Push-cables and associated apparatus for pipe inspection systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a pipe inspection system includes a camera head, a push-cable including an outer covering enclosing a plurality of electrical conductors for transmitting signals and/or power between the camera head and an electronic device operatively coupled to the push-cable, and a spring assembly disposed about the push-cable near the distal end where the spring assembly comprises a spring with a tapered flex section having a varying cross-sectional area and/or a varying cross-sectional shape.

Push-cables and associated apparatus for pipe inspection systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a pipe inspection system includes a camera head, a push-cable including an outer covering enclosing a plurality of electrical conductors for transmitting signals and/or power between the camera head and an electronic device operatively coupled to the push-cable, and a spring assembly disposed about the push-cable near the distal end where the spring assembly comprises a spring with a tapered flex section having a varying cross-sectional area and/or a varying cross-sectional shape.

An imaging apparatus mountable on a moveable apparatus includes a plurality of lighting-imaging units, each configured to capture an image of a different area on an object in a direction intersecting with a movement direction of the moveable apparatus. The each of the plurality of lighting-imaging units includes a light source unit configured to illuminate a partial area on the object as a lighting area; and an image capture unit configured to capture an image of an image capture area set within the lighting area. The plurality of lighting-imaging units captures an image of a non-overlapped lighting area on the object where the lighting areas of the plurality of lighting-imaging units do not overlap with each other.

The present disclosure relates to an inspection apparatus for visually inspecting a substantially dark area. The inspection apparatus includes an inspection casing having a sidewall extending between a casing inspection end and a connecting end, an omnidirectional video camera mounted to the casing inspection end of the inspection casing; and a light-emitting assembly at least partially contained in the inspection casing. The sidewall of the inspection casing has a light-permeable section extending along 360 degrees and the light-emitting assembly is configured to emit light through the light-permeable section and from the casing inspection end, and away therefrom. An inspection system is also described.

The present disclosure relates to an inspection apparatus for visually inspecting a substantially dark area. The inspection apparatus includes an inspection casing having a sidewall extending between a casing inspection end and a connecting end, an omnidirectional video camera mounted to the casing inspection end of the inspection casing; and a light-emitting assembly at least partially contained in the inspection casing. The sidewall of the inspection casing has a light-permeable section extending along 360 degrees and the light-emitting assembly is configured to emit light through the light-permeable section and from the casing inspection end, and away therefrom. An inspection system is also described.

Systems and methods for creating a digital twin of an infrastructure component. The digital twin is a computerized, three-dimensional model of the component, typically a pipe, created after manufacture but before installation. The digital twin can be saved on a computer-readable storage medium for later retrieval, and can be loaded into three-dimensional modeling software for manipulation and viewing from various angles and perspectives. The twin is created from a plurality of imaging systems capturing different surfaces or different aspects, whose measurements are mapped to a uniform coordinate system to generate a three-dimensional model. Other data may also be added to or stored with the digital twin, such as manufacturing specifications, photographic data, and current or historical inspection data. The digital twin may be viewed on a mobile device programmed to receive, display, and allow the user to view and manipulate the digital twin.

Systems and methods for creating a digital twin of an infrastructure component. The digital twin is a computerized, three-dimensional model of the component, typically a pipe, created after manufacture but before installation. The digital twin can be saved on a computer-readable storage medium for later retrieval, and can be loaded into three-dimensional modeling software for manipulation and viewing from various angles and perspectives. The twin is created from a plurality of imaging systems capturing different surfaces or different aspects, whose measurements are mapped to a uniform coordinate system to generate a three-dimensional model. Other data may also be added to or stored with the digital twin, such as manufacturing specifications, photographic data, and current or historical inspection data. The digital twin may be viewed on a mobile device programmed to receive, display, and allow the user to view and manipulate the digital twin.

A novel connection port is described for connecting a signal transmitter to an apparatus configured to wirelessly communicate video and images from a pipe inspection system. Such a connection port may establish an electrically conductive pathway to a push-cable and camera head further disposed in cable storage drum that the wireless communication apparatus may couple thereto. A signal transmitter, having an established electrically conductive pathway to the push-cable and camera head, may transmit electromagnetic signals that may be emitted by the push-cable and camera head and further be located at the ground surface via a utility locator device.

A novel connection port is described for connecting a signal transmitter to an apparatus configured to wirelessly communicate video and images from a pipe inspection system. Such a connection port may establish an electrically conductive pathway to a push-cable and camera head further disposed in cable storage drum that the wireless communication apparatus may couple thereto. A signal transmitter, having an established electrically conductive pathway to the push-cable and camera head, may transmit electromagnetic signals that may be emitted by the push-cable and camera head and further be located at the ground surface via a utility locator device.

An optical imaging and processing system includes an optical element and a processor configured to process the plurality of image frames to generate a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the turbine component interior. The system may also include a display coupled to the processor to display the three-dimensional model. An operator may view and analyze the three-dimensional model on the display for defects. The processor may further be configured to automatically navigate the three-dimensional model to determine defects within the turbine component interior. The system may also include a repositioning device configured to reposition the optical element such that the optical element may capture the plurality of image frames from multiple vantage points within the turbine component interior.