An eddy current defect detector utilizing plural rotating search coils in combination with logic circuitry and markers

Claim 2

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having rotatable search coils where n is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and spaced radially about said axes, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. of m marking devices fixedly mounted and spaced apart radially about said axes, m being an integral multiple of n; b. of n logic channels connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said n signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said m marking devices when said logic channels are enabled; and c. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said logic channels as said search coils rotate.

Claim 3

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. m marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes, m being an integral multiple of n; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defecting indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled; c. m second logic channels connected as n separate groups with m/n second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said m marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; and d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate.

Claim 4

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. m marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes, m being an integral multiple of n; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defecting indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled; c. m second logic channels connected as n separate groups with m/n second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said m marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; and d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate.

Claim 5

The improvement of claim 1, wherein said position indicating means includes: i. pulse producing means for providing at least one pulse signal each time said Search coils incrementally rotate through 360/m*, and ii. counting means connected to receive consecutive pulse signals from said pulse producing means and provide said enabling signals to successively enable said logic channels.

Claim 6

The improvement of claim 2, wherein said position indicating means includes: i. first pulse producing means for providing a first pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/n*; ii. second pulse producing means for providing a second pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/m* beyond each point where said first pulse signal is produced; iii. first counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals from said first pulse producing means and successively enable said first logic channels as said search coils rotate; and iv. second counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals and consecutive second pulse signals from said first and second pulse producing means and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate.

Claim 7

The improvement of claim 4, wherein said first counting means is a digital counter.

Claim 8

The improvement of claim 3, wherein said pulse producing means includes a plurality of switches fixedly positioned with respect to said search coils, and switch actuating means mounted for rotation with said search coils for actuating said switches.

Claim 9

The improvement of claim 6, wherein said switches are reed switches, and said actuating means are magnets.

Claim 10

The improvement of claim 1, wherein m equals 2n.

Claim 11

The improvement of claim 8, wherein m equals 8 and n equals 4.

Claim 12

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. m marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes, m being an integral multiple of n; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defect indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled; c. m second logic channels connected as n separate groups with m/n second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said m marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate, said position indicating means including i. first pulse producing means for providing a first pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/n*; ii. second pulse producing means for providing a second pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/m* beyond each point where said first pulse signal is produced; iii. first counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals from said first pulse producing means and successively enable saiD first logic channels as said search coils rotate; iv. second counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals and consecutive second pulse signals from said first and second pulse producing means and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate; and e. third pulse producing means for providing a reset pulse to said counting means once during each 360* rotation of said search coils.

Claim 13

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. m marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes, m being an integral multiple of n; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defect indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled; c. m second logic channels connected as n separate groups with m/n second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said m marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate, said position indicating means including i. first pulse producing means for providing a first pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/n*; ii. second pulse producing means for providing a second pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/m* beyond each point where said first pulse signal is produced; iii. first counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals from said first pulse producing means and successively enable saiD first logic channels as said search coils rotate; iv. second counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals and consecutive second pulse signals from said first and second pulse producing means and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate; and e. third pulse producing means for providing a reset pulse to said counting means once during each 360* rotation of said search coils.

Claim 14

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. m marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes, m being an integral multiple of n; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defect indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled; c. m second logic channels connected as n separate groups with m/n second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said m marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate, said position indicating means including: i. pulse producing means for providing at least one pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/n*; and ii. counting means connected to receive consecutive pulse signals from said pulse producing means and provide said enabling signals to successively enable said logic channels.

Claim 15

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. m marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes, m being an integral multiple of n; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defect indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled; c. m second logic channels connected as n separate groups with m/n second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said m marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate, said position indicating means including: i. pulse producing means for providing at least one pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/n*; and ii. counting means connected to receive consecutive pulse signals from said pulse producing means and provide said enabling signals to successively enable said logic channels.

Claim 16

The improvement of claim 4, wherein said first and second pulse producing means includes a plurality of switches fixedly positioned with respect to said search coils, and switch actuating means mounted for rotation with said search coils for actuating said switches.

Claim 17

The improvement of claim 5, wherein said first and second pulse producing means includes a plurality of switches fixedly positioned with respect to said search coils, and switch actuating means mounted for rotation with said search coils for actuating said switches.

Claim 18

The improvement of claim 12, wherein said switches are reed switches, and said actuating means are magnets.

Claim 19

The improvement of claim 13, wherein said switches are reed switches, and said actuating means are magnets.

Claim 20

The improvements of claim 5, further including third pulse producing means for providing a reset pulse to said counting means once during each 360* rotation of said search coils.

Claim 21

The improvement of claim 12, further including third pulse producing means for providing a reset pulse to said counting means once during each 360* rotation of said search coils.

Claim 22

The improvement of claim 13, further including third pulse producing means for providing a reset pulse to said counting means once during each 360* rotation of said search coils.

Claim 23

The improvement of claim 16, wherein said switches are reed switches, and said actuating means are magnEts.

Claim 24

The improvement of claim 17, wherein said switches are reed switches, and said actuating means are magnets.

Claim 25

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. m marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes, m being an integral multiple of n; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defect indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled; c. m second logic channels connected as n separate groups with m/n second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said m marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate, said position indicating means including: i. first pulse producing means including at least one reed switch and at least one actuating magnet for providing a first pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/n*. ii. second pulse producing means including at least one reed switch and at least one actuating magnet for providing a second pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/m* beyond each point where said first pulse signal is produced, iii. first counting means comprising a digital counter connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals from said first pulse producing means and successively enable said first logic channels as said search coils rotate; iv. second counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals and consecutive second pulse signals from said first and second pulse producing means and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate; and e. third pulse producing means for providing a reset pulse to said counting means once during each 360* rotation of said search coils.

Claim 26

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. m marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes, m being an integral multiple of n; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defect indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled; c. m second logic channels connected as n separate groups with m/n second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said m marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate, said position indicating means including: i. first pulse producing means including at least one reed switch and at least one actuating magnet for providing a first pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/n*. ii. second pulse producing means including at least one reed switch and at least one actuating magnet for providing a second pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/m* beyond each point where said first pulse signal is produced, iii. first counting means comprising a digital counter connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals from said first pulse producing means and successively enable said first logic channels as said search coils rotate; iv. second counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals and consecutive second pulse signals from said first and second pulse producing means and successively enable said m/n second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate; and e. third pulse producing means for providing a reset pulse to said counting means once during each 360* rotation of said search coils.

Claim 27

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where m is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. 2n marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defect indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled c. 2n second logic channels connected as n separate groups with two second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said 2n marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; and d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said two second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate.

Claim 28

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where m is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. 2n marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defect indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled c. 2n second logic channels connected as n separate groups with two second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said 2n marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; and d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said two second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate.

Claim 29

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. 2n marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes; b. 2n logic channels connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said n signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said 2n marking devices when said logic channels are enabled; and c. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said logic channels as said search coils rotate, said position indicating means including: i. pulse producing means for providing at least one pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 180/n*; and ii. counting means connected to receive consecutive pulse signals from said pulse producing means and provide said enabling signals to successively enable said logic channels.

Claim 30

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axes, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. 2n marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes; b. 2n logic channels connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said n signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide marker actuating signals to said 2n marking devices when said logic channels are enabled; and c. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said logic channels as said search coils rotate, said position indicating means including: i. pulse producing means for providing at least one pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 180/n*; and ii. counting means connected to receive consecutive pulse signals from said pulse producing means and provide said enabling signals to successively enable said logic channels.

Claim 31

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axis, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. 2n marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defect indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled; c. n second logic channels connected as n separate groups with two second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provided marker actuating signals to said n marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; and d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said two second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate; said position indicating means including: i. first pulse producing means for providing a first pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/n*, ii. second pulse producing means for providing a second pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 180/n* beyond each point where said first pulse signal is produced; iii. first counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals from said first pulse producing means and successively enable said first logic channels as said search coils rotate; and iv. second counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals and consecutive second pulse signals from said first and second pulse producing means and successively enable said two second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate.

Claim 32

In eddy current defect detecting and marking apparatus for inspecting an elongated article having a longitudinal axis and having n rotatable search coils where n is any integral number greater than 1 mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with said longitudinal axis and equally spaced radially about said axis, and having n signal processing channels respectively connected to said search coils for respectively providing defect indicating signals in response to a defect of greater than a predetermined severity being detected by a corresponding search coil, the improvement comprising: a. 2n marking devices fixedly mounted and equally spaced apart radially about said axes; b. n first logic channels all connected to receive said defect indicating signals from said signal processing channels and in response thereto respectively provide channel selector output signals when said defect indicating signals occur when said first logic channels are enabled; c. n second logic channels connected as n separate groups with two second channels in each group, to respectively receive said channel selector output signals from said n first logic channels and in response thereto respectively provided marker actuating signals to said n marking devices when said second logic channels are enabled; and d. position indicating means operatively connected to said rotatable search coils for providing enabling signals to successively enable said first logic channels and successively enable said two second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate; said position indicating means including: i. first pulse producing means for providing a first pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 360/n*, ii. second pulse producing means for providing a second pulse signal each time said search coils incrementally rotate through 180/n* beyond each point where said first pulse signal is produced; iii. first counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals from said first pulse producing means and successively enable said first logic channels as said search coils rotate; and iv. second counting means connected to receive consecutive first pulse signals and consecutive second pulse signals from said first and second pulse producing means and successively enable said two second logic channels of each said group as said search coils rotate.

Claim 33

The improvement of claim 6, wherein m equals 2n.

Claim 34

The improvement of claim 12, wherein m equals 2n.

Claim 35

The improvement of claim 13, wherein m equals 2n.

Claim 36

The improvement of claim 14, wherein m equals 2n.

Claim 37

The improvement of claim 15, wherein m equals 2n.

Claim 38

The improvement of claim 16, wherein m equals 2n.

Claim 39

The improvement of claim 17, wherein m equals 2n.

Claim 40

The improvement of claim 18, wherein m equals 2n.

Claim 41

The improvement of claim 2, wherein m equals eight and n equals four.

Claim 42

The improvement of claim 3, wherein m equals eight and n equals four.

Claim 43

The improvement of claim 4, wherein m equals eight and n equals four.

Claim 44

The improvement of claim 6, wherein m equals eight and n equals four.

Claim 45

The improvement of claim 11, wherein m equals eight and n equals four.

Claim 46

The improvement of claim 12, wherein m equals eight and n equals four.

Claim 47

The improvement of claim 13, wherein m equals eight and n equals four.

Claim 48

The improvement of claim 14, wherein m equals eight and n equals four.

Claim 49

The improvement of claim 15, wherein m equals eight and n equals four.

Claim 50

The improvement of claim 16, wherein m equals eight and n equals four.

Claim 51

The improvement of claim 17, wherein m equals eight and n equals four.