Abstract:
Camera heads and associated systems, methods, and devices for inspecting and/or mapping pipes or cavities are disclosed. A camera head may be coupled to a push-cable and may include one or more image sensors to capture images and/or videos from interior of the pipe or cavity. One or more multi-axis sensors may be disposed in the camera head to sense data corresponding to movement of the camera head within the pipe or cavity. The images and/or videos captured by the image sensors may be used in conjunction with the data sensed by the multi-axis sensors to generate information pertaining to the pipe or cavity may be generated.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for updating digital maps by refining map feature positions and improving map position accuracy are disclosed. One embodiment includes identifying a point of interest's position data and updating the map data within a map region surrounding the point of interest.
Abstract:
Systems, devices, and methods for locating buried conductors using ambient electromagnetic signals, such as AM or other broadcast signals, are described. A buried utility locator may include a plurality of spatially separated antenna arrays, a receiver circuit coupled thereto, and a processing element programmed to process measurements of ambient electromagnetic signals and associated electromagnetic signals radiated from current induced in the buried conductor from the ambient signals to determine information about the buried conductor.
Abstract:
Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for tracking movement over the ground or other surfaces using two or more spaced apart cameras and an associated processing element to detect ground features in images from the cameras and determine tracking parameters based on the position of the detected ground features in the images.
Abstract:
User interface devices (UIDs) for sensing position or motion of an actuator assembly in multiple degrees of freedom are disclosed. In one embodiment a UID includes a frame having a top and bottom assembly, an actuator assembly disposed within a volume between the top and bottom of the frame having magnets disposed therein, a sensor array for sensing magnetic fields from the magnets in multiple axes, and a processing element for receiving the sensed magnet fields and generating a UID output signal corresponding to a position, translation, rotation, deformation, or other action of the actuator assembly.
Abstract:
Optical ground tracking apparatus for use with buried object locators or other instruments or devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a ground tracking apparatus integral with or coupled to a buried object locator includes a housing, a plurality of camera modules, a distance measurement module, and a processing element to generate tracking information based on images or video streams from the camera modules in combination with distance data generated from the distance measurement module.
Abstract:
Camera heads and associated rotating contact assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment a slip-ring assembly includes a rotating contact assembly including slip rings having a cylindrical ring assembly and a flexible or bendable brush assembly. Brush elements may flexed to remain in contact with corresponding ring assembly electrical contacts. Bush contacts may be coated or have attached contact assemblies to increase hardness and oxide resistance with materials such as palladium nickel, rhodium, or hard gold, though a variety of other materials may be used as a suitable coating.
Abstract:
A cable guide assembly for deploying and retracting at least one push-cable with a distally mounted camera into and out of a pipe or cavity for applications such as plumbing and underground utility location. The cable guide assembly comprises a bracket (300) and one or more wear guides (331, 333) positioned within openings in the bracket.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to vehicle-based systems for locating and mapping buried utility lines using principal components. Vehicle-based utility locating devices receive magnetic field signals emitted by utility lines and, with determined position data, implement principal component analysis to locate and map the utility lines.
Abstract:
A camera head (110) coupled to a push-cable (120) and including one or more image sensors to capture images and/or videos from interior of the pipe (125) or cavity. One or more multi-axis sensors (113) is disposed in the camera head (110) to sense data corresponding to movement of the camera head (110) within the pipe(125) or cavity. The images and/or videos (112)captured by the image sensors are used in conjunction with the data sensed by the multi-axis sensors (114) to generate information pertaining to the pipe (125) or cavity.