US-12620074-B2 - Systems, apparatus and methods for remote visual inspection

US12620074B2US 12620074 B2US12620074 B2US 12620074B2US-12620074-B2

Abstract

Apparatus and method for visual inspection of a target structure. The apparatus comprises a plurality of cameras for capturing imaging data, the imaging data comprising a plurality of images of the target structure, wherein a first camera of the plurality of cameras is configured to collect the imaging data in a first wavelength range and a second camera configured to collect the imaging data in a second wavelength range, the second wavelength range being a different range of wavelengths to the first wavelength range. At least two of the cameras of the plurality of cameras collect imaging data of the target structure from different angles. The apparatus further comprises a processing unit configured to process the imaging data.

Inventors

Christopher Blake
Innes Auchterlonie

Assignees

IMRANDD LTD.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20240903
Priority Date: 20230904

Claims (16)

1 . An apparatus for visual inspection of a target structure, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of cameras for capturing imaging data, the imaging data comprising a plurality of images of the target structure, wherein a first camera of the plurality of cameras is configured to collect the imaging data in a first wavelength range and a second camera configured to collect the imaging data in a second wavelength range, the second wavelength range being a different range of wavelengths to the first wavelength range; wherein the visual inspection is of a predetermined parameter of the target structure, and wherein the first wavelength range and the second wavelength range are selected based on the predetermined parameter of the target structure; and wherein at least two of the cameras of the plurality of cameras collect imaging data of the target structure from different angles; and a processing unit configured to process the imaging data.
2 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cameras collects the imaging data in a different wavelength band for multispectral imaging.
3 . An apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the different wavelength bands are non-overlapping.
4 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the wavelength range captured by a camera of the plurality of cameras comprises wavelengths in a range of 280 nm-800 nm.
5 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the wavelength range captured by a camera of the plurality of cameras comprises wavelengths in a range from 800 nm-2000 nm.
6 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a camera is provided with an optical filter for selecting a wavelength range to be measured based on the predetermined parameter of the target structure.
7 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cameras comprise physically distanced cameras comprised within a common housing, and wherein the at least some of the plurality of images are configured to be combined for creating depth perception.
8 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a power source.
9 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an attaching assembly configured to securely attach the apparatus such that a position of the apparatus relative to the target structure is constant.
10 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a connectivity module configured to transmit the captured imaging data to a central unit for analysis of the imaging data for performing the visual inspection.
11 . An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the connectivity module comprises a wireless connection to the central unit.
12 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a central unit comprises a cloud-based processor for processing the imaging data.
13 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising, determining damage to the target structure based on the imaging data.
14 . An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to capture imaging data at predetermined time intervals.
15 . A system for visual inspection of a target structure, comprising: one or more apparatus configured to be securely attached to the target structure, wherein a first apparatus includes a plurality of cameras; wherein a first camera in the plurality of cameras collect the imaging data in a first wavelength range; wherein a second camera configured to collect the imaging data in a second wavelength range; wherein the second wavelength range being a different range of wavelengths to the first wavelength range; wherein the first wavelength range and the second wavelength range are selected based on a predetermined parameter of the target structure; and wherein at least two of the cameras of the plurality of cameras collect imaging data of the target structure from different angles; and a central unit configured to receive imaging data from the apparatus, and analyze the imaging data to perform the visual inspection of the target structure.
16 . A method for visual inspection of a target structure by a visual inspection system comprising an apparatus attached to the target structure and a central unit, the method comprising: capturing, by a plurality of cameras of the apparatus, imaging data comprising a plurality of images of the target structure, wherein: a first camera in the plurality of cameras collect the imaging data in a first wavelength range; a second camera configured to collect the imaging data in a second wavelength range; the second wavelength range being a different range of wavelengths to the first wavelength range; the first wavelength range and the second wavelength range are selected based on a predetermined parameter of the target structure; and at least two of the cameras of the plurality of cameras collect imaging data of the target structure from different angles; collecting, by a processing unit of the apparatus, the imaging data; transmitting, by a connectivity module, the collected imagining data to the central unit; receiving, by the central unit, the collected imaging data; and analyzing, by the central unit, the collected imaging data to perform visual inspection of the target structure, wherein the visual inspection is of the predetermined parameter of the target structure.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2313489.3, filed Sep. 4, 2023, titled “Systems, Apparatus and Methods for Remote Visual Inspection,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD This disclosure relates to systems, apparatus and methods of data capture for visual inspection of target structures. Specifically, it describes using multiple cameras that capture image data of the target structure using different wavelength ranges and/or viewing angles for remote visual inspection. BACKGROUND Across a typical piece of large infrastructure such as a wind farm, offshore oil/gas asset, or utilities plant, there are many hundreds of locations that require, sometimes by law, to be inspected for safety and maintenance purposes. These inspections may include a visual inspection to be carried out to determine whether the integrity and safety of the equipment/infrastructure remains sound. These inspections are an ideal candidate for permanently stationed inspection equipment but are in practice almost always performed by a human inspector using a camera, information capturing form (such as for example an inspection report), and/or a laser scan. Such an inspection provides a snapshot in time, and does not provide frequent or real-time data. Historically, the inferior inspection results produced by remote inspection cameras compared to in-person visual inspection has been a barrier for using remote inspection cameras. While more expensive camera systems could be used to increase the quality of the remotely obtained visual data, such a remotely operable camera system is also expensive to implement and expensive to replace. This is particularly relevant to remote monitoring, where cameras can be more exposed to harsher environmental conditions and/or more susceptible to tampering, damage or theft. A remote camera system must be networked (e.g. with wired and/or wireless connections) which may make them difficult to implement on remote assets such as offshore infrastructure. These remote inspection locations often benefit the most from remote inspection. The inspection system would also need to be connected to a power source and/or generate power to function over a useful timespan. Increasing the complexity of the inspection system may provide improved inspection results but have worse battery life. As such, there is a need for rapid and cost-effective solutions to capture real-time (or close to real-time) visual inspection data. Such a remote visual inspection system may enable improved evaluation of threat levels associated with an asset, and may lead to improved asset degradation/maintenance management. Proposed herein are systems, methods and apparatus for visual inspection of infrastructure that address at least some of these challenges. SUMMARY According to a first aspect of the current disclosure there is provided an apparatus for visual inspection of a target structure. The apparatus comprises a plurality of cameras for capturing imaging data. The imaging data comprises a plurality of images of the target structure. A first camera of the plurality of cameras is configured to collect the imaging data in a first wavelength range and a second camera is configured to collect the imaging data in a second wavelength range. The second wavelength range is a different range of wavelengths to the first wavelength range. At least two of the cameras of the plurality of cameras collect imaging data of the target structure from different angles. The apparatus further comprises a processing unit configured to process the imaging data. Optionally, each of the plurality of cameras may collect the imaging data in a different wavelength band for multispectral imaging. Optionally, the different wavelength bands may be non-overlapping. Optionally, the wavelength range captured by a camera of the plurality of cameras may comprise wavelengths in a range of 280 nm-800 nm, or 300 nm-800 nm, or 280 nm-800 nm. Optionally, the wavelength range captured by a camera of the plurality of cameras may comprise wavelengths in a range from 800 nm-2000 nm. Optionally, the visual inspection may be of a predetermined parameter of the target structure. The first wavelength range and the second wavelength range may be selected based on the predetermined parameter of the target structure. Optionally, a camera may be provided with an optical filter for selecting a wavelength range to be measured. Optionally, the plurality of cameras may comprise physically distanced cameras comprised within a common housing. At least some of the plurality of images may be configured to be combined for creating depth perception. Optionally, the apparatus may further comprise a power source, such as a battery. Optionally, the apparatus may further comprise an attaching assembly configured to securely attach the apparatus such that the position of t