A method of inspecting an exterior elevated element of a building is provided. The method drills a hole into an interior space of the exterior elevated element of the building. The interior space of the exterior elevated element encompasses a plurality of wooden surfaces. The method passes a camera through the hole into the interior space of the exterior elevated element of the building. The method captures a set of one or more images from the wooden surfaces in the interior space of the exterior elevated element by the camera. The method analyzes the set of images to identify one or more of color differences of the wooden surfaces, color intensity differences of the wooden surfaces, and a shape and a size of any cracks on the wooden surfaces. The method determines the existence of wood rot in the interior space of the exterior elevated element based on the analysis.

The application provides a high-definition intelligent integrated conduit detector, including a box body and a bracket. A front side of the box body is provided with a front mounting groove, a back side of the box body is provided with a back mounting groove, a waterproof keyboard and a control terminal are installed in the front mounting groove, a counter and a hard cable coil are installed in the back mounting groove, one end of the hard cable coil is connected with the control terminal, the other end of the hard cable coil is connected with a high-definition camera, the front side of the box body is rotatably connected with a front cover, the back side of the box body is connected with a back cover, and the box body is rotatably connected with the bracket through a strong resistance rotating shaft.

Systems and methods for robotic inspection of above-ground pipelines are disclosed. Embodiments may include a robotic crawler having a plurality of motors that are individually controllable for improved positioning on the pipeline to facilitate image acquisition. Embodiments may also include mounting systems to house and carry imaging equipment configured to capture image data simultaneously from a plurality of angles. Such mounting systems may be adjustable to account for different sizes of pipes (e.g., 2-40+ inches), and may be configured to account for traversing various pipe support structures. Still further, mounting systems may include quick-release members to allow for removal and re-mounting of imaging equipment when traversing support structures. In other aspects, embodiments may be directed toward control systems for the robotic crawler which assist in the navigation and image capture capabilities of the crawler.

A insertion/removal apparatus comprises an insertion section with flexibility which is inserted into a target object to perform a desired operation, a shape sensor, an insertion section shape calculator, and a direct manipulation information estimation circuit. The shape sensor detects bending of the insertion section and outputs a detection signal. The insertion section shape calculator which calculates insertion section shape information indicating a shape of the insertion section, based on the detection signal output from the shape sensor. The direct manipulation information estimation circuit which estimates direct manipulation information including at least one of an insertion/removal amount and a rotation amount of the insertion section inserted into and removed from the target object, based on the insertion section shape information.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for detection of a condition in a hole defined by a transparent material that is at least partially enclosed by one or more substantially opaque materials. The method may include positioning a light source in a first hole in the transparent material, directing light from the positioned light source through the transparent material and toward a second hole that is adjacent to the first hole. A prism may be positioned so that the light transmitted from the light source through the machined inner surface of the second hole is visible through a viewing face of the prism. By observing the transmitted light, a surface condition of the machined inner surface of the second hole may be determined.

Apparatus for insertion into a cavity of an object, the apparatus comprising: a first tube comprising a first end, a second end and a first cavity extending between the first end and the second; a member positioned within the first cavity of the first tube and configured to enable an action to be performed; a heat pipe including a first end, a second end, and a second cavity extending between the first end and the second end, the first tube being positioned within the second cavity of the heat pipe; and an actuator configured to move the first tube relative to the heat pipe.

An apparatus for insertion through an opening in an outer casing of a gas turbine engine and inspection of internal turbine components at elevated temperatures having an optical sight tube configured to optically communicate with an interior of gas turbine engine via a distal end disposed at the interior and a proximal end disposed exterior of the internal turbine components and defined by a first longitudinal wall, at least one lens at the distal end of the optical sight tube adjacent to the longitudinal wall; and at least one longitudinal cooling groove in the longitudinal wall for flowing a cooling medium from a location external to the turbine to cool the optical sight tube at a location at least adjacent the distal end.

A probe driver may include a coupling that interfaces with a conduit section at a first position of the conduit section. A probe driver may also have one or more positioning elements to reposition the conduit section to interface with the coupling at a second position of conduit section in response to one or more commands based on a recorded inspection, where through completing the one or more commands is configured to initiate a second inspection identical to the recorded inspection.

A probe driver may have a coupling that interfaces with a conduit section at a first position of the conduit section. The probe driver also may have an input structure that actuates in response to a user input indicating a second position of the conduit section. The probe driver may also have one or more positioning elements to reposition the conduit section to interface with the coupling at the second position of the conduit section in response to the user input.

Provided is a method that enables an interior of a wind turbine blade to be safely inspected. A method of inspecting an interior of a wind turbine blade includes the steps of: placing, in the wind turbine blade, an inspection unit including a support frame, at least one wheel rotatably provided to the support frame, and inspection equipment attached to a front portion of the support frame in a traveling direction; and conveying the inspection unit from a blade root portion toward a blade tip portion of the wind turbine blade. The conveying step includes connecting at least one extension bar to a back end portion of the inspection unit, and sending the inspection unit by pushing the extension bar toward the blade tip portion.