Abstract: A system comprises an instrument having a bendable portion with first and control elements extending in the bendable portion and a control system operably coupled to an actuator and a sensor. The control system operates to, while the bendable portion is in a neutral position, command the actuator to move the first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element and command the actuator to move the second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element. The control system also receives a first control element calibration position after moving the first control element the first amount and receives a second control element calibration position after moving the second control element the second amount. The control system also commands the actuator to bend the bendable portion from the neutral position and determine a resulting shape of the bendable portion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of measuring longitude deformation of blades. The radiation and rotation speed of the blade are collected by an optical probe and a synchronized rotation sensor. The stretch of the blade is able to be determined by the obvious change in the light intensity detected by the optical probe. The precision servo motor keeps driving the optical probe to move upward. The collected radiation is compared with the radiation collected on the previous point. The stretch of the blade is calculated based on position of the blade tip which is determined by the time when the high level radiation from the blade is disappeared. The longitude deformation of the blade is calculated by plugging the stretch into the deformation equation. Mapping the calculated deformation with the number of the blade calculated with rotation speed synchronizing signals to achieve the deformation of all the blades.

Abstract: A tuning focus apparatus designed for use with a camera coupled to a medical device is provided. The camera includes a base housing for storing an image sensor and an optical lens. The tuning focus apparatus includes a gear housing coupled to the base housing, a drive gear rotatably mounted to the gear housing, a driven gear rotatably mounted to the gear housing and connected to the drive gear, a gear rack disposed in the base housing and engaged with the driven gear, and a board coupled to the gear rack and designed to secure the image sensor thereon. Rotational movement of the drive gear drives the driven gear to slidably adjust the gear rack, thereby adjusting a separation distance between the image sensor and optical lens.

Abstract: An example turbomachine probe assembly includes a probe body extending along a probe axis from a first sensor end to an opposing second end. An eccentric retention feature is configured to engage the probe body into contact with wall having an aperture that receives the probe body. The eccentric retention feature limits movement of the probe body along the probe axis relative to the wall.

Abstract: A propulsion apparatus for an endoscope includes a propulsion assembly for mounting on a tip device of the endoscope, for propulsion in a body cavity. First and second wire devices are disposed to extend from the tip device in a proximal direction, having a coil winding, for rotating to drive the propulsion assembly. First and second motors are connected with proximal ends of respectively the first and second wire devices, for rotating the first and second wire devices. A timer is actuated if a speed difference between rotational speeds of the first and second motors becomes equal to or more than a reference speed value, for measuring an elapsed time. A break detector detects breakage of the first wire device if the elapsed time becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined time. A controller controls the first and second motors in response to an output of the break detector.

Abstract: A fixture 4 for endoscopic inspection is provided with insertion direction regulating portions for regulating an access direction of an insertion portion of an endoscope fixed to an access port for an endoscope of an engine and connecting an external access port disposed on an exterior cover of the engine to an internal access port disposed on an exterior shroud of the engine and an installation direction regulating portion for uniquely regulating an installation direction so that the insertion direction regulating portions match the access direction at a time of attachment to the external access port.

Abstract: Systems and methods provided herein. In one embodiment, a borescope system includes a probe to capture images and a display a settings menu, measurements, the images captured by the probe, or any combination thereof. In addition, the borescope system a processor programmed to display a user interface to enable a user to control movement of the probe, adjust settings, navigate menus, make selections, or any combination thereof. The processor is communicatively coupled to the probe, and the display, and is programmed to instruct the borescope to enter a live menu view when an articulation mode is selected from the settings menu. In the live menu view, the processor is programmed to instruct the display to display the images captured by the probe, and to enable a user to control the movement of the probe and adjust articulation sensitivity of the probe while viewing the images on the display.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope having an insertion portion provided with an observation optical system that inspects a plurality of blades that are periodically disposed at a periphery of a rotary shaft of a rotor of an engine, and rotate around the rotary shaft, a guide tube that is introduced into a compressor section, and guides the insertion portion, a first fixing portion that is provided at the guide tube and fixes the guide tube in an inside of the engine, and a second fixing portion that is provided in a position separated by having a predetermined distance from the first fixing portion in the guide tube, and fixes the guide tube with an outer jacketing cover of the engine.

Abstract: An endoscope including a bending operation apparatus including a bending operation mechanism section and a bending portion braking mechanism section in an operation section, the bending operation mechanism section includes a bending lever, a first bearing member transmitting a force of the lever, and a cylindrical member rotated with an operation of the lever, and the bending portion braking mechanism section includes a bending state keeping lever, a braking shaft body transmitting a force of the lever, a second bearing member pivotally supporting the braking shaft body, a rotation pressing member rotating around an axis of the second bearing member, and having inclined projection portions, a slide pressing member having inclined projection portions opposed to the projection portions, a friction member abutting on the cylindrical member, a regulation member regulating a gap where the friction member is disposed, and positioning members regulating a braking force of the friction.

Abstract: A cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) liner inspection system used to inspect a resin level in a CIPP liner that has been impregnated with resin using an inspection chamber having an optical sensor. The CIPP liner inspection system is also used to identify zones within an installed CIPP liner having lower mechanical strength due to inadequate distribution of resin using a robotic unit having an optical sensor. The optical sensor measures an optical property, which is used to determine a resin level or a mechanical property based on predetermined correlations between the optical property and the resin level and predetermined correlations between the optical property and the mechanical property.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an optical probe; and a robotic transport so adapted to the optical probe as to move the optical probe inside a drilled hole to measure the drilled hole at one or more depths.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an optical probe; and a robotic transport so adapted to the optical probe as to move the optical probe inside a drilled hole to measure the drilled hole at one or more depths.

Abstract: A visual inspection device for inspecting interior passages of a system is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the visual inspection device includes a visual inspection tool and a tube having a lumen disposed therein, the visual inspection tool being disposed at a distal end of the tube. A plurality of actuators are disposed along an axial extent of an exterior of the tube, and a locomotor is disposed on an exterior of the tube. A locator for tracking a location of the visual inspection tool is also provided as part of the visual inspection device.

Abstract: A multi-stage gear box (122) of a wind power plant, wherein the gear box (122) includes a gear box housing (125). The gear box (122) includes at least one access opening for the insertion of a work instrument into the gear box housing (125) or respectively into the interior of the gear box housing (125) is provided on the outside of the gear box housing (125) and in that at least one guiding device (201, 202, 203, 204, 205) is provided for the work instrument inside the gear box housing (125) so that the work instrument is moveable and/or positionable within the guiding device (201, 202, 203, 204, 205). Parts of the gear box (122) in the gear box housing (125) are checked and/or worked by a work instrument inserted or arranged or arrangeable in the guiding device (201, 202, 203, 204, 205).

Abstract: A visual inspection device for inspecting interior passages of a system is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the visual inspection device includes a visual inspection tool and a tube having a lumen disposed therein, the visual inspection tool being disposed at a distal end of the tube. A plurality of actuators are disposed along an axial extent of an exterior of the tube, and a locomotor is disposed on an exterior of the tube. A locator for tracking a location of the visual inspection tool is also provided as part of the visual inspection device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for inspecting holes in components. The apparatus includes a telecentric lens system positionable at a near end of a hole with an optical axis of the lens system aligned with the axis of the hole to image the interior of the hole. The apparatus further includes an illumination system for illuminating the interior of the hole. The apparatus further includes a camera arranged to receive an image of the illuminated interior of the hole from the telecentric lens system. The illumination system includes a light source for producing a beam of parallel light, and optics for directing the produced beam through the telecentric lens system along the optical axis thereof, and through the hole. The beam reaches the far end of the hole, and is reflected from a surface located at or adjacent the far end of the hole to illuminate the interior of the hole.

Abstract: A device. The device includes a sensor portion and a chassis portion. The sensor portion includes a plurality of sensing devices. The chassis portion is connected to the sensor portion and includes a first track and a second track. The second track is positioned adjacent the first track. The first and second tracks cooperate to substantially cover an entire width of the chassis portion.

Abstract: A method of securing a releasable component in an assembled engine by inserting a conduit through an aperture in a casing of the engine, the conduit being carried by a borescope and directing the borescope to the releasable component, and supplying an adhesive onto the releasable component through the conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus for imaging the wall of a borehole drilled through an underground formation, comprising: a light source; an optical detector device such as a CCD camera; a sensor head including a window for application against the wall of the borehole, the light source being connected to the sensor head so as to illuminate the region of the borehole wall when the sensor head is applied to the wall; and an optical fiber bundle connecting the window to the optical detector device so as to pass optical signals from the wall to the optical detector device; wherein the optical fiber bundle comprises a coherent bundle, each fiber of the coherent bundle providing one pixel of a two-dimensional, multi-pixel image of the borehole wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the internal outline of a duct or cavity, comprises light-emitting means (71) suitable for generating a collimated light beam, an elongate probe element (51; 51?; 51?) suitable for being introduced into the duct and for guiding the collimated beam along a predetermined propagation direction, reflector means (52) supported by the probe element (51; 51?; 51?) and suitable for deflecting the collimated beam so as to illuminate the internal wall of the duct, and for deflecting the reflected or diffused light coming from an illuminated point (P) of the internal wall so as to guide it along the probe element (51; 51?; 51?), and detection means (76) suitable for receiving an image of the illuminated point (P), which image is correlated with the optical distance of the point from the detection means (76), and for providing a corresponding electrical signal. The image is formed by the light guided by the receiving reflector means (52).

Abstract: A system for monitoring deflection of a downhole tool assembly. The system comprises a beam source directing a beam at a receptor positioned proximate the downhole tool assembly. The receptor detects the position of incidence of the beam at the receptor. A processor receives signals from the receptor and determines angular deflection of the downhole tool assembly based on incidence of the beam at the receptor. Information from other orientation sensors is also used to determine magnitude and direction of deflection. Deflection information is used by an operator or a control system to maintain or correct the course of the downhole tool assembly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for locating foreign objects on the internal surface of ear and ear canal whereby a probe having a light emitting distal portion is inserted into the ear canal, the method further comprising the steps of:—directing light from the distal portion of the probe to illuminate at least one point or the internal circumferential surface of the ear and/or ear canal,—receiving the light reflected from the illuminated surface, and directing the received light to at least one light sensitive element to generate an output,—analyzing the output with respect to spectral composition in order to identify foreign objects. The invention also relates to an apparatus for locating foreign objects on the internal surface of ear and ear canal.

Abstract: When a capsule is manufactured, a unique number such as a serial number is stored in non-volatile memory in the capsule. If the capsule is used with an external apparatus, the unique number is sent from the capsule to the external apparatus. The external apparatus relates each unique number with a capsule ID comprising a small number of bits in a management table formed in non-volatile memory and sends the capsule ID to the capsule, and the capsule ID with the small number of bits is set as an identifier in the capsule. In this manner, it is made unnecessary to provide a switch in the capsule for setting the identifier and it becomes possible to reduce and send the quantity of information sent as the identifier.

Abstract: An inspection system is provided that includes a camera and a laser distance measuring device. The camera has high magnification capabilities and can be panned and tilted as needed. The laser distance measuring device provides information regarding the distance from the camera to the object being imaged. The camera and laser distance measuring device are carried by a frame, which has an elongated member attached thereto for resting the frame on a surface. This configuration makes the inspection system well suited to inspect horizontal pipelines without feeding the camera along the length of the pipeline.

Abstract: A method for obtaining position data relating to a probe in the ear canal whereby a probe is inserted into the ear canal, the method further comprising the steps of:—determine the distance from the distal portion of the probe to at least one point of the internal circumferential surface of the ear and/or car canal,—obtaining position data using first transducing means associated with the distal portion of the probe and second transducing means fixed relative to the head of the person, where the first transducing means is transmitting a magnetic field, and the second transducing means are detecting the magnetic field generated by the transmitter. The invention also relates to an apparatus for obtaining position data relating to a probe in the ear canal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining geometrical data relating to the internal surface of the ear canal and/or ear whereby a probe having a light emitting distal portion is inserted into the ear canal, the method including the steps of: directing light from a distal portion of a probe to illuminate at least one point of the internal circumferential surface of the ear and/or ear canal, receiving the light reflected from the illuminated surface, and directing the received light to at least one light sensitive element to generate an output, and analyzing the output to determine the distance from the probe to the internal surface of the ear and/or ear canal at points of the circumference.

Abstract: A micro-robot for colonoscope with motor locomotion comprises an information detecting unit for obtaining information of the interior of the colon and a driving unit for generating its own locomotion and moving the information detecting unit without causing any damages to the walls of the colon.