Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
In an ultrasonic thickness measuring system, means for periodically transmitting bursts of ultrasonic energy int one surface of a part, receiver means for developing interface signals corresponding to the transmission of bursts into said one surface, first order received signals in response to first reflections back from the opposite surface and second and higher order recieved signals in response to subsequent reflections back from said opposite surface, circuit means arranged to be triggered in response to signals applied thereto, gate means for applying received signals from said receiver means to said circuit means, time interval measuring means for measuring the time interval from the transmission of a burst into said one surface of the part to the triggering of said circuit means, and a variable delay means for opening said gate means after a progressively increasing delay following the transmission of bursts into the part to determine the order of received signals which are operative to trigger said circuit means and to thereby accurately and reliably determine the thickness of a part, said circuit means comprising a bistable circuit triggered to a set condition in response to an interface signal and to a reset condition in response to a received signal applied through said gate means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
In an ultrasonic thickness measuring system, means for periodically transmitting bursts of ultrasonic energy int one surface of a part, receiver means for developing interface signals corresponding to the transmission of bursts into said one surface, first order received signals in response to first reflections back from the opposite surface and second and higher order recieved signals in response to subsequent reflections back from said opposite surface, circuit means arranged to be triggered in response to signals applied thereto, gate means for applying received signals from said receiver means to said circuit means, time interval measuring means for measuring the time interval from the transmission of a burst into said one surface of the part to the triggering of said circuit means, and a variable delay means for opening said gate means after a progressively increasing delay following the transmission of bursts into the part to determine the order of received signals which are operative to trigger said circuit means and to thereby accurately and reliably determine the thickness of a part, said circuit means comprising a bistable circuit triggered to a set condition in response to an interface signal and to a reset condition in response to a received signal applied through said gate means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a system as defined in claim 1, said variable delay means comprising a monostable multivibrator, and control means for initiating operation of said monostable multivibrator in response to said interface signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a system as defiNed in claim 1, said measuring means being operative to measure the time duration of the placing of said bistable circuit in said set condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a system as defined in claim 1, a second bistable circuit coupled to the first bistable circuit to be triggered toa set condition in response to triggering of said first bistable circuit to said set condition, means for coupling said second bistable circuit to said variable delay means to initiate operation of said variable delay means, and means for resetting said second bistable circuit prior to each transmission of a burst of ultrasonic energy into the part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a system as defined in claim 4, second gate means for applying said interface signal to said first bistable circuit, and means coupling said second bistable circuit to said second gate means to close said second gate means when said second bistable circuit is in said set condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
In a system as defined in claim 1, said variable delay mean being manually adjustable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a system as defined in claim 1, control circuit means coupled to said variable delay means for initially obtaining a minimum delay and then gradually increasing the delay of said variable delay means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a system as defined in claim 7, memory means for registering the value of said time interval with said minimum delay, subtraction means operable during said gradual increase of the delay to register the difference between the value registered by said memory means and the value of said time interval during said progressive increase of the delay.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a system as defined in claim 8, means responsive to the registering of a substantial value by said subtraction means for applying a stop signal to said control circuit means.