US3811320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface scaler apparatus
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-12
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1993-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A surface scaler apparatus for servicing various areas of a tank or the like, particularly remote limited access areas, is comprised of a pair of independently driven cross-members mounting one or more inspection or work tools, each limb of the cross-members riding on tracks in the adjoining limb so that as one cross-member is attached to the wall of the tank by electromagnets or the like, connected to the ends of the limbs, the other is free to move along the tracks on the attached limb. By energizing magnets on the just moved limb and releasing magnets on the attached limb, the previously attached limb now may be moved to a different position, thus enabling the apparatus to be moved remotely to any position for inspection purposes or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 T Cowell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/265; B; B62; B62D; B62D57/00; B62D57/02; B62D57/024; F; F22; F22B; F22B37/00; F22B37/002; F22B37/006; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
Surface scaler apparatus comprising: a first limb, a second limb connected to and movable on said first limb, said second limb being angularly disposed with respect to said first limb, drive means connected to said first and seCond limbs to drive said first and second limbs, one across the other, to a new position, wall attachment means positioned on said first and second limbs to attach said surface scaler apparatus to a wall, and means to alternately attach said wall attachment means on said first or second limb while said wall attachment means on the other of said limbs is detached from said wall so as to alternately transport said first or second limb by said drive means across the other of said limbs to move said first and second limb to new relative positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
Surface scaler apparatus comprising: a first limb, a second limb connected to and movable on said first limb, said second limb being angularly disposed with respect to said first limb, drive means connected to said first and seCond limbs to drive said first and second limbs, one across the other, to a new position, wall attachment means positioned on said first and second limbs to attach said surface scaler apparatus to a wall, and means to alternately attach said wall attachment means on said first or second limb while said wall attachment means on the other of said limbs is detached from said wall so as to alternately transport said first or second limb by said drive means across the other of said limbs to move said first and second limb to new relative positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: remote position indicating means for each limb of said surface scaler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said remote position indicating means is an encoder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 further comprising work performing means connected to said first or second limb.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said work performing means on said first or second limb is at least one ultrasonic inspection apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means is at least one electric motor for said first and second limb engaged with gears that are driven along gear racks positioned on said first and second limb.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wall attachment means are electromagnets, at least one electromagnet being attached adjacent each end of said first and second limbs, the electromagnets on said first limb being actuatable independently of the electromagnets on said second limb.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
144 words
A surface scaler apparatus for servicing remote limited access areas comprising: a pair of independently motor driven cross members, each containing a track means, each limb of the cross members riding on the track means in the adjoining limb, at least one electromagnet attached adjacent to each end of said cross members, means to alternately energize the electromagnets on one or the other of the cross members, the electromagnets on one limb of the cross members being adapted to be attached to a wall of said limited access area while the other limb of the cross members is free to move along the track means on the attached limb, remote cross members position indicating encoder means on each limb of said cross members to monitor the position of each limb, and work performing means connected to at least one limb of the cross members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
A surface scaler apparatus for servicing remote limited access areas comprising: a pair of independently motor driven cross members, each containing a track means, each limb of the cross members riding on the track means in the adjoining limb, at least one electromagnet attached adjacent to each end of said cross members, means to alternately energize the electromagnets on one or the other of the cross members, the electromagnets on one limb of the cross members being adapted to be attached to a wall of said limited access area while the other limb of the cross members is free to move along the track means on the attached limb, remote cross members position indicating encoder means on each limb of said cross members to monitor the position of each limb, and work performing means connected to at least one limb of the cross members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein a means is provided to simultaneously energize electromagnets on both said pair of cross members so that a firm platform is provided to operate said work performing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said work performing means is an ultrasonic transducer for detecting flaws in the surface of said remote limited access area serviced by said surface scaler apparatus.
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) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |