US3792238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for registering in binary code and for reading an identification number on a metallic piece
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1972-08-07
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-08-07
Abstract
Abstract The invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for recording an identification number in binary code and reading it on a metal component such as a fuel element canning tube. A number of microsandblasting jets, each corresponding to one of the binary code numbers of the number to be recorded, are directed to different portions of the component and each jet is deflected before its arrival depending upon whether it corresponds to the number 1 or the number 0. The component is subjected to a reading operation using beams of light.
Inventors
- 👤 A Samoel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:20
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24C; B24C1/00; B24C1/04; G; G06; G06K; G06K1/00; G06K1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
A method of recording an identification number in binary code and reading the same on a metal component, said method being characterised in that it comprises directing microsandblasting jets towards different portions of the component, each of these jets corresponding to one of the binary code numbers of the number which is to be recorded, deflecting each jet beofre its arrival at the workpiece depending upon whether it corresponds to the number 1 or to the number 0, subjecting the component which has undergone this microsandblasting operation to a reading operation, said microsandblasting jets being parallel and equidistant, said reading operation including projecting on to said component beams of light the spacing between which is identical to that of the microsandblasting jets, at an incidence different from the normal and in such a manner that each portion of said component which has undergone microsandblasting receives one of these beams of light, and subjecting each beam reflected by the component to a logic reading system having a variable trigger threshold, each logic system being triggered or remaining inoperative depending upon whether the light intensity that it receives from the reflected beam has a value on one or other side of a given value, the value of this light intensity being a function of the diffraction experienced on its impact on the workpiece by the incident beam of light to which the said reflected beam corresponds, and said diffraction being a function of whether the portion of the tube covered by this incident beam has or has not been subjected to the microsandblasting operatioN and hence corresponds to one of the numbers 1 and 0 in the binary code number to be read.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
281 words
A method of recording an identification number in binary code and reading the same on a metal component, said method being characterised in that it comprises directing microsandblasting jets towards different portions of the component, each of these jets corresponding to one of the binary code numbers of the number which is to be recorded, deflecting each jet beofre its arrival at the workpiece depending upon whether it corresponds to the number 1 or to the number 0, subjecting the component which has undergone this microsandblasting operation to a reading operation, said microsandblasting jets being parallel and equidistant, said reading operation including projecting on to said component beams of light the spacing between which is identical to that of the microsandblasting jets, at an incidence different from the normal and in such a manner that each portion of said component which has undergone microsandblasting receives one of these beams of light, and subjecting each beam reflected by the component to a logic reading system having a variable trigger threshold, each logic system being triggered or remaining inoperative depending upon whether the light intensity that it receives from the reflected beam has a value on one or other side of a given value, the value of this light intensity being a function of the diffraction experienced on its impact on the workpiece by the incident beam of light to which the said reflected beam corresponds, and said diffraction being a function of whether the portion of the tube covered by this incident beam has or has not been subjected to the microsandblasting operatioN and hence corresponds to one of the numbers 1 and 0 in the binary code number to be read.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
219 words
Apparatus for recording an identification number in binary code and reading it on a metal component comprising a storage tank for tbe components for treatment, a component transfer device, a sandblasting box having a runway adapted to receive the components from the transfer device, said box having a series of slots formed in a wall parallel to said runway, a sand-blasting nozzle applied against the said box and adapted to project abrasive sand normally on to the said wall and traverse its various slots, in register with each of said slots, a compressed air inlet pipe to deflect as required the jet of sand which has traversed said slot and a reading device, a runway adapted to receive the components as they leave the sandblasting box, and an optical system firstly to deliver a number of light beams equal to the number ofsaid slots, of equal intensity perpendicularly to said runway, their distribution being identical to that of the slots in the sand-blasting box and, secondly, collect each reflected beam corresponding to an incident beam after its reflection from the component, and for each of said reflected beams a reader consisting of a photoelectric cell disposed in the path of the reflected beam and a logic system having a variable trigger threshold adapted to be triggered by said cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
219 words
Apparatus for recording an identification number in binary code and reading it on a metal component comprising a storage tank for tbe components for treatment, a component transfer device, a sandblasting box having a runway adapted to receive the components from the transfer device, said box having a series of slots formed in a wall parallel to said runway, a sand-blasting nozzle applied against the said box and adapted to project abrasive sand normally on to the said wall and traverse its various slots, in register with each of said slots, a compressed air inlet pipe to deflect as required the jet of sand which has traversed said slot and a reading device, a runway adapted to receive the components as they leave the sandblasting box, and an optical system firstly to deliver a number of light beams equal to the number ofsaid slots, of equal intensity perpendicularly to said runway, their distribution being identical to that of the slots in the sand-blasting box and, secondly, collect each reflected beam corresponding to an incident beam after its reflection from the component, and for each of said reflected beams a reader consisting of a photoelectric cell disposed in the path of the reflected beam and a logic system having a variable trigger threshold adapted to be triggered by said cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 including a transfer device to receive the components from the reading device, a component reception tank fed by said transfer device, and a control device including a keyboard on which the operator taps out the identification number of the component which triggers the successive operations of sand-blasting, reading and introduction of the components into the reception tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, the slots in the sand-blasting box being parallel and equidistant.
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 |