US3577039A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical apparatus for flaw detection
Assignee: Warner and Swasey Co
•
Filing: 1969-01-28
•
Granted: 1971-05-04
•
Expires: 1989-01-28
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an optical apparatus for flaw detection in which a traveling line of light is reflected from the surface of an object to an array of photocells. The outputs of the photocells are combined in a summing amplifier and changes in the output of the summing amplifier exceeding some predetermined amount above or below a normal value are used as a control or reject signal. Each of the individual photocells is compensated so that the same relative amount of change in the cell''s light input produces the same amount of change in the signal seen at the output of the summing amplifier.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman R Sanford
- 👤 Heinrich J Wieg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for detecting flaws and surface variations in an object comprising; means for presenting different portions of an object to an inspection zone, means for illuminating a line on the object, an array of photocells for receiving light reflected from the illuminated line, a common connection to similar sides of the photocells, summing means connecting the other sides of the photocells for summing their individual outputs, means for individually compensating the photocells to substantially equalize the effects produced by the various photocells when viewing a flaw of some particular magnitude, and signal means operable in accordance with the amount of instantaneous changes in the summed output of the photocells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for detecting flaws and surface variations in an object comprising; means for presenting different portions of an object to an inspection zone, means for illuminating a line on the object, an array of photocells for receiving light reflected from the illuminated line, a common connection to similar sides of the photocells, summing means connecting the other sides of the photocells for summing their individual outputs, means for individually compensating the photocells to substantially equalize the effects produced by the various photocells when viewing a flaw of some particular magnitude, and signal means operable in accordance with the amount of instantaneous changes in the summed output of the photocells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, with means for amplifying a pulse in the summed outputs of the photocells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, with discriminating means for determining whether the pulse is an increase or decrease in signal, with provision for operating the signal means with either an increase or decrease in the signal over some predetermined limit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, together with a capacitance connection between the summing means and the signal means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, the summing means being a summing amplifier; means connecting thereto for amplifying a pulse caused by an increase in cell output, means also connected thereto for amplifying a pulse caused by a decrease in cell output, means for inverting one of those amplified signals, and a trigger means connected to both of the amplifying means for operation by either an increase or decrease in signal over some predetermined limit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for detecting flaws and surface variations in an object comprising: means for presenting different portions of an object to an inspection zone; means for illuminating a line on the object at the inspection zone; an array of photocells for receiving light reflected from the illuminated line; a common connection to similar sides of the photocells; a summing amplifier; means connecting the other sides of the photocells to the summing amplifier to sum the individual outputs of the cells into a single signal which changes from a normal signal in response to increases and decreases in the reflectivity of the illuminated line; means for individually compensating the photocells to substantially equalize their effects on the summing amplifier when subjected to some specific change in the inspected zone; and amplifying means for amplifying pulses caused by a change in strength of the summed signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for detecting flaws and surface variations in an object comprising: means for presenting different portions of an object to an inspection zone; means for illuminating a line on the object at the inspection zone; an array of photocells for receiving light reflected from the illuminated line; a common connection to similar sides of the photocells; a summing amplifier; means connecting the other sides of the photocells to the summing amplifier to sum the individual outputs of the cells into a single signal which changes from a normal signal in response to increases and decreases in the reflectivity of the illuminated line; means for individually compensating the photocells to substantially equalize their effects on the summing amplifier when subjected to some specific change in the inspected zone; and amplifying means for amplifying pulses caused by a change in strength of the summed signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which a single line of photocells is used for receiving light from a single line of light reflected from the object inspected, and the means that illuminates the line supplies different degrees of illumination to different parts of the line and the photocells receive the light reflected from substantially the entire length of the line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2892951A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-03 | 1974-11-02 | 1975-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-03 | 1978-11-02 | 1979-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-03 | 1982-11-02 | 1983-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |