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Industrial Television and Closed Circuit TV (CCTV)
Industrial Television and Closed Circuit TV (CCTV)
Based on the knowledge of its Broadcast Camera Technology Pye developed miniature camera systems for Industrial Television Applications.
Based on the knowledge of its Broadcast Camera Technology Pye developed miniature camera systems for Industrial Television Applications.
Main Areas of Activity
Main Areas of Activity
• Nuclear Power Stations
• Nuclear Power Stations
• Underwater Television
• Underwater Television
• Remote Industrial Processes Monitoring and Control
• Remote Industrial Processes Monitoring and Control
• Air to Ground Television
• Air to Ground Television
• Medical Applications
• Medical Applications
• Astronomy
• Astronomy
1952
1952
B.J. Edwards appointed Harry McGhee and Ian Waters to design a small camera for Industrial Television applications using information he had obtained from visiting America.
B.J. Edwards appointed Harry McGhee and Ian Waters to design a small camera for Industrial Television applications using information he had obtained from visiting America.
After developing a MKI Prototype the MKII was introduced in 1954.
After developing a MKI Prototype the MKII was introduced in 1954.
Nuclear Power Station Applications
Nuclear Power Station Applications
A special radiation proof inspection camera was designed to go into the space occupied by a fuel rod when the reactor was shut down and the rod removed.
A special radiation proof inspection camera was designed to go into the space occupied by a fuel rod when the reactor was shut down and the rod removed.
The camera was able to show any problems inside the fuel element enclosure.
The camera was able to show any problems inside the fuel element enclosure.
The camera was subjected to a high temperature and high level gamma radiation.
The camera was subjected to a high temperature and high level gamma radiation.
The in-pile inspection camera
The first Nuclear Installation was at Calder Hall in its Magnox Reactor
The camera was cooled by feeding Carbon Dioxide gas down the cable.
The camera was cooled by feeding Carbon Dioxide gas down the cable.
It was equipped with a rotating mirror and headlight to view all round the inside of the fuel rod space.
It was equipped with a rotating mirror and headlight to view all round the inside of the fuel rod space.
Special winding gear was installed.
Special winding gear was installed.
Eventually Pye Installed Systems in eight UK Nuclear Power Stations and one each in Italy and Japan.
Eventually Pye Installed Systems in eight UK Nuclear Power Stations and one each in Italy and Japan.
The winding gear, camera control unit and picture monitor
1954
1954
In this year the MKIII Camera was introduced with a compact camera head and a control unit connected by a cable.
In this year the MKIII Camera was introduced with a compact camera head and a control unit connected by a cable.
The small head enabled the camera to get into spaces not possible with earlier cameras.
The small head enabled the camera to get into spaces not possible with earlier cameras.
Remote Pan and Tilt heads as well as waterproof housings were available to protect the camera head from adverse conditions.
Remote Pan and Tilt heads as well as waterproof housings were available to protect the camera head from adverse conditions.
MKIII Camera head
MKIII Camera operating in a radiation protected enclosure for stripping out used fuel rods
1959
1959
This year the MKIV Camera was introduced.
This year the MKIV Camera was introduced.
It was cylindrical in shape as many applications required it to be inserted through a circular hole.
It was cylindrical in shape as many applications required it to be inserted through a circular hole.
As well as featuring the latest components it was capable of automatically controlling the video signal when the light level on the scene changed.
As well as featuring the latest components it was capable of automatically controlling the video signal when the light level on the scene changed.
Rocket Science
Rocket Science
One interesting application of CCTV was in conjunction with the UK ICBM named Blue Streak.
One interesting application of CCTV was in conjunction with the UK ICBM named Blue Streak.
Prior to going to the launch site in Australia the rocket motors were tested at Spadeadam in the UK.
Prior to going to the launch site in Australia the rocket motors were tested at Spadeadam in the UK.
A special shock proof housing enclosed the MKIV which monitored the engine performance from a safe distance.
A special shock proof housing enclosed the MKIV which monitored the engine performance from a safe distance.
Underwater Television
Underwater Television
A standard industrial television camera was built into a pressure resistant housing to enable it to work underwater.
A standard industrial television camera was built into a pressure resistant housing to enable it to work underwater.
The idea was that a free swimming frogman could operate the camera in relatively shallow water.
The idea was that a free swimming frogman could operate the camera in relatively shallow water.
Because of its unique shape it was called ‘The Football’ camera.
Because of its unique shape it was called ‘The Football’ camera.
Basing the design on the existing Image Orthicon Studio camera an Underwater camera was developed for use by the Admiralty.
Basing the design on the existing Image Orthicon Studio camera an Underwater camera was developed for use by the Admiralty.
A major problem was to enclose the electronics in a pressure resistant container capable of working at considerable depth in sea water.
A major problem was to enclose the electronics in a pressure resistant container capable of working at considerable depth in sea water.
The design team consisted of Bert Horlock, Ben Coleman, Cy Babbs and Doug Allanson.
The design team consisted of Bert Horlock, Ben Coleman, Cy Babbs and Doug Allanson.
In the 1950’s two major achievements were obtained using an improved design.
In the 1950’s two major achievements were obtained using an improved design.
The first was when the camera was used by the navy aboard HMS Reclaim to recover the wreckage of a Comet 1 jet aircraft which crashed off Elba. The successful recovery of the Comet wreckage led to the ground breaking discovery of the phenomenon called Metal Fatigue.
The first was when the camera was used by the navy aboard HMS Reclaim to recover the wreckage of a Comet 1 jet aircraft which crashed off Elba. The successful recovery of the Comet wreckage led to the ground breaking discovery of the phenomenon called Metal Fatigue.
The second being the recovery of the wreckage of a crashed Dakota aircraft which crashed into Lake Constance.
The second being the recovery of the wreckage of a crashed Dakota aircraft which crashed into Lake Constance.
Astronomy
Astronomy
Another use of the modified broadcast camera involved attaching it to an optical telescope.
Another use of the modified broadcast camera involved attaching it to an optical telescope.
This arrangement gave an improvement in sensitivity over film as well as enabling more than one person to view the scene.
This arrangement gave an improvement in sensitivity over film as well as enabling more than one person to view the scene.
Successful tests were carried out at an observatory in South Africa.
Successful tests were carried out at an observatory in South Africa.
Television in Astronomy In 1956
Television in Astronomy In 1956
Aerial Surveillance
Aerial Surveillance
Experiments were carried out using a camera fitted into a helicopter at Pye. The aim was to see how well the system operated when surveying activity on the ground. The aircraft was a Bristol Sycamore and the radio link was at 250MHz.
Experiments were carried out using a camera fitted into a helicopter at Pye. The aim was to see how well the system operated when surveying activity on the ground. The aircraft was a Bristol Sycamore and the radio link was at 250MHz.
This was the forerunner of police surveillance
This was the forerunner of police surveillance
Camera mounted in helicopter
Aerial view of Pye factory
Many other applications saw the use of remote television being used in steelworks, hospital operating theatres, traffic control systems and the first crowd safety installations.
Many other applications saw the use of remote television being used in steelworks, hospital operating theatres, traffic control systems and the first crowd safety installations.
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