Apparatus and method for conducting remote video inspection from above

摘要

An apparatus for conducting remote subsurface inspections from above is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support structure, a telescoping mast held by a coupling and born by the support structure, an imaging system held by an extendable portion of the telescoping mast and an offsetting mechanism. The apparatus may also include an articulating radial arm with pivots for locating the telescoping mast. The support structure of the apparatus may also include an adaptor section for fitting to a receiver of a hitch of a vehicle. A method for conducting remote subsurface inspections from above is also disclosed. The method of inspection includes the steps of locating an access point on a working surface, positioning an apparatus for conducting remote subsurface inspections from above, manipulating the telescoping mast above the access point, lowering it and reviewing images from the imaging system.

主权项

1. An apparatus for conducting remote subsurface inspections from a working surface above the subsurface, said apparatus comprising:
a support structure mounted on a vehicle on the working surface, said support structure defining a support structure end; an articulated radial arm defining an articulated arm end, said articulated radial arm being pivotally mounted at said support structure end and said articulated arm end being capable of displacement in a plan that is parallel to the working surface; a mast comprising a fixed outer section and an extending portion downwardly extending from said fixed outer section, said fixed outer section connected to said articulated radial arm, said extending portion for extending downwardly below the working surface, said extending portion of said mast defining a reference axis collinear with said extending portion; an actuating mechanism mounted on the fixed outer section of said mast, said actuating mechanism operative to extend and retract said extending portion of said mast; an imaging system operatively connected to said extending portion of said mast, said imaging system having an angle with respect to said reference axis; and an offsetting mechanism connected to a lower end of said extending portion at a first end and to said imaging system at a second end, said offsetting mechanism being adapted to adjust the angle of said imaging system with respect to the reference axis for imaging the subsurface, said offsetting mechanism being further adapted to laterally offset said imaging system from said reference axis to a desired location for imaging the subsurface.