US3736501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotatable test device having diametrically opposed sensors and counterweights interlinked for radial movement by centrifugal force
Assignee: STAVELEY INSTRUMENTS Inc 421 NORTH QUAY STREET KENNEWICK WA 99336 A CORP OF WA
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Filing: 1971-03-25
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1991-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A material tester is described in the embodiments set forth herein which is adapted to rotate pickup probes about a workpiece such as a continuous wire or rod. Weights are spatially connected to pickup probes and are biased towards the workpiece. The weights and probes are pivotally mounted to one another and are carried by a rotatable housing. Guide shafts are attached to the weights and probes and are slidable in mating openings within the rotatably housing. The guide shafts are disposed within the rotating housing normal to the centerline of the axis of rotation of the housing where the workpiece is disposed. By rotation the weights move away from the center of rotation and overcome the biasing thereon. This moves the probes towards the workpiece. A cam included in the described embodiments is used to adjust the movement of the weights and probes in order to inspect various sizes of workpieces.
Inventors
- 👤 T Donkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/72; G01N27/82; G01N27/90; G01N27/9013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A nondestructive test system for testing an elongated workpiece comprising: a rotatable housing having a center axis and a center bore through which an elongated workpiece may be passed, said housing having four radial bores positioned about said axis to form two pair of diametrically opposed openings, a first pair of diametrically opposed support means carried by said housing in a pair of said openings and linearly movable toward and away from one another along a radial path; a second pair of diametrically opposed support means carried by said housing in said other pair of said openings and linearly movable toward and away from one another along a radial path angularly spaced from said first radial path; a search head carried by each of said support means of said first pair; a counterweight carried by each of said support means of said second pair; linkage means pivotally connecting each support means to both adjacent support means so as to maintain said search heads in a predetermined position relative to one another; and means biasing said counterweights toward one another to normally maintain said counterweights in their inner position when said housing is static and permitting centrifugal force to overcome said biasing means when said housing is rotated so as to move the counterweights radially outwardly thereby equally moving the search heads radially inwardly toward said workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A nondestructive test system for testing an elongated workpiece comprising: a rotatable housing having a center axis and a center bore through which an elongated workpiece may be passed, said housing having four radial bores positioned about said axis to form two pair of diametrically opposed openings, a first pair of diametrically opposed support means carried by said housing in a pair of said openings and linearly movable toward and away from one another along a radial path; a second pair of diametrically opposed support means carried by said housing in said other pair of said openings and linearly movable toward and away from one another along a radial path angularly spaced from said first radial path; a search head carried by each of said support means of said first pair; a counterweight carried by each of said support means of said second pair; linkage means pivotally connecting each support means to both adjacent support means so as to maintain said search heads in a predetermined position relative to one another; and means biasing said counterweights toward one another to normally maintain said counterweights in their inner position when said housing is static and permitting centrifugal force to overcome said biasing means when said housing is rotated so as to move the counterweights radially outwardly thereby equally moving the search heads radially inwardly toward said workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The nondestructive test system of claim 1 wherein said housing additionally includes variably positioned stop means for limiting radially outward movement of both of said counterweights thereby limiting radially inward movement of said search heads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The nondestructive test system of claim 2 wherein said variably positioned stop means comprises a cam rotatably mounted on said housing, means for releasably locking said cam relative to said housing, a pair of cam stop surfaces, and a cam follower carried by each of said counterweights for engagement with said can stop surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The nondestructive test system of claim 1 additionally including means for rotating said housing relative to said workpiece for producing the centrifugal forces on said counterweights.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The nondestructive test system of claim 1 wherein said search heads comprise eddy current sensing probes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The nondestructive test system of claim 5 additionally including a rotary transformer mounted on said housing and coupled to said eddy current sensing probes.
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) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |