Intrinsically Safe Video Inspection System

Abstract

An intrinsically safe video inspection system intended for use in a Class I, Zone 0 area is capable of visually surveying hazardous area locations; where the potential for fire or explosion exists because of gases, dust, or easily ignitable fibers in the atmosphere. The intrinsically safe camera of the present invention has the distinct ability to be used all areas that require increased safety and works in various hazardous environments, allowing users the ability to remotely view and inspect various mines, silos, and storage tanks. The inspection system includes a low power, high 3.2 megapixel resolution camera with digital zoom capability that allows for the close inspection and examination and utilizes an LED fiber light pipe for illumination needs. The video inspection system of the present invention provides for the illumination in various cavity sizes, while reducing the risk of unintended accidents.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere comprising:
 a camera chassis with a lens assembly defining a compartment for use in a hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere;   an intrinsically safe camera housed within the compartment and configured to covert images from the lens assembly to digital electronic signals and regulate the digital electronic signals within a low voltage range of between 0 and 5 volts direct current; and   wherein the intrinsically safe camera is configured to transmit the digital electronic signals to a host computer located outside of the hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere.   
     
     
         2 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 1  further comprising a power source housed within the compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 2  further comprising an antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 3 , wherein said camera chassis further comprises an antenna mold housing the antenna. 
     
     
         5 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 4 , wherein said intrinsically safe camera further comprises:
 an imaging device optically coupled to the lens assembly configured to covert images to digital electronic signals;   a controller in communication with the imaging device;   a memory in communication with the controller;   an input/output interface in communication with the controller; and   a fault protection safety circuit in communication with the controller and configured to regulate the digital electronic signals within the low voltage range of between 0 and 5 volts direct current.   
     
     
         6 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 1  further comprising an interconnecting cable connecting the intrinsically safe video camera system located in the hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere to the host computer located outside of the hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere. 
     
     
         7 . An intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere comprising:
 a camera chassis with a lens assembly defining a compartment for use in a hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere;   an intrinsically safe camera housed within the compartment and configured to covert images from the lens assembly to digital electronic signals and regulate the digital electronic signals within a low voltage range of between 0 and 5 volts direct current;   an interconnecting cable for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere in communication with the intrinsically safe camera; and   wherein the intrinsically safe camera is configured to transmit the digital electronic signals to a host computer located outside of the hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere though the interconnecting cable.   
     
     
         8 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 7 , wherein said interconnecting cable extends through the camera chassis. 
     
     
         9 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 8 , wherein the interconnecting cable comprises a first end in communication with the intrinsically safe camera and a second end configured to be removably attached to and in communication with the host computer located outside of the hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere. 
     
     
         10 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 9 , further comprising an interconnecting cable conditioning module located outside of the hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere connected to the interconnecting cable, the interconnecting cable conditioning module is in line with the interconnecting cable between the first end and the second end and is configured to regulate the voltage and current received from the host computer, thereby regulating the voltage and current in the interconnecting cable between the cable conditioning module and the first end of the interconnecting cable. 
     
     
         11 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 8 , further comprising an interconnecting cable conditioning module located outside of the hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere comprising:
 a host computer interconnecting cable attached to a cable conditioning module, wherein the host computer interconnecting cable is configured to connect to the host computer and the cable conditioning module is configured to connect to the interconnecting cable; and   wherein the interconnecting cable conditioning module is configured to regulate the voltage and current in the interconnecting cable between the cable conditioning module and the intrinsically safe camera.   
     
     
         12 . An intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere comprising:
 a camera chassis with a lens assembly defining a compartment for use in a hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere;   an intrinsically safe camera housed within the compartment and configured to covert images from the lens assembly to digital electronic signals and regulate the digital electronic signals within a low voltage range of between 0 and 5 volts direct current;   an interconnecting cable for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere in communication with the intrinsically safe camera;   an interconnecting cable conditioning module located outside of the hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere connected to the interconnecting cable, wherein the interconnecting cable conditioning module is configured to regulate voltage and current in the interconnecting cable; and   wherein the intrinsically safe camera is configured to transmit the digital electronic signals to a host computer located outside of the hazardous environment with a flammable and volatile atmosphere though the interconnecting cable and interconnecting cable conditioning module.   
     
     
         13 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 12 , wherein said interconnecting cable extends through the camera chassis. 
     
     
         14 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 13 , wherein the interconnecting cable comprises a first end in communication with the intrinsically safe camera and a second end in communication with the host computer with the cable conditioning module in line with the interconnecting cable between the first end and the second end, thereby regulating the voltage and current in the interconnecting cable between the cable conditioning module and the intrinsically safe camera. 
     
     
         15 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 13 , wherein said interconnecting cable conditioning module comprises:
 a host computer interconnecting cable attached to a cable conditioning module, wherein the host computer interconnecting cable is configured to connect to the host computer and the cable conditioning module is configured to connect to the interconnecting cable; and   wherein the interconnecting cable conditioning module is configured to regulate the voltage and current in the interconnecting cable between the cable conditioning module and the intrinsically safe camera.   
     
     
         16 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 12 , wherein said intrinsically safe camera comprises a power source. 
     
     
         17 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 16 , wherein said intrinsically safe camera further comprises:
 an imaging device optically coupled to the lens assembly configured to covert images to digital electronic signals;   a controller in communication with the imaging device;   a memory in communication with the controller;   an input/output interface in communication with the controller; and   a fault protection safety circuit in communication with the controller configured to regulate the digital electronic signals within the low voltage range of between 0 and 5 volts direct current and transmit the digital electronic signals to the host computer.   
     
     
         18 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 17 , wherein said interconnecting cable conditioning module comprises at least one Zener diode to limit over-voltage and at least one resistor to limit over-current. 
     
     
         19 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 18 , wherein the fault protection safety circuit comprises redundant Zener diodes across signal lines to eliminate over-voltage. 
     
     
         20 . The intrinsically safe video camera system for use in hazardous environments with a flammable and volatile atmosphere of  claim 16 , wherein said intrinsically safe camera further comprises an input/output interface in communication with the controller and configured to convert digital signals to optical signals and an optical interface transmitter in communication with the input/output interface.