US3582771A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Movable inspection device with fluid pressure operated retractors mounted on a rotating member
Assignee: YUBOSCOPE Inc
•
Filing: 1968-09-11
•
Granted: 1971-06-01
•
Expires: 1988-09-11
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses apparatus for inspecting pipe or like tubular articles, particularly magnetic flux leakage-type inspection of ferromagnetic pipe. The pipe is moved axially through rotating inspection apparatus which includes a magnetizer having diametrically opposed pole pieces to produce rotating circumferential flux. Shoe assemblies bearing upon the pipe contain transducers responsive to flux leakage caused by flaws in the pipe, a fluid-powered arrangement being disclosed for suspending the shoes to provide retracted or engaged positions. For the fluid-powered shoe suspension assembly, unique drive mechanisms and lubricating techniques are shown. In one embodiment, the magnetizer pole pieces are adjustable to accommodate pipe of varying sizes.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene A Placke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/72; G01N27/82; G01N27/90; G01N27/9013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
Rotary inspection apparatus for inspecting an object to determine a condition of said object comprising a rotor adapted to rotate relative to a central axis, a movable inspection device mounted on said rotor for rotation therewith about said axis, fluid pressure operated means mounted on said rotor and operable on command to move said inspection device from a first position spaced from and out of inspecting relationship to an object on said central axis to a second position on or proximate said object and in inspecting relationship thereto, a fluid pressurizing means mounted on said rotor and operable to provide a pressurized fluid while said rotor is rotating, means for controllably connecting said fluid pressurizing means to said fluid pressure operated means, and command means for controlling said last-named connecting means to cause the fluid pressure operated means to move the inspection device between said first and second positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
Rotary inspection apparatus for inspecting an object to determine a condition of said object comprising a rotor adapted to rotate relative to a central axis, a movable inspection device mounted on said rotor for rotation therewith about said axis, fluid pressure operated means mounted on said rotor and operable on command to move said inspection device from a first position spaced from and out of inspecting relationship to an object on said central axis to a second position on or proximate said object and in inspecting relationship thereto, a fluid pressurizing means mounted on said rotor and operable to provide a pressurized fluid while said rotor is rotating, means for controllably connecting said fluid pressurizing means to said fluid pressure operated means, and command means for controlling said last-named connecting means to cause the fluid pressure operated means to move the inspection device between said first and second positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
151 words
Rotary inspection apparatus for inspecting an object to determine a condition of said object comprising a rotor adopted to rotate relative to a central axis, a movable inspection device mounted on said rotor for rotation therewith about said axis, fluid pressure operated means mounted on said rotor and operable on command to move said inspection device from a first position spaced from and out of inspecting relationship to an object on said central axis to a second position on or proximate said object and in inspecting relationship thereto, a fluid pressurizing means mounted on said rotor and operable in response to rotation of said rotor to provide a pressurized fluid, means for controllably connecting said fluid pressurizing means to said fluid pressure operated means, and command means for controlling said last-named connecting means to cause the fluid pressure operated means to move the inspection device between said first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
151 words
Rotary inspection apparatus for inspecting an object to determine a condition of said object comprising a rotor adopted to rotate relative to a central axis, a movable inspection device mounted on said rotor for rotation therewith about said axis, fluid pressure operated means mounted on said rotor and operable on command to move said inspection device from a first position spaced from and out of inspecting relationship to an object on said central axis to a second position on or proximate said object and in inspecting relationship thereto, a fluid pressurizing means mounted on said rotor and operable in response to rotation of said rotor to provide a pressurized fluid, means for controllably connecting said fluid pressurizing means to said fluid pressure operated means, and command means for controlling said last-named connecting means to cause the fluid pressure operated means to move the inspection device between said first and second positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 2 and further including a stationary member located at a position removed from said axis and proximate said rotor, means coupling said fluid pressurizing means on the rotor to said stationary member and operable in response to relative motion therebetween to operate said fluid pressurizing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The inspection apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said stationary member is a circular member disposed about said axis, and said coupling means includes a rotation transmitting member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination claimed in claim 4 wherein said rotation transmitting member is a wheel which rides on the stationary circular member and is rotated when the rotor rotates about said axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
ThE inspection apparatus claimed in claim 5 including means for moving said object along said axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The inspection apparatus claimed in claim 6 wherein said command means includes means for sensing the approaching and the leaving of an object relative to said movable inspection device for producing command signals to move the inspection device to its second position when said object is in a position to be inspected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Inspection apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which said coupling means connecting said wheel to said fluid pressuring means is a variable speed transmission.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
Inspection apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which said wheel in engagement with said circular member has a smooth peripheral surface engaging said circular member; and which further includes means mounting said wheel for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said wheel; and means to increase the pressure of engagement of said wheel with said circular member in response to centrifugal forces created by rotation of said rotor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2250460A
Cited
US2719953A
Cited
AT196150B
Cited
US2878447A
Cited
US3202914A
Cited
US3271664A
Cited
US3311819A
Cited
US3345563A
Cited
US3299350A
Cited
US3244972A
Cited
US3346807A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |