Patent US3694094A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3694094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Borescope with variable angle scope
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
•
Filing: 1970-12-22
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1990-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A borescope with an adjustable hinged telescoping optical system which will permit visual inspection of bore surfaces at angles greater than 90*.
Inventors
- 👤 Drury K Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:52
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2476
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A borescope comprising: a tubular barrel having forward and rear ends, a telescoping head assembly secured to the forward end of said barrel, said telescoping head assembly having a plurality of telescoping cylinders, said cylinders having different sizes extending from a large diameter to a small diameter and being able to slide on each other from a nested position to an extended position in which said cylinder having a small diameter is positioned most forwardly, optical means attached to the forward end of said cylinder having a small diameter for transmitting an image of the surface area of the bore to be inspected adjacent said cylinder having a small diameter, said optical means sealing the forward end of said cylinder having a small diameter, means for introducing a gas into said telescoping head assembly so as to cause said telescoping cylinders to slide forwardly to a projected position, draw lines extending from said optical means to the rear of said barrel so that said telescoping cylinders may be retracted from its extended position to its nested position by pulling on said lines, viewing means on the rear end of said barrel for an operator to see said image from said optical means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A borescope comprising: a tubular barrel having forward and rear ends, a telescoping head assembly secured to the forward end of said barrel, said telescoping head assembly having a plurality of telescoping cylinders, said cylinders having different sizes extending from a large diameter to a small diameter and being able to slide on each other from a nested position to an extended position in which said cylinder having a small diameter is positioned most forwardly, optical means attached to the forward end of said cylinder having a small diameter for transmitting an image of the surface area of the bore to be inspected adjacent said cylinder having a small diameter, said optical means sealing the forward end of said cylinder having a small diameter, means for introducing a gas into said telescoping head assembly so as to cause said telescoping cylinders to slide forwardly to a projected position, draw lines extending from said optical means to the rear of said barrel so that said telescoping cylinders may be retracted from its extended position to its nested position by pulling on said lines, viewing means on the rear end of said barrel for an operator to see said image from said optical means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A borescope according to claim 1 including: an adjustable hinge joint position between said telescoping head and said tubular barrel for positioning said telescoping head about a turn in a bore to be inspected, said hinge joint comprises forward and rear housings on a common shaft, and mirror means mounted on said shaft for transmitting said image from said optical means toward said viewing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
A borescope according to claim 2 including: a first transparent window sealing the rear end of said forward housing of said hinge joint, and a second transparent window sealing the forward end of said tubular barrel, and flexible tubing means extending from said tubular barrel adjacent its forward end to said forward housing of said hinge joint adjacent but in front of said first transparent window, said flexible tubing means allowing gas to be transmitted from said tubular barrel to said forward housing and thereby preventing any loss of gas in said adjustable joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A borescope according to claim 1 including illuminating means carried by said optical means, said illuminating means supplied with electrical power by said draw wires.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A borescope according to claim 1 including: first roller means for spacing said telescoping head assembly from the bore surface and second roller means for spacing said tubular barrel from the bore surface, and rear support plate slidably attached to the rear end of said tubular barrel, said support plate adapted to be secured to the structure forming the bore opening to assure proper alignment of said tubular barrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A borescope according to claim 1 including: a fixed angle portion secured between said telescoping head assembly and said adjustable hinge joint portion, and a flat mirror within said fixed angle portion for transmitting the image from said optical means to said adjustable hinge joint portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |