US3745833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thickness gauge
Assignee: British Steel Corp
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Filing: 1971-07-26
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-07-26
Abstract
Abstract In order to measure the position of a workpiece surface a laminar stream of fluid is projected through a datum point and towards the surface, and the distance through the fluid between the surface and the datum point is measured by determining the time for ultrasonic energy to be transmitted from the datum point to the surface and reflected back to the datum point. Knowledge of the position of the datum point gives the position of the workpiece surface. When no position measurement is required the stream of fluid is deflected from the workpiece surface to avoid the fluid adversely affecting the workpiece; for example, if the workpiece is a hot steel slab undesirable local cooling by the fluid is avoided. Several measurements can give information on workpiece thickness, profile or cross-section relevant to later manufacturing stages.
Inventors
- 👤 D Armstrong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/28; G01B; G01B17/00; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02854
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for determining in successive examinations the position of the surface of a workpiece, which method comprises the steps of: a. directing a substantially laminar jet of fluid alternately against the surface of the workpiece and away from said surface without interrupting the flow of fluid in the jet while making said examinations; b. measuring the distance between the surface and a datum point in the fluid while the jet is directed against said surface by means of ultrasonic energy transmitted from that point through the fluid and reflected back from the workpiece surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for determining in successive examinations the position of the surface of a workpiece, which method comprises the steps of: a. directing a substantially laminar jet of fluid alternately against the surface of the workpiece and away from said surface without interrupting the flow of fluid in the jet while making said examinations; b. measuring the distance between the surface and a datum point in the fluid while the jet is directed against said surface by means of ultrasonic energy transmitted from that point through the fluid and reflected back from the workpiece surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1 in which two separate jets of fluid are used to determine the positions of two opposite surfaces of the workpiece, to give a measure of the dimension of the workpiece between the two surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1 applied by two separate streams of fluid to determine the positions of two opposite surfaces of the workpiece, to give a measure of the dimension of the workpiece between the two surfaces.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of determining the position of a surface of a workpiece, which method comprises the steps of: a. establishing a substantially laminar stream of fluid directed at the surface of the workpiece; b. applying a deflecting means to deflect the stream away from the workpiece; c. intermittently removing the deflecting means to allow the substantially laminar stream to impinge upon the said surface; and d. measuring the distance between the surface and a datum pointin the fluid while the stream is undeflected by means of ultrasonic energy transmitted from said point through the fluid stream and reflected back from the workpiece.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of determining the position of a surface of a workpiece, which method comprises the steps of: a. establishing a substantially laminar stream of fluid directed at the surface of the workpiece; b. applying a deflecting means to deflect the stream away from the workpiece; c. intermittently removing the deflecting means to allow the substantially laminar stream to impinge upon the said surface; and d. measuring the distance between the surface and a datum pointin the fluid while the stream is undeflected by means of ultrasonic energy transmitted from said point through the fluid stream and reflected back from the workpiece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 4 applied by two separate streams of fluid to determine the positions of two opposite surfaces of the workpiece, to give a measure of the dimension of thE workpiece between the two surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 5 in which the two streams of fluid are colinear and the distance between the datum points in each stream of fluid is determined in the absence of the workpiece by transmitting ultrasonic energy through a single stream of fluid flowing between these two datum points.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for determining in successive examinations the position of a surface of a workpiece, which apparatus comprises: a. fluid supply means for directing a stream of fluid in a substantially laminar flow towards the surface of the workpiece; b. intermittently removable deflection means for diverting the stream from said surface; c. an ultrasonic probe arranged to be disposed in the fluid and operable to transmit ultrasonic energy along the stream towards the workpiece surface and to respond to the energy reflected back from this surface during said successive examinations; and d. means for obtaining and processing data from the reflected ultrasonic energy whereby to determine the distance between the workpiece surface and the probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for determining in successive examinations the position of a surface of a workpiece, which apparatus comprises: a. fluid supply means for directing a stream of fluid in a substantially laminar flow towards the surface of the workpiece; b. intermittently removable deflection means for diverting the stream from said surface; c. an ultrasonic probe arranged to be disposed in the fluid and operable to transmit ultrasonic energy along the stream towards the workpiece surface and to respond to the energy reflected back from this surface during said successive examinations; and d. means for obtaining and processing data from the reflected ultrasonic energy whereby to determine the distance between the workpiece surface and the probe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the deflection means is an air jet directed at the stream.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |