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US4368996A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Penetrameter positioner for bore-side radiography of tubes

Assignee: United States Department of Energy
•
Filing: 1981-01-27
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Granted: 1983-01-18
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Expires: 2001-01-27
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Abstract

Abstract A positioner is provided for placing plaque or wire penetrameters, as used in radiographic inspection, in close proximity with the inner wall of tubing at any desired location along the tubing. The positioner head carrying the penetrameter is inflatable whereby it is positioned in the deflated condition, inflated to place the penetrameter against a weld to be inspected in the tubing wall, and then deflated during removal. If desired, the penetrameter holder may be used to center the radiographic source on the axis of the tube.

Inventors

  • 👤 Earl V. Davis
  • 👤 Billy E. Foster

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 00:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/005; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/06; G01N23/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T279/00; Y10T279/10; Y10T279/1021; Y10T279/1024; Y10T279/1029; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/20

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 79 words
Apparatus for positioning an object adjacent a wall comprising: a tube; a pair of elastic sleeves concentrically disposed around said tube adjacent one end thereof, the ends of said sleeves being secured to said tube and said sleeves intermediate their ends being expandable outwardly from said tube, said object which is to be positioned adjacent said wall being disposed between said sleeves; and means for expanding said sleeves outwardly from said tube to move said object adjacent said wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 79 words
Apparatus for positioning an object adjacent a wall comprising: a tube; a pair of elastic sleeves concentrically disposed around said tube adjacent one end thereof, the ends of said sleeves being secured to said tube and said sleeves intermediate their ends being expandable outwardly from said tube, said object which is to be positioned adjacent said wall being disposed between said sleeves; and means for expanding said sleeves outwardly from said tube to move said object adjacent said wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 132 words
Apparatus for positioning an object adjacent the inner wall of a pipe or the like, comprising: a tube; a pair of support rings disposed around said tube adjacent one end thereof, said support rings being spaced apart longitudinally of said tube; a pair of elastic sleeves concentrically disposed around said tube, the ends of each of said sleeves being respectively disposed around and secured to said support rings to provide an annular space between said tube and said sleeves, said object which is to be positioned adjacent said inner wall being disposed between said sleeves; and means for pressurizing said annular space between said tube and the inner one of said sleeves to expand both of said sleeves outwardly from said tube and move said object to a position adjacent said wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 132 words
Apparatus for positioning an object adjacent the inner wall of a pipe or the like, comprising: a tube; a pair of support rings disposed around said tube adjacent one end thereof, said support rings being spaced apart longitudinally of said tube; a pair of elastic sleeves concentrically disposed around said tube, the ends of each of said sleeves being respectively disposed around and secured to said support rings to provide an annular space between said tube and said sleeves, said object which is to be positioned adjacent said inner wall being disposed between said sleeves; and means for pressurizing said annular space between said tube and the inner one of said sleeves to expand both of said sleeves outwardly from said tube and move said object to a position adjacent said wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein grooves extend circumferentially of each of said support rings, and including retaining rings respectively disposed around said sleeves and cooperating with said grooves to secure said sleeves to said support rings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for pressurizing said annular space comprises a fluid supply conduit communicating with said annular space through a hole extending through one of said support rings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said object to be positioned adjacent said wall is mounted on the inner one of said sleeves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 12 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said object is a penetrameter.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2747100A Cited
DE1109466B Cited
US3220840A Cited
US3166335A Cited
US3535518A Cited
US3910098A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-01-17 1986-07-19 1987-01-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-01-17 1990-07-19 1991-01-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-01-17 1994-07-19 1995-01-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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