US3789656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rectilinear acoustical transducer inspection apparatus
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1972-07-07
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1992-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A rectilinear acoustical transducer and inspection apparatus for use as a non-destructive testing device, whereby workpieces such as structural stiffeners relating to aircraft and the like are inspected for defects or flaws. The apparatus comprises a carriage having rollers mounted therein for direct vehicular contact with the rib portion of the workpiece, whereby the carriage can transverse rectilinearly thereon and including an acoustical transducer pivotably mounted to the carriage having a locomotive means attached thereto by which the transducer is oscillated about its pivot point effecting a walking action to be imparted along the rib, thereby providing the necessary rectilinear motion throughout the length of the rib for the total rapid inspection of the workpiece. The transducer is adapted to removably receive a dry adhesive couplant, which forms a driving mechanical bond and acoustical couple between the piezoelectrical element of the transducer and the workpiece surface.
Inventors
- 👤 D Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/223; B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0644; B06B1/0662; B06B1/0681
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A rectilinear acoustical transducer inspection device for non-destructive testing of a rib section on a workpiece, said device comprising: a carriage; a roller guide means operably supported by said carriage; adjustable means for adjusting said roller guide means to provide direct contact with said rib section; an acoustical transducer probe assembly operably attached to said carriage; locomotive means operably connected to said probe assembly for imparting a linear walking action to said probe assembly in a step by step contact with and along said rib section; a support bracket mounted on said carriage whereby said probe assembly is pivotably supported at the forward end thereof; and means removably secured to said acoustical transducer probe assembly, and wherein said acoustical transducer probe assembly comprises: a pivotable frame, pivotably mounted to said support bracket; a housing block slidably mounted to said pivotable frame and having a vertical central bore disposed therethrough, said block being operably connected to said locomotive means whereby a walking action is imparted thereto; and a probe means adjustably secured within said bore of said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A rectilinear acoustical transducer inspection device for non-destructive testing of a rib section on a workpiece, said device comprising: a carriage; a roller guide means operably supported by said carriage; adjustable means for adjusting said roller guide means to provide direct contact with said rib section; an acoustical transducer probe assembly operably attached to said carriage; locomotive means operably connected to said probe assembly for imparting a linear walking action to said probe assembly in a step by step contact with and along said rib section; a support bracket mounted on said carriage whereby said probe assembly is pivotably supported at the forward end thereof; and means removably secured to said acoustical transducer probe assembly, and wherein said acoustical transducer probe assembly comprises: a pivotable frame, pivotably mounted to said support bracket; a housing block slidably mounted to said pivotable frame and having a vertical central bore disposed therethrough, said block being operably connected to said locomotive means whereby a walking action is imparted thereto; and a probe means adjustably secured within said bore of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 1 wherein said probe means comprises: a piston housing; a piston member slidably received within said piston housing; and a probe head removably attached to said piston member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 2 wherein said probe head includes: a piezoelectric segment mounted therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 3 wherein said probe head comprises: a solid cylinder body having an enlarged annular foot, said body being formed of substantially resilient material; a powdered metal interspersed throughout said body; and a biasing means disposed within said piston housing and forcing said probe means outwardly therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 4 wherein said piezoelectric segment includes: a backing member secured to one side of said piezoelectric segment wherein both are fixedly disposed within said foot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 5 wherein said backing comprises: a substantially hard epoxy material; and a powdered metal interspersed therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 6 wherein said powdered metal comprises: a tungsten powder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 7 wherein said dry coupling means comprises: an elastomeric flexible cap wherein said foot of said probe head is covered thereby providing a low pressure contact between said probe and said workpiece.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 8 wherein said locomotive means comprises: an electric motor; a gear assembly interconnected to said motor; a concentric wheel operably driven by said gear assembly; and a crank pin eccentricly mounted to said concentric wheel, said pin being operably received in said housing block.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 3 wherein said device includes: a recording means operably connected to said device and remotely positioned thErefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 10 including: means for electrically interconnecting said probe head to said recording means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 10 wherein the direction of linear movement of said device is controlled by a switch means operably connected thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
An inspection device as recited in claim 3 wherein said device includes: a pivotable platform movably mounted to said carriage and having said bracket supportingly fixed thereto whereby said acoustical transducer probe is oscillated transversely to the rib section of the workpiece; and an operating means interconnecting said locomotive means with said pivotable platform.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |