Patent US3777171A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3777171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for detecting flaws in continuous length tubular glass
Assignee: Philips North America LLC
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Filing: 1971-07-26
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1991-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for the detection of flaws caused by foreign matter and non-homogeneous bits of glass in the wall of continuous length tubular glass which comprises; directing a pair of narrow band high intensity laser beams, spaced 90* from each other about the axis of the glass tubing, through the tubing to impinge upon planar surfaces along a line immediately adjacent elongated slots in the planar surfaces. The passage of flaw containing glass through the laser beams cause one or both of the beams to be deformed and fall on its adjacent slot to thereby activate a photocell positioned behind the slot and provide indicia of the presence and location of the flaw.
Inventors
- 👤 A Hollenbeck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/89; G01N21/892; G01N21/896; G01N21/95; G01N21/958
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
The method of detecting flaws caused by foreign matter and non-homogeneous bits of glass embedded in the wall of a continuous length of tubular glass which method comprises the steps of: projecting a first narrow band of light which falls on a first surface adjacent an aperture to a first photocell; projecting a second narrow band of light, at right angles to and intersecting said first narrow band of light, onto a second surface adjacent an aperture to a second photocell, said photocells being normally shielded from said narrow bands of light by said surfaces; passing the continuous length of glass tubing through the intersection of said first and second narrow bands of light at a predetermined speed; and detecting the presence of a flaw in said glass tubing through the deformation of a portion of one or both of said narrow bands of light by said flaw causing said deformed portion to overly one or both of said first and second apertures and reach said adjacent photocell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
The method of detecting flaws caused by foreign matter and non-homogeneous bits of glass embedded in the wall of a continuous length of tubular glass which method comprises the steps of: projecting a first narrow band of light which falls on a first surface adjacent an aperture to a first photocell; projecting a second narrow band of light, at right angles to and intersecting said first narrow band of light, onto a second surface adjacent an aperture to a second photocell, said photocells being normally shielded from said narrow bands of light by said surfaces; passing the continuous length of glass tubing through the intersection of said first and second narrow bands of light at a predetermined speed; and detecting the presence of a flaw in said glass tubing through the deformation of a portion of one or both of said narrow bands of light by said flaw causing said deformed portion to overly one or both of said first and second apertures and reach said adjacent photocell.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for detecting the flaws caused by foreign matter and non-homogeneous bits of glass in the wall of continuously moving tubular glass, said apparatus comprising: first laser means for projecting a narrow band of light; a first planar surface having a slot therein for normally receiving said narrow band of light at a predetermined location adjacent to said slot in said planar surface, second laser means spaced from said first laser means for projecting a narrow band of light at right angles to the narrow band of light projected by said first laser means, a second planar surface having a slot therein for normally receiving said narrow band of light from said second laser means at a predetermined location thereon adjacent to said slot in said second planar surface; light responsive means situated behind each of said slots normally shielded from said narrow bands of light by said planar surfaces whereby flaws in the wall of said continuously moving tubular glass passing through the intersection of said first and second bands of light from said first and second laser means will cause a deflection in one or both of said narrow bands of light causing said one or both narrow bands of light to spill over the adjacent slot in said planar surfaces and be sensed by said light responsive means.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for detecting the flaws caused by foreign matter and non-homogeneous bits of glass in the wall of continuously moving tubular glass, said apparatus comprising: first laser means for projecting a narrow band of light; a first planar surface having a slot therein for normally receiving said narrow band of light at a predetermined location adjacent to said slot in said planar surface, second laser means spaced from said first laser means for projecting a narrow band of light at right angles to the narrow band of light projected by said first laser means, a second planar surface having a slot therein for normally receiving said narrow band of light from said second laser means at a predetermined location thereon adjacent to said slot in said second planar surface; light responsive means situated behind each of said slots normally shielded from said narrow bands of light by said planar surfaces whereby flaws in the wall of said continuously moving tubular glass passing through the intersection of said first and second bands of light from said first and second laser means will cause a deflection in one or both of said narrow bands of light causing said one or both narrow bands of light to spill over the adjacent slot in said planar surfaces and be sensed by said light responsive means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said first and second laser means each include a gas laser for producing a cylindrical beam of columnated light and a cylindrical lens for converting said beam of columnated light to said narrow band of light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said gas lasers is a one-quarter milliwatt helium-neon laser.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |