US3765229A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic scanner for radial and flat panels
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1972-03-27
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1992-03-27
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses an ultrasonic scanner that is adapted to scan flat or radial panels which are of a honeycomb structure or include welded seams. The apparatus includes a bridge support in the form of a pair of spaced rails, a travelling bridge movable on the rails, a carriage that is either locked in a fixed position on the bridge or is reciprocal therealong, a tubular arm depending from the bridge and having a search unit at its lower end, mechanism on the carriage to oscillate the arm when the carriage is in fixed position, clamping means to lock the carriage in position on the bridge, and a detachable lock for rendering the oscillating mechanism inoperable, said clamping means and lock being selectably usable, one to the exclusion of the other depending on the type of panel to be scanned.
Inventors
- 👤 R Spencer
- 👤 E Hill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
In ultrasonic scanning apparatus for scanning either a radial or a flat panel, a. a foundation b. supporting structure upstanding from said foundation c. a pair of rails on said supporting structure in spaced parallel relation d. an immersion tank on said foundation between and below the level of said rails e. a work holder in said tank and including a device for holding either a radial panel or a flat panel in position for scanning f. a travelling bridge movable on said rails and spanning the distance therebetween, said bridge including a transverse guide rod g. a carriage movable on said bridge along said guide rod h. a tubular arm depending from said carriage into said tank and having a search unit at its lower end i. mechanism on said carriage to oscillate said arm to move said search unit over an arcuate path j. a transverse drive belt on said bridge and operably connected to said oscillating mechanism k. power means on said bridge to impart a reciprocal movement to said drive belt l. clamping means on said carriage to clamp said carriage in a fixed position on said guide rod, and m. locking means associated with said oscillating mechanism to render it inoperative said clamping means and said locking means being selectably usable, one to the exclusion of the other whereby said carriage is clamped to said guide rod while the oscillating mechanism is operable or the carriage is reciprocal along said guide rod when the oscillating mechanism is locked against operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
In ultrasonic scanning apparatus for scanning either a radial or a flat panel, a. a foundation b. supporting structure upstanding from said foundation c. a pair of rails on said supporting structure in spaced parallel relation d. an immersion tank on said foundation between and below the level of said rails e. a work holder in said tank and including a device for holding either a radial panel or a flat panel in position for scanning f. a travelling bridge movable on said rails and spanning the distance therebetween, said bridge including a transverse guide rod g. a carriage movable on said bridge along said guide rod h. a tubular arm depending from said carriage into said tank and having a search unit at its lower end i. mechanism on said carriage to oscillate said arm to move said search unit over an arcuate path j. a transverse drive belt on said bridge and operably connected to said oscillating mechanism k. power means on said bridge to impart a reciprocal movement to said drive belt l. clamping means on said carriage to clamp said carriage in a fixed position on said guide rod, and m. locking means associated with said oscillating mechanism to render it inoperative said clamping means and said locking means being selectably usable, one to the exclusion of the other whereby said carriage is clamped to said guide rod while the oscillating mechanism is operable or the carriage is reciprocal along said guide rod when the oscillating mechanism is locked against operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the tank is mobile together with means for fixing the tank in an adjusted position relative to the rails.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the oscillating mechanism comprises a pulley journalled on the carriage and in driving engagement with said drive belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which the locking means comprises a lock which holds the pulley against rotation relative to the carriage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 3 together with idler pulleys on the carriage for maintaining the drive belt in engagement with the pulley.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the clamping means comprises a split sleeve on the carriage and receiving the guide rod, and means to clamp the sleeve to the guide and to hold the carriage in a fixed position thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the oscillating mechanism comprises a vertical plate on the carriage, a segmental gear pivotally mounted on said plate and carrying said arm, a shaft journalled in said plate, a pinion on one end of said shaft meshing with said segmental gear and a gear on the other end of said shaft and in driving engagment with said drive belt, with the locking means being effective to hold said shaft against rotation, said plate including a pair of clamps to fix the position of the plate on said rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the shaft is journalled on a bearing in said plate and the locking means comprises a set screw mounted on the bearing and engageable with the shaft to lock it against rotation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the plate is of segmental shape with the wider end being formed with a pair of spaced feet, and each clamp is carried by a foot and comprises a pair of complemental clamping elements and nuts aNd bolts for drawing said elements together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the bridge includes a transverse bar spaced from and parallel to said guide rod, together with a supporting rod having one end secured to the carriage and a roller on its other end riding on said transverse bar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3480002A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |