Ultrasonic contact scanner

Claim 2

In combination with an ultrasonic testing system, a search unit to be accoustically coupled to a workpiece, said search unit comprising: a frame, said frame having a bottom adapted to be removably engagable with respect to the workpiece; a rod pivotally mounted to said frame adjacent the bottom thereof such that said rod is engagable with the workpiece; a transducer housing having first and second ends, said second end connected to said rod such that said housing is pivotally movable with respect to said frame; an ultrasonic transducer mounted within the first end of said housing to transmit ultrasonic energy through said housing to its second end and through said rod to said workpiece; and means connected between said frame and said housing for oscillating said housing relative to said frame about the pivotal axis of said rod, said means including a motor and a cam rotatably driven by said motor, said motor having an output shaft which is connected to said cam, said cam being eccentrically mounted upon said shaft, a push rod longitudinally slidably mounted upon said frame, one end of said push rod being pivotally connected to said housing and the other end of said push rod being in contact with said cam, and spring means connected between said frame and said push rod to exert a constant bias on said push rod tending to maintain such in contact with said cam.

Claim 3

The system as defined in claim 1 wherein: said cam comprises a circular shaped disc.

Claim 4

The system as defined in claim 2 wherein: said second end of said housing is conically shaped with the apex thereof being connected to said pivotally mounted rod.

Claim 5

In combination with an ultrasonic testing system, a search unit to be acoustically coupled to a workpiece, said search unit comprising: a frame, said frame to be removable in respect to the workpiece; a housing mounted by a first means to said frame, said housing being pivotally movable in respect to said frame, said housing having a first end and a second end, said second end to be acoustically coupled to the workpiece; an ultrasonic transducer mounted in said first end of said housing and adapted to transmit ultrasonic energy through said housing to the second end thereof; second means connected to said housing to oscillate said housing relative to said frame, said second means including a motor and a cam rotatably driven by said motor, said motor having an output shaft which is connected to said cam, said cam being eccentrically mounted upon said shaft; indexing means coupled to said motor for movement in unison with said cam, said indexing means including a hollow cylinder rotatable with said cam, said hollow cylinder being at least partially translucent and partially transparent, a light source disposed within said hollow cylinder, light source responsive means disposed exteriorly of said hollow cylinder and activatable by said light source such that said light source responsive means provides a signal representing the position of said cam and thus also representing the position of said housing relative to said frame; and a video display means, said search unit connected to said video display means to display an output signal developed by the ultrasonic transducer of said search unit, said video display having a horizontal sweep to develop a horizontal trace thEreacross, said display means having a vertical deflection system connected to said indexing means to vertically display said trace in accordance with the output of said light source responsive means whereby a plurality of horizontal traces at different vertical display positions are displayed by said display means with the vertical position of said trace representing the position of said housing relative to said frame.

Claim 6

In combination with an ultrasonic testing system, a search unit to be acoustically coupled to a workpiece, said search unit comprising: a frame, said frame to be removable in respect to the workpiece; a housing mounted by a first means to said frame, said housing being pivotally movable in respect to said frame, said housing having a first end and a second end, said second end to be acoustically coupled to the workpiece; an ultrasonic transducer mounted in said first end of said housing and adapted to transmit ultrasonic energy through said housing to the second end thereof; second means connected to said housing to oscillate said housing relative to said frame, said second means including a motor and a cam rotatably driven by said motor, said motor having an output shaft which is connected to said cam, said cam being eccentrically mounted upon said shaft; indexing means coupled to said motor for movement in unison with said cam, said indexing means including a hollow cylinder rotatable with said cam, said hollow cylinder being at least partially translucent and partially transparent, a light source disposed within said hollow cylinder, light source responsive means disposed exteriorly of said hollow cylinder and activatable by said light source such that said light source responsive means provides a signal representing the position of said cam and thus also representing the position of said housing relative to said frame; and a video display means, said search unit connected to said video display means to display an output signal developed by the ultrasonic transducer of said search unit, said video display having a horizontal sweep to develop a horizontal trace thEreacross, said display means having a vertical deflection system connected to said indexing means to vertically display said trace in accordance with the output of said light source responsive means whereby a plurality of horizontal traces at different vertical display positions are displayed by said display means with the vertical position of said trace representing the position of said housing relative to said frame.

Claim 7

The system as defined in claim 4 wherein: said light source responsive means comprises a photo diode fixidly located upon said frame.

Claim 10

The system as defined in claim 6 wherein: a push rod is longitudinally slidably mounted upon said frame, one end of said push rod being pivotally connected to said housing, the other end of said push rod to contact said cam.

Claim 11

The system as defined in claim 7 wherein: spring means is connected between said frame and said push rod to exert constant bias on said push rod tending to maintain such push rod in contact with said cam.

Claim 12

The system as defined in claim 8 wherein: said cam comprises a circular shaped disc.

Claim 13

The system as defined in claim 9 wherein: said second end of said housing is conically shaped with the apex thereof being connected to said pivot rod.