The present disclosure relates to the inspection and repair/maintenance of an item such as a gas turbine engine. Apparatus (110) is provided for connecting apertures (124,142) in an item to be inspected. The apparatus (110) comprises a tubular guide (130) with first and second ends (134,136) and a hollow interior (138) for receiving an inspection tool, and a housing fixture (120) for mounting the tool to an outer shell (126) of the item. The apparatus (110) provides an articulated joint between the tubular guide (130) and the housing fixture (120). A cooling system may also be included.

An endoscope apparatus includes: an image pickup device; a glass lid that is provided on a distal end side ahead of a light receiving surface of the image pickup device and is fixed to a front face of the image pickup device in an integrated manner; and a frame body that covers at least a part of the image pickup device and the glass lid. The frame body includes a fixing region for fixing an image pickup circuit portion provided on a proximal end side opposite to the front face of the image pickup device, and a non-fixing region that keeps the distal end side relative to the light receiving surface of the image pickup device and the glass lid fixed to the light receiving surface of the image pickup device in a non-fixed state.

A deployment system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The deployment system includes a mount connectable to the housing through an aperture formed in a wall thereof. An extendable arm is connected to the mount and positioned within the housing. A tether is slidably coupled to the extendable arm and adapted to connect with the inspection vehicle. A control mechanism is operable to control deployment of the tether and the position of the extendable arm.

A submersible inspection system for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers having a wirelessly controlled submersible inspective device. A submersion depth of the submersible can be controlled using a ballast system. The system can also include an input/output selector to switch between camera images from the submersible. A heartbeat signal indicative of a health of the transmitted signal can be transmitted to the submersible, and redundant channel selection logic can facilitate switching to a channel that includes a current heartbeat. A plurality of status interrogation systems disposed on the submersible can capture data regarding inspection procedures performed on the transformer, and the submersible can include tools for repair procedures. Data transmitted from the submersible, and overlayed with input data from an operator, can facilitate real time inspection analysis. The system can also form a model of an internal in the transformer, as well as produce a three-dimensional field of view.

An insertion tool can include: a housing having proximal and distal ends with a sealed chamber therebetween, the distal end having a flange configured to engage with a flange of a valve assembly coupled to a pressurized vessel to allow the sealed chamber to fluidly communicate with the pressurized vessel; a hollow inner shaft slidably disposed through a proximal opening in the proximal end of the housing, through the sealed chamber, and through a distal opening in the distal end of the housing such that the inner shaft is operable to be advanced distally into the valve assembly toward an interior portion of the pressurized vessel, the inner shaft having an inner lumen that is sealed from the sealed chamber of the outer housing and that is configured to receive an inspection tool therein; and an optically transparent member disposed at a distal end of the inner shaft.

An image-acquisition apparatus includes an objective lens consisting of, in order from an object side, a first group and a second group, an image-acquisition device that converts an optical image of an object formed by the objective lens into an electrical signal, a first holding frame holding the first group of the objective lens inside, and a second holding frame holding the second group of the objective lens and the image-acquisition device inside. The objective lens satisfies specific conditions.

A launching tube for use with a liquid filled tank can be sized to accommodate a submersible vehicle for dispensing into the liquid tank. The tank can be an electrical transformer or any other liquid containing tank such as but not limited to a chemical tank. The launching tube can include a valve for insertion into a launching chamber, and a tank side valve for launching of the submersible into the tank. In one form the launching tube includes an antenna for communication with the submersible and/or a base station. The launching tube can also include a sensor such as a camera, as well as an agitator. The agitator can be used to facilitate bubble removal from the inside of the launching tube.

A boroscope sheath is disclosed for providing a boroscope with temperature protection during a boroscope inspection of a machine such as a gas turbine or a steam turbine. The boroscope sheath includes an elongate tube having a wall extending from a front end to a back end and around a central bore configured and arranged to allow removable insertion of a boroscope cooling channels extend in the wall. The boroscope sheath can be held in a first position relative to the machine when the machine is in use and moved to a second position relative to machine for inspection. Part of the boroscope sheath remain in the machine during use of the machine.

An intrinsically safe video inspection system intended for use in a Class I, Zone 0 area is capable of visually surveying hazardous area locations; where the potential for fire or explosion exists because of gases, dust, or easily ignitable fibers in the atmosphere. The intrinsically safe camera of the present invention has the distinct ability to be used all areas that require increased safety and works in various hazardous environments, allowing users the ability to remotely view and inspect various mines, silos, and storage tanks. The inspection system includes a low power, high 3.2 megapixel resolution camera with digital zoom capability that allows for the close inspection and examination and utilizes an LED fiber light pipe for illumination needs. The video inspection system of the present invention provides for the illumination in various cavity sizes, while reducing the risk of unintended accidents.

A self-locking plug assembly is provided that includes a plug, a lower clutch disposed around the plug and defining engagement features, an upper clutch disposed around the plug and defining mating engagement features, a resilient member and a cap surrounding the resilient member and disposed around a proximal end portion of the plug. The mating engagement features are configured to apply higher torque to the engagement features in one direction than in an opposite direction. In one form, the engagement features of the lower clutch and upper clutch comprise a plurality of teeth arranged around a central aperture.