US4375167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic transducer suspension system for on-line high speed ultrasonic inspection of flat rolled products
Assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corp
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Filing: 1981-05-18
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Granted: 1983-03-01
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Expires: 2001-05-18
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for acoustically inspecting hot flat plates while on-line by utilizing an array or arrays of transducers continually spaced a set distance from the bottom of the plates by serrated rollers spring mounted with the array of transducers in a container with overflowing liquid wetting the passing plate to acoustically couple the transducers to the plate and a spray of sufficient force to temporarily cool the hot plate and dispel steam and vapor formed, the spray being in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the hot plate; and support of the unit on a track mounted carriage, with the liquid reused through a reservoir connected system. It is critical that the spray be at an angle of 27° or less to the horizontal and that the spray have sufficient force to have an apparent liquid velocity of at least 44 feet per second, adding the speed of the water and the hot plate together. Also includes associated electronic instrumentation and a rotary pulser with spring biased hinged mounted serrated roller having a cam activated limit switch for enabling the electronic instrumentation and a sprocket and chain connection from the serrated roller to a rotary pulse generator for detecting the position of the plates.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward M. Nusbickel, Jr.
- 👤 William L. Hutchinson
- 👤 James E. Albert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
Ultrasonic apparatus for testing a hot flat workpiece located below and along the path of the workpiece comprising ultrasonic transducer means having at least one multiplexed array of ultrasonic transducers, each transducer capable of transmitting an ultrasonic beam into the workpiece and receiving a reflected beam signal, spraying means directing a spray against the bottom of the workpiece in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the workpiece at an angle of approximately 27° or less to the bottom of the workpiece to cool the hot workpiece and remove steam vapor formed at the workpiece, said spraying means sprayed at an apparent liquid velocity of at least 44 feet per second by combining the velocity of the liquid and the opposing velocity of the workpiece moving along its path, guiding means to allow said ultrasonic transducer means to follow the contours of the surface of the workpiece, a container holding said transducer means, spraying means and guide means, a flooding means in said container and overflowing said container for acoustical coupling; and, all said transducer means, spraying means, container and flooding means, and guiding means completely located beneath the path of the workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
Ultrasonic apparatus for testing a hot flat workpiece located below and along the path of the workpiece comprising ultrasonic transducer means having at least one multiplexed array of ultrasonic transducers, each transducer capable of transmitting an ultrasonic beam into the workpiece and receiving a reflected beam signal, spraying means directing a spray against the bottom of the workpiece in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the workpiece at an angle of approximately 27° or less to the bottom of the workpiece to cool the hot workpiece and remove steam vapor formed at the workpiece, said spraying means sprayed at an apparent liquid velocity of at least 44 feet per second by combining the velocity of the liquid and the opposing velocity of the workpiece moving along its path, guiding means to allow said ultrasonic transducer means to follow the contours of the surface of the workpiece, a container holding said transducer means, spraying means and guide means, a flooding means in said container and overflowing said container for acoustical coupling; and, all said transducer means, spraying means, container and flooding means, and guiding means completely located beneath the path of the workpiece.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of testing a hot flat workpiece for flaws therein comprising the steps of moving the workpiece along a path or pass-line, spraying a stream of liquid from and against the bottom of the hot workpiece at an angle of approximately 27° or less relative to the bottom of the workpiece and in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the workpiece and at a velocity of at least 44 feet per second with enough pressure to disperse steam formed from the contact of cooling fluid with the hot workpiece, acoustically coupling to the bottom of the workpiece through a liquid medium by overflowing a container having ultrasonic transducers therein, to a height to wet the adjacent bottom surface of the workpiece, transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals through said liquid medium and from and to a location beneath the path of the workpiece, recording and interpreting for test results said received ultrasonic signals.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of testing a hot flat workpiece for flaws therein comprising the steps of moving the workpiece along a path or pass-line, spraying a stream of liquid from and against the bottom of the hot workpiece at an angle of approximately 27° or less relative to the bottom of the workpiece and in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the workpiece and at a velocity of at least 44 feet per second with enough pressure to disperse steam formed from the contact of cooling fluid with the hot workpiece, acoustically coupling to the bottom of the workpiece through a liquid medium by overflowing a container having ultrasonic transducers therein, to a height to wet the adjacent bottom surface of the workpiece, transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals through said liquid medium and from and to a location beneath the path of the workpiece, recording and interpreting for test results said received ultrasonic signals.
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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) | 1986-02-28 | 1986-08-30 | 1987-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-28 | 1990-08-30 | 1991-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-28 | 1994-08-30 | 1995-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |