ENDOSCOPE AND METHOD FOR USING SAME
The invention relates to the field of inspecting mechanical parts, and in particular to an endoscope ( 1 ) suitable for being used for frequency inspection of a part that is difficult to access, and also to a method of using the endoscope ( 1 ), which endoscope comprises an endoscopic head ( 2 ), an image display device ( 3 ) for displaying images picked up via said endoscopic head ( 2 ), and an elongate member ( 4 ) connecting the endoscopic head ( 2 ) to the display device ( 3 ), and in which the endoscopic head ( 2 ) also includes a frequency inspection device ( 7 ) comprising at least one vibration sensor ( 10 ) for picking up a vibratory response of a subject for frequency inspection.
1 . An endoscope comprising:
an endoscopic head;
an image display device for displaying images picked up via said endoscopic head; and
an elongate member connected to the endoscopic head;
wherein said endoscopic head also includes a frequency inspection device comprising at least one vibration sensor, a contact element for mechanically exciting a subject for frequency inspection, and an actuator for driving said contact element against the subject for inspection.
2 . The endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein said frequency inspection device comprises at least one electromechanical microsystem.
3 . The endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein said vibration sensor is a microphone.
4 . The endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein said elongate member can bend through at least 30°.
5 . The endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein said endoscopic head is connected to the image display device via at least one optical fiber.
6 . The endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein said endoscopic head includes a video sensor connected to the image display device.
7 . The endoscope according to claim 1 , further including a lighting device.
8 . The endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator is piezoelectric.
9 . A set comprising:
a first endoscope comprising:
an endoscopic head with a frequency inspection device including at least one vibration sensor;
an image display device for displaying images picked up via said endoscopic head; and
an elongate member connected to the endoscopic head; and
a second endoscope comprising:
an endoscopic head with at least one contact element for mechanically exciting a subject for frequency inspection and an actuator for driving said contact element against the subject for frequency inspection;
an image display device for displaying images picked up via the endoscopic head of said second endoscope; and
an elongate member connected to the endoscopic head of said second endoscope.
10 . A method of using an endoscope for frequency inspection of a subject for inspection, wherein the endoscope comprises:
an endoscopic head including a frequency inspection device comprising at least one vibration sensor, a contact element for mechanically exciting a subject for inspection, and an actuator for driving said contact element against the subject for inspection;
an image display device for displaying images picked up via said endoscopic head; and
an elongate member connected to the endoscopic head;
the method comprising the following steps:
causing the endoscopic head to approach the subject for inspection in guided manner;
mechanically exciting the subject for inspection by driving the contact element by means of the actuator against the subject for inspection in order to give rise to a vibratory response; and
receiving said vibratory response via the vibration sensor.
11 . A method of using a set for frequency inspection of a subject for inspection, the set comprising:
a first endoscope comprising:
an endoscopic head with a frequency inspection device including at least one vibration sensor;
an image display device for displaying images picked up via said endoscopic head; and
an elongate member connected to the endoscopic head; and
a second endoscope comprising:
an endoscopic head with at least one contact element for mechanically exciting the subject for inspection and an actuator for driving said contact element against the subject for inspection;
an image display device for displaying images picked up via the endoscopic head of said second endoscope; and
an elongate member connected to the endoscopic head of said second endoscope;
the method comprising the following steps:
causing the endoscopic heads to approach the subject for inspection in guided manner;
mechanically exciting the subject for inspection by driving the contact element by means of the actuator against the subject for inspection in order to give rise to a vibratory response; and
receiving said vibratory response via the vibration sensor.