Patent US3712466A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3712466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inspection and transfer mechanism
Assignee: VALCARTIER IND Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-20
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1990-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An inspection and transfer mechanism designed primarily for optically inspecting the surface of shell casings. The mechanism provides a continuous conveyor for conveying shell casings successively over a predetermined path. A mechanism is provided for raising a multiplicity of shells from the conveyor periodically and lifting them into preselected positions. A light and lens system projects a narrow, elongated light strip onto the shell casings at the preselected positions while the shells are being rotated about their longitudinal axis. A photocell system is positioned to detect light reflected from the shell and is designed with an electronic system to detect flaws in the sidewall of the casing, as determined by non-uniformity in the level of reflected light that is detected. Also provided in series with the sidewall, flaw-detecting means is a means for detecting an aperture or hole at the end of the shell and an ejection system responsive to detections of flaws.
Inventors
- 👤 Y Aubry
- 👤 J Vallance
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/95; G01N21/952; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/912; Y10S209/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An inspection system comprising a conveyor for conveying a plurality of like, rotatable objects successively and in gangs in a first direction to a detecting station, means for rotating simultaneously each of said objects in a selected of said gangs about a fixed axis at said detecting station, means for projecting a beam of light onto each of said objects as they are rotated about said axes, photocell means positioned to optically sense portions of said light reflected by each of said objects as they are rotated, and means responsive to variations in said reflected light sensed by said photocell means including circuit means for identifying the particular gang and object therein causing said variations in said reflected light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An inspection system comprising a conveyor for conveying a plurality of like, rotatable objects successively and in gangs in a first direction to a detecting station, means for rotating simultaneously each of said objects in a selected of said gangs about a fixed axis at said detecting station, means for projecting a beam of light onto each of said objects as they are rotated about said axes, photocell means positioned to optically sense portions of said light reflected by each of said objects as they are rotated, and means responsive to variations in said reflected light sensed by said photocell means including circuit means for identifying the particular gang and object therein causing said variations in said reflected light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An inspection system as set forth in claim 1 including means responsive to said means for identifying, for moving said particular object from said conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
An inspection system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said objects are of generally cylindrical configuration, each of said axes of rotation being coincident with the central axis of each said generally cylindrical objects and, wherein said photocell means comprises a plurality of photocells, each of said photocells extending lengthwise of its associated said fixed axis, said means for projecting a light beam comprising means for projecting said beam onto said object as a narrow, elongated beam extending lengthwise of said object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 3 including a plurality of said sets of photocells associated with each of said fixed axes, each of said photocells in said sets thereof being arranged to detect light reflected from different portions of the same object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for projecting a light beam comprises a light bulb, means forming a narrow slot aligned with said bulb, and a focusing lens aligned with said bulb and slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said sets of photocells are aligned with said bulb, naRrow slot and lens and with one set positioned on one side of the path of said light beam and the other set positioned on the other side thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 6 including means for stopping said conveyor at said detecting station, means for interengaging said selected gang of objects at said first station with said rotating means and means for thereafter disengaging said objects from said rotating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said conveyor means supports said objects in a manner which enables them to be lifted free from said conveyor and wherein said means for interengaging said objects comprises lifting means including a drive system adapted to raise said object rotating means from beneath said conveyor, said object rotating means being adapted to lift said objects from said conveyor and to thereafter support said objects for rotation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said rotating means comprises a plurality of shafts, means supporting said shafts parallel to one another, rings mounted on said shafts for rotation and adapted to engage and support said objects, and means for rotating said rings whereby said objects are rotated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 9 including a platform, said rotating means supported on said platform and means for reciprocally moving said platform with said driving system in a vertical direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said conveyor comprises a pair of spaced belts and said rotating means is interposed and is adapted to be moved in said vertical direction between said belts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 1 having an end fault-detecting station for detecting faults in an end of said objects, means supporting said end fault-detecting station in longitudinal alignment with said detecting station along said conveyor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
164 words
An inspection system comprising a conveyor for conveying a plurality of like, rotatable objects successively in a first direction to a detecting station, means for rotating said objects about an axis at said detecting station, means for projecting a beam of light onto each of said objects as they are rotated, photocell means positioned to optically sense portion of said light reflected by said objects as they are rotated, means responsive to variations in said reflected light sensed by said photocell means including circuit means for identifying the particular object causing said variations in said reflected light, a loading station positioned over said conveyor in longitudinal alignment with said detecting station, said loading station comprising means forming a hole through which said objects are successively fed to said conveyor at a position adjacent and above said conveyor, means for receiving and lowering said objects to said conveyor, and means for blocking the feeding of further objects to said conveyor while said objects are lowered.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
An inspection system comprising a conveyor for conveying a plurality of like, rotatable objects successively in a first direction to a detecting station, means for rotating said objects about an axis at said detecting station, means for projecting a beam of light onto each of said objects as they are rotated, photocell means positioned to optically sense portion of said light reflected by said objects as they are rotated, means responsive to variations in said reflected light sensed by said photocell means including circuit means for identifying the particular object causing said variations in said reflected light, a loading station positioned over said conveyor in longitudinal alignment with said detecting station, said loading station comprising means forming a hole through which said objects are successively fed to said conveyor at a position adjacent and above said conveyor, means for receiving and lowering said objects to said conveyor, and means for blocking the feeding of further objects to said conveyor while said objects are lowered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for receiving and lowering comprises a platform, cradle means supported on said platform for movement upwardly to a position in alignment with said means for feeding objects, means movable to and from a position blocking said hole and adapted to and from said blocking position by movement of said cradle means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 14 wherein said platform extends longitudinally of and below said detecting station and said means for rotating said objects are mounted on said platform for vertical movement into engagement and relation with an object on said conveyor whereby said object is raised from said conveyor into a position in which said beam of light is focused on said object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 15 having means for intermittently advancing said conveyor and means for reciprocally vertically moving said platform in synchronized relation to said intermittent movement of said conveyOr.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 12 including means for engaging said end of an object for detecting faults, means electrically responsive to detected faults in said end including means for identifying the particular object having said fault.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 17 including a lifting mechanism supported on said platform for engaging and raising an object from said conveyor into a position for said end fault detecting, and contact means engaged by said object when raised into said position for actuating said end fault-detecting means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
119 words
An inspection station as set forth in claim 18 wherein said end fault-detecting means comprises a solenoid having a rotatable armature, a lever secured to said armature for limited rotation, means at one end of said lever for engagement with the end of said object upon rotation of said lever, photocell means and a light source aligned with said photocell means, a shutter carried by the other end of said lever and adapted to be moved to and from a position intermediate said light source and photocell means, and circuit means operable when said photocell means is actuated by said light source and means for storing signals generated in said circuit means to indicate said objects with defective ends.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
An inspection device as set forth in claim 19 wherein said means for moving said particular object from said conveyor comprises an ejection station positioned in longitudinal alignment with said fault-detecting station, a lifting mechanism positioned below said conveyor and adapted to be moved upwardly to engage and lift said objects from said conveyor to said ejection station.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
An inspection station as set forth in claim 20 comprising a solenoid having a rotatable armature, an arm carried by said armature adapted to engage one end of defective objects and upon actuation drive said objects from said lifting mechanism.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
Means for loading a plurality of objects successively onto a conveyor comprising means forming a hole through which said objects are successively fed to said conveyor at a position above said conveyor, means for engaging upper and lower portions of said objects and thereafter moving said objects successively downwardly onto said conveyor, and spring loaded restraining means positioned above said conveyor and onto which said objects move from said hole, said restraining means adapted to be spread for passage therethrough of said objects when positioned on said conveyor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
88 words
Means for loading a plurality of objects successively onto a conveyor comprising means forming a hole through which said objects are successively fed to said conveyor at a position above said conveyor, means for engaging upper and lower portions of said objects and thereafter moving said objects successively downwardly onto said conveyor, and spring loaded restraining means positioned above said conveyor and onto which said objects move from said hole, said restraining means adapted to be spread for passage therethrough of said objects when positioned on said conveyor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
126 words
An inspection system for inspecting the cylindrical surface of a rotatable object comprising means for rotating said cylindrical object about its cylindrical axis, means for projecting a beam of light onto said cylindrical surface of said object as it is rotated about said axis, said beam projecting means being arranged to direct said beam along a plane which includes said axis, and to illuminate a longitudinal strip of said cylindrical surface of said object, photocell means positioned to optically sense portions of said light reflected by said objects as they are rotated and means responsive to predetermined variations in the character of said reflected light as sensed by said photocell means including circuit means for identifying the particular object causing said variations in said reflected light.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
126 words
An inspection system for inspecting the cylindrical surface of a rotatable object comprising means for rotating said cylindrical object about its cylindrical axis, means for projecting a beam of light onto said cylindrical surface of said object as it is rotated about said axis, said beam projecting means being arranged to direct said beam along a plane which includes said axis, and to illuminate a longitudinal strip of said cylindrical surface of said object, photocell means positioned to optically sense portions of said light reflected by said objects as they are rotated and means responsive to predetermined variations in the character of said reflected light as sensed by said photocell means including circuit means for identifying the particular object causing said variations in said reflected light.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
135 words
A system as defined in claim 23 wherein said means are disposed at a detecting station and further comprising a conveyor for conveying a plurality of said objects successively to said detecting station, means mounting said photocell means so that it receives light from a direction which is disposed at an angle to said plane in which said light beam lies and which intersects said plane of said light beam at a predetermined region, said predetermined region being disposed remote from said conveyor and at a location which intersects the surface of said object to be inspected when said object is supported at said axis, means for moving said object from said conveyor to a position iN which it is in alignment with said axis and means for rotating said object about said fixed axis.
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) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |