GB2172079A - Semi-rigid rods incorporating conductors - Google Patents
Semi-rigid rods incorporating conductors Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2172079A GB2172079A GB08605671A GB8605671A GB2172079A GB 2172079 A GB2172079 A GB 2172079A GB 08605671 A GB08605671 A GB 08605671A GB 8605671 A GB8605671 A GB 8605671A GB 2172079 A GB2172079 A GB 2172079A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- rod
- insulated
- conductors
- semi
- core
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 55
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000003779 heat-resistant material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims 4
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 9
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 9
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 3
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011835 investigation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920000178 Acrylic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004925 Acrylic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007598 dipping method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000647 polyepoxide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001225 polyester resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004645 polyester resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004810 polytetrafluoroethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001343 polytetrafluoroethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013589 supplement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
- B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
- B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
- B65H75/36—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables without essentially involving the use of a core or former internal to a stored package of material, e.g. with stored material housed within casing or container, or intermittently engaging a plurality of supports as in sinuous or serpentine fashion
- B65H75/362—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables without essentially involving the use of a core or former internal to a stored package of material, e.g. with stored material housed within casing or container, or intermittently engaging a plurality of supports as in sinuous or serpentine fashion with stored material housed within a casing or container
- B65H75/364—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables without essentially involving the use of a core or former internal to a stored package of material, e.g. with stored material housed within casing or container, or intermittently engaging a plurality of supports as in sinuous or serpentine fashion with stored material housed within a casing or container the stored material being coiled
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
- G02B23/24—Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes
- G02B23/26—Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes using light guides
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
- G02B6/443—Protective covering
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
- G02B6/4436—Heat resistant
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/4457—Bobbins; Reels
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/4459—Ducts; Conduits; Hollow tubes for air blown fibres
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
- H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
- H01B7/16—Rigid-tube cables
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
- H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
- H01B7/17—Protection against damage caused by external factors, e.g. sheaths or armouring
- H01B7/18—Protection against damage caused by wear, mechanical force or pressure; Sheaths; Armouring
- H01B7/182—Protection against damage caused by wear, mechanical force or pressure; Sheaths; Armouring comprising synthetic filaments
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
- H02G1/06—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
- H02G1/08—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)
Abstract
A semi-rigid rod (10) for carrying an inspection head through a duct incorporating at least one insulated electrical or optical fibre conductor (14) is disclosed. The rod preferably comprises a sheath (17) of resilient plastics material, a plurality of insulated electrical conductors (14) extending along the axis zone of the rod, a braid shield (15) firmly encircling the conductors to form a central core, and a tubular layer (16) of bonded glass fiber strands or filaments sandwiched between the core and the sheath. The glass fiber strands are impregnated with a binder which is heat-cured and each insulated conductor may have a heat-resistant protective sheath (20, Fig. 3 not shown) or have heat-resistant insulation (119, Fig. 4 not shown). The 'tunnel' between the insulated conductors may be occupied by a plastics strip (120) which may be softened to conform to the shape of the surrounding insulated conductors and possibly welded to the insulation. Particularly in this case, the shield (15) may be omitted. The rod may be formed by extrusion and protrusion techniques. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Semi-rigid rods incorporating electrical conductors
This invention relates to semi-rigid rods which incorporate insulated electrical conductors. The rods are primarily, but not exclusively, intended for use in operating inspection heads for conduits such as drains, small sewers, water mains, gas pipes, telephone ducts and pipework in power-station boilers.
Inspection heads of the above kind have previously been pulled through conduits by lines which have already been passed through the sectors to be inspected, or pushed through either on a flexible rod which trails insulated electrical cables or in a flexible tube which encloses such cables. The use of a tow line involves a separate operation, and the flexible rod or tube inevitably involves a relatively large overall cross-section which raises the minimum bore size of conduits that can be inspected and increases the difficulty of negotiating obstructions such as bends in the conduits.
The present invention aims to provide a robust semi-rigid rod which incorporates at least one electrical conductor and which not only reduces the difficulties described above but also has uses other than in the inspection of service conduits.
The present invention also aims to provide a method for producing such semi-rigid rods incorporating electrical conductors.
According to the present invention, there is provided a semi-rigid rod comprising an outer sheath of resilient plastics material, at least one insulated conductor extending along the axis zone of the rod and forming a central core, and a tubular layer of bonded glass-fiber filaments or strands firmly sandwiched between the core and the outer sheath.
Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of producing a semi-rigid rod incorporating insulated electrical conductors, the method comprising: fashioning a plurality of insulated electrical conductors to a minimum cross-sectional area to form a relatively strong central core; applying a layer of generally parallel, axially-extending linear strands of glass fiber around the core; impregnating the layer of glass fibers with a binder, and compressing the layer to form a highdensity layer; applying an outer protective sheath over the glass fiber layer; and, curing the binder.
Preferably, a metal braid jacket or like shield firmly encircles the conductor(s).
Preferably also, each of, say four conductors comprises a conducting element, an insulating sleeve around the element, and a protective sheath around the insulating sleeve; the sleeve is formed of a conventional insulating material such as p.v.c., and the sheath is formed of a more heat-resistant material such as nylon to protect the sleeve during manufacture of the rod. Alternatively, the insulation of each conductor may be of nylon or similar heat-resistant material, and so the need for a protective sheath can be avoided.
The semi-rigid rod according to the present invention is sufficiently robust and manageable to carry an inspection head and be pushed through a conduit without resulting in damage to the encased conductors which form the central core, and without difficulty in negotiating bends in the conduit. The outer sheath provides for torsional rigidity and low friction, particularly when formed of a plastics material such as polypropylene or nylon; also, the glass fibers have a lower modulus of elasticity than the conductors which are preferably formed from copper, and thus the copper conductors are unlikely to fracture under even difficult working conditions.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying annexed drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a general view showing a coil of semi-rigid rod according to the invention, carrying an inspection head at its leading end;
Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse section through the rod;
Figure 3 is a section through one of the conductors within the rod illustrated in Fig. 1;
Figure 4 is a section through a modified form of conductor; and,
Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a typical use of the semi-rigid rod according to the present invention.
Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, semirigid rod 10 is of a length suitable for its intended application; a characteristic length is around 400 feet. The rod is coiled round a mobile carrier reel 11 which incorporates a slip-ring connector system 1 1 A and may incorporate a friction brake, and at its leading end the rod carries an inspection head 12.
The head may be of conventional form incorporating a light source a powered lens to receive visual images for a remote T.V. receiver in a control unit 13, and a radio locator; the lens has a solid-state image sensor, and iris and focusing motors. The (camera) head may be fitted with support brushes or skids but, being of generally known form and not directly relevant to the invention, will not be described in further detail.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the rod generally comprises four insulated conductors 14 enclosed in a shielding jacket 15 of metallic braid; two of the conductors are signal carriers, and the other two transmit power. The braid jacket is surrounded by a glass-fiber layer 16 which is encased within a protective sheath 1 7 formed of resilient low-friction plastics material such as polypropylene, PTFE or nylon.
Referring particularly to Fig. 3, each conductor 14 comprises a wound copper element 18 insulated in a conventional manner by a p.v.c. sleeve 19 and, as a first step in the manufacture of the rod according to the present invention, a protective nylon sheath 20 is applied around the sleeve by wrapping or by an extrusion or dipping process.
The four insulated conductors 14 are then covered by tightly winding the braid jacket 15 to a minimum cross-sectional area, as shown in Fig. 2, thus forming a relatively strong central core or spine.
Generally parallel, axially-extending linear filaments or strands of glass fiber are then applied as the layer 16 around the braid jacket, the filaments being drawn over the jacket by a 'pulltruder' head. The glass fibers are impregnated with a conventional binder such as polyester, epoxy or acrylic resin, and compressed to form a high-density layer.
The outer protective sheath 17 of polypropylene or nylon is then applied by extrusion over the glassfiber layer, and the binder is cured by a conventional heating process. During this process, the p.v.c. insulating sleeves 19 are protected by the nylon sheaths 20 against possible elevated temperatures during manufacture.
In one specific rod, for use in inspecting relatively small diameter ducts, each conductor core 18 may comprise seven strands of 0.2mm copper wire, with an insulating p.v.c.
sleeve 19 of 0.2mm thickness, and its protective nylon sheath 20 being 0.1 mum thick. The surrounding braid jacket 15 is formed of tinned 0.1 mum copper wire to provide 80% effective cover for electromagnetic screening of the conductors. The protective outer sheath 17 is 1 mum thick and the overall diameter of the rod is approximately 10mm.
In the modified construction shown in Fig.
4, the copper element 18 is insulated by a sleeve 119 which is formed of nylon or a similar heat-resistant dielectric material and itself acts as a protective sheath.
In a further modification, to improve the transmission of wide band width signals, two signal-carrying conductors are twisted together to form a balanced pair.
In yet a further modification, the central 'tunnel' between the conductors, as shown in
Fig. 2, may be filled with a plastics member 120 formed from a circular-section extrusion which is heat-softened and pressed to cruxiform section during formation of the rod. As the plastics material of member 120 softens or melts, the surrounding insulating sleeves 119, or sheaths 20 and sleeves 19, may also soften to promote the formation of an intimate core structure. If the member 120 and/or the sleeves 119 or the sheaths 20 do reach melting point, a welded core can be produced by appropriate selection of the plastics materials.
Particularly when a central member such as 120 is incorporated in the rod, it may be possible to omit the braid jackets 15.
The semi-rigid rods according to the present invention have proved in tests to be attractive in being torsionally rigid, and resistant to fracture of the conductors in the central core since the glass fibers have a lower elastic modulus than the copper of the conductor elements; the outer sheath 15 also presents a low co-efficient of friction to its surroundings such as the conduit to be inspected, is wearresistant and, spaced from the core by a highdensity, axially-aligned glass fiber layer, also provides resilient mechanical strength against at least transverse bending.
In use, as illustrated in Fig. 5, rod 10 carrying at its leading end an inspection head 12 supported on skids 12A, is pushed by an operator 21 into a conduit 22, such as a service duct or water main, to be inspected. Due to the strength, flexibility, and low-frictional resistance exhibited by the rod, the head can be guided round fairly sharp corners in the conduit. A view of the interior of the conduit is then transmitted, through the conductors which also supply power for illumination, focussing and aperture selection, to the T.V.
monitor screen (13) which is inspected by the operator. The position of the head can be determined by the length of rod which has been inserted into the duct, and this position can be checked by means of the radio locator in the head.
The rods according to the present invention are primarily intended for use in the placement and powering of electric instruments, in the maintenance and repair of services and processing equipment, and in the internal inspection of gas-turbine engines or nuclear-fuelled steam-generating plant. In possibly modified forms, the rods may have medical and other uses involving fiber-optic transmission lines and glass filaments may supplement or even replace electrical conductors of copper or the like.
More than four and certainly up to seven conductors (14) can be incorporated in the cores, and mini-cores as small as 1 to 1.5mm 'diameter' have been successfully produced for the investigation of very small diameter conduits or the investigation of products, such as the aforesaid gas-turbines, which have a complex voids structure.
Claims (29)
1. A semi-rigid rod comprising: an outer sheath which is formed of resilient plastics material and exhibits at least a degree of mechanical strength and a relatively low coefficient of friction; at least one insulated electrical conductor extending along the axis zone of the rod and forming a central core which exhibits at least a degree of resilient resistance to transverse bending; and, a tubular layer of bonded glass-fiber strands firmly sandwiched between the core and the outer sheath.
2. A rod according to Claim 1, wherein the or each insulated conductor comprises an electrical conducting element, an insulating sleeve around the element, and a protective sheath around the insulating sleeve, said sleeve being formed of a conventional insulating material, and the sheath being formed of a more heat-resistant material to protect the sleeve during manufacture of the rod.
3. A rod according to Claim 1, wherein the or each insulated conductor comprises an electrical conducting element, and an insulating sleeve around the element, said sleeve being formed of a heat-resistant insulating material.
4. A rod according to any preceding Claim, wherein a plurality of insulated electrical conductors are fashioned together to form said core.
5. A rod according to Claim 4, wherein two of said insulated electrical conductors are adapted to carry signals and are twisted together to form a balanced pair.
6. A rod according to any preceding Claim, wherein a metal braid or like shield firmly encircles the insulated conductor(s).
7. A rod according to any Claim, wherein at least two insulated electrical conductors are incorporated in said core, and the central volume beween the conductors is at least partially filled by an axially extending strip.
8. A rod according to Claim 7, wherein said strip comprises plastics material which is at least softenable to conform to the profiles of the surrounding insulated conductors.
9. A rod according to Claims 7 or 8, wherein said strip comprises plastics material which is at least partly welded to the surrounding insulated conductors.
10. A method of producing a semi-rigid rod incorporating insulated electrical conductors, the method comprising: fashioning a plurality of insulated electrical conductors to a minimum cross-sectional area to form a relatively strong central core; applying a layer of generally parallel, axially-extending linear strands of glass fiber around the core; impregnating the layer of glass fibers with a binder, and compressing the layer to form a highdensity layer; applying over a glass fiber layer an outer protective sheath which exhibits at least a degree of mechanical strength and a relatively low coefficient of friction; and, curing the binder.
11. A method according to Claim 10, and including the step of tightly winding a metal braid jacket or the like around said core, prior to the step of applying the glass fiber layer.
12. A method according to Claim 10 or
Claim 11, wherein said protective sheath is a resilient plastics material applied by extrusion over said glass fiber layer.
13. A method according to any of Claims 10 to 12 wherein said binder is cured by a heating process.
14. A method according to Claim 13, and including the step of applying a heat resistant sheath around the insulation of each insulated conductor prior to the step of applying the glass fiber layer.
15. A method according to Claim 13, wherein said electrical conductors are insulated by insulating material which affords heatresistance.
16. A method according to any of Claims 10 to 15, wherein at least three insulated conductors of generally circular section are incorporated in said core, and the method includes the step of enclosing a strip of plastics material which is at least softenable, in the volume between the surrounding insulated electrical conductors.
17. A method according to Claim 16, and including the step of heating said plastics strip to cause at least the outer zone of the strip to soften and conform to the profiles of the surrounding insulated conductors.
18. A method according to Claim 17, wherein welding occurs between the softened plastics strip and the surrounding insulation on the conductors.
19. Inspection apparatus comprising: a length of semi-rigid rod as claimed in any of
Claims 1 to 9; an electrical instrument mounted at the remote, leading end of the length of rod; and, monitoring means connected to the proximal end of the length of rod to a) feed electrical signals along the rod to said instrument, and b) receive feed-back signals from said instrument.
20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 19, wherein said electrical instrument comprises at least one of: T.V. or photographic camera, a radio transmitter, an ultrasonic probe, an inclinometer, a compass and a pressure transducer.
21. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 19 or
Claim 20, wherein said instrument is supported on skids, brushes or runners.
22. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 19 to 21, wherein said monitoring means includes a VDU screen and a control panel.
23. A method of inspecting a conduit or cavity, comprising: producing a length of semirigid rod as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 18; mounting an electrical instrument at the leading, remote end of the length of rod; connecting the proximal end of the length of rod to monitoring means; feeding the leading end of the rod into the conduit or cavity to be inspected; operating the monitoring means to a) feed electrical signals along the rod to said instrument, and b) receive feed-back signals from said instrument; and, utilising the information from said feed-back signals.
24. A method of producing a semi-rigid rod incorporating insulated electrical conductors, substantially as hereinbefore described.
25. Semi-rigid rods whenever produced by a method as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 18 or Claim 24.
26. A semi-rigid rod incorporating insulated electrical conductors, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 and 5, or Figs. 1 to 3 and 5 as modified by
Fig. 4, of the accompanying drawings.
27. Inspection apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.
1 to 3 and 5, or Figs. 1 to 3 and 5 as modified by Fig. 4, of the accompanying drawings.
28. A method of inspecting a conduit or cavity, substantially as hereinbefore described.
29. The features herein described, or their equivalents, in any patentably novel selection.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB858505866A GB8505866D0 (en) | 1985-03-07 | 1985-03-07 | Semi-rigid rods |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB8605671D0 GB8605671D0 (en) | 1986-04-16 |
GB2172079A true GB2172079A (en) | 1986-09-10 |
GB2172079B GB2172079B (en) | 1989-09-06 |
Family
ID=10575582
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB858505866A Pending GB8505866D0 (en) | 1985-03-07 | 1985-03-07 | Semi-rigid rods |
GB8605671A Expired GB2172079B (en) | 1985-03-07 | 1986-03-07 | Semi-rigid rods incorporating electrical conductors |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB858505866A Pending GB8505866D0 (en) | 1985-03-07 | 1985-03-07 | Semi-rigid rods |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (2) | GB8505866D0 (en) |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5195392A (en) * | 1990-05-14 | 1993-03-23 | Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation | Internal pipe inspection system |
US5329824A (en) * | 1992-07-17 | 1994-07-19 | Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation | Centralizer for internal pipe inspection device |
GB2330940A (en) * | 1997-10-13 | 1999-05-05 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | Semi-rigid composite rod having data transmission core |
EP1044918A2 (en) * | 1999-04-16 | 2000-10-18 | Katimex Cielker GmbH | Apparatus for taking up a flexible elongate element |
DE19934527A1 (en) * | 1999-07-22 | 2001-02-01 | Rothenberger Werkzeuge Ag | Device for inspecting pipework incorporates a video camera for hollow areas and a horizontal reel winder with a vertical plane of rotation under a reference platform. |
DE20313252U1 (en) * | 2003-08-27 | 2005-01-05 | Jt-Elektronik Gmbh | Underground pipe inspection system has a measurement head with sensor and locating instrumentation for insertion into branch pipes leading-off from a main pipe |
DE202005013503U1 (en) * | 2005-08-26 | 2006-09-28 | Jt-Elektronik Gmbh | Conduit locating system with measuring sensor for assessing underground sewer pipes, has camera head that includes front rotating section where measuring sensor is arranged, flexible center section and return section with rotary drive unit |
WO2009014453A2 (en) | 2007-07-20 | 2009-01-29 | Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As | Composite cable |
DE102008031636A1 (en) * | 2008-07-04 | 2010-01-14 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Inaccessible tubing system e.g. water pipe system, measuring method, involves placing sensor device with sensor e.g. ultrasonic sensor, into inaccessible tubing system, and calculating model of system based on provided sensor data |
EP2194624A1 (en) | 2008-12-02 | 2010-06-09 | Swisscom AG | Insertion device for a cable into an existing pipe network |
WO2010092478A3 (en) * | 2009-02-13 | 2010-11-11 | Seek Tech, Inc. | Push-cable for pipe inspection system |
EP3267060A1 (en) * | 2010-08-20 | 2018-01-10 | SeeScan, Inc. | Asymmetric drag force bearings for use with push-cable storage drums |
US9870021B2 (en) | 2009-04-15 | 2018-01-16 | SeeScan, Inc. | Magnetic manual user interface devices |
US10764541B2 (en) | 2014-12-15 | 2020-09-01 | SeeScan, Inc. | Coaxial video push-cables for use in inspection systems |
US10935880B2 (en) | 2009-02-13 | 2021-03-02 | SeeScan, Inc. | Video pipe inspection systems with snap-on pipe guides |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1438074A (en) * | 1974-01-17 | 1976-06-03 | Telephone Cables Ltd | Optical fibre cables |
GB1462159A (en) * | 1974-12-24 | 1977-01-19 | Int Standard Electric Corp | Protective fibre optic cable |
GB1478705A (en) * | 1974-09-13 | 1977-07-06 | Furukawa Electric Co Ltd | Connector for fibre reinforced plastics filaments or cord |
GB1558274A (en) * | 1976-06-24 | 1979-12-19 | Telephone Cables Ltd | Optical fibre cables and their manufacture |
GB1568178A (en) * | 1978-02-22 | 1980-05-29 | Gen Electric Co Ltd | Optical fibre cables |
GB1574086A (en) * | 1978-05-09 | 1980-09-03 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Optical fibre cable |
GB1583954A (en) * | 1977-08-12 | 1981-02-04 | Bicc Ltd | Electric cables |
GB2064058A (en) * | 1979-10-05 | 1981-06-10 | Mitsubishi Rayon Co | Wiring guide |
GB1601086A (en) * | 1977-05-27 | 1981-10-21 | Siemens Ag | Communications cables comprising glass optic fibres |
-
1985
- 1985-03-07 GB GB858505866A patent/GB8505866D0/en active Pending
-
1986
- 1986-03-07 GB GB8605671A patent/GB2172079B/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1438074A (en) * | 1974-01-17 | 1976-06-03 | Telephone Cables Ltd | Optical fibre cables |
GB1478705A (en) * | 1974-09-13 | 1977-07-06 | Furukawa Electric Co Ltd | Connector for fibre reinforced plastics filaments or cord |
GB1462159A (en) * | 1974-12-24 | 1977-01-19 | Int Standard Electric Corp | Protective fibre optic cable |
GB1558274A (en) * | 1976-06-24 | 1979-12-19 | Telephone Cables Ltd | Optical fibre cables and their manufacture |
GB1601086A (en) * | 1977-05-27 | 1981-10-21 | Siemens Ag | Communications cables comprising glass optic fibres |
GB1583954A (en) * | 1977-08-12 | 1981-02-04 | Bicc Ltd | Electric cables |
GB1568178A (en) * | 1978-02-22 | 1980-05-29 | Gen Electric Co Ltd | Optical fibre cables |
GB1574086A (en) * | 1978-05-09 | 1980-09-03 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Optical fibre cable |
GB2064058A (en) * | 1979-10-05 | 1981-06-10 | Mitsubishi Rayon Co | Wiring guide |
Cited By (27)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5195392A (en) * | 1990-05-14 | 1993-03-23 | Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation | Internal pipe inspection system |
AU648811B2 (en) * | 1990-05-14 | 1994-05-05 | Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation | Internal pipe inspection system |
US5329824A (en) * | 1992-07-17 | 1994-07-19 | Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation | Centralizer for internal pipe inspection device |
GB2330940A (en) * | 1997-10-13 | 1999-05-05 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | Semi-rigid composite rod having data transmission core |
GB2330940B (en) * | 1997-10-13 | 2001-10-03 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | Reinforced composite rod |
EP1044918A2 (en) * | 1999-04-16 | 2000-10-18 | Katimex Cielker GmbH | Apparatus for taking up a flexible elongate element |
EP1044918A3 (en) * | 1999-04-16 | 2001-04-18 | Katimex Cielker GmbH | Apparatus for taking up a flexible elongate element |
DE19934527A1 (en) * | 1999-07-22 | 2001-02-01 | Rothenberger Werkzeuge Ag | Device for inspecting pipework incorporates a video camera for hollow areas and a horizontal reel winder with a vertical plane of rotation under a reference platform. |
EP1091159A2 (en) * | 1999-07-22 | 2001-04-11 | Rothenberger Werkzeuge Aktiengesellschaft | Cavity inspection device with video camera |
EP1091159A3 (en) * | 1999-07-22 | 2001-11-14 | Rothenberger Werkzeuge Aktiengesellschaft | Cavity inspection device with video camera |
DE19934527C2 (en) * | 1999-07-22 | 2002-02-28 | Rothenberger Werkzeuge Ag | Device unit for the inspection of cavities with a video camera |
DE20313252U1 (en) * | 2003-08-27 | 2005-01-05 | Jt-Elektronik Gmbh | Underground pipe inspection system has a measurement head with sensor and locating instrumentation for insertion into branch pipes leading-off from a main pipe |
DE202005013503U1 (en) * | 2005-08-26 | 2006-09-28 | Jt-Elektronik Gmbh | Conduit locating system with measuring sensor for assessing underground sewer pipes, has camera head that includes front rotating section where measuring sensor is arranged, flexible center section and return section with rotary drive unit |
EP2312360A1 (en) * | 2007-07-20 | 2011-04-20 | FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS | Composite cable |
WO2009014453A3 (en) * | 2007-07-20 | 2009-05-28 | Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As | Composite cable |
WO2009014453A2 (en) | 2007-07-20 | 2009-01-29 | Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As | Composite cable |
DE102008031636A1 (en) * | 2008-07-04 | 2010-01-14 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Inaccessible tubing system e.g. water pipe system, measuring method, involves placing sensor device with sensor e.g. ultrasonic sensor, into inaccessible tubing system, and calculating model of system based on provided sensor data |
EP2194624A1 (en) | 2008-12-02 | 2010-06-09 | Swisscom AG | Insertion device for a cable into an existing pipe network |
WO2010063738A3 (en) * | 2008-12-02 | 2010-09-16 | Swisscom Ag | Intake device for a cable in an existing pipe network |
US8616526B2 (en) | 2008-12-02 | 2013-12-31 | Swisscom Ag | Insertion device for a cable in an existing pipe network |
WO2010092478A3 (en) * | 2009-02-13 | 2010-11-11 | Seek Tech, Inc. | Push-cable for pipe inspection system |
US8289385B2 (en) | 2009-02-13 | 2012-10-16 | Seektech, Inc. | Push-cable for pipe inspection system |
US10935880B2 (en) | 2009-02-13 | 2021-03-02 | SeeScan, Inc. | Video pipe inspection systems with snap-on pipe guides |
US9870021B2 (en) | 2009-04-15 | 2018-01-16 | SeeScan, Inc. | Magnetic manual user interface devices |
EP3267060A1 (en) * | 2010-08-20 | 2018-01-10 | SeeScan, Inc. | Asymmetric drag force bearings for use with push-cable storage drums |
US10764541B2 (en) | 2014-12-15 | 2020-09-01 | SeeScan, Inc. | Coaxial video push-cables for use in inspection systems |
US11621099B1 (en) | 2014-12-15 | 2023-04-04 | SeeScan, Inc. | Coaxial video push-cables for use in inspection systems |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB8505866D0 (en) | 1985-04-11 |
GB2172079B (en) | 1989-09-06 |
GB8605671D0 (en) | 1986-04-16 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20050307 |