second radial division. Each optical computing device includes an integrated computational element configured to optically interact with the first or second substance and thereby generate optically interacted light, and at least one detector arranged to receive the optically interacted light and generate an output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the first or second substance.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ola Tunheim, Robert P. Freese, Christopher M. Jones, Laurence J. Abney, James R. MacLennan, Thomas Idland
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Patent number: 9027895Abstract: A portable support for supporting equipment above a surface having an opening to a subsurface space. The support includes a head, an elevator on the head, and legs connected to the head for supporting the head above the surface. Each of the legs has a foot for engaging the surface when supporting the head above the surface. The support also includes an elongate rod vertically mounted on the elevator for movement between a raised position, in which an upper end of the rod extends above the head, and a lowered position, in which a lower end of the rod extends below the feet of the legs to extend into the subsurface space. The support includes an instrument platform positionable on the lower end of the rod when in the lowered position to support the equipment in the subsurface space when the rod is in the lowered position.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: SECO Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Hunter, James M. Copeland, Christopher James McNeill
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Patent number: 8824878Abstract: Disclosed are an illumination device and an inspection device of a tire that can easily detect abnormality of the shape of the manufactured tire. A photographing portion 18,19 photographs a inner peripheral surface of a tire T, while a driving portion 12 relatively rotates the tire T and a inspection portion 20 around an axis of the tire T, in the state of irradiating a light from a light source unit 36 disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the tire T toward the circumferential direction of the tire T.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignees: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd., Nihon Kizai Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirokatsu Mizukusa, Hitoshi Nakamoto, Wataru Otani
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Patent number: 8723943Abstract: An inspection system configured for “no-blow” use in a pressurized gas pipeline includes a push rod wound around a spool for convenient deployment and portability. A camera disposed on one end of the push rod is configured to relay images back to a monitor. A motor is configured for remote actuation by an operator, and provides for self-propelled movement of the camera in the pipeline. An entry tube is configured for sealed entry into the pipeline to facilitate entry of the camera and push rod. A guide shoe at the end of the entry tube provides a smooth transition for the camera and push rod as it leaves the entry tube and enters the pipeline. An automatically deployable and retractable positioning system is used to keep the camera away from an interior surface of the pipeline, and in the case of smaller pipelines, centers the camera within the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Inventors: G. Gregory Penza, George Lohr, Hermann Herrlich
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Publication number: 20130287380Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical element for use in a camera system for the inspection of passageways, a camera system for the inspection of passageways and a method of illuminating a passageway during inspection with a camera. An optical element for use in a camera system for the inspection of passageways comprises a first optical portion arranged to transmit light into a camera, a second optical portion arranged to transmit light emitted from a light source, the second optical portion located adjacent the first optical portion, and barrier means arranged to prevent light being transmitted from the second optical portion into the first optical portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: E.V. Offshore LimitedInventors: Jonathan Thursby, Shaun Peck
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Patent number: 8556799Abstract: A guide tube having a tube; a ciliary portion including many cilia inclined in a longitudinal direction of the tube, provided in an outer peripheral portion of the tube; and a vibration portion provided on the tube for vibrating the ciliary portion so as to move the tube in the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Tomokazu Iwasaki, Eiichi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8351780Abstract: An imaging system to collect image data relating to a conical liquid film and its hollow conical spray emanating from an injector with a central spray axis includes a light source for emitting light into the film and spray generated by the injector; and a detector array located downstream from the injector along the central spray axis for panoramically detecting instantaneously for the entire film and spray the emitted light which has interacted with the spray to produce the image data.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Carsten Ralf Mehring
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Publication number: 20120134656Abstract: Disclosed are an illumination device and an inspection device of a tire that can easily detect abnormality of the shape of the manufactured tire. A photographing portion 18,19 photographs a inner peripheral surface of a tire T, while a driving portion 12 relatively rotates the tire T and a inspection portion 20 around an axis of the tire T, in the state of irradiating a light from a light source unit 36 disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the tire T toward the circumferential direction of the tire T.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicants: NIHON KIZAI CO., LTD., TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.Inventors: Hirokatsu Mizukusa, Hitoshi Nakamoto, Wataru Otani
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Patent number: 7940297Abstract: An inspection system configured for “no-blow” use in a pressurized gas pipeline includes a push rod wound around a spool for convenient deployment and portability. A camera disposed on one end of the push rod is configured to relay images back to a monitor. A motor is configured for remote actuation by an operator, and provides for self-propelled movement of the camera in the pipeline. An entry tube is configured for sealed entry into the pipeline to facilitate entry of the camera and push rod. A guide shoe at the end of the entry tube provides a smooth transition for the camera and push rod as it leaves the entry tube and enters the pipeline. An automatically deployable and retractable positioning system is used to keep the camera away from an interior surface of the pipeline, and in the case of smaller pipelines, centers the camera within the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: ULC Robotics, Inc.Inventors: G. Gregory Penza, George Lohr, Hermann Herrlich
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Patent number: 7889980Abstract: An apparatus for generating a visual representation may include an elongated flexible member adapted to be removably inserted into an enclosure; a dispensing mechanism operable to selectively dispense and retract the elongated flexible member; a counter configured to determine an amount of the elongated flexible member dispensed by the dispensing mechanism; a controller configured to receive the amount of the elongated flexible member dispensed from the counter and determine a rate at which the elongated flexible member is dispensed; and a display in data communication with the controller. The controller causes the rate at which the flexible member is dispensed to be displayed in relation to a visual representation of the enclosure on the display.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventor: Josh Sooy
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Patent number: 7715701Abstract: A system whose most common use is that of inspecting conduits such as sewers, drainage pipes, water, gas and oil conduits. The system comprises the following individual components: a rotary contact assembly, a control unit, a push rod assembly, and a video camera assembly mounted on a carrier. It also includes a video display unit which may be on the carrier or separately provided. Each of these components may be easily disconnected and reconnected so that any failed component can be determined and replaced in the field, yet maintaining the system's integrity against damage from the type of effluent in which it is required to operate. There are novel splices for damaged wires and/or push rods. Such splices are for damage repairs and changes in length of push rod assemblies which can done in the field instead of having to return the entire system to have any repairs made.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Inventor: Frederick M. Lange
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Patent number: 7551197Abstract: An inspection system configured for “no-blow” use in a pressurized gas pipeline includes a push rod wound around a spool for convenient deployment and portability. A camera disposed on one end of the push rod is configured to relay images back to a monitor. A motor is configured for remote actuation by an operator, and provides for self-propelled movement of the camera in the pipeline. An entry tube is configured for sealed entry into the pipeline to facilitate entry of the camera and push rod. A guide shoe at the end of the entry tube provides a smooth transition for the camera and push rod as it leaves the entry tube and enters the pipeline. An automatically deployable and retractable positioning system is used to keep the camera away from an interior surface of the pipeline, and in the case of smaller pipelines, centers the camera within the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: ULC Robotics, Inc.Inventors: G. Gregory Penza, George Lohr, Hermann Herrlich
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Patent number: 6714729Abstract: An automatic motion-controlled photographing apparatus, according to the present invention, a rotatable turntable is located above an upper surface of a box of a controller fixedly supported on a tripod, and a camera is set onto the turntable. The turntable, on which the camera is set, is rotated at a given angle of rotation responsive to a signal from a turntable drive circuit disposed in the controller, and a shutter of the camera is turned on via a non-contact signal relay in response to a signal from a shutter drive circuit for photographing the same photograph images, each in one frame, at an angle of 360 degrees as those of an on-site field.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: NTT Infrastructure Network CorporationInventors: Shinichi Sugiura, Kazuhiro Otsuki, Ken Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 6621516Abstract: A system for securing image data of an environment including a camera having a panoramic lens mounted on a cart. In one embodiment, the motor mounted on the cart is battery operated so that the cart is self contained. In one embodiment, the cart is mounted on a pair of caterpillar treads, each tread having its own motor controlled to drive the motor forward, backward or to turn. For inline inspection, such as the inside of a pipe, the camera is mounted on the cart by cantilevered legs that permit adjusting the height of the camera above the surface supporting the cart (the interior surface of the pipe and maintains the axis of the panoramic lens parallel with the pipe. In other versions, the cart is equipped to form images of pipe whose interior surface has been penetrated by phospohescent laced water that weeps from outside the pipe into the pipe interior.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Inventors: Thomas Wasson, Susanne M Montemayor, Robert S. Smith
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Patent number: 6611661Abstract: A mechanical self-leveling camera assembly for remote positioning from a deployment position is provided. The self-leveling camera assembly comprises a camera, a weight, a camera housing, and an elongate rod for deploying the camera assembly. The camera and weight are freely rotatable within the housing about an axis such that gravitational forces maintain the rotational orientation of the camera independent of the housing. A slip ring may be included for positioning between the camera housing and the camera, for receipt of, for example, ground, power, or video wires. The camera optionally includes a light-emitting diode ring especially useful for lighting near zero ambient light environments.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2002Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Clean Line IncorporatedInventor: John S. Buck