Method and apparatus for detecting defects in articles moving along a path of travel

Claim 2

Apparatus for detecting defects in cylindrical articles comprising: a. conveying means for advancing cylindrical articles through a path of travel; b. a frame supported along said path; c. a rotatable body mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis; d. a plurality of inspection heads connected to said body for rotation therewith about said axis; e. said heads each comprising a probe assembly having a flaw detecting probe unit and probe unit support structure connecting said unit to said body for movement between an inspection position wherein said unit is at least closely adjacent said path whereby it is adjacent a surface of an advancing article and a retracted position remote from said path; f. an actuator for effecting movement of said unit between said positions; g. head support structure connecting said heads to said body including at least one cam member movable relative to said body to adjust the location of said assembly radially relative to said axis; h. said cam member defining at least a cam surface and supporting each assembly at radial locations on said body; and, i. said support structure further including a guide member for said assembly having at least one surface for constraining movement of said assembly along a predetermined path as said cam member moves.

Claim 3

a probe unit support between said probe unit and said body;

Claim 4

a probe unit support between said probe unit and said body;

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including a bushing between said cam member and said guide member for permitting movement of one of said members relative to said body and said other member.

Claim 6

a support member for said calibration article, including structure for detachably supporting a calibration article with its axis at a predetermined location on said support member;

Claim 7

a support member for said calibration article, including structure for detachably supporting a calibration article with its axis at a predetermined location on said support member;

Claim 8

a hinge connecting said support member to said support frame for rotation about a hinge axis between a first position wherein said calibration article is remote from said path of travel and a second calibration position wherein said calibration article is substantially on said rotation axis and said calibration article is positioned for inspection by said heads; and,

Claim 9

a hinge connecting said support member to said support frame for rotation about a hinge axis between a first position wherein said calibration article is remote from said path of travel and a second calibration position wherein said calibration article is substantially on said rotation axis and said calibration article is positioned for inspection by said heads; and,

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cam member and said guide member have central openings through which said axis of rotation extends, said assemblies attached to a slide connected to one of said members and which includes a projecting portion engaging said guide surface and said cam surface.

Claim 11

actuator means connected between said probe unit and said probe unit support for moving said probe unit relative to said probe unit support between an inspection position wherein part of said probe unit is at least closely adjacent an advancing article and a retracted position spaced radially outwardly from said inspection position; and, e. second actuator means for moving said inspection heads radially relative to said body for adjusting the locations of said inspection heads to accommodate different sized articles.

Claim 12

actuator means connected between said probe unit and said probe unit support for moving said probe unit relative to said probe unit support between an inspection position wherein part of said probe unit is at least closely adjacent an advancing article and a retracted position spaced radially outwardly from said inspection position; and, e. second actuator means for moving said inspection heads radially relative to said body for adjusting the locations of said inspection heads to accommodate different sized articles.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said cam surface is defined by a slot in said cam member and said guide surface is defined by a generally radially extending slot in said guide member having a longitudinal axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cam slot.

Claim 14

said calibration article axis rotating in a plane with said rotation axis between said positions and said hinge axis extending transverse to said plane.

Claim 15

said calibration article axis rotating in a plane with said rotation axis between said positions and said hinge axis extending transverse to said plane.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 3 and further including locking structure detachably connecting said guide member and said cam member together against relative rotation therebetween, said locking structure comprising a movable lock member supported by one of said guide and cam members and engageable with the other of said members to lock said members against relative rotation.

Claim 17

Apparatus as defined in claim 5 and wherein said other member defines a series of holes for individually receiving said locking member to lock said members against relative rotation in one of a series of relative positions.

Claim 18

Apparatus for detecting defects in cylindrical articles advancing along a path of travel comprising: a. a frAme supported along said path; b. a rotatable body mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis; c. a plurality of inspection heads connected to said body for rotation therewith about said axis to orbitally move about an article advancing along a path of travel; d. said inspection heads each including:

Claim 19

Apparatus for detecting defects in cylindrical articles advancing along a path of travel comprising: a. a frAme supported along said path; b. a rotatable body mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis; c. a plurality of inspection heads connected to said body for rotation therewith about said axis to orbitally move about an article advancing along a path of travel; d. said inspection heads each including:

Claim 20

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said flaw detecting probe units have leading and trailing portions in the direction of workpiece travel and further including spring means for urging the trailing portion of the probe unit toward the path of travel, said trailing portion of said probe unit being moved against said biasing means when a leading end of an article engages the trailing portion.

Claim 21

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 and further including a third actuator for shifting said apparatus horizontally away from said path of travel, said third actuator including a member having a first position in which said path of travel extends through said body for inspection of articles, and a second position in which said apparatus is clear of a path of travel permitting calibration and maintenance thereof.

Claim 22

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 and further including jack assemblies for vertically moving said body to accommodate elevational changes in paths of travel of articles.

Claim 23

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said heads are orbited about said axis to trace helical paths with respect to articles advancing along said path of travel, said helical paths abutting or overlapping each other so that substantially the entire outer surface of the article is inspected.

Claim 24

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said heads each produce an electrical signal when moved adjacent a flaw in an article and are connected to signal processing circuitry through an electrical circuit including a slipring assembly supported in part by said body.

Claim 25

Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said first actuators are electrically energized to control movement of said probe units between said positions, said first actuators energized and deenergized by completion and interruption of circuits through said slipring assembly.

Claim 26

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said first actuators each include a connecting rod structure engaging a surface on a respective probe unit, said rod moving to effect movement of said probe unit relative to said probe unit support from one of said positions to said other position.

Claim 27

Apparatus as defined in claim 14 and further including spring structure for urging said probe unit against said rod, said spring structure normally maintaining said probe unit in said inspection position.

Claim 28

Apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said first actuator comprises a solenoid coil having an armature connected to said rod, said solenoid operable between a deenergized condition in which said spring structure urges said probe unit to the inspection position and an energized condition wherein said armature and said rod move to overcome the force of said spring structure and maintain said probe unit in the retracted position.

Claim 29

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 and further including structure for calibrating said inspection heads, said calibration structure comprising a first member defining a simulated article having defects of known severity therein, and a second Member supporting said first member for movement relative to said frame between a calibration position in which a periphery of said first member is adjacent said heads for inspection and a second position remote from said heads.

Claim 30

Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said second member is rotatably connected to said frame and said first member is detachably connected to said second member.

Claim 31

In an apparatus for detecting flaws in cylindrical articles: a. a plurality of flaw detecting assemblies orbitally moved about a rotation axis and adjacent a periphery of a cylindrical article for detecting flaws therein; b. structure supporting said assemblies for rotation about said axis and for radial movement toward and away from said axis, said structure comprising; c. a first annular guide plate defining guide surfaces engageable with each assembly; d. a second annular cam plate defining cam surfaces engageable with each assembly; e. and means enabling relative movement between said plates; and, f. said cam and guide surfaces urging said assemblies in a radial direction relative to said axis upon relative movement therebetween.

Claim 32

In an apparatus for detecting flaws in cylindrical articles: a. a plurality of flaw detecting assemblies orbitally moved about a rotation axis and adjacent a periphery of a cylindrical article for detecting flaws therein; b. structure supporting said assemblies for rotation about said axis and for radial movement toward and away from said axis, said structure comprising; c. a first annular guide plate defining guide surfaces engageable with each assembly; d. a second annular cam plate defining cam surfaces engageable with each assembly; e. and means enabling relative movement between said plates; and, f. said cam and guide surfaces urging said assemblies in a radial direction relative to said axis upon relative movement therebetween.

Claim 33

In an apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said means includes locking structure for preventing relative rotation between said plates when said assemblies are at a predetermined location radially of said axis.

Claim 34

Apparatus for detecting defects in cylindrical articles comprising: a. conveying means for advancing cylindrical workpieces through a path of travel; b. a frame supported along said path; c. a rotatable body mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis; d. a plurality of inspection heads connected to said body for rotation therewith about said axis; e. said heads each including a probe assembly having a flaw detecting probe unit and probe unit support structure connecting said unit to said body for movement between an inspection position wherein said unit is at least closely adjacent said path whereby it is adjacent a surface of an advancing workpiece and a retracted position remote from said path; f. an actuator for effecting movement of said unit between said positions; g. head support structure connecting said heads to said body including at least one support member movable relative to said body to adjust the location of said assembly radially relative to said axis; h. an electric motor for rotating said body, said motor energized through a circuit connected across electric power supply terminals, and means for completing said circuit through said motor including a tool and a tool support structure, said circuit completed when said tool is supported by said tool support structure and interrupted when said tool is removed; and, i. said tool including parts engageable with said at least one support member for adjusting the location of said assembly when said tool is removed from said tool support structure.

Claim 35

Apparatus for detecting defects in cylindrical articles comprising: a. conveying means for advancing cylindrical workpieces through a path of travel; b. a frame supported along said path; c. a rotatable body mounted on said frame for rotation about an axis; d. a plurality of inspection heads connected to said body for rotation therewith about said axis; e. said heads each including a probe assembly having a flaw detecting probe unit and probe unit support structure connecting said unit to said body for movement between an inspection position wherein said unit is at least closely adjacent said path whereby it is adjacent a surface of an advancing workpiece and a retracted position remote from said path; f. an actuator for effecting movement of said unit between said positions; g. head support structure connecting said heads to said body including at least one support member movable relative to said body to adjust the location of said assembly radially relative to said axis; h. an electric motor for rotating said body, said motor energized through a circuit connected across electric power supply terminals, and means for completing said circuit through said motor including a tool and a tool support structure, said circuit completed when said tool is supported by said tool support structure and interrupted when said tool is removed; and, i. said tool including parts engageable with said at least one support member for adjusting the location of said assembly when said tool is removed from said tool support structure.

Claim 36

In an apparatus for detecting flaws in articles advancing along a path of travel comprising at least one flaw detecting head supported for orbital movement about articles: a. calibrating structure for said at least one head; b. said calibrating structure comprising a first member defining a simulated article having flaws of known severity therein; c. a second member supporting said simulated article for movement relative to said at least one head from a first position remote from said head to a second calibrating position wherein said simulated article lies on said path of travel and the periphery of said simulated article is located for inspection by said head; d. said at least one flaw detecting head being supported in an inspection unit and further including a marker unit having a marking device for marking articles in response to detection of flaws; e. switch means operated in response to movement of said second member from said first position to disable said marker unit; f. an actuator for mOving said inspection and marker units between an inspection position in which articles are advanced therethrough along the path of travel and a second calibrating position wherein said units are cleared from said path; and, g. said switch means disabling said actuator from moving said units from the calibrating position when said second member is away from said first position.

Claim 37

In an apparatus for detecting flaws in articles advancing along a path of travel comprising at least one flaw detecting head supported for orbital movement about articles: a. calibrating structure for said at least one head; b. said calibrating structure comprising a first member defining a simulated article having flaws of known severity therein; c. a second member supporting said simulated article for movement relative to said at least one head from a first position remote from said head to a second calibrating position wherein said simulated article lies on said path of travel and the periphery of said simulated article is located for inspection by said head; d. said at least one flaw detecting head being supported in an inspection unit and further including a marker unit having a marking device for marking articles in response to detection of flaws; e. switch means operated in response to movement of said second member from said first position to disable said marker unit; f. an actuator for mOving said inspection and marker units between an inspection position in which articles are advanced therethrough along the path of travel and a second calibrating position wherein said units are cleared from said path; and, g. said switch means disabling said actuator from moving said units from the calibrating position when said second member is away from said first position.

Claim 38

Apparatus for detecting flaws in articles advancing along a path of travel comprising: a. a support frame; b. a body supported on said frame for rotation about a rotation axis coextending with an article path of travel; c. a plurality of flaw detecting heads supported on said body at an end thereof for rotation therewith about said axis whereby an article advancing along the path passes through said body between said heads; and, d. calibration structure for said apparatus comprising:

Claim 39

Apparatus for detecting flaws in articles advancing along a path of travel comprising: a. a support frame; b. a body supported on said frame for rotation about a rotation axis coextending with an article path of travel; c. a plurality of flaw detecting heads supported on said body at an end thereof for rotation therewith about said axis whereby an article advancing along the path passes through said body between said heads; and, d. calibration structure for said apparatus comprising: