US3780442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and compound gauge devices for measuring the axial curvature of a tube
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1972-04-21
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A number of wall curvature gauges, e.g., two, are mounted independently on a rigid carrier, arrayed equiangularly about the axis of the rigid carrier, to form a compound gauge device. The compound gauge is advanced along the length of a tube, typically through the interior of the tube, with each component gauge generating an electrical signal having a voltage representative of tube wall curvature along the path traced by the respective gauge. The signals are processed concurrently to provide a single continous output voltage signal which is proportional to a weighted algebraic sum of the voltages generated by the individual wall curvature gauges. Where two diametrically opposed wall curvature gauges are employed, the weighted algebraic sum constitutes the difference in signal voltages generated by the two gauges. The single continuous output signal is representative of the pattern of an axial curvature component in a plane along the length of the tube, e.g., the plane defined by two diametrically opposed wall curvature gauges.
Inventors
- 👤 W Gresho
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/28; G01B7/281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In a method of measuring the axial curvature of an elongated member: a. sensing the wall curvature simultaneously and independently at a number of test points on a wall surface of the elongated member, the test points being arrayed equiangularly about the axis of the elongated member in a common, radially extending plane; while b. indicating a planar component of the axial curvature of the elongated member at the test points as a weighted algebraic sum of the individual wall curvature values sensed at the test points.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a method of measuring the axial curvature of an elongated member: a. sensing the wall curvature simultaneously and independently at a number of test points on a wall surface of the elongated member, the test points being arrayed equiangularly about the axis of the elongated member in a common, radially extending plane; while b. indicating a planar component of the axial curvature of the elongated member at the test points as a weighted algebraic sum of the individual wall curvature values sensed at the test points.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the method of claim 1, said step (b) comprising: generating an electrical signal having a voltage proportional to said weighted algebraic sum of the individual wall curvature values sensed at the test points.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
In the method of claim 1, said steps (a) and (b) respectively comprising: sensing the wall curvature at two test points at diametrically opposed positions on the wall surface of the elongated member; and indicating the differences between the individual wall curvature values sensed at the two test points, said difference being proprotional to a component of the axial curvature of the elongated member, at the test points, in an axial plane which includes the test points.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the method of claim 1, the elongated member being a tube and said wall surface being an inner wall of the tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
212 words
In a method of measuring the axial curvAture of an elongated member, the steps of: a. sensing the wall curvature independently at a number of initial test points on a wall surface of the elongated member, the initial test points being located in a common, radially extending test plane intersecting the axis of the elongated member perpendicularly, the initial test points being arrayed equiangularly about the axis of the elongated member; while b. indicating a planar component of the axial curvature of the elongated member at said initial test points as a weighted algebraic sum of the individual wall curvature values sensed at the test points; and then c. repeating steps (a) and (b) for a plurality of further radially extending test planes intersecting the axis of the elongated member perpendicularly at at least several further positions along the axis, the number of additional test points on the wall surface of the elongated member being examined in each of said further radially extending test planes corresponding to said number of initial test points, the additional test points and the initial test points describing a number of equiangularly arrayed, axially extending lines on the wall surface of the elongated member, the number of said lines corresponding to said number of initial test points.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
212 words
In a method of measuring the axial curvAture of an elongated member, the steps of: a. sensing the wall curvature independently at a number of initial test points on a wall surface of the elongated member, the initial test points being located in a common, radially extending test plane intersecting the axis of the elongated member perpendicularly, the initial test points being arrayed equiangularly about the axis of the elongated member; while b. indicating a planar component of the axial curvature of the elongated member at said initial test points as a weighted algebraic sum of the individual wall curvature values sensed at the test points; and then c. repeating steps (a) and (b) for a plurality of further radially extending test planes intersecting the axis of the elongated member perpendicularly at at least several further positions along the axis, the number of additional test points on the wall surface of the elongated member being examined in each of said further radially extending test planes corresponding to said number of initial test points, the additional test points and the initial test points describing a number of equiangularly arrayed, axially extending lines on the wall surface of the elongated member, the number of said lines corresponding to said number of initial test points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the method of claim 5, said step (b) comprising: generating an electrical signal having a voltage proportional to said weighted algebraic sum of the individual wall curvatures sensed at the initial test points.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
In the method of claim 5, the elongated member being a tube, said step (a) comprising: sensing the wall curvature at a number of initial test points situated on an inner wall of the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the method of claim 5, said step (a) comprising: sensing the wall curvature at two initial test points at diametrically opposed positions on the wall surface of the elongated member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
In the method of claim 8, said step (b) comprising: indicating the difference between the individual wall curvature values sensed at the two initial test points, said difference being proportional to a component of the axial curvature of the elongated member, at the initial test points, in an axial plane which includes the initial test points.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the method of claim 5, said step (a) comprising: sensing the wall curvature at three initial test points arrayed equiangularly about the axis of the elongated member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
In the method of claim 10, said step (b) comprising: indicating the difference between the individual wall curvature value sensed at one of the initial test points and one half the sum of the individual wall curvature values sensed at the other two initial test points, said difference being proportional to a component of the axial curvature of the elongated member, at the initial test points, in an axial plane which includes said one initial test point and passes midway between said other two initial test points.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a method of measuring the axial curvature of an elongated member, the steps of: a. sensing the wall curvature at a first test point on a wall surface of the elongated member; while simultaneously b. sensing the wall curvature at a second test point on the wall surface of the elongated member, the second test point lying diametrically opposite the first test point, sensing steps (a) and (b) being independent of one another; and while c. indicating the difference in wall curvature values sensed for the first and second test points, said difference corresponding to a component of the axial curvature of the elongated member, at said first and second test points, in an axial plane which includes the first and second test points; and then d. repeating steps (a) through (c) at a plurality of additional locations along the length of the elongated member constituting, with the first and second test points, a succession of first test points lying along a first axially extending path and a succession of second test points lying aloNg a second, diametrically opposed, axially extending path, thereby indicating an axial pattern of said difference along the first and second axially extending paths.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a method of measuring the axial curvature of an elongated member, the steps of: a. sensing the wall curvature at a first test point on a wall surface of the elongated member; while simultaneously b. sensing the wall curvature at a second test point on the wall surface of the elongated member, the second test point lying diametrically opposite the first test point, sensing steps (a) and (b) being independent of one another; and while c. indicating the difference in wall curvature values sensed for the first and second test points, said difference corresponding to a component of the axial curvature of the elongated member, at said first and second test points, in an axial plane which includes the first and second test points; and then d. repeating steps (a) through (c) at a plurality of additional locations along the length of the elongated member constituting, with the first and second test points, a succession of first test points lying along a first axially extending path and a succession of second test points lying aloNg a second, diametrically opposed, axially extending path, thereby indicating an axial pattern of said difference along the first and second axially extending paths.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the method of claim 12, said step (c) comprising: generating an electrical signal having a voltage proportional to said difference in sensed wall curvature values.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
In the method of claim 12, the elongated member being a tube, said sensing steps (a) and (b) each comprising: sensing the wall curvature at a test point situated on an inner wall of the tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
In the method of claim 12: repeating steps (a) through (d) in at least one additional, axially extending test plane differing from an axially extending test plane defined by said first and second axially extending paths.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
In the method of claim 15, said axially extending test planes being two, mutually perpendicular, axially extending test planes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
249 words
In a method of measuring the axial curvature of an elongated member, the steps of: a. sensing the radial displacement of a first test point, situated on a wall surface of the elongated member, relative to a first axially extendng reference line joining two reference points on said wall surface spaced at known distances from said first test point at axially opposite sides of the first test point; while simultaneously b. sensing the radial displacement of a second test point, situated diametrically opposite said first test point on the wall surface of the elongated member, relative to a second axially extending reference line joining two additional reference points on the wall surface spaced at corresponding known distances from said second test point at axially opposite sides of the second test point, sensing steps (a) and (b) being independent of one another; and while c. generating an electrical signal having a voltage proportional to the difference in radial displacements sensed for said first and second test points so as to indicate the magnitude of said difference; and then d. repeating steps (a) through (c) at a plurality of additional locations along the length of the elongated member constituting, with said first and second test points, a succession of first test points lying along a first axially extending path and a succession of second test points lying along a second, diametrically opposed, axially extending path, thereby indicating an axial pattern of said difference along said first and second axially extending paths.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
249 words
In a method of measuring the axial curvature of an elongated member, the steps of: a. sensing the radial displacement of a first test point, situated on a wall surface of the elongated member, relative to a first axially extendng reference line joining two reference points on said wall surface spaced at known distances from said first test point at axially opposite sides of the first test point; while simultaneously b. sensing the radial displacement of a second test point, situated diametrically opposite said first test point on the wall surface of the elongated member, relative to a second axially extending reference line joining two additional reference points on the wall surface spaced at corresponding known distances from said second test point at axially opposite sides of the second test point, sensing steps (a) and (b) being independent of one another; and while c. generating an electrical signal having a voltage proportional to the difference in radial displacements sensed for said first and second test points so as to indicate the magnitude of said difference; and then d. repeating steps (a) through (c) at a plurality of additional locations along the length of the elongated member constituting, with said first and second test points, a succession of first test points lying along a first axially extending path and a succession of second test points lying along a second, diametrically opposed, axially extending path, thereby indicating an axial pattern of said difference along said first and second axially extending paths.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the method of claim 17, the elongated member being a tube, said sensing steps each comprising: sensing the relative radial position of a test point situated on the inner wall of the tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a device for measuring the axial curvature of a elongated member: a carrier; a number of means, supported by the carrier, for each, independently of the other means, sensing the wall curvature at a different one of a corresponding number of test points on a wall surface of the elongated member, the test points lying in a common, radially extending test plane perpendicularly intersecting the axis of the elongated member and being arrayed equiangularly about the axis of the elongated member; means for indicating a planar component of the axial curvature of the elongated member at said test points as a weighted algebraic sum of the individual wall curvature values sensed by the independent wall curvature sensing means; and means for moving the carrier axially along the elongated member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a device for measuring the axial curvature of a elongated member: a carrier; a number of means, supported by the carrier, for each, independently of the other means, sensing the wall curvature at a different one of a corresponding number of test points on a wall surface of the elongated member, the test points lying in a common, radially extending test plane perpendicularly intersecting the axis of the elongated member and being arrayed equiangularly about the axis of the elongated member; means for indicating a planar component of the axial curvature of the elongated member at said test points as a weighted algebraic sum of the individual wall curvature values sensed by the independent wall curvature sensing means; and means for moving the carrier axially along the elongated member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
In the device of claim 19, said indicating means comprising: means for generating an electrical signal having a voltage proportional to said weighted algebraic sum of the individual wall curvature sensed by the independent sensing means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
In the device of claim 19, wherein the elongated member is a tube and wherein said wall surface constitutes the inner wall of the tube, said carrier moving means comprising: means for advancing the carrier and the independent sensing means axially alOng the interior of the tube.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
In the device of claim 19, said number of sensing means being two, the two sensing means being so positioned on the carrier as to sense the wall curvature at two test points at diametrically opposite locations on the wall surface of the elongated member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
In the device of claim 22, said indicating means comprising: means for indicating the difference between the individual wall curvature values sensed by the two sensing means, said difference being proportional to a component of the axial curvature of the elongated member, at the test points, in an axial plane which includes the test points.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
In the device of claim 19, said number of sensing means being three, the three sensing means being so positioned on the carrier as to sense the wall curvature at three test points arrayed equiangularly about the axis of the elongated member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
92 words
In the device of claim 24, said indicating means comprising: means for indicating the difference between the wall curvature value sensed by the sensing means at one of the three test points and one half the sum of the individual wall curvatures sensed by the two sensing means at the other two test points, said difference being proportional to a component of the axial curvature of the elongated member, at the test points, in an axial plane which includes said one test point and passes midway between said other two test points.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a device for measuring the axial curvature of an elongated member: a carrier; first means, supported by the carrier, for sensing the wall curvature at a first test point on a wall surface of the elongated member; second means, supported by the carrier independently of the first sensing means, for sensing the wall curvature at a second point on the wall surface of the elongated member lying diametrically opposite the first test point; means for indicating the difference in wall curvatures sensed by the first and second sensing means, said difference corresponding to a component of the axial curvature of the elongated member, at said first and second test points, in an axial plane which includes the first and second test points; and means for moving the carrier axially along the elongated member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a device for measuring the axial curvature of an elongated member: a carrier; first means, supported by the carrier, for sensing the wall curvature at a first test point on a wall surface of the elongated member; second means, supported by the carrier independently of the first sensing means, for sensing the wall curvature at a second point on the wall surface of the elongated member lying diametrically opposite the first test point; means for indicating the difference in wall curvatures sensed by the first and second sensing means, said difference corresponding to a component of the axial curvature of the elongated member, at said first and second test points, in an axial plane which includes the first and second test points; and means for moving the carrier axially along the elongated member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the device of claim 26, said indicating means comprising: means for generating an electrical signal having a voltage proportional to said difference in sensed wall curvature values.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
In the device of claim 26, wherein the elongated member is a tube and wherein said wall surface constitutes the inner wall surface of the tube, said carrier moving means comprising: means for advancing the carrier and the first and second sensing means axially along the interior of the tube.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a device for measuring the axial curvature of an elongated member: a carrier; first probe means, supported by the carrier, for sensing the radial displacement of a first test point, situated on a wall surface of the elongated member, relative to a first axially extending reference line joining two reference points on the wall surface spaced at known distances from said first test point at axially opposite sides of the first test point; second probe means, supported by the carrier independently of said first probe means, for sensing the radial displacement of a second test point, situated diametrically opposite said first test point on the wall surface of the elongated member, relative to a second axially extending reference line joining two additional reference points on the wall surface spaced at corresponding known distances from said second test point at axially opposite sides of the second test point; means for indicating the difference in radial displacements sensed by the first and second probe means; and means for moving the carrier axially along the elongated member.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a device for measuring the axial curvature of an elongated member: a carrier; first probe means, supported by the carrier, for sensing the radial displacement of a first test point, situated on a wall surface of the elongated member, relative to a first axially extending reference line joining two reference points on the wall surface spaced at known distances from said first test point at axially opposite sides of the first test point; second probe means, supported by the carrier independently of said first probe means, for sensing the radial displacement of a second test point, situated diametrically opposite said first test point on the wall surface of the elongated member, relative to a second axially extending reference line joining two additional reference points on the wall surface spaced at corresponding known distances from said second test point at axially opposite sides of the second test point; means for indicating the difference in radial displacements sensed by the first and second probe means; and means for moving the carrier axially along the elongated member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the device of claim 29, said indicating means comprising: means for generating an electrical signal having a voltage proportIonal to the difference in radial displacements sensed by the first and second probe means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
50 words
In the device of claim 29, wherein the elongated member is a tube and wherein said wall surface constitutes the inner wall surface of the tube, said carrier moving means comprising: means for advancing the carrier and the first and second probe means axially along the interior of the tube.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the device of claim 31, the carrier comprising: biasing means for urging each of said first and second probe means radially outward toward the inner wall surface of the tube.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
44 words
In the device of claim 31, the carrier comprising: a first subcarrier mounting said first probe means, a second subcarrier supported substantially independently from said first subcarrier and mounting said second probe means, and means for biasing the first and second subcarriers diametrically apart.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
117 words
In the device of claim 33, the carrier comprising: a pair of first feet projecting radially outwardly from the first subcarrier, the first feet positioned such that, due to the effect of said biasing means on the first subcarrier, a radially outermost tip of each first foot contacts a different one of said reference points on the first axially extending reference line; and a pair of second feet projecting radially outwardly from the second subcarrier, the second feet positioned such that, due to the urging of said biasing means on the second subcarrier, a radially outermost tip of each second foot contacts a different one of said additional reference points on the second axially extending reference line.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
264 words
A device for measuring the axial curvature of a tube, which device comprises: a carrier frame having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of radially projecting means, comprising two sets of spring-loaded plungers, the plungers of each set being equiangularly arrayed about an axis of the carrier frame with one set adjacent to each end of the carrier frame, for supporting the carrier frame within the tube coaxially with the tube; first and second axially extending bars mounted independently of one another in diametrically opposed positions on the carrier frame; means supported by the carrier frame for biasing said bars diametrically apart; a pair of radially extending feet on each bar, one foot of each pair positioned adjacent to each axial end of the associated bar, for contacting adjacent reference points on an inner wall of the tube, the contacted reference points defining first and second reference lines adjacent to said first and second bars, respectively; a pair of probes, one on each bar, each probe located in a fixed longitudinal position between the feet on its respective bar; means for biasing each of the probes radially outwardly so as each to engage an adjacent test point at one of two diametrically opposed locations on the inner wall of the tube; means for displacing the carrier frame, and with it the bars and the probes, axially through the tube; and means for generating an electrical signal having a voltage proportional to the instantaneous difference in the radial displacements of the first and second probes relative to said first and second diametrically opposed reference lines, respectively.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
264 words
A device for measuring the axial curvature of a tube, which device comprises: a carrier frame having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of radially projecting means, comprising two sets of spring-loaded plungers, the plungers of each set being equiangularly arrayed about an axis of the carrier frame with one set adjacent to each end of the carrier frame, for supporting the carrier frame within the tube coaxially with the tube; first and second axially extending bars mounted independently of one another in diametrically opposed positions on the carrier frame; means supported by the carrier frame for biasing said bars diametrically apart; a pair of radially extending feet on each bar, one foot of each pair positioned adjacent to each axial end of the associated bar, for contacting adjacent reference points on an inner wall of the tube, the contacted reference points defining first and second reference lines adjacent to said first and second bars, respectively; a pair of probes, one on each bar, each probe located in a fixed longitudinal position between the feet on its respective bar; means for biasing each of the probes radially outwardly so as each to engage an adjacent test point at one of two diametrically opposed locations on the inner wall of the tube; means for displacing the carrier frame, and with it the bars and the probes, axially through the tube; and means for generating an electrical signal having a voltage proportional to the instantaneous difference in the radial displacements of the first and second probes relative to said first and second diametrically opposed reference lines, respectively.
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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) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |