US4220966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Determining boundaries of a transparent tube
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1978-08-17
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Granted: 1980-09-02
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Expires: 1998-08-17
Abstract
Abstract The inner wall of a cylindrical glass envelope is delineated by a combination of a diffused light source and peripheral shutters placed behind the envelope. The precise position of the shutters is adjusted to block some of the peripheral light from the source from reaching the envelope. When the article is viewed from the front, dark lines delineate the lateral extent of the inner wall of the envelope. With the help of such a delineation it is possible to check the accuracy of the assembly of contacts in a miniature mercury-wetted sealed contact switch relative to the inner surface of its glass envelope.
Inventors
- 👤 Liber J. Montone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/24; G01B11/2433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of determining an inner surface of a hollow cylindrical article, the article being substantially transparent to at least some form of radiating energy, the method comprising: positioning the article between a diffused source of such radiating energy and a quantitative sensor of such radiating energy; orienting a longitudinal axis of the article into a first plane perpendicular to a sensing axis between the source and the sensor; and positioning at least one energy absorbing shutter in a second plane perpendicular to the sensing axis and located between the article and the source, the shutter having an edge substantially parallel to the inner surface of the article, the position of the shutter partially blocking radiation emanating peripherally to the sensing axis from the source, thereby casting a shadow image on the inner surface, said shadow image delineating the position of the inner surface to the sensor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of determining an inner surface of a hollow cylindrical article, the article being substantially transparent to at least some form of radiating energy, the method comprising: positioning the article between a diffused source of such radiating energy and a quantitative sensor of such radiating energy; orienting a longitudinal axis of the article into a first plane perpendicular to a sensing axis between the source and the sensor; and positioning at least one energy absorbing shutter in a second plane perpendicular to the sensing axis and located between the article and the source, the shutter having an edge substantially parallel to the inner surface of the article, the position of the shutter partially blocking radiation emanating peripherally to the sensing axis from the source, thereby casting a shadow image on the inner surface, said shadow image delineating the position of the inner surface to the sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the article is a glass tube, the diffused source is a source of diffused light, and the sensor is an optical viewing instrument, and the method comprises positioning an opaque shutter in the second plane, whereby the lateral extent of the inner wall of the glass tube becomes delineated by a dark line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein two shutters are positioned in the second plane, one shutter on each side of the viewing axis and the lateral extent of the inner wall of the glass tube becomes delineated on both sides of the sensing axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the article includes a glass envelope, the diffused source is a diffused source of visible light, and the quantitative sensor comprises a video camera and a video screen, the method further comprising measuring the relationship of at least one wall of the glass envelope with at least one other feature of the article.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for delineating the position of an inner wall of a transparent hollow cylindrical article, which comprises: a holder for mounting the article with its longitudinal axis in a vertical position; a source of diffused radiating energy positioned in a plane parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the article upon the article being mounted in the holder; means for viewing the article along a viewing axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the plane of the source; and at least one shutter mounted in a plane parallel to the plane of the source and between the source and the article in a peripheral position to partially block the energy radiating from said source to the article, whereby a dark line delineates the outermost position of the inner wall with respect to the viewing axis.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for delineating the position of an inner wall of a transparent hollow cylindrical article, which comprises: a holder for mounting the article with its longitudinal axis in a vertical position; a source of diffused radiating energy positioned in a plane parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the article upon the article being mounted in the holder; means for viewing the article along a viewing axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the plane of the source; and at least one shutter mounted in a plane parallel to the plane of the source and between the source and the article in a peripheral position to partially block the energy radiating from said source to the article, whereby a dark line delineates the outermost position of the inner wall with respect to the viewing axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the source is a fluorescent lamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the means for viewing the article comprises a video camera and a video screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least one shutter comprises two shutters, the shutters being mounted on opposite sides of the viewing axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the shutters have a straight edge facing the viewing axis, the straight edge being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the article.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the holder is adapted to receive a mercury-wetted sealed contact switch having a cylindrical glass envelope and electrical elements mounted therein, and the viewing means comprises a video camera mounted to view the switch along the viewing axis, and a video screen for portraying an image of the viewed switch, the viewing means further comprising means for measuring the position of the elements of the switch in relationship to each other and in relationship to the inner wall of the glass envelope of the switch.
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) | 1983-09-02 | 1984-03-03 | 1984-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-02 | 1988-03-03 | 1988-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-02 | 1992-03-03 | 1992-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |