DE2640482A1 - Low altitude stable surveying instrument support - with telescoping inclining mast can also be used for underwater surveying - Google Patents

Abstract

A surveying device is for use in low altitude applications which present difficulties for the use of fixed-wing or rotor-driven aircraft. It is also useful for underwater surveying. It is designed to enable surveying instruments to be deployed on the ground, on platforms, or on ships, and to allow the instruments to operate at heights or depths required for air survey, other surveying operations, and equivalent underwater measurements. The device has an extendable telescopic mast attached to a base stand and an arrangement for attaching transmitters and receivers of visual andother signals to the masthead. Self-locking base clamps are adjustable to permit any desired mast orientation.

Description

This invention relates to surveying equipment.

Aerial photography is versatile and widespread, and the use of airplanes or helicopters as a camera platform is known. Aerial photos can be taken at high altitudes, or be carried out near the ground. The apparatus described in this invention is primarily, but not exclusively, intended for the latter purpose. Aircraft are often subject to restrictions and cannot go below certain minimum altitudes operate. Fixed-wing aircraft need to move, and are therefore unable to keep running To give visual information to a special place at a low altitude. Helicopters can remain stationary, their operation however, they are expensive, they are noisy, and the camera tripod suffers from shocks. Furthermore, they cause an underwind, and the rotor blade causes inconvenience. Underwater photography also causes problems; for example dangerous conditions for divers, and turbulence that causes the cameras, which are suspended from cables, to wobble.

The aim of this invention is to provide surveying equipment, which can be placed on the ground, a platform or a ship, but reach a height or depth, effectively replaces aerial photographs and other surveying work carried out on the ground, or for the appropriate underwater work can be used.

One embodiment of the present invention consists of a surveying device with a pedestal, an extendible and a retractable one telescopic mast to be placed on the base, the necessary means for mounting signal transmitters and receivers, visually and / or otherwise, at the free top of the mast and self-locking screw connections for supporting the Masts on the base, which can be adjusted to tilt the mast into any desired position.

The mast can be operated pneumatically or hydraulically.

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The device can easily be disassembled into the individual parts: base, mast, transmitter / receiver mounting means and connecting parts v / earth.

In a preferred embodiment, the mast has a lower support column and an extendable section. The lower one Support column can be mounted on the base and clamped by the screw connections, while the extendable Section is pivotable in the lower bearing in the support column. The support column can with the necessary funds for the Positioning the pull-out part in the working position and aligning it with the column the extendable section on the lower bearing pivots from the initial horizontal position. This interpretation is for the application in cases when the mast, even fully retracted, is still considerably long and heavy, so that its attachment in vertical position on the pedestal would cause difficulties.

For the camera assembly, a control cable usually has to be connected to the base, the necessary means for disconnecting and Rolling up when extending and retracting the mast can be provided. This device should preferably have two multi-pane Provide devices in which the cable moves as if in a multiple pulley block, this being a multi-sheave Bearing arranged on the base, while the other is resiliently suspended from the lower portion of the mast.

The control commands can be given by a unit separate from the pedestal, which is connected to the pedestal by a cable is connected. If a television camera is used, the necessary devices for video tape recording of the The television picture.

The device can be set up for use underwater by creating a guide for the pedestal, such as a track on the leg of a drilling platform. Then the mast can be pulled down so that the top can cooperate with the structure underwater.

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The assembly for sending and / or receiving the signals is conveniently suspended in swivel bearings for two axes kgnn one axis parallel to the mast. This assembly contains at least one movie or television camera, and the Pan movements correspond to the pan and tilt movements of the camera. If the assembly with a television camera is equipped, a corresponding monitoring screen is provided in the control. In a preferred embodiment a reflex film camera is built into the group while the television camera is set to the viewfinder.

The pedestal has stabilizers that lie to the side of the mast and the screw connections. Appropriate this would be a platform for supporting a weight, such as the wheel of a motor vehicle. This could also be with Extendable legs can be set up to increase the span, and would be free-standing that way. the Legs can be fitted with adjustable foot pieces at their tips.

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The invention can be operated in various ways and some embodiments are described below, wherein the specified reference symbols relate to the accompanying drawings. Where:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the three main components of the surveying device,

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of the surveying apparatus of this invention;

Fig. 3 is a partial section in elevation of the head of the camera,

Figure 4 is a diagram of the cable take-up device as part of the device,

Figure 5 is a view, similar to Figure 2, of other surveying devices according to this invention,

Figure 6 is an elevation of a simplified surveying device, Figure 7 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic partial elevation of one equipped with the surveying apparatus of this invention Underwater drilling platform.

The surveying device consists of three main components: The mast base 1, the camera unit 2, and the control and monitoring unit 3 · The camera unit 2 is on the top of the telescopic mast 4 arranged, the Pernsteuerbommands of the unit 3 are transmitted through the multi-core cable 5.

The camera unit can be used with a single camera for photos, Film or television or a combination of all versions. If a reflex film camera is available, a television camera can be set to the viewfinder to display the image recorded by the camera on the monitoring screen to appear on the control system. Depending on your choice, the camera can be equipped with a power-operated varifocal lens, adjustment device, Orifice and other control systems. If two

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or several cameras are available, they can be coupled, i.e. operated together or individually. Furthermore, provisions are made to pan and tilt the camera unit, an Art Dec design for this Setup is described later in connection with Figure 5. The control commands for the camera unit are preferred transmitted by a multi-core cable 6, which is unrolled together with the mast. This is used later in the context device described with picture 4. However, it is also possible to use wireless point control, or with simple ones Versions of the device to provide a mechanical camera release by Bowden cable or a pneumatic line *.

The control and monitoring unit 3 is connected to the monitoring screen 7 equipped on which the image recorded by the television camera appears, either directly or through the viewfinder of the Camera is photographed. Furthermore, there is a control panel 8 with all the pushbuttons, buttons and switches for the Operation of the cameras, the mast, and the associated power generator provided. These controls are not individual but include the controls for the extension and retraction of the mast, the tilt and swivel angle of the mast, the video signals, the camera shutters, the film winding with a single-image camera, the panning and tilting of the camera unit, the operation of the lens, the setting and the aperture, as well as the power switch. The commands of the controller are transmitted through the multi-core cable 5. A connector is used for the output of the television, so that a video tape on took device (not shown) can be connected to the device.

The surveying device shown in Figure 2 has the pedestal including the square platform 102 with two Stabilizing supports 103, which are attached in the middle of the two longer platform sides. This pedestal has a robust construction and is designed to hold a vehicle wheel.

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At the end of one support 103, a universal joint 104 is provided for fastening the mast support column 105. These Column can be removed from the pedestal with or without the universal joint 104. Also the mast support column 105 is of robust construction, e.g. a box-shaped steel beam. Two clamping bolts 106, which act as struts, serve as reinforcement serve between two adjacent corners of the platform 2 and locations approximately in the middle of the column 105, but not necessarily need to be at the same height as shown. At the corners of the platform are the protruding pins 107 attached, which fit into the eyes of the clamping bolts 106, and are locked there by the pins 108. Similar Pins 109 are attached to the column 105. The eyelets on the other side of the clamping bolts 106 fit into these and become locked there by pins 110. The eyelets are attached to spherical mountings to prevent the mast from tilting by extending or screwing together one or both clamping bolts. Lie in the top view these roughly at right angles to each other. The clamping bolts 106 are self-locking, so that the column 105 in any desired Location is held.

The telescopic mast 111 is mounted in a pivot bearing on the support column 105 and can be used with it in any position be aligned. The mast is telescopic and extends pneumatically. This is done by the on the side The hand pump attached to the support column 105 with the connecting hose 113 to the mast. The pivot bearing for the mast consists of the support 114 attached to the bottom of the outer tube. The outer tube encompasses the lower part of the support column 105, while a journal 115 through support 114 and column 105 engages and is secured by the pin 116. To this Way is the mast between the fully drawn horizontal position and the upright position shown in dashed lines pivotable, and is aligned with column 105.

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In order to achieve this, a hand crank 117 is attached to the upper end of the mast support column 105, its cable 118 is connected to a point on the mast 111 by a shackle or similar attachment. In the raised position is the bolt 119 is pushed transversely through a fitting (not shown) on the outer tube of the telescopic mast and locked by a small cross pin (also not shown). However, the desired tilt angle of the mast should not be easy can be achieved by adjusting the clamping bolts, e.g. if the head should have a view of a terrain, it is possible to leave it in an intermediate layer when pulling it up. In this case, it is preferable to use stiffening chains to be attached to the latch 119 and attached to the perimeter of the mast, It is possible to measure leverage at the aft end of the mast and correct for excessive extension or tilting if necessary this force should endanger the stability of the device.

The inner tube of the telescopic mast is at the top with the means for receiving a camera unit or Equipped similar devices for sending or receiving signals. It is possible to set up a facility for to provide the gyroscopic control of the camera unit and / or the entire mast in order to target the cameras and the mast in the desired location. Furthermore, the cable retractor described below can be attached will.

The camera unit can be equipped with electric pan and tilt motors. The connection between these motors and However, the parts they move should be as free from shock and vibration as possible, so that the cameras are not adversely affected. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to provide a slip clutch in the drive, in the event of a that the unit accidentally hits an obstacle. Even though it is driven by gears or friction disks

is
conceivable t ^ 'äve to prefer a belt drive. A simple design of the camera unit with such a drive is shown in Figure 3.

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A pin 48 fits in the top of the telescopic mast land is equipped with a concentric bearing 49 which for receiving the shaft 50 attached to the support bracket 51 at the bottom. On the bottom of the angle is also the large disc 52 is mounted concentrically with the shaft 50.

This is coupled to a small pulley by a belt 53. The is used to drive this small disc Swivel motor 55, which is fastened hanging down on a disk 56 attached to the top of the pin connection.

It is understandable that when the motor 55 is switched on, the angle 51 rotates relatively slowly about the mast axis.

To avoid excessive twisting of the wires (not shown) To avoid this, a certain pivoting arc can be limited by limit switches, or if unlimited pivoting is desired the use of slip rings is available.

The vertical leg of the angle 51 is equipped at the top with the bearing in which the shaft 58 rotates. This is on the side coupled to the mounting plate 59 for the cameras. The drive uses similar elements as the angle, a large one Pulley 60 is driven by belt 61 from a small pulley 62 on the shaft of the tilt motor. This motor is also attached to the bracket 51. Limit switches can also be provided here.

The camera unit consists of a reflex film camera 64 and a television camera 65 set to the viewfinder of the camera 64.

A pan and tilt device for the camera unit not necessary. So that the swivel direction always corresponds to the target direction set on the floor the telescopic tubes can be equipped with a wedge profile. In this case, during the undressing it becomes a mutual Twisting does not occur. It is then possible to use the camera

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on the ground in a position that corresponds to the correct position calculated after lifting the mast is equivalent to. When using a Polaroid camera, the results can be checked immediately. Otherwise, a camera with a wide-angle lens can be used Used to ensure that a certain object has been "hit". To get the right positioning too If the area to be photographed is open, the camera unit with visors or other can facilitate Facilities are equipped that are aligned with the center of the site by sight. The camera is then definitely positioned correctly.

Instead of the spline in the tubes, which is intricate, the cylindrical surface can remain, in which case the Target swivel position with the mast extended by manually turning the second largest tube, as shown below in Correspondence with Figure 5 is achieved.

The device is first mounted by placing the base 101 on the floor and loading it with weights One way of doing this is to maneuver a vehicle until a wheel is on the platform 102 comes. To make this possible, the mast and the tensioning screws are only arranged on one side of the platform. The lower end of the tensioning screws 106 is then hooked into the pins 107, on which the mast support rod 105 is attached mounted and secured on the universal joint 104 of the protruding beam 103, while the upper ends of the Clamping bolts are pushed over the pins 109. Thereon the telescopic mast 111 is attached to the pivot pin 115, the cable 117 is hung and the hand crank 116 rotated to raise the mast and next to the column 105 align where it is secured by the latch 119. Locking pins are used as required. Then it will be

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the camera unit is mounted. This can be done while the mast 111 is still horizontal, or raised a few meters became. However, it is also possible to provide a ladder or steps that allow the camera unit in the to mount the mast in the upright position. Then the mast is turned into the required position by actuating the pump 112 Extended position. A release valve (not shown) is provided to relieve pressure for the retraction of the mast dismantle.

The multi-core cable (not shown in Figure 2) for the transmission of the control commands to the camera unit must be long enough to reach the top of the mast when fully extended. When retracting the mast, such a Long cables cause difficulties, so it must be stored properly. Because of this, a Automatic unwinding device available, which air rolls the cable when the mast is extended and again when it is retracted rolls up. This eliminates the need to use the expensive slip rings normally required.

A diagram of the cable unwinding device is shown in Figure 4. It consists of two sets of pulleys 67 and 68, around which the cable is laid in the manner of a pulley. The lower pulley set 67 is on Base attached, while the upper 68 is suspended from a highly elastic, shock-absorbing rope 69, which is around a Disc 70 runs on top of the wide base tube of the telescopic mast and is fixed in the base. The cable 6 is connected on one side by a plug connection to the base, leads from there to the upper disk set and then from the lower set of disks to the camera unit.

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Verm, the mast is fully retracted, the upper one is; Sheave set 68 near the lower mast section, the cable is rolled up between the sheave sets. A longer cable is required to extend the mast, and as the cable unwinds, the upper set of disks moves closer to the lower. No excessive tension is exerted on the cable due to the flashlight tension, but the cable 69 is under considerable tension. When the mast is retracted, the cable goes back into the pulley set and the distance between the pulley sets is increased.

Figure 5 shows a somewhat simplified version of the device according to Figure 2, the parts of the same type have the same code number, but with the index a.

The main difference between these designs is the fact that the mast 111a is fixed to the support column 105a and the latter can only be tilted in one direction on the pedestal. It is here To make the device lighter, the fully retracted mast can be easily moved to the upright by hand together with the column Positioned and mounted on the base.

In order to go into further details, instead of the universal joint, two upwardly directed pins 120 are attached to one of the beams 103§_, which serve to suspend the spherical bearings provided on the lower part of the column 105§_ in a base plate 121. The position of the column is then secured with pins (not shown). The mast is received in the lower support bearing 122 and braced to the column 105a by the upper bracket 123. This also serves as a bearing for the handpunpe 112a for the mast on the opposite side of the column 105a. The lower part of the pump lies in a further clamping bracket 124. The clamping bolts 106a are again provided as supports for the mast (only one is clearly visible), the lower ends of which are not at the corners

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of the platform 102a but are attached to the beams 125, and thus form a right angle with the beams 103a.

It is therefore not possible to tilt the mast by a greater amount in the plane of the beams 103a. By working together of the spherical bearings in the base plate 121 with the after upwardly directed pin 120, however, it is possible to make the mast perpendicular to this plane and parallel to the vertical one to tilt the plane formed by the bars 125. As in Figure 2, this tilting can be done by readjusting the clamping bolts 106a which are almost perpendicular to each other. The cable rolling device shown in Figure 4 is also used here.

As in Figure 2, the base can be stabilized on the platform by a weight, such as the wheel of a vehicle will. The side of the platform is not obstructed by the mast and tensioning screws. Another stabilization is through the Extension pieces 126 possible, which in the beams 103a and 125 can be inserted. At the free ends of this telescopic pieces are attached to the adjustable feet 127, which are secured by the thumbscrews 128 in the desired position can be clamped. The length of insertion into the bars 103 and 125 is limited by the stops 129. In this way, the pedestal can be used free-standing. Instead of the fixed feet, it is possible to use castors that are suitable for use in a studio, but there is always some anchoring of the pedestal desirable.

The base shown in Figure 2 can also be converted to attach such extension pieces, the bases can be designed in exactly the same way, so that only alternative masts are available.

When this device is used for photography, the top of the mast 111a usually supports a single camera 130, which before extending the mast to the desired tilt angle

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is set. The swivel angle can be adjusted manually after extending it by turning the second largest telescopic tube can be set.

Instead of using a separate base, the mast can be mounted directly on a vehicle, e.g. on a Screw-on bracket on the rear of the vehicle. For a support at the desired angle, clamping bolts are again used anchored to other fastening points at the rear of the vehicle.

In strong winds, the mast should swing slightly when it is extended, so it is necessary to take precautions for wire or rope anchors above and / or at points further below. The anchor ropes can be down at suitable fixed points or in the ground, such as tent pegs.

It will be understood that the pump 112 can be powered directly by a power train, a compressor, or an air bottle can. The crank for lifting the mast according to Figure 2 can also be driven by other drives such as hydraulic cylinders and pistons be replaced. The necessary power supply can be done by the vehicle used for the transport, or by the vehicle used for stabilization.

The use of such devices can be extended to a wide variety of fields, including Industrial photography, traffic control, archaeological and scientific surveying work, military surveillance, Filming, security surveillance, fire surveillance and marine surveillance. The masts could also be connected to other devices be equipped as cameras. For example, lights can be used for the transmission of light signals or antennas for the Transmission of radio signals, flashing beacons and research equipment such as contamination control probes are provided.

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Figures 6 and 7 show an even simpler version. This device is dated as a whole Operator carried and consists of a two-part telescopic mast 131, the lower tube of the larger Diameter is inserted into a pocket attached to the belt 133, similar to a flagpole.

The device can be reversed and used for underwater work when employing a diver is too risky or too is uneconomical, or if hanging on a cable is not an option. Such work is the inspection of drilling platform booms, ship hulls, wrecks, undersea research and investigation of the seabed Visibility, feelers or lighting, as well as checking for contamination, salinity, temperature and pressure. Farther it is used for the purposes of earthquake science, geophysics, blasting, marine biological research, cleaning with Scratching or brushing, underwater construction work such as laying or aligning pipelines, and the recovery of sunken objects. Some of these jobs require tools, such as grippers or robotic hands, Shovels, drills, grinding wheels, welding and cutting devices. These are mounted on the top of the mast and have Remote control. Some of this work can also be used for down-to-earth devices in the designs described. One application is shown schematically in Figure 6.

A drilling platform 10 is supported by the boom 11 of which one is shown, anchored at a considerable height above sea level. Around the upper part of the boom 11 is a annular track 12 attached, which acts as a guide for the Base 13 of an underwater surveying device is used. An extendable mast similar to the previous descriptions is directed downward from the base 13 and carries an examination unit 15 with a camera and on its top Light source, and possibly an ultrasonic testing device.

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Due to the extension movement of the mast and the round feed of the unit 13 in the track, every point on the boom can be checked and tested without the assistance of a diver. To the unit 15 at a specified distance from To keep boom still, a guide 16 is provided which spans part of the boom and with rollers against his Surface. The mast can be bent slightly towards the boom so that it bends a little when it is extended. Through this the guide is pressed against the boom and the inspection unit cannot migrate. To this effect To reinforce it is possible to place an electromagnet on or next to the unit 15, which can be controlled by remote control is energized and pulls the unit against the boom.

Instead of attaching it to a stretcher platform boom, it is also possible to have the device fixed or in swivel bearings to be attached to a ship wall. In this case the lower part of the mast is adjustable and possibly will supported by the clamping bolts described above, or preferably by hydraulic devices. This will the stabilization of the mast by a gyroscopic device against the ship's movements, and the adjustability in different positions, relieved. The pitch of a ship can be calculated, so servo control can continuously compensate for the mast position.

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Claims (10)

Expectations 1. Surveying device, consisting of a base, an extendable and retractable telescopic mast, which is attached to the said base. can be brought, means for the attachment of units for sending and / or receiving signals, visible and / or otherwise, on the free top of the mast, and self-locking screw connections for supporting the mast on the Base that can be adjusted to bring the mast into any tilting position. 2. A device as described under 1 with the feature that this device is divided into the components base, mast, recording can be disassembled for transmitter / receiver and connections. 3. A device as described under 1. and 2. with the feature that the mast is equipped with a lower support column that can be mounted on the base and held in the position by the support connections described above, wherein the extendable section is supported by said column. 4. A device as described under 4., with the feature that the lower part of the extendable section by pivot bearing is connected to the support column, and that the necessary means are provided on this column, the extendable part in to move a working position, wherein the pull-out part is pivotable below. 5. A device as described in the preceding points, with the feature that a control cable in the assembly is provided that is connected to the pedestal with an unwinding and unrolling device for the cable during the extension and retraction of the mast. 6. A ^G et up instrument as described in 5., with the feature in that the cable roll device consists of two multiple sets of discs is about which the cable in the form of a pulley - 16 809810/061 » ORIGINAL INSPECTED is laid, with one set of discs attached to the base and the other elastically from one under the pull-out part lying position of the mast is suspended. 7. An apparatus according to the various preceding claims with the feature that the base stabilizing means provides that are not hindered laterally by the mast or the screw connections. 8. A device according to item 7, in which the stabilizing means provide a platform for attaching a weight, such as for Example, the wheel of a motor vehicle included. 9. A device according to item 7 or 8, in which the stabilizing means Include extendable beams. 10. An apparatus according to claims 1 to 7 above, adapted for underwater use, wherein the mast can be extended downwards, with provision for a remote control on the tip for carrying out underwater work. - 17 - 809810/0519