IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,198,326
Granted Patent B2
US 12,198,326 · App. 17/593,977 · Granted Jan 14, 2025

Cable preparation inspection device, system and method

Inventors: Cecil V. Francis (Cedar Park, TX); Sally M. Grambusch (Round Rock, TX); Robert A. Hale (Austin, TX); Qingqiang Ma (Shanghai, CN); Douglas B. Gundel (Cedar Park, TX); Huo Ying Lu (Shanghai, CN)
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
G06T7/001H02G1/1297H04N23/695H04N23/698
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,198,326
App. No.
17/593,977
Granted
Jan 14, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for analyzing or inspecting a prepared portion of a power cable includes a cable gripping section to grip a portion of the power cable proximate to a prepared end of the power cable, where the cable end has been prepared by removing certain portions of the power cable so that it can properly accept an electrical or cable accessory, such as a splice or termination. The device also includes an imaging device holding section to hold an imaging device at a predetermined radial distance from the prepared cable end. In particular, the imaging device holding section is radially and axially adjustable in position. During inspection of the prepared cable end, the imaging device is fully rotated about the prepared cable end to acquire a 360 degree image of the prepared cable end.

Claims (14)

1. A device for inspecting a prepared portion of a power cable, comprising:

a cable gripping section to grip a portion of the power cable proximate to a prepared end of the power cable, and

an imaging device holding section to hold an imaging device at a predetermined radial distance from the prepared cable end,

wherein the imaging device holding section is radially and axially adjustable in position,

and wherein during inspection of the prepared cable end, the imaging device is fully rotated about the prepared cable end to acquire a 360 degree image of the prepared cable end.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cable gripping section rotatably grips the portion of the power cable proximate to the prepared end of the power cable.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the imaging holding section is coupled to an extension arm that rotates about the prepared cable end.

4. A system for inspecting a prepared portion of a power cable, comprising:

a cable inspection device that includes cable gripping section to grip a portion of the power cable proximate to a prepared end of the power cable, and

an imaging device mounted to an imaging device holding section of the cable inspection device to hold the imaging device at a predetermined radial distance from the prepared cable end,

wherein the imaging device holding section is radially and axially adjustable in position,

and wherein during inspection of the prepared cable end, the imaging device is fully rotated about the prepared cable end to acquire a 360 degree image of the prepared cable end.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the cable gripping section rotatably grips the portion of the power cable proximate to the prepared end of the power cable.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the imaging holding section is coupled to an extension arm that rotates about the prepared cable end.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 29, 2021
From: FRANCIS, CECIL V.; GRAMBUSCH, SALLY M.; HALE, ROBERT A.; MA, QINGQIANG; GUNDEL, DOUGLAS B.; LU, HUO YING
To: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Reel/Frame 057643/0755 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220164940A1 · May 26, 2022
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