Patent US3602036A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3602036A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic pipe-testing equipment
Assignee: United States Steel Corp
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Filing: 1969-08-13
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1989-08-13
Abstract
Abstract Ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus having an articulated support for holding contoured inspection shoes on a pipe in operative positions on opposite sides of a weld to be inspected. The articulated support comprises a linkage having a resilient bias for moving the shoes to positions in engagement with the surface of the pipe, and a universal connection mounting the shoes for limited swiveling of floating movement so that they can follow lateral movement of the pipe and irregularities in its surface. Wiper blades extending axially along opposite edges of the shoes hold the liquid couplant for the transmission of ultrasonic vibrations against leakage circumferentially from the space between the shoes and the pipe, and thereby enable the spacing between the shoes and the surface of the pipe to be increased and provide a greater radial depth of the liquid couplant on the surface of the pipe. A manifold on each shoe delivers the liquid couplant to the space between the wiper blades through openings provided for this purpose in the shoe. The universal mounting for the shoes, the wiper blades along opposite edges thereof, and the manifold for delivering liquid thereto cooperate to provide an improved liquid couplant for the transmission of ultrasonic vibrations between the pipe and a transducer mounted on the shoes.
Inventors
- 👤 Axel H Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
In ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus, the combination with a shoe having a segmental cylindrical surface on one side thereof extending axially and circumferentially with respect to the surface of a pipe to be inspected, of a biasing mounting for said shoe comprising a link having a supporting pivot at one end thereof, means connecting the other end of said link with said shoe at a point located centrally of the other side thereof, said connecting means providing for universal swiveling movement of said shoe with respect to said link, means resiliently biasing the movement of said link about said pivot to bias said shoe for movement in a direction toward said pipe, spacer means on said shoe for engaging said pipe to hold said shoe surface spaced a predetermined distance from said pipe surface, and fluid supply means for delivering liquid to the space between said shoe and pipe surfaces, said spacer means including blades extending axially along said opposite edges and having wiping engagement with said pipe surface for sealing said space against leakage of fluid along said opposite shoe edges, said wiper blades operating to constrain the flow of liquid out of said space in an axial direction from opposite ends of said shoe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
In ultrasonic pipe inspection apparatus, the combination with a shoe having a segmental cylindrical surface on one side thereof extending axially and circumferentially with respect to the surface of a pipe to be inspected, of a biasing mounting for said shoe comprising a link having a supporting pivot at one end thereof, means connecting the other end of said link with said shoe at a point located centrally of the other side thereof, said connecting means providing for universal swiveling movement of said shoe with respect to said link, means resiliently biasing the movement of said link about said pivot to bias said shoe for movement in a direction toward said pipe, spacer means on said shoe for engaging said pipe to hold said shoe surface spaced a predetermined distance from said pipe surface, and fluid supply means for delivering liquid to the space between said shoe and pipe surfaces, said spacer means including blades extending axially along said opposite edges and having wiping engagement with said pipe surface for sealing said space against leakage of fluid along said opposite shoe edges, said wiper blades operating to constrain the flow of liquid out of said space in an axial direction from opposite ends of said shoe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
Pipe inspection apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized by said fluid supply means comprising a manifold on said shoe, a conduit for supplying liquid to said manifold, and a passageway opening from said manifold into said space at a point between said wiper blades for delivering fluid from said manifold into said space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A pipe inspection apparatus of the type defined in claim 1 characterized by there being a pair of said shoes, a support extending transversely of said pipe, and articulated linkages respectively including one of said links and one of said pivots mounting said shoes on opposite ends of said support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Pipe inspection apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized by said connecting means comprising a universal movement of said shoes with respect to the said other end of said link.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
Pipe inspection apparatus as defined in claim 3 characterized by said resilient means comprising a common spring extending transversely with respect to the axis of said pipe and having opposite ends thereof connected with said links for biasing their respective pivotal movements in opposite directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
180 words
In ultrasonic apparatus for inspecting pipe, the combination with an inspection shoe having a curved surface in the shape of a cylindrical segment, and means supporting said shoe with said curved surface spaced radially from and facing the surface of a pipe to be inspected, of a pair of circumferentially spaced wiper blades respectively extending axially along opposite edges of said shoe and having wiping engagement with said pipe surface, and means for introducing liquid into the space between said shoe and pipe surfaces comprising a manifold on said shoe in a position located radially outwardly with respect to said curved surface, a liquid supply conduit connected with said manifold for delivering liquid thereto, and a passageway for the flow of liquid from said manifold in a radial direction direction into said space at a point between said wiper blades, said blades operating to prevent leakage of said fluid from said space alonG the said opposite edges of said shoe and to constrain the flow of fluid out of space in an axial direction from opposite ends of said shoe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
180 words
In ultrasonic apparatus for inspecting pipe, the combination with an inspection shoe having a curved surface in the shape of a cylindrical segment, and means supporting said shoe with said curved surface spaced radially from and facing the surface of a pipe to be inspected, of a pair of circumferentially spaced wiper blades respectively extending axially along opposite edges of said shoe and having wiping engagement with said pipe surface, and means for introducing liquid into the space between said shoe and pipe surfaces comprising a manifold on said shoe in a position located radially outwardly with respect to said curved surface, a liquid supply conduit connected with said manifold for delivering liquid thereto, and a passageway for the flow of liquid from said manifold in a radial direction direction into said space at a point between said wiper blades, said blades operating to prevent leakage of said fluid from said space alonG the said opposite edges of said shoe and to constrain the flow of fluid out of space in an axial direction from opposite ends of said shoe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
Pipe inspection apparatus as defined in claim 6 characterized by adjustable means supporting said wiper blades on said shoes for movement toward and away from said pipe surface to adjust their respective wiping engagement therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Pipe inspection apparatus as defined in claim 6 characterized by a plurality of spacer elements on said shoe and in sliding engagement with said pipe for holding said pipe and shoe surfaces spaced radially relative to each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention defined in claim 8 characterized by each of said spacer elements comprising skids secured to said shoe and extending axially with respect to and in sliding engagement with said pipe surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention defined in claim 9 characterized by said skids comprising said wiper blades.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The pipe inspection apparatus defined in claim 7 in which said wiper blades operate to space said shoe surface with respect to said pipe surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
Pipe inspection apparatus as defined in claim 6 characterized by said supporting means comprising biasing means engaged with said shoe at a point centrally between opposite ends of said wiper blades at the four corners of said shoe for resiliently holding said shoe with said wiper blades in wiping engagement with said pipe surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
Pipe inspection apparatus as defined in claim 12 characterized by means mounting said shoe for universal swiveling movement on said supporting means at said central point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A pipe inspection apparatus as defined in claim 13 characterized by said shoe-mounting means comprising a ball joint on said central point, and by said biasing means comprising a pivotal link to which said ball joint is connected for applying said resilient biasing force to said shoe.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |