WO1995030142A1 - Systeme d'inspection visuelle - Google Patents

Systeme d'inspection visuelle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1995030142A1
WO1995030142A1 PCT/GB1995/000992 GB9500992W WO9530142A1 WO 1995030142 A1 WO1995030142 A1 WO 1995030142A1 GB 9500992 W GB9500992 W GB 9500992W WO 9530142 A1 WO9530142 A1 WO 9530142A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
camera
gas
video
monitor
enclosure
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1995/000992
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Daniel Alexander Constantinis
Original Assignee
E M & I (Marine) Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by E M & I (Marine) Limited filed Critical E M & I (Marine) Limited
Publication of WO1995030142A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995030142A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
    • G01N21/88—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
    • G01N21/95—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined
    • G01N21/954—Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C17/00—Monitoring; Testing ; Maintaining
    • G21C17/08—Structural combination of reactor core or moderator structure with viewing means, e.g. with television camera, periscope, window
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors

Definitions

  • THIS . INVENTION concerns a system enabling visual inspection of, for example, the internal wall surfaces of oil tanks in large crude carriers, or the holds of cargo vessels, or indeed the interior of any large void.
  • a system enabling visual inspection of, for example, the internal wall surfaces of oil tanks in large crude carriers, comprising a low-light video camera, means for illuminating a localised area to be inspected and for directing the camera thereat, a video monitor for connection to the camera, a video recorder for connection to the camera, batteries to supply power separately to the camera and to the video monitor and recorder, cable means connecting the components of the system, and means on each said component for substantially eliminating any risk of electrically generated gas ignition therefrom.
  • the video camera is mounted adjustably on an operator's helmet together with a lamp having a diffuser adapted to produced a high intensity and focused beam within a low intensity diffused beam, whereby the camera may be directed towards a selected site at which the focused beam is directed thus to eliminate parallax and ensure that the selected site is centrally visible on the video monitor connected to the camera and whereby the camera lens is directed exactly at a site where it is illuminated by the low intensity beam whereby the light reflected off the site is substantially constant in intensity ensuring a substantially constant iris setting in the camera.
  • the video monitor which requires a 240V AC supply and generates high tension voltages across the tube and low voltage DC supplies within the monitor, includes plastics and other combustible materials.
  • the high voltages within the monitor could cause ignition.
  • the monitor is to be mounted in a gas-tight, and preferably tamper-proof and non-combustible enclosure which will be referred to as the Main Control Enclosure.
  • Continuous gas monitoring will be by a gas monitor located in the immediate vicinity of the Main Control Enclosure and if gas levels should rise above 1% the gas monitor will be adapted, to disconnect power from the video monitor by an isolating relay in a majxi battery unit.
  • the power may be isolated automatically via voltage-free contacts of the gas monitor or by operating a switch on the Main Control Enclosure.
  • the power supply to the video monitor will be current limited and fused. A time interlock is required to prevent the Main Control Enclosure from being opened until voltages within the video monitor have decayed.
  • the main battery is provided in the system producing 12 volts at 60 amps and is of the sealed lead/acid type.
  • the high energy available from such a battery could cause ignitions particularly at its terminal points.
  • none of the materials used in the battery would themselves sustain combustion, nevertheless chemicals in the battery could cause corrosion if allowed to come into contact with parts of the Main Control Enclosure.
  • the battery is to be of the absorbed electrolyte type to prevent leakages and corrosion and it will be housed in its own sealed enclosure mounted in the Main Control Enclosure.
  • An inverter is required to produce the voltage necessary for operation of the video monitor, and an audio communications system is required whereby an operator at the site may communicate with other personnel in the vicinity of the Main Control Enclosure. Therefore, all power outputs to the inverter module and the audio communications system are to be fused.
  • a relay circuit within the battery enclosure will isolate the battery either automatically via voltage-free contacts of the gas monitor or by operating a manual stop switch on the Main Control Enclosure.
  • the current source from the battery control input is limited to the order of milliamps.
  • all circuits within the battery enclosure are encapsulated in a flame retardant resin.
  • a hip battery carried by the camera operator operates at 12 volts at 2 amps and is associated with the audio communications circuit. High energy available from this battery could cause ignitions such as under fault conditions when the full battery voltage and current might be present in the audio communications circuit or on connectors to the camera or in an A/V cable connecting the latter to the video monitor. Another source of ignition could be the charging input terminals to the hip battery.
  • a relay circuit is provided to isolate the battery in the event of gas levels rising above 1%, either automatically via the voltage-free contacts of the gas monitor or by operating a switch on the hip battery itself.
  • the battery charging input connectors are protected by a gas-tight cover fixed with tamper-proof screws, and a warning label is applied which states that the cover may be removed only in a safe area.
  • the safety circuits within the battery enclosure will be encapsulated in a flame retardant resin.
  • a resistor/Zener diode barrier will limit the voltage and current at the connection to the audio communications system and the main A/V cable.
  • the video camera itself operates at 12 volts and 3 watts and thus generates sufficient energy to cause ignition to Group II gases. Ignition sources can arise under fault conditions when the supply voltage could be present on the video output, and switching transients, associated with the CCD of the camera, could appear on the input/output terminals.
  • the camera body includes plastics which are combustible. Therefore to minimise the risk of ignitions the camera is enclosed in a gas-tight and preferably, tamper-proof and non-combustible enclosure and the operator carries a portable gas monitor such that if an ambient gas level rises above 1%, power will be disconnected from the camera by an isolating relay in the hip battery.
  • the power supply will be current limited and fused.
  • a resistor/Zener diode barrier will limit the voltage and current at the video output to an open circuit voltage of less than 3 volts and a short circuit current of less than 120 milliamps.
  • Transients will be limited by a 13.2 volt Zener diode connected across the DC input terminals, and a blocking diode series resistor will prevent discharge of energy from reactive components within the camera in the event of cable damage.
  • the video recorder and A/V input terminal can generate voltages which could cause ignitions.
  • the ignition sources are the 240 volt AC supply voltage required for operation of the recorder, and from the DC motors and low voltage DC supplies generated within the recorder, which are in the region of 5 to 12 volts. Also, combustible materials such as plastics are present within and on the recorder.
  • the recorder is to be mounted in a gas-tight and preferably tamper-proof and non-combustible enclosure such as the Main Control Enclosure where there is continuous gas monitoring such that if the gas level should rise above 1% the power will be disconnected from the recorder by an isolating relay in the main battery unit and this will be done either automatically via the voltage-free contacts of the gas monitor or by operating a switch on the Main Control Enclosure.
  • Power supplies to the recorder will be current limited and fused at the power source to minimise the hazard if a fault should occur.
  • the video input to the recorder will be protected by a barrier circuit in the Main Control Enclosure intended to prevent dangerous voltages from being coupled onto the main A/V cable.
  • the A/V cable itself will carry little or no current and a very low voltage thus to minimise the risk of spark ignition should the cable become snagged or chafed in operation.
  • the camera operator will wear a helmet upon which the camera is adjustably mounted together with a lamp having a diffuser adapted to produce a high intensity and focused central beam within a lower intensity surrounding beam whereby the camera may be directed towards a selected site at which the focused beam is directed thus to eliminate parallax and to ensure that the selected site is centrally visible on the video monitor connected to the camera.
  • the high intensity centrally focused beam may be produced by the provision of a small hole or other mark in the diffuser which, owing to the reflective properties of the lamp will direct a higher intensity beam through the centre of the diffuser.
  • the operator will move his head to direct the high intensity beam onto the site to be inspected and then by voice communication with other personnel at the monitor, may adjust the camera until the illuminated site is central on the screen.
  • This in effect serves as a range finder to overcome parallax and to ensure that the site to be inspected is clearly illuminated at a substantially constant brightness so that there is little or no tendency for the camera iris to fluctuate and so that in turn the picture on the monitor remains at a substantially constant brightness.
  • the physical separation of the light from the camera lens also assists in eliminating flare on the monitor.
  • a second low-light video camera to be mounted a distance away from the operator and connected to a second monitor whereby inspecting personnel may have a view of a much larger area and thus determine the general zone in which the operator is located.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Système permettant l'inspection visuelle, par exemple, des surfaces de parois internes de citernes de pétrole de superpétroliers de brut, comprenant une caméra vidéo à bas niveau de lumière montée de façon réglable sur le casque d'un opérateur en même temps qu'une lampe destinée à éclairer une zone précise à inspecter, cette caméra étant reliée à un moniteur vidéo situé à distance ainsi qu'à un enregistreur vidéo doté d'une liaison audio de manière qu'un autre membre du personnel puisse regarder sur le moniteur l'endroit vers lequel l'opérateur dirige la caméra et communiquer avec cet opérateur, ledit système comprenant également des moyens associés à la lampe garantissant la possibilité de diriger la caméra sur un endroit à visualiser, chaque composant étant par ailleurs protégé contre le risque d'inflammation par l'électricité de gaz, ce qui permet d'utiliser de façon sûre ce système dans un milieu hostile car il réduit considérablement le risque d'explosion.
PCT/GB1995/000992 1994-04-30 1995-05-01 Systeme d'inspection visuelle WO1995030142A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9408673.3 1994-04-30
GB9408673A GB9408673D0 (en) 1994-04-30 1994-04-30 Visual inspection system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1995030142A1 true WO1995030142A1 (fr) 1995-11-09

Family

ID=10754429

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1995/000992 WO1995030142A1 (fr) 1994-04-30 1995-05-01 Systeme d'inspection visuelle

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB9408673D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1995030142A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2114816A1 (es) * 1996-05-03 1998-06-01 Urbano S A Sistema de seguridad para transporte de obras de arte.
EP1156304A1 (fr) * 2000-05-16 2001-11-21 General Trailers France Dispositif d'inspection à distance de l'intérieur d'une cuve de citerne

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0164557A1 (fr) * 1984-05-14 1985-12-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Véhicule automobile d'inspection et d'entretien
DE4125321A1 (de) * 1991-07-31 1993-02-04 Wolfgang Rausch Wagen zum ferngesteuerten einsatz in explosionsgefaehrdeten bereichen, insbesondere als kamera- und leuchtentraeger

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0164557A1 (fr) * 1984-05-14 1985-12-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Véhicule automobile d'inspection et d'entretien
DE4125321A1 (de) * 1991-07-31 1993-02-04 Wolfgang Rausch Wagen zum ferngesteuerten einsatz in explosionsgefaehrdeten bereichen, insbesondere als kamera- und leuchtentraeger

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2114816A1 (es) * 1996-05-03 1998-06-01 Urbano S A Sistema de seguridad para transporte de obras de arte.
EP1156304A1 (fr) * 2000-05-16 2001-11-21 General Trailers France Dispositif d'inspection à distance de l'intérieur d'une cuve de citerne
FR2809178A1 (fr) * 2000-05-16 2001-11-23 Gen Trailers France Dispositif d'inspection a distance de l'interieur d'une cuve de citerne

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9408673D0 (en) 1994-06-22

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