US4604574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotating probe indicating the angle of intersection with a surface
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1984-02-15
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Granted: 1986-08-05
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Expires: 2004-02-15
Abstract
Abstract The relative orientation of a probe and a surface is maintained by positioning a proximity sensor off-axis on the probe, rotating the probe, and using the signal from the probe to adjust the relative orientation in a feedback loop.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Posluszny
- 👤 Kevin D. Smith
- 👤 Paul W. Schlie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/02; G01B7/023; G01B7/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
Apparatus indicating the angle of intersection between the axis (14) of a rotating member (12) and a surface (16), comprising: a rotating member (12) having an axis (14) of rotation; a sensor (20), disposed off-axis on the rotating member, for providing a lift-off signal indicative of the instantaneous lift-off of the sensor from the surface; means (26) for providing a theta signal indicative of the instantaneous rotational position of the sensor with respect to the axis; means (24) for providing an orientation signal indicative of the intersection angle between the axis and the surface in response to the lift-off signal and the theta signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus indicating the angle of intersection between the axis (14) of a rotating member (12) and a surface (16), comprising: a rotating member (12) having an axis (14) of rotation; a sensor (20), disposed off-axis on the rotating member, for providing a lift-off signal indicative of the instantaneous lift-off of the sensor from the surface; means (26) for providing a theta signal indicative of the instantaneous rotational position of the sensor with respect to the axis; means (24) for providing an orientation signal indicative of the intersection angle between the axis and the surface in response to the lift-off signal and the theta signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an element for performing an operation on the surface, the element disposed on-axis on the rotating member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the operation is eddy current flaw detection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means (18) for adjusting the intersection angle between the axis of the rotating member and the surface in response to the orientation signal.
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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) | 1989-08-04 | 1990-02-03 | 1990-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-04 | 1994-02-03 | 1994-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-04 | 1998-02-03 | 1998-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |