US3908446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic apparatus for wall thickness measurement
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-04-01
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-04-01
Abstract
Abstract Moving glass tube wall thickness is measured by apparatus in which ultrasonic pulses are applied to the tubing and the time taken for a pulse to traverse the wall thickness is measured. The ultrasonic pulses are conducted through a fluid which is in contact at the end of a stationary open tube with the inner diameter of a sound transmitting rotating cylinder. The glass moves over and engages an outer diameter of the cylinder and the cylinder rotates as the glass tube moves over its periphery. Ultrasonic pulses then enter the tube and are reflected by its outer and inner diameter surfaces to produce thickness related to reflections of the sound energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter F Mruk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B17/00; G01B17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
Apparatus for measuring the thickness of a moving elongated body; said apparatus comprising a hollow rotatable cylinder of acoustical energy transmission material and means rotatably mounting said rotatable cylinder; a transducer disposed in the interior of said rotatable cylinder; a source of fluid, which fluid acoustically couples said transducer to the interior of said rotatable cylinder; said moving elongated body moving over the outer surface of said cylinder; said transducer comprising an elongated hollow cylinder and a source and receptor of acoustical pulses disposed within said cylinder; one end of said transducer cylinder being disposed adjacent to and closely spaced from the interior of said rotatable cylinder; said source of fluid connected to the interior of said tRansducer cylinder and producing a continuous fluid column extending from said source of acoustical pulses to said interior of said rotatable cylinder, whereby pulses from said source and receptor of acoustical pulses reflected by the opposite surfaces of said moving elongated body can be sensed by said source and receptor of acoustical pulses; and electronic processing circuit means for monitoring said reflected pulses and producing an output related to the thickness of said moving elongated body; said one end of said transducer cylinder being spaced from the interior of said rotatable cylinder by about the height which would be formed by the meniscus of said fluid in said transducer cylinder under static conditions; said transducer cylinder being vertically disposed with said one end of said transducer cylinder being upwardly disposed; fluid from said source of fluid continuously flowing out of said transducer cylinder and into the interior bottom of said rotatable cylinder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
269 words
Apparatus for measuring the thickness of a moving elongated body; said apparatus comprising a hollow rotatable cylinder of acoustical energy transmission material and means rotatably mounting said rotatable cylinder; a transducer disposed in the interior of said rotatable cylinder; a source of fluid, which fluid acoustically couples said transducer to the interior of said rotatable cylinder; said moving elongated body moving over the outer surface of said cylinder; said transducer comprising an elongated hollow cylinder and a source and receptor of acoustical pulses disposed within said cylinder; one end of said transducer cylinder being disposed adjacent to and closely spaced from the interior of said rotatable cylinder; said source of fluid connected to the interior of said tRansducer cylinder and producing a continuous fluid column extending from said source of acoustical pulses to said interior of said rotatable cylinder, whereby pulses from said source and receptor of acoustical pulses reflected by the opposite surfaces of said moving elongated body can be sensed by said source and receptor of acoustical pulses; and electronic processing circuit means for monitoring said reflected pulses and producing an output related to the thickness of said moving elongated body; said one end of said transducer cylinder being spaced from the interior of said rotatable cylinder by about the height which would be formed by the meniscus of said fluid in said transducer cylinder under static conditions; said transducer cylinder being vertically disposed with said one end of said transducer cylinder being upwardly disposed; fluid from said source of fluid continuously flowing out of said transducer cylinder and into the interior bottom of said rotatable cylinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes indicating apparatus connected to said transducer for indicating the thickness of said moving elongated body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said moving elongated body is a hollow glass tube, and wherein the wall thickness of said tube is to be measured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 3 which further includes oil mist means for continuously wetting the outer diameter of said tube at its region of engagement with said rotatable cylinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rotatable cylinder is of Vespel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said rotatable cylinder is of Vespel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |