Patent US4472681A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4472681A
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Workpiece defect severity classifier with timing circuit to divide workpiece into equal inspection quadrants
Assignee: Ltv Steel Co Inc
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Filing: 1982-08-09
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Granted: 1984-09-18
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Expires: 2002-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A workpiece 18 classifying and marking system 10 is disclosed. The system includes a probe 12 for generating signals in response to the detection of defects along the workpiece length as that workpiece rotates and traverses past the probe 12. Circuitry coupled to the test head analyzes defects according to severity and classifies the workpiece as either "good", "salvageable", or "scrap". The circuitry also causes a marker 14 to affix a flaw indicating mark to the workpiece at the flaw location. The circuitry includes a flaw detection circuit 60, a defect classifying circuit 72, a timing control circuit 70, and a marker delay circuit 74. The timing control 70 transmits timing signals of different frequency to the defect classifying 72 and marker control 74 circuits and coordinates their operation. The defect classify circuit 72 divides the workpiece into quadrants and can sense the length of any flaws in each quadrant as the workpiece passes the probe 12. The detection of a flaw causes the timing control circuit to resynchronize itself by centering the flaw within a workpiece quadrant thereby preventing the flaw from "wandering" out of the quadrant. The circuitry is controllable by the user to change workpiece classification as a function of the use to which the workpiece is to be put.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Toth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:12
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/3412; G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/72; G01N27/82; G01N27/90; G01N27/9046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for examining workpieces and categorizing them according to defect severity comprising: (a) defect detector means for sensing defects in a workpiece as said workpiece and detector means move relatively past and rotationally with respect to each other and having an output for transmitting a defect signal in response to the detection of a defect; (b) defect classifying means having an input for receiving defect signals for classifying the workpiece according to defect severity as indicated by said defect signals; (c) a single timing means for generating timing signals and including outputs to said defect classifying means, said single timing means dividing a revolution between said defect detecting means and said workpiece into a number of inspection segments; and (d) synchronization means for synchronizing said inspection segments when a defect is sensed to locate such defect approximately in the center of an inspection segment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for examining workpieces and categorizing them according to defect severity comprising: (a) defect detector means for sensing defects in a workpiece as said workpiece and detector means move relatively past and rotationally with respect to each other and having an output for transmitting a defect signal in response to the detection of a defect; (b) defect classifying means having an input for receiving defect signals for classifying the workpiece according to defect severity as indicated by said defect signals; (c) a single timing means for generating timing signals and including outputs to said defect classifying means, said single timing means dividing a revolution between said defect detecting means and said workpiece into a number of inspection segments; and (d) synchronization means for synchronizing said inspection segments when a defect is sensed to locate such defect approximately in the center of an inspection segment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the defect classifying means comprises: (a) serial storage means for storing defect signals from the detector means; and (b) gate means for determining the length of a defect along the workpiece from the position of the defect signals in said storage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the timing means generates an adjustable number of signals to the storage means per revolution between said workpiece and said defect detecting means to clock the defect signals through the storage means at a rate related to the speed of rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a marking means for receiving defect signals and marking the position of defects on said workpiece in response to the receipt of said defect signals, said marking means includes a delay storage means coupled between a defect signal input and a marker energization means and the timing means clocks defect signals through said delay storage means at a rate equal to a multiple of the frequency of the signals clocking the serial storage means to delay marking a defect until the workpiece has rotated that defect at least one revolution after detection by the detector means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for classifying workpiece defects according to defect length comprising the steps of: (a) rotating and translating a workpiece past a probe which indicates the presence of a defect by producing a signal output; (b) generating a series of pulses with a repetition frequency an integer multiple of the frequency of rotation of said workpiece, said workpiece thus being divided into an integer number of inspection segments; (c) storing signal outputs from said probe in a serial storage means; (d) coupling the storage means to the series of pulses to clock the output through the storage means at a rate equal to the repetition frequencing; (e) sensing the condition of said storage means to correlate said condition to the length of a sensed defect; and (f) resynchronizing the clocking of said storage means when a defect is sensed to position said defect approximately in the center of a segment.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for classifying workpiece defects according to defect length comprising the steps of: (a) rotating and translating a workpiece past a probe which indicates the presence of a defect by producing a signal output; (b) generating a series of pulses with a repetition frequency an integer multiple of the frequency of rotation of said workpiece, said workpiece thus being divided into an integer number of inspection segments; (c) storing signal outputs from said probe in a serial storage means; (d) coupling the storage means to the series of pulses to clock the output through the storage means at a rate equal to the repetition frequencing; (e) sensing the condition of said storage means to correlate said condition to the length of a sensed defect; and (f) resynchronizing the clocking of said storage means when a defect is sensed to position said defect approximately in the center of a segment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the repetition frequency is four times the frequency of rotation to allow the workpiece to be divided into four quandrants.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of workpiece flaw detection comprising the steps of: (a) rotating and translating a workpiece past a probe, said probe including an output for generating defect signals corresponding to the presence of flaws in the workpiece; (b) coupling the defect signals to a sequential storage register which includes an input for receiving a clocking signal to clock such defect signals stored in the register through said register; (c) generating repetitive clocking signals with a frequency at least twice the frequency of rotation of the workpiece thus dividing each rotation into at least two segments; (d) sensing the state of the register to determine the length of a detected flaw; and (e) resynchronizing the clocking signal upon detection of a flaw on each workpiece revolution to position the flaw approximately in the center of a segment.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of workpiece flaw detection comprising the steps of: (a) rotating and translating a workpiece past a probe, said probe including an output for generating defect signals corresponding to the presence of flaws in the workpiece; (b) coupling the defect signals to a sequential storage register which includes an input for receiving a clocking signal to clock such defect signals stored in the register through said register; (c) generating repetitive clocking signals with a frequency at least twice the frequency of rotation of the workpiece thus dividing each rotation into at least two segments; (d) sensing the state of the register to determine the length of a detected flaw; and (e) resynchronizing the clocking signal upon detection of a flaw on each workpiece revolution to position the flaw approximately in the center of a segment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for detecting and categorizing flaws in a workpiece comprising: (a) means for rotating and translating a workpiece past a probe, said probe including an output for transmitting defect signals corresponding to the presence of flaws in a workpiece; (b) means for storing defect signals as they are generated by the probe including a serial storage register with a clocking input, the storage means also including a signal generator for clocking the storage register at a rate equal to a multiple of the frequency of rotation of a workpiece to divide the profile into segments of workpiece circumference; (c) means for resynchronizing said clocking of the storage register to locate a detected defect approximately in the center of a segment; and (d) sampling means for sampling the state of the means for storing defect signals; said state representing a profile of workpiece condition over a range of workpiece surface and indicative of the length of a detected flaw.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for detecting and categorizing flaws in a workpiece comprising: (a) means for rotating and translating a workpiece past a probe, said probe including an output for transmitting defect signals corresponding to the presence of flaws in a workpiece; (b) means for storing defect signals as they are generated by the probe including a serial storage register with a clocking input, the storage means also including a signal generator for clocking the storage register at a rate equal to a multiple of the frequency of rotation of a workpiece to divide the profile into segments of workpiece circumference; (c) means for resynchronizing said clocking of the storage register to locate a detected defect approximately in the center of a segment; and (d) sampling means for sampling the state of the means for storing defect signals; said state representing a profile of workpiece condition over a range of workpiece surface and indicative of the length of a detected flaw.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of inspecting a workpiece for defects comprising the steps of: (a) causing relative linear and rotational motion between a workpiece and a test probe, said test probe detecting the presence of a defect and producing a signal indicative thereof; (b) dividing a revolution of relative rotation into a number of inspection segments; and (c) synchronizing said inspection segments when a first defect is sensed to locate such defect approximately in the center of a segment, such segment defining a capture segment.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of inspecting a workpiece for defects comprising the steps of: (a) causing relative linear and rotational motion between a workpiece and a test probe, said test probe detecting the presence of a defect and producing a signal indicative thereof; (b) dividing a revolution of relative rotation into a number of inspection segments; and (c) synchronizing said inspection segments when a first defect is sensed to locate such defect approximately in the center of a segment, such segment defining a capture segment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 9 further including the step of: (d) disabling resynchronizing of said inspection segments after a first defect is sensed and until the capture segment is encountered on the next revolution of relative rotation.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for inspecting a workpiece for defects comprising: (a) a test probe for sensing the presence of defects and producing signals each indicative of a sensed defect; (b) moving means for causing relative linear and rotational motion between a workpiece and the test probe; (c) clock means for generating a series of pulses, the number of pulses being an integer number per revolution of relative rotation, said pulses dividing a revolution into an integer number of segments; and (d) resynchronizing means for resynchronizing said pulses of said clock means to locate a detected defect approximately in the center of a segment, such segment defining a capture segment.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for inspecting a workpiece for defects comprising: (a) a test probe for sensing the presence of defects and producing signals each indicative of a sensed defect; (b) moving means for causing relative linear and rotational motion between a workpiece and the test probe; (c) clock means for generating a series of pulses, the number of pulses being an integer number per revolution of relative rotation, said pulses dividing a revolution into an integer number of segments; and (d) resynchronizing means for resynchronizing said pulses of said clock means to locate a detected defect approximately in the center of a segment, such segment defining a capture segment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further including disabling means for disabling further resynchronization of said pulses of said clock means after a first defect is sensed and until the capture segment is encountered on the next revolution of relative rotation.
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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) | 1987-09-18 | 1988-03-19 | 1988-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-18 | 1992-03-19 | 1992-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-18 | 1996-03-19 | 1996-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |