초록 ▼

An inspection system in which a fiber optic borescope has an elongated flexible body extending between a control head at a proximal end and an objective assembly at a distal end. The distal end is slidably inserted through a tubular elongated flexible guide member which has an operating head at a ne

An inspection system in which a fiber optic borescope has an elongated flexible body extending between a control head at a proximal end and an objective assembly at a distal end. The distal end is slidably inserted through a tubular elongated flexible guide member which has an operating head at a near end and a distal collar at a remote end capable of deflecting in four discrete directions. The objective assembly of the borescope is capable of deflecting in two discrete directions. A telescoping rigid support member connects the control head to the operating head and slidably receives the flexible body of the borescope. When the support member is retracted, the control head is proximate to the operating head and the objective assembly extends far beyond the distal collar. When the support member is extended, the control head is distant from the operating head and the objective assembly lies proximate to the distal collar. Cables for operating the distal collar extend between the near end and the remote end and each cable is operatively connected to the distal collar at one end and at the other end to an actuating element on the operating head for manual operation of the distal collar. A coil spring coaxial with the guide member extends between the operating head and the distal collar and firmly holds the operating cables against an inner surface of the guide member.

대표청구항 ▼

In an inspection instrument having a generally elongated flexible body extending between a control head at a proximal end thereof and an objective assembly at a distal end thereof for viewing subject matter to be inspected, the improvement comprising: a tubular elongated flexible guide member having

In an inspection instrument having a generally elongated flexible body extending between a control head at a proximal end thereof and an objective assembly at a distal end thereof for viewing subject matter to be inspected, the improvement comprising: a tubular elongated flexible guide member having an interior surface and adapted to slidably receive said flexible body therethrough including: an operating head at a near end of said guide member; a distal collar at a remote end of said guide member capable of deflection in at least four discrete directions; and operative means for deflecting said distal collar including: a plurality of actuating elements movably mounted on said operating head; and a plurality of operating cables extending between said near end and said remote end along said said interior surface, each of said operating cables being operatively connected to said distal collar and to one of said actuating elements, respectively, such that movement of each of said actuating elements is effective to deflect said distal collar in one of said directions; said inspection instrument including: a tubular elongated rigid support member intermediate said control head and said operating head and attached at its ends, respectively, to said control head and said operating head, said support member adapted to slidably receive said body therein and including: a plurality of coaxial telescoping sections movable between a retracted condition at which said control head is positioned proximate to said operating head and an extended condition at which said control head is positioned distant from said operating head, said objective assembly lying proximate to said distal collar when said support member assumes the extended condition and lying distant from and beyond said distal collar when said support member assumes the retracted condition; and said inspection instrument including: retention means within said guide member engageable with said operating cables and biasing said operating cables against said interior surface.