US3857185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for inspecting the accuracy of complexly contoured precision surfaces
Assignee: Tri Ordinate Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-12
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1993-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A precision-machined surface inspecting apparatus having two members with specially shaped surfaces mounted for movement relative to each other in contacting relationship, a positional read-out indicator connected in alignment with a fixed point on one of the members for movement therewith; the contacting surfaces of the two members cooperatively engaging each other such that the said fixed point on said one member moves along a path corresponding to the ideal contour of the surface to be inspected with neither of the engaging surfaces of the two members having a contour or shape corresponding to said ideal contour.
Inventors
- 👤 N Hoglund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
Apparatus for inspecting a surface on a workpiece having a contour of changing radius of curvature along said surface, said apparatus comprising: a. a frame; b. a workpiece supporting table mounted on the frame; c. indicator means including a sensing member engaging along the surface of the workpiece to be inspected at a predetermined point lying along a predetermined line extending normal to the workpiece surface at said point, said sensing member being movable along said predetermined line in response to a positional variation in the surface of the workpiece to be inspected from a predetermined known contour; and d. motion generating means mounting the indicator means for movement relative to the workpiece surface along a path corresponding to said predetermined contour, said generating means including: 2. a pair of cooperatively engaging members mounted for relative movement with respect to each other with the indicator means mounted on one of said members for movement along the path corresponding to said predetermined known contour as said members move relative to each other, neither of the contacting surfaces of said members alone having a contour corresponding to said predetermined contour, 2. drive means for moving said members relative to each other, and 3. control means for continuously holding the sensing member for movement along said predetermined line during movement of the indicator means along said path to sense positional variations in the actual contour of the workpiece surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
Apparatus for inspecting a surface on a workpiece having a contour of changing radius of curvature along said surface, said apparatus comprising: a. a frame; b. a workpiece supporting table mounted on the frame; c. indicator means including a sensing member engaging along the surface of the workpiece to be inspected at a predetermined point lying along a predetermined line extending normal to the workpiece surface at said point, said sensing member being movable along said predetermined line in response to a positional variation in the surface of the workpiece to be inspected from a predetermined known contour; and d. motion generating means mounting the indicator means for movement relative to the workpiece surface along a path corresponding to said predetermined contour, said generating means including: 2. a pair of cooperatively engaging members mounted for relative movement with respect to each other with the indicator means mounted on one of said members for movement along the path corresponding to said predetermined known contour as said members move relative to each other, neither of the contacting surfaces of said members alone having a contour corresponding to said predetermined contour, 2. drive means for moving said members relative to each other, and 3. control means for continuously holding the sensing member for movement along said predetermined line during movement of the indicator means along said path to sense positional variations in the actual contour of the workpiece surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: a. one of said cooperatively engaging members is fixedly mounted on the frame; b. the other of said cooperatively engaging members is mounted for movement relative to the fixed member along its external surface; and c. said drive means cooperates with the movably mounted member to move it along said external surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
drive means for moving said members relative to each other, and 3. control means for continuously holding the sensing member for movement along said predetermined line during movement of the indicator means along said path to sense positional variations in the actual contour of the workpiece surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
drive means for moving said members relative to each other, and 3. control means for continuously holding the sensing member for movement along said predetermined line during movement of the indicator means along said path to sense positional variations in the actual contour of the workpiece surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
a pair of cooperatively engaging members mounted for relative movement with respect to each other with the indicator means mounted on one of said members for movement along the path corresponding to said predetermined known contour as said members move relative to each other, neither of the contacting surfaces of said members alone having a contour corresponding to said predetermined contour,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
a pair of cooperatively engaging members mounted for relative movement with respect to each other with the indicator means mounted on one of said members for movement along the path corresponding to said predetermined known contour as said members move relative to each other, neither of the contacting surfaces of said members alone having a contour corresponding to said predetermined contour,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
a slide member mounted on said guide member for sliding linear movement and for supporting the indicator means, said slide member being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from said predetermined point along said predetermined line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
a slide member mounted on said guide member for sliding linear movement and for supporting the indicator means, said slide member being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from said predetermined point along said predetermined line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
means for rotating said turntable member through said circular path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
means for rotating said turntable member through said circular path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
a slide member mounted on said guide member for sliding linear movement and for supporting the indicator means, said slide member being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from said predetermined point along said predetermined line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
a slide member mounted on said guide member for sliding linear movement and for supporting the indicator means, said slide member being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from said predetermined point along said predetermined line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
a pair of spaced apart freely rotatable rollers carried by the bracket member, each of said rollers engaging the external surface of the ring element to create a resultant force urging the ring element against the hub element, said force lying along a line extending through the point of contact therebetween in a direction normal to a line drawn tangent to said point of contact, and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
a pair of spaced apart freely rotatable rollers carried by the bracket member, each of said rollers engaging the external surface of the ring element to create a resultant force urging the ring element against the hub element, said force lying along a line extending through the point of contact therebetween in a direction normal to a line drawn tangent to said point of contact, and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
gear means for rotating said bracket member through said circular path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
gear means for rotating said bracket member through said circular path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: a. said control means includes:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said slide-guide means includes: a. a guide member mounted for pivotal movement about an axis intersecting the point of contact between said cooperatively engaging members; and b. a slide member mounted on said guide member for sliding linear movement and for supporting the indicator means, said slide member being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis spaced from said predetermined point along said predetermined line.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further including: a. support bearing means mounting the workpiece supporting table for selective angular adjustment relative to the motion generating means and for selective linear adjustment relative thereto along two horizontal axes disposed perpendicularly to each other.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: a. said first member comprises a hub element, the external surface of which has a circular configuration; and b. said second member comprises an annular ring element the internal surface of which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the external surface of the hub element, the internal surface of the ring element being disposed in rolling engagement with the external surface of the hub element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein: a. said drive means for moving the movably mounted member along the exterior surface of said fixed member includes means for creating a resultant force urging the movably mounted member against the fixed member, said force lying along a line extending through the point of contact between the said members in a direction normal to a line drawn tangent to said point of contact.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein: a. said drive means includes:
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein: a. said motion generating means further includes gas bearing means axially supporting the ring element for friction free movement relative to the hub element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein: a. said control means includes:
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein: a. said slide-guide means includes:
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: a. said first member comprises a hub element, the external surface of which has a circular configuration; and b. said second member comprises a freely rotatable rolling element of circular configuration mounted for planetary movement about the hub element in rolling contact with the external surface of the hub element.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein: a. said drive means for moving the movably mounted member along the exterior surface of said fixed member includes means for creating a resultant force Urging the movably mounted member against the fixed member, said force lying along a line extending through the point of contact between the said members in a direction normal to a line drawn tangent to said point of contact.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein: a. said drive means includes:
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein: a. said control means includes:
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein: a. said slide-guide means includes:
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) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |