US3791194A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Testing of fuel filters using thermography
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-09-25
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A coalescer element that functions as a filter for aircraft fuels is connected by means of a bearing surface to a heated air supply. The coalescer element is slowly rotated and scanned by means of an infrared device for sensing temperature on the outer surface of the fuel filter. The infrared scanner supplies signals to a color or black and white video screen which displays thermograms of the surface of the fuel filters. Non-uniform high temperatures on the surface of the filter, indicative that the filter is faulty, on being scanned by the scanner are displayed as a light color or light shade on the thermogram indicating a flaw in the coalescer element.
Inventors
- 👤 A Pontello
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N25/00; G01N25/72; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A filter testing arrangement comprising: a pressurized air supply for supplying pressurized air; a heating element connected for heating said pressurized air; a filter element connected for receiving said air supply on the inside surface of said filter element so as to provide a temperature drop across said filter element from the inside surface to the outside surface of said filter element on said pressurized air passing through; sensing means for scanning the outside surface of said filter element and providing output signals indicative of temperatures on said outside surface of said filter element; and display means connected to receive said sensing means output signals for displaying information indicative of said temperatures on said outside surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A filter testing arrangement comprising: a pressurized air supply for supplying pressurized air; a heating element connected for heating said pressurized air; a filter element connected for receiving said air supply on the inside surface of said filter element so as to provide a temperature drop across said filter element from the inside surface to the outside surface of said filter element on said pressurized air passing through; sensing means for scanning the outside surface of said filter element and providing output signals indicative of temperatures on said outside surface of said filter element; and display means connected to receive said sensing means output signals for displaying information indicative of said temperatures on said outside surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A filter testing arrangement according to claim 1 further comprising: rotation means for rotating said filter element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A filter testing arrangement according To claim 2 wherein said display means further comprises a video screen for displaying thermograms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A filter testing arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said sensing means comprises an infrared scanner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A filter testing arrangement according to claim 4 wherein said filter element comprises a coalescer element used in filtering aircraft fuel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
A filter testing arrangement according to claim 5 wheerein said rotation means further comprises: an air motor connected to receive said pressurized air; an air pressure regulator connected to regulate the pressure of said pressurized air to said air motor; a tachometer-generator connected to said air motor; an indicating gage connected to said tachometer-generator for indicating the rotational speed of said air motor; a first slidable bearing connected intermediate said air motor and said coalescer element; and a second slidable bearing connected intermediate said heating element and said coalescer element.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of non-destructive testing of a coalescer element used in filtering aircraft fuel, comprising the steps of: passing heated pressurized air from the inside surface to the outside surface of the coalescer element; scanning the outside surface of said coalescer element with an infrared scanner; and displaying the outside surfce of said coalescer element in the form of a thermogram.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of non-destructive testing of a coalescer element used in filtering aircraft fuel, comprising the steps of: passing heated pressurized air from the inside surface to the outside surface of the coalescer element; scanning the outside surface of said coalescer element with an infrared scanner; and displaying the outside surfce of said coalescer element in the form of a thermogram.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of non-destructive testing of a coalescer element according to claim 7 further comprising: rotating said coalescer element with reference to said infrared scanner.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
116 words
A filter testing arrangement comprising: a pressurized gas supply for supplying pressurized gas; a heating element connected for heating said pressurized gas; a filter element connected for receiving said gas supply on the inside surface of said filter element so as to provide a temperature drop across said filter element from the inside surface to the outside surface of said filter element on said pressurized gas passing through; sensing means for scanning the outside surface of said filter element and providng output signals indicative of temperatures on said outside surface of said filter element; and display means connected to receive said sensing means output signals for displaying information indicative of said temperatures on said outside surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
116 words
A filter testing arrangement comprising: a pressurized gas supply for supplying pressurized gas; a heating element connected for heating said pressurized gas; a filter element connected for receiving said gas supply on the inside surface of said filter element so as to provide a temperature drop across said filter element from the inside surface to the outside surface of said filter element on said pressurized gas passing through; sensing means for scanning the outside surface of said filter element and providng output signals indicative of temperatures on said outside surface of said filter element; and display means connected to receive said sensing means output signals for displaying information indicative of said temperatures on said outside surface.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |