US3857052A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inspection and analysis system
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-28
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1992-04-28
Abstract
Abstract An inspection system comprising a sensor for performing an inspection operation; positioning means operable to position the snesor with respect to a vessel to be inspected; an analog-todigital converter connected to convert the signals from said sensor to digital signals; memory means connected to receive and store the signals from the converter; comparison means connected to receive the digital signals from the converter and previously stored signals from the memory means and establishing an output signal indicative of any significant difference between the digital signals and the previously stored signals; control means connected to receive the output signal from the comparison means and responsive thereto to cause the positioning means to move the sensor in a manner to define the affected area; and display means for visually displaying and permanently recording said signals. Both method and apparatus are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 L Beller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:10
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C3/00; G07C3/02; G07C3/04; G07C3/045; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/06; G01N29/0609; G01N29/0645; G01N29/22; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/26; G01N2291/269; G01N2291/2695
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for performing repetitive comparative inspection of volume elements of a wall comprising the steps of: mounting an ultrasonic sensor on said wall, moving said sensor to successive positions along a predetermined inspection path on said wall to obtain inspection data of volume elements of said wall at each said position, said data being obtained in analog form and converted to digital form, recording said digital inspection data pertaining to each of said positions in an electronic memory for subsequent electronic readout as comparison data, performing a subsequent inspection of said wall by again mounting said sensor on said wall and moving said sensor to said previously inspected positions along said predetermined inspection path to obtain subsequent inspection data at each of said positions, said subsequent inspection data being obtained in analog form from said sensor and converted to digital form, automatically and electronically obtaining from said memory in real time a readout of said comparison data of each corresponding position along said predetermined inspection path during said subsequent inspection, automatically and electronically comparing in real time said comparison data pertaining to each position along said predetermined inspection path with said subsequent inspection data, and displaying a signal indicative of any significant difference between said subsequent inspection data and said comparison data for each said position along said predetermined inspection path, thereby providing an indication of any change in the condition of volume elements of said wall at any inspected position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
242 words
A method for performing repetitive comparative inspection of volume elements of a wall comprising the steps of: mounting an ultrasonic sensor on said wall, moving said sensor to successive positions along a predetermined inspection path on said wall to obtain inspection data of volume elements of said wall at each said position, said data being obtained in analog form and converted to digital form, recording said digital inspection data pertaining to each of said positions in an electronic memory for subsequent electronic readout as comparison data, performing a subsequent inspection of said wall by again mounting said sensor on said wall and moving said sensor to said previously inspected positions along said predetermined inspection path to obtain subsequent inspection data at each of said positions, said subsequent inspection data being obtained in analog form from said sensor and converted to digital form, automatically and electronically obtaining from said memory in real time a readout of said comparison data of each corresponding position along said predetermined inspection path during said subsequent inspection, automatically and electronically comparing in real time said comparison data pertaining to each position along said predetermined inspection path with said subsequent inspection data, and displaying a signal indicative of any significant difference between said subsequent inspection data and said comparison data for each said position along said predetermined inspection path, thereby providing an indication of any change in the condition of volume elements of said wall at any inspected position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein range gate timing of sensor signals is used to develop said inspection data for points located at different depths in said wall at each of said positions along said predetermined inspection path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
279 words
Apparatus employing an ultrasonic sensor for performing repetitive comparative inspection of volume elements of a wall comprising: means for mounting said ultrasonic sensor on said wall, means moving said sensor to successive positions along a predetermined inspection path along saiD wall, means cooperating with said sensor for obtaining inspection data of volume elements of said wall at each said position, said data being obtained in analog form, means for converting said data from analog to digital form, an electronic memory for storing in retrievable form said digital data, means for recording said digital inspection data pertaining to each of said positions in said electronic memory for readout as comparison data during a subsequent inspection of said wall performed by again mounting said sensor on said wall and moving said sensor to said previously inspected positions along said predetermined inspection path to obtain subsequent inspection data at each of said positions, said subsequent inspection data being obtained in analog form from said sensor and converted to digital form by said converting means, means for automatically and electronically obtaining from said memory in real time a readout of said comparison data of each corresponding position along said predetermined inspection path during said subsequent inspection, means for automatically and electronically comparing in real time said comparison data pertaining to each position along said predetermined inspection path with said subsequent inspection data, and means for displaying a signal indicative of any significant difference between said subsequent inspection data and said previously recorded inspection data for each said position along said predetermined inspection path, thereby providing an indication of any change in the condition of volume elements of said wall at any inspected position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
279 words
Apparatus employing an ultrasonic sensor for performing repetitive comparative inspection of volume elements of a wall comprising: means for mounting said ultrasonic sensor on said wall, means moving said sensor to successive positions along a predetermined inspection path along saiD wall, means cooperating with said sensor for obtaining inspection data of volume elements of said wall at each said position, said data being obtained in analog form, means for converting said data from analog to digital form, an electronic memory for storing in retrievable form said digital data, means for recording said digital inspection data pertaining to each of said positions in said electronic memory for readout as comparison data during a subsequent inspection of said wall performed by again mounting said sensor on said wall and moving said sensor to said previously inspected positions along said predetermined inspection path to obtain subsequent inspection data at each of said positions, said subsequent inspection data being obtained in analog form from said sensor and converted to digital form by said converting means, means for automatically and electronically obtaining from said memory in real time a readout of said comparison data of each corresponding position along said predetermined inspection path during said subsequent inspection, means for automatically and electronically comparing in real time said comparison data pertaining to each position along said predetermined inspection path with said subsequent inspection data, and means for displaying a signal indicative of any significant difference between said subsequent inspection data and said previously recorded inspection data for each said position along said predetermined inspection path, thereby providing an indication of any change in the condition of volume elements of said wall at any inspected position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for obtaining said inspection data includes means for range gate timing of sensor signals to develop said inspection data for points located at different depths in said wall at each of said positions along said predetermined inspection path.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |