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US3901073A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for carrying out ultrasonic inspection of pressure vessels
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1973-12-11
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1993-12-11
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for moving an ultrasonic scanning mechanism over the interior surface of a pressure vessel and comprising a mast for supporting the scanning mechanism inside the vessel and a carriage for traversing the mast within the vessel, the mast being pivotably secured to the carriage so that when the ultrasonic scanning mechanism contacts the interior surface of the pressure vessel the mast is caused to pivot.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Henry Dent
- 👤 Frank Geoffrey Greenhalgh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/265; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/003; G21C17/01; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02872; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for moving an ultrasonic scanning mechanism over the interior surface of a pressure vessel, the apparatus comprising: a bridge for spanning the mouth of a pressure vessel, a slewing ring on the bridge, a beam carried by the slewing ring, a mast carriage linearly movable along the beam, a mast supported from the mast carriage, and a scanner carriage movable along the mast for carrying ultrasonic scanning mechanisms, wherein the mast depends at a pivotable joint from the mast carriage
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for moving an ultrasonic scanning mechanism over the interior surface of a pressure vessel, the apparatus comprising: a bridge for spanning the mouth of a pressure vessel, a slewing ring on the bridge, a beam carried by the slewing ring, a mast carriage linearly movable along the beam, a mast supported from the mast carriage, and a scanner carriage movable along the mast for carrying ultrasonic scanning mechanisms, wherein the mast depends at a pivotable joint from the mast carriage
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the axis of the pivotable joint is off-set from the longitudinal axis of the mast, the off-set being to that side of the mast which carries the scanner carriage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein an indicator probe secured to the mast carriage yieldably abuts the mast for indicating pivoting of the mast.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the mast carriage has adjustable stops for limiting the angle of pivoting of the mast.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein ultrasonic scanner mechanism attached to the scanner carriage through a gimbal mounting and the mechanism has guide wheels for running about the interior surface of the vessel and for spacing an ultrasonic probe of the mechanism from the surface of the vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3002375A
Cited
US3780571A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |