Patent US6505525B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6505525B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for inspecting lateral sewer pipes
Assignee: Aries Ind Inc
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Filing: 2002-06-27
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Granted: 2003-01-14
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Expires: 2022-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A self-propelled lateral inspection apparatus includes a body, a main camera fixed to the body, and a lateral camera movable with respect to the body into a lateral sewer pipe. A low frequency beacon is carried by the lateral camera or may be provided separately from the lateral camera. The beacon may be used to determine the position of the lateral camera in the lateral sewer pipe, or to map the lateral sewer pipe. A picture-in-picture processor is carried by the body, and permits an above-ground user to view video images from both the main and lateral cameras simultaneously on a single monitor screen.
Inventors
- 👤 R. Michael McGrew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/005; G01M3/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of inspecting a lateral pipe from a main pipe with a pipe inspection apparatus including a frame movable within the main pipe, a lateral camera movable with respect to the frame and insertable into the lateral pipe, and a main camera mounted to the frame, the method comprising: providing a monitor; displaying images from the lateral camera and the main camera simultaneously on the monitor; maneuvering the inspection apparatus within the main pipe to a position proximate the lateral opening while simultaneously viewing the main camera and lateral camera images; aligning the lateral camera with the lateral opening while viewing the lateral camera images; and inserting the so-aligned lateral camera into the lateral pipe.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of inspecting a lateral pipe from a main pipe with a pipe inspection apparatus including a frame movable within the main pipe, a lateral camera movable with respect to the frame and insertable into the lateral pipe, and a main camera mounted to the frame, the method comprising: providing a monitor; displaying images from the lateral camera and the main camera simultaneously on the monitor; maneuvering the inspection apparatus within the main pipe to a position proximate the lateral opening while simultaneously viewing the main camera and lateral camera images; aligning the lateral camera with the lateral opening while viewing the lateral camera images; and inserting the so-aligned lateral camera into the lateral pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: positioning the lateral camera within the field of view of the main camera; and wherein said aligning step includes monitoring both the lateral camera and the lateral opening with the main camera while aligning the lateral camera with the lateral opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the aligning step includes rotating the lateral camera about a longitudinal axis of the frame while viewing the lateral camera and the lateral opening in the image from the main camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the displaying step includes simultaneously displaying images on a single monitor with a picture-in-picture processor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the inserting step includes inserting a cable with the lateral camera, the method further comprising measuring the amount of cable that has been inserted into the lateral pipe with a meter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the act of measuring includes measuring with a meter including a rotor magnet and a pair of Hall switches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising retracting the lateral camera and cable from the lateral pipe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 7 , further comprising positioning the inspection apparatus within the main pipe near a second lateral pipe while simultaneously monitoring the main and lateral images, and inserting the lateral camera and cable into the second lateral pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: inserting a beacon into the lateral pipe with the lateral camera; emitting a signal from a beacon connected to the lateral camera; and receiving the signal with a receiver to indicate the position of the lateral camera within the lateral pipe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising: mapping the lateral pipe from images provided by the lateral camera and main camera, and the position indicated by the beacon and receiver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising protecting the main camera from being physically damaged in the event of a roll-over with a shield mounted to the frame near the main camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising illuminating the main pipe and the lateral pipe with LED's mounted on the main camera and the lateral camera.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of providing includes providing a processor for simultaneously displaying images from the main camera and the lateral camera on the monitor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of providing includes providing a first monitor and a second monitor, and the act of displaying includes displaying the image from the lateral camera on the first monitor while simultaneously displaying the image from the main camera on the second monitor.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for inspecting a lateral pipe from a main pipe with a lateral inspection apparatus having main and lateral cameras, the method comprising: viewing the main pipe with a main camera; positioning the inspection apparatus near a lateral opening in the main pipe while viewing the image from the main camera; aligning the lateral camera with the lateral opening while viewing the lateral camera and the lateral opening with the main camera; inserting the lateral camera into the lateral pipe through the lateral opening; and viewing the lateral pipe with the lateral camera.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for inspecting a lateral pipe from a main pipe with a lateral inspection apparatus having main and lateral cameras, the method comprising: viewing the main pipe with a main camera; positioning the inspection apparatus near a lateral opening in the main pipe while viewing the image from the main camera; aligning the lateral camera with the lateral opening while viewing the lateral camera and the lateral opening with the main camera; inserting the lateral camera into the lateral pipe through the lateral opening; and viewing the lateral pipe with the lateral camera.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein said aligning step includes simultaneously viewing images from the main and lateral cameras.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-01-13 | 2006-07-15 | 2007-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-13 | 2010-07-15 | 2011-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-13 | 2014-07-15 | 2015-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |