US4430614A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Eddy current bearing ball flaw detector
Assignee: Schaeffler Aerospace USA Corp
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Filing: 1980-12-10
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Granted: 1984-02-07
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Expires: 2000-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for detecting surface flaws in generally spherical articles such as bearing balls. A spindle carrying a vacuum chuck at one end for gripping the ball is driven to rotate the ball about a first axis. An eddy current probe mounted for rotation about a second axis generally orthogonal to the first axis is urged against the ball to scan a circular strip for cracks and is rotated about the second axis to vary the location of the strip being scanned along the first axis. The probe output is applied through a bandpass filter to a threshold alarm and to the vertical input of an oscilloscope triggered synchronously with the rotation of the spindle.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles V. Gereg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 02:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/72; G01N27/82; G01N27/90; G01N27/9013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for inspecting the surface of a generally spherical article having a center including in combination first means operable to rigidly hold said article, an inspection probe, means for positioning said probe in contact with the surface of said article, means for rotating said first means about a first axis passing substantially through said center to cause said probe to scan a strip of said surface, and means including means for revolving said positioning means about a second axis passing substantially through said center to vary the location of said strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for inspecting the surface of a generally spherical article having a center including in combination first means operable to rigidly hold said article, an inspection probe, means for positioning said probe in contact with the surface of said article, means for rotating said first means about a first axis passing substantially through said center to cause said probe to scan a strip of said surface, and means including means for revolving said positioning means about a second axis passing substantially through said center to vary the location of said strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the first means comprises a chuck.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the first means comprises a vacuum chuck.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the positioning means includes means resiliently biasing the probe against said surface with a constant force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the first and second axes are substantially orthogonal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further including display means having horizontal and vertical inputs, means coupling the probe to one input, and means for initiating a sweep of the other input upon successive rotations of said first means through a predetermined integral number of revolutions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further including second means selectively operable to rigidly hold the article, and means for rotating the second means about a third axis passing substantially through said center.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the first and second and third axes are substantially orthogonal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the first and second means each comprise a vacuum chuck.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1987-02-06 | 1987-08-08 | 1988-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-06 | 1991-08-08 | 1992-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-06 | 1995-08-08 | 1996-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |