US3612987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inspection apparatus for moving elongated articles including means for extending and retracting a sensor relative to the article
Assignee: YUBOSCOPE Inc
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Filing: 1970-04-13
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Granted: 1971-10-12
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Expires: 1990-04-13
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. Rotary solenoid and linkage mechanisms are disclosed for suspending the shoes and to provide retracted or engaged positions. The magnetizer pole pieces are adjustable to accommodate pipe of varying sizes.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene A Placke
- 👤 Claude D Stegall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/72; G01N27/82; G01N27/90; G01N27/9013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
419 words
Inspection apparatus for inspecting elongated articles that pass along an axial path comprising, rotatable mounting means adapted to rotate coaxially about the axial path, an inspection device for inspecting said article for flaws and adapted to rotate with said mounting means about the axial path, a suspension assembly for mounting said inspection device on the mounting means and for extending the inspection device to a position adjacent the surface of an article on said axial path and for withdrawing the inspection device away from the surface of the article, said suspension assembly including, a pivoted support arm supporting said inspection device and rotatable about a first axis which is parallel to said axial path, a rotatable drive shaft extending parallel to said axial path, a crank arm secured to the drive shaft, means for rotating said drive shaft in opposite directions, an elongated pivot arm mounted for rotation at a point intermediate its two ends about a second axis parallel to said axial path, said drive shaft and said second axis being successively spaced farther from the axial path than said first axis, a linking arm pivotally joined at one of its ends to one end of said crank arm and pivotally joined at its other end to one end of said pivot arm, means including a connecting rod for resiliently connecting the other end of the pivot arm to an end of said support arm, stop means fixed in position with respect to said drive shaft for limiting the rotary motion of the crank arm to respective first and second limit positions when the crank arm rotates in opposite directions the positions of said drive shaft and said first and second axes being so arranged and the lengths of said arms and said rod being so proportioned that said crank arm and linking arm are aligned along a straight line and said other end of the pivot arm is rotated to a position closer to said axial path than said second axis when the crank arm is at its first limit position and said one end of the pivot arm is rotated to a position farther from said axial path than said second axis when the crank arm is rotated to its second limit position, whereby said inspection device is extended to a position adjacent the article on said axial path when the crank arm is at its first limit position and is withdrawn away from the article when the crank arm is in its second limit position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
419 words
Inspection apparatus for inspecting elongated articles that pass along an axial path comprising, rotatable mounting means adapted to rotate coaxially about the axial path, an inspection device for inspecting said article for flaws and adapted to rotate with said mounting means about the axial path, a suspension assembly for mounting said inspection device on the mounting means and for extending the inspection device to a position adjacent the surface of an article on said axial path and for withdrawing the inspection device away from the surface of the article, said suspension assembly including, a pivoted support arm supporting said inspection device and rotatable about a first axis which is parallel to said axial path, a rotatable drive shaft extending parallel to said axial path, a crank arm secured to the drive shaft, means for rotating said drive shaft in opposite directions, an elongated pivot arm mounted for rotation at a point intermediate its two ends about a second axis parallel to said axial path, said drive shaft and said second axis being successively spaced farther from the axial path than said first axis, a linking arm pivotally joined at one of its ends to one end of said crank arm and pivotally joined at its other end to one end of said pivot arm, means including a connecting rod for resiliently connecting the other end of the pivot arm to an end of said support arm, stop means fixed in position with respect to said drive shaft for limiting the rotary motion of the crank arm to respective first and second limit positions when the crank arm rotates in opposite directions the positions of said drive shaft and said first and second axes being so arranged and the lengths of said arms and said rod being so proportioned that said crank arm and linking arm are aligned along a straight line and said other end of the pivot arm is rotated to a position closer to said axial path than said second axis when the crank arm is at its first limit position and said one end of the pivot arm is rotated to a position farther from said axial path than said second axis when the crank arm is rotated to its second limit position, whereby said inspection device is extended to a position adjacent the article on said axial path when the crank arm is at its first limit position and is withdrawn away from the article when the crank arm is in its second limit position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The inspection apparatus claimed in claim 1 and further including, means carried by said mounting means for moving the suspension assembly radially toward ro away from the axial path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The inspection apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said drive shaft is an electrical solenoid which is actuated on command to rotate the drive shaft to move the crank arm to either of its two limit positions
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
The inspection apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein the inspection device includes means responsive to magnetic flux, and the inspection apparatus further includes first and second magnetic cores carried by said mounting means at circumferentially spaced positions about an axial path, said cores extending radially from the mounting means toward said axial path, said mounting means being of a magnetic material to complete a magnetic circuit between the two cores, and means for establishing a radially directed magnetic flux field in each of said magnetic cores.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The inspection apparatus claimed in claim 4 and further including meaNs for adjusting the radial positions of said magnetic cores toward or away from the axial path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The inspection apparatus claimed in claim 5 and further including a removable pole tip attached to the innermost end of each of said magnetic cores, each pole tip having a desired curvature to substantially conform to the surface of a cylindrical object that is to pass along the axial path to be inspected for flaws.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The inspection apparatus claimed in claim 6 wherein said means that is responsive to magnetic flux is carried in a shoe member which is adapted to engage the surface of the elongated article that passes along the axial path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
396 words
Inspection apparatus for inspecting elongated articles that pass along an axial path comprising means for moving an elongated article to be inspected along said path, an inspection device mounted adjacent said path for inspecting said article to determine a condition thereof, a suspension assembly for mounting said inspection device on the mounting means and for extending the inspection device to a position adjacent the surface of an article on said axial path and for withdrawing the inspection device away from the surface of the article, said suspension assembly including, a pivoted support arm supporting said inspection device and rotatable about a first axis which is parallel to said axial path, a rotatable drive shaft extending parallel to said axial path, a crank arm secured to the drive shaft, means for rotating said drive shaft in opposite directions, an elongated pivot arm mounted for rotating at a point intermediate its two ends about a second axis parallel to said axial path, a linking arm pivotally joined at one of its end to one end of said crank arm and pivotally joined at its other end to one end of said pivot arm, means including a connecting rod for resiliently connecting the other end of the pivot arm to an end of said support arm, stop means fixed in position with respect to said drive shaft for limiting the rotary motion of the crank arm to respective first and second limit positions when the crank arm rotates in opposite directions the positions of said drive shaft and said first and seconds axes being so arranged and the lengths of said arms and said rod being so proportioned that said crank arm and linking arm are aligned along a straight line and said other end of the pivot arm is rotated to a position closer to said axial path than said second axis when the crank arm is at its first limit position, and said one and of the pivot arm is rotated to a position farther from said axial path than said second axis when the crank arm is rotated to its second limit position, whereby said inspection device is extended to a position adjacent the article on said axial path when the crank arm is at its first limit position and is withdrawn away from the article when the crank arm is in its second limit position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
396 words
Inspection apparatus for inspecting elongated articles that pass along an axial path comprising means for moving an elongated article to be inspected along said path, an inspection device mounted adjacent said path for inspecting said article to determine a condition thereof, a suspension assembly for mounting said inspection device on the mounting means and for extending the inspection device to a position adjacent the surface of an article on said axial path and for withdrawing the inspection device away from the surface of the article, said suspension assembly including, a pivoted support arm supporting said inspection device and rotatable about a first axis which is parallel to said axial path, a rotatable drive shaft extending parallel to said axial path, a crank arm secured to the drive shaft, means for rotating said drive shaft in opposite directions, an elongated pivot arm mounted for rotating at a point intermediate its two ends about a second axis parallel to said axial path, a linking arm pivotally joined at one of its end to one end of said crank arm and pivotally joined at its other end to one end of said pivot arm, means including a connecting rod for resiliently connecting the other end of the pivot arm to an end of said support arm, stop means fixed in position with respect to said drive shaft for limiting the rotary motion of the crank arm to respective first and second limit positions when the crank arm rotates in opposite directions the positions of said drive shaft and said first and seconds axes being so arranged and the lengths of said arms and said rod being so proportioned that said crank arm and linking arm are aligned along a straight line and said other end of the pivot arm is rotated to a position closer to said axial path than said second axis when the crank arm is at its first limit position, and said one and of the pivot arm is rotated to a position farther from said axial path than said second axis when the crank arm is rotated to its second limit position, whereby said inspection device is extended to a position adjacent the article on said axial path when the crank arm is at its first limit position and is withdrawn away from the article when the crank arm is in its second limit position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3202914A
Cited
US3299350A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-04-12 | 1975-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | 1979-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-11 | 1983-04-12 | 1983-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |