Patent US3650397A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3650397A
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System for inspecting and classifying objects such as screws, bolts and the like while in motion
Assignee: ARMTEC INDUSTRIES Inc THREE FRENCH DRIVE MANCHESTER NH A CORP OF NH
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Filing: 1970-11-19
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Granted: 1972-03-21
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Expires: 1990-11-19
Abstract
Abstract Inspection and grading system for threaded objects comprising sequential detection, measurement, and comparison of major and minor diametral values of a threaded object while in motion. Such values are determined along the pitch angle of the threaded object throughout its longitudinal length. Measurements are made cyclically as the object is guided through the detection zone. The measured values are evaluated e.g., by sequential comparison to computer stored values of a standard threaded object and accepted or rejected based on the selective discrimination level. The objects are counted and classified.
Inventors
- 👤 Dwight D Bornemeier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:58
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
An electro-optical system for in-line inspection of of opaque and semi-opaque light attenuating objects having an undulating surface such as bolts, screws, studs, and the like, while traveling in an axial direction transverse to a sectional view of such undulating surface comprising source means for radiant energy which is substantially nonpenetrative in character, optic means for establishing an image system with an object plane for elevational viewing of such objects while traveling through the object plane, guiDe means for directing such objects along a predetermined path into the object plane and providing a predetermined orientation for such objects, detector means positioned to receive a projection of an object being inspected during passage through the object plane, the detector means including a plurality of individual detector elements arranged in side-by-side predetermined spaced relationship to detect dimensional characteristics from a shadow image of the object cast on the detector elements during passage of the object through the object plane, means for cyclically interrogating the individual detector elements to sequentially measure dimensional characteristics of the undulating surface during such passage, and data processing means responsive to such cyclic interrogation for generating a signal to control disposition of the object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
An electro-optical system for in-line inspection of of opaque and semi-opaque light attenuating objects having an undulating surface such as bolts, screws, studs, and the like, while traveling in an axial direction transverse to a sectional view of such undulating surface comprising source means for radiant energy which is substantially nonpenetrative in character, optic means for establishing an image system with an object plane for elevational viewing of such objects while traveling through the object plane, guiDe means for directing such objects along a predetermined path into the object plane and providing a predetermined orientation for such objects, detector means positioned to receive a projection of an object being inspected during passage through the object plane, the detector means including a plurality of individual detector elements arranged in side-by-side predetermined spaced relationship to detect dimensional characteristics from a shadow image of the object cast on the detector elements during passage of the object through the object plane, means for cyclically interrogating the individual detector elements to sequentially measure dimensional characteristics of the undulating surface during such passage, and data processing means responsive to such cyclic interrogation for generating a signal to control disposition of the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 1 in which the data processing means include storage means for storing dimensional values of a standard model of the object under inspection and including means for comparing the sequentially measured dimensional values for such object with the stored dimensional values for a standard model of the object to determine classification of the inspected object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 in which the detector means are in uniformly spaced relation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 in which the optic means magnify the image of the object during inspection and as cast on the detector means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 for inspecting an elongated threaded object in which the plurality of detector elements are arranged in side-by-side relation along a line which coincident with the pitch angle of the threaded object and transverse to its longitudinal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 5 in which spacing between center points of the detector elements along a line coincident with the pitch angle is about 0.002 inch to about 0.02 inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 in which the detector elements comprise photo-responsive semi-conductor cells electrically coupled to produce an input signal for the data processing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 in which the data processing means includes a counter means for ascertaining and recording the number of threaded objects inspected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 further including ejector means connected to be activated by the computer means to eject parts having a predetermined number of faults.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 in which the guide means defines a tubular configuration for the object to be inspected and comprises material which is substantially transparent and non-attenuating to the radiant energy.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for electro-optically inspecting light attenuating objects having an undulating surface, such as bolts, screws, studs, and the like, comprising establishing an object viewing plane for projecting a magnified image of an object to be inspected, guiding an object to be inspected along a predetermined path and with predetermined orientation through the object plane so as to have its undulating surface cast a shadow image on a plurality of detectors aligned in predetermined spaced relationship along a line transverse to such undulating surface shadow image, cyclically interrogating the detector means to sequentially measure diametral characteristics of the undulating surface and generating responsive signals, directing signals form the detector means to a data processing means, and controlling classification of the object being inspected responsively to such sequentially measured diametral characteristic.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for electro-optically inspecting light attenuating objects having an undulating surface, such as bolts, screws, studs, and the like, comprising establishing an object viewing plane for projecting a magnified image of an object to be inspected, guiding an object to be inspected along a predetermined path and with predetermined orientation through the object plane so as to have its undulating surface cast a shadow image on a plurality of detectors aligned in predetermined spaced relationship along a line transverse to such undulating surface shadow image, cyclically interrogating the detector means to sequentially measure diametral characteristics of the undulating surface and generating responsive signals, directing signals form the detector means to a data processing means, and controlling classification of the object being inspected responsively to such sequentially measured diametral characteristic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 11 including the step of comparing diametral characteristics of the undulating surface as detected by the detector means to standard values for such surfaces stored in the data processing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3060791A
Cited
US3395794A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-21 | 1975-09-20 | 1976-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-21 | 1979-09-20 | 1980-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-21 | 1983-09-20 | 1984-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |