US4052887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic testing device and method
Assignee: Standard Oil Co
•
Filing: 1976-04-05
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Granted: 1977-10-11
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Expires: 1996-04-05
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an apparatus and method for non-destructive ultrasonic testing, such as flaw detection and thickness measurement, of elongated bodies, such as pipes and rods or coatings thereon. Ultrasonic signals are sent and received by transducers held in a rotating member while being substantially submersed in an acoustically transmitting liquid such as water. The rotating member is supported by bearings which are resistant to the transmitting liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee A. Sheridan
- 👤 Gary S. Kovener
- 👤 Bernard Ostrofsky
- 👤 Hilbert J. Nebelsiek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B17/00; G01B17/02; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/265; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02854
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for the ultrasonic non-destructive testing of elongated bodies or coatings thereon comprising a rotating member holding one or more cylindrical focus transducers, said transducers capable of sending ultrasonic pulses and receiving corresponding echo pulses back as said rotating member is rotated on the axis relative to the body being tested while said body moves axially with respect to said rotating member, said apparatus containing water resistant bearings, functionally disposed for supporting the rotating member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for the ultrasonic non-destructive testing of elongated bodies or coatings thereon comprising a rotating member holding one or more cylindrical focus transducers, said transducers capable of sending ultrasonic pulses and receiving corresponding echo pulses back as said rotating member is rotated on the axis relative to the body being tested while said body moves axially with respect to said rotating member, said apparatus containing water resistant bearings, functionally disposed for supporting the rotating member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bearing is made of TORLON.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotating member contains from 1 to 4 cylindrical focus transducers.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for the non-destructive ultrasonic testing of elongated bodies comprising: a rotating member holding one or more cylindrical focus transducers and capable of rotation about the axis of an elongated body; a static member; and bearings functionally disposed so that said bearings support the rotating member within the static member and said bearing being resistant to an acoustically transmitting liquid.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for the non-destructive ultrasonic testing of elongated bodies comprising: a rotating member holding one or more cylindrical focus transducers and capable of rotation about the axis of an elongated body; a static member; and bearings functionally disposed so that said bearings support the rotating member within the static member and said bearing being resistant to an acoustically transmitting liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the bearings are TORLON.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the rotating member contains from 1 to 4 cylindrical focus transducers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the rotating member and static member are concentric cylinders.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the rotating member and static member each has a coaxial coil which couple with one another inductively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the rotating member is driven by an electric motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the rotating member can be rotated at about 0-1000 revolutions per minute.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the rotating member can be rotated at about 0-300 revolutions per minute.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for the non-destructive ultrasonic testing of elongated bodies which comprises a rotor member holding one or more cylindrical focus transducers, and a static member which supports said rotor member by means of bearings, said apparatus being substantially immersed in an acoustically transmitting liquid, and said bearings being resistant to physical or chemical attack by said liquid.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for the non-destructive ultrasonic testing of elongated bodies which comprises a rotor member holding one or more cylindrical focus transducers, and a static member which supports said rotor member by means of bearings, said apparatus being substantially immersed in an acoustically transmitting liquid, and said bearings being resistant to physical or chemical attack by said liquid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the bearings are resistant to water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the bearings are TORLON.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for the ultrasonic non-destructive testing of elongated bodies or coatings thereon comprising rotating an apparatus holding one or more cylindrical focus transducers while said transducers send ultrasonic pulses and receive corresponding echo pulses back as said apparatus is rotated on the axis relative to the body being tested while said body moves axially with respect to said apparatus and while said apparatus is substantially submersed in an acoustically transmitting liquid.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for the ultrasonic non-destructive testing of elongated bodies or coatings thereon comprising rotating an apparatus holding one or more cylindrical focus transducers while said transducers send ultrasonic pulses and receive corresponding echo pulses back as said apparatus is rotated on the axis relative to the body being tested while said body moves axially with respect to said apparatus and while said apparatus is substantially submersed in an acoustically transmitting liquid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the apparatus contains water resistant bearings.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the apparatus contains from 1 to 4 cylindrical focus transducers.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for the ultrasonic non-destructive testing of elongated bodies or coatings thereon comprising a rotating member holding one or more transducers, said transducers capable of sending ultrasonic pulses and receiving corresponding echo pulses back as said rotating member is rotated on the axis relative to the body being tested while said body moves axially with respect to said rotating member, said apparatus containing Torlon bearings, functionally disposed for supporting the rotating member.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for the ultrasonic non-destructive testing of elongated bodies or coatings thereon comprising a rotating member holding one or more transducers, said transducers capable of sending ultrasonic pulses and receiving corresponding echo pulses back as said rotating member is rotated on the axis relative to the body being tested while said body moves axially with respect to said rotating member, said apparatus containing Torlon bearings, functionally disposed for supporting the rotating member.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
60 words
An apparatus for the non-destructive ultrasonic testing of elongated bodies comprising: a rotating member holding one or more transducers and capable of rotation about the axis of an elongated body; a static member; and Torlon bearings functionally disposed so that said bearings support the rotating member within the static member and said bearings being resistant to an acoustically transmitting liquid.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
60 words
An apparatus for the non-destructive ultrasonic testing of elongated bodies comprising: a rotating member holding one or more transducers and capable of rotation about the axis of an elongated body; a static member; and Torlon bearings functionally disposed so that said bearings support the rotating member within the static member and said bearings being resistant to an acoustically transmitting liquid.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
57 words
An apparatus for the non-destructive ultrasonic testing of elongated bodies which comprises a rotor member holding a transducer or transducers, and a static member which supports said rotor member by means of Torlon bearings, said apparatus being substantially immersed in an acoustically transmitting liquid, and said bearings being resistant to physical or chemical attack by said liquid.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
57 words
An apparatus for the non-destructive ultrasonic testing of elongated bodies which comprises a rotor member holding a transducer or transducers, and a static member which supports said rotor member by means of Torlon bearings, said apparatus being substantially immersed in an acoustically transmitting liquid, and said bearings being resistant to physical or chemical attack by said liquid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3848461A
Cited
US3955425A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-10 | 1981-04-11 | 1981-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-10 | 1985-04-11 | 1985-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-10 | 1989-04-11 | 1989-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |