US3672211A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic search unit
Assignee: STAVELEY INSTRUMENTS Inc 421 NORTH QUAY STREET KENNEWICK WA 99336 A CORP OF WA
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Filing: 1970-06-01
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Herein described is an ultrasonic nondestructive material tester which is useful in testing cylindrical objects, such as pipes or rods. Included in the device is a search unit, comprised of a housing which includes a pair of shoes outwardly extending therefrom, which is adapted to ride on the outside diameter of the pipe or rod. A search unit is disposed in a manner so that ultrasonic energy radiated therefrom is always normal to the outside diameter of the workpiece. A bracket is affixed to the housing and a plate is positioned parallel to the bracket and spaced therefrom. One side of the plate is coupled to the bracket by flexure. The other side of the plate is spring-coupled to the bracket. A second plate parallel to and spaced from the first plate is coupled to the first plate with a flexure on the side of the bracket ninety degrees from the first plate flexure. The second plate is spring-coupled to the first plate in a similar manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon H Hatch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/27; G01N29/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A search unit mounting apparatus for positioning an ultrasonic search unit in communication with a moving workpiece, said apparatus including a housing having a first end adapted to follow the workpiece and a second end remote from the first end, a passage extending axially through said housing, said passage forming an opening in said first end aligned with the workpiece, first and second supports movably disposed adjacent said housing, first and second flexible connections between said first and second supports and the housing, said first flexible connection being resiliently bendable about a first axis at substantiallY right angles to the axis of the housing and the passage therethrough, said second flexible connection being resiliently bendable about a second axis at substantially right angles to said preceding axes, and an ultrasonic search unit mounted on said second support and extending into said passage, said search unit being movable within the housing and adapted to scan said workpiece as the first end thereof moves over the workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A search unit mounting apparatus for positioning an ultrasonic search unit in communication with a moving workpiece, said apparatus including a housing having a first end adapted to follow the workpiece and a second end remote from the first end, a passage extending axially through said housing, said passage forming an opening in said first end aligned with the workpiece, first and second supports movably disposed adjacent said housing, first and second flexible connections between said first and second supports and the housing, said first flexible connection being resiliently bendable about a first axis at substantiallY right angles to the axis of the housing and the passage therethrough, said second flexible connection being resiliently bendable about a second axis at substantially right angles to said preceding axes, and an ultrasonic search unit mounted on said second support and extending into said passage, said search unit being movable within the housing and adapted to scan said workpiece as the first end thereof moves over the workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a pair of shoes on said housing for maintaining said first end adjacent said workpiece and said passage aligned with the workpiece while said workpiece is rotating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the search unit is adapted to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy, and the housing includes means for maintaining said passage full of an ultrasonic couplant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means in the search unit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy, and means on said housing for circulating an ultrasonic couplant into the passage for maintaining the passage full of said couplant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including a resilient boot disposed concentrically about the search unit and attached to the housing, said boot being effective to seal the second end of said passage against the loss of said couplant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first and second flexible connections are leaf springs which are resiliently bendable in directions normal to the plane thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |