US3673695A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-tilting probe
Assignee: Rohr Inc
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Filing: 1970-05-22
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-05-22
Abstract
Abstract An inspection probe comprises a housing for mounting on an inspection element of a programmed type of metal working machine. A coaxial assembly of parts is mounted in the housing, said assembly comprising an elongated inspection tip mounted for axial movement coaxially of a bearing, the bearing being mounted coaxially within a bearing support, which in turn is mounted for guided movement in a plane at right angles to the common axis of said assembly. A restraining sleeve is mounted coaxially on the bearing assembly for limited axial movement to either of two adjusted, detent latched positions. In one adjusted, detent latched position of the restraining sleeve, the bearing assembly is restrained against lateral movement, but the inspection tip is free for movement axially of the assembly. In the other adjusted, detent latched position of the restraining sleeve, the inspection tip is restrained against axial movement but is free, with the bearing assembly, for guided movement in such plane at right angles to the inspection tip axis. Electrical transducer means are actuated by movement of the inspection tip with the restraining sleeve in either of said adjusted, detent latched positions to accurately measure and indicate the amount of inspection tip movement in either of said directions.
Inventors
- 👤 William F Rethwish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/004; G01B7/008; G01B7/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A non-tilting inspection probe comprising 3 housing, means for mounting the housing on an inspection element of a metal working machine, an assembly of parts mounted in the housing for guided, universal movement limited to a selected plane, one of the parts of said assembly comprising an actuator mounted for guided movement along an axis at right angles to said selected plane, an elongated inspection tip mounted on the actuator for movement therewith, means for selectively restraininG said assembly against movement in such selected plane while leaving the actuator and inspection tip free for movement along such axis, and for restraining the actuator and inspection tip against movement along such axis while leaving said assembly free for guided, universal movement along such selected plane, and transducer means operatively connected to the actuator and inspection tip for measuring and indicating movement of the actuator and inspection tip selectively along such selected plane and along such axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A non-tilting inspection probe comprising 3 housing, means for mounting the housing on an inspection element of a metal working machine, an assembly of parts mounted in the housing for guided, universal movement limited to a selected plane, one of the parts of said assembly comprising an actuator mounted for guided movement along an axis at right angles to said selected plane, an elongated inspection tip mounted on the actuator for movement therewith, means for selectively restraininG said assembly against movement in such selected plane while leaving the actuator and inspection tip free for movement along such axis, and for restraining the actuator and inspection tip against movement along such axis while leaving said assembly free for guided, universal movement along such selected plane, and transducer means operatively connected to the actuator and inspection tip for measuring and indicating movement of the actuator and inspection tip selectively along such selected plane and along such axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
An inspection probe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the assembly of parts comprises the actuator mounted for axial movement coaxially within a bearing, the bearing mounted coaxially within a bearing support member, and the bearing support member mounted for guided universal movement limited to a plane at right angles to the common axis of said actuator, bearing and bearing support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
An inspection probe as claimed in claim 2 wherein the bearing support member has a radial flange thereon disposed in a plane at right angles to the common axis of said assembly of parts, a pair of ring type ball bearings mounted in the housing with one of the ring type bearings in bearing, supported engagement with each side of said flange, and means resiliently urging the bearings toward a selected centered position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
An inspection probe as claimed in claim 2 wherein the restraining means comprises a sleeve mounted for axial slidable movement coaxially on the bearing support member, said sleeve being movable between a first latched position in interfitted relation with an element of the housing for restraining the actuator and inspection tip against movement in said selected plane, and a second latched position free of the housing and in endwise engagement with an element movable with the actuator and inspection tip for restraining the actuator and restraining tip against axial movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
An inspection probe as claimed in claim 4 wherein a plurality of spring biased detent balls are mounted on in each of a similar plurality of radial holes in the restraining sleeve, and bear against an enlarged band provided on the bearing support member, the band being of a width, and so located, that in said first latched position of the sleeve the detent balls have detent, latching engagement with one end of the band, and in said second latched position of the sleeve the detent balls have deTent, latching engagement with the other end of the band.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
An inspection probe as claimed in claim 1 wherein follower means is mounted in alignment with the actuator for movement axially parallel thereto and, facing, portions of the actuator, and follower means having axially parallel, conical recesses therein, which recesses are coaxially aligned when the actuator is in centered position in the housing, and a spherical ball is seated in the recesses for transmission of axial and transverse movement of the inspection tip via the actuator and the follower to the transducer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An inspection probe as claimed in claim 6 wherein spring means acting between the housing and the follower lightly urges the balls to seated condition in their recesses, and the inspection tip to extended position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
An inspection probe as claimed in claim 6 wherein the transducer includes an LVDT having a tubular transformer coil thereof mounted in the housing axially parallel to the direction of follower movement, and a core of the transformer is fixedly attached to the follower for movement therewith and is mounted for free Axial movement within the tubular coil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
An inspection probe as claimed in claim 6 wherein the follower means comprises an inverted T shape portion and a pair of headed pins fitted for axial slidable movement one in each of a pair of bearings mounted in the housing axially parallel to each other and to the actuator, the head of each headed pin being in operative engagement with a head portion of the T shape actuator and having one of the conical recesses therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
An inspection probe as claimed in claim 8 wherein spring means acting between the housing and the coil biases the coil endwise in one direction, and a screw, in threaded engagement with a housing element, urges the coil in the opposite direction for axial adjustment of the coil.
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) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |