US4292838A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Caliper gauge for the measurement of sheet members over a wide range of thicknesses
Assignee: Honeywell Measurex Corp
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Filing: 1979-11-26
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Granted: 1981-10-06
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Expires: 1999-11-26
Abstract
Abstract In an apparatus for the measurement of the thickness of a sheet through the use of air bearings, the apparatus has a stationary housing, a member in the housing capable of being extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet, and a fluid ring bearing capable of directing fluid to impinge the member in a substantially omnidirection which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the member.
Inventors
- 👤 Tor G. Larsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B13/00; G01B13/02; G01B13/06; B; B41; B41J; B41J3/00; B41J3/38; B41J3/385; B41J3/387; G01B21/00; G01B21/02; G01B21/08; G06; G06K; G06K17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for measurement of the thickness of a sheet having a portion of said apparatus to one side of said sheet and another portion of said apparatus to the other side of said sheet comprising: a housing; a member coupled to said housing capable of being extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet, said member including: (i) a hollow shaft positioned to extend in the direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet; (ii) a cup, connected to one end of said shaft which is closer to the sheet, and with the concavity of the cup facing the sheet; (iii) said cup having a hole in line with the hollow portion of the shaft; (iv) a body comprising a dome and a flat cover with the flat cover covering the opening of the dome, said body having an opening in said dome near the apex, a plurality of outlets in said dome and a plurality of orifices in the flat cover; (v) means for pivotally attaching said body to said cup such that the dome of said body is inside the cup; and fluid means capable of directing fluid through said member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for measurement of the thickness of a sheet having a portion of said apparatus to one side of said sheet and another portion of said apparatus to the other side of said sheet comprising: a housing; a member coupled to said housing capable of being extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet, said member including: (i) a hollow shaft positioned to extend in the direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet; (ii) a cup, connected to one end of said shaft which is closer to the sheet, and with the concavity of the cup facing the sheet; (iii) said cup having a hole in line with the hollow portion of the shaft; (iv) a body comprising a dome and a flat cover with the flat cover covering the opening of the dome, said body having an opening in said dome near the apex, a plurality of outlets in said dome and a plurality of orifices in the flat cover; (v) means for pivotally attaching said body to said cup such that the dome of said body is inside the cup; and fluid means capable of directing fluid through said member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cup and said dome of said body are concentrically shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cup has a radius of curvature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fluid means is an air ring bearing.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of operating an air bearing caliper gauge for measurement of the thickness of a sheet wherein said gauge has a member adjustable to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet, a body near one end of said member which is closer to the sheet, said body capable of pivoting about a point, and means for introducing air through said body to impinge said sheet, said method comprising: extending said member in the direction of said sheet; introducing air through said body to impinge said sheet to lift said body from said sheet; and lifting said body from said sheet until the distance between the body and the sheet is such that the point of pivot is substantially at a surface of said sheet, which is closer to said body.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of operating an air bearing caliper gauge for measurement of the thickness of a sheet wherein said gauge has a member adjustable to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet, a body near one end of said member which is closer to the sheet, said body capable of pivoting about a point, and means for introducing air through said body to impinge said sheet, said method comprising: extending said member in the direction of said sheet; introducing air through said body to impinge said sheet to lift said body from said sheet; and lifting said body from said sheet until the distance between the body and the sheet is such that the point of pivot is substantially at a surface of said sheet, which is closer to said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of directing fluid to impinge said member in a substantially omnidirection which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of said member.
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) | 1984-10-05 | 1985-04-06 | 1985-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-05 | 1989-04-06 | 1989-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-05 | 1993-04-06 | 1993-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |