US4649426A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic imaging system and technique
Assignee: United States, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY THE, Secretary of
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Filing: 1984-06-12
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Granted: 1987-03-10
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Expires: 2004-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for viewing objects obscurred by intense plasmas or flames (such as a welding arc) includes a pulsed light source to illuminate the object, the peak brightness of the light reflected from the object being greater than the brightness of the intense plasma or flame; an electronic image sensor for detecting a pulsed image of the illuminated object, the sensor being operated as a high-speed shutter; and electronic means for synchronizing the shutter operation with the pulsed light source.
Inventors
- 👤 Jon O. Bolstad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/4738; B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/095; B23K9/0956; G01N2021/1765; G01N2021/1789; G01N2021/1791; G01N21/21; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/06; G01N2201/069; G01N2201/0696
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for viewing a weld site obscured by an intense plasma or flame comprising: a pulsed light source providing an illumination beam for illuminating the weld site, the peak brightness of the light reflected from the weld site being greater than the brightness of the intense plasma or flame; an electronic image sensor for detecting a pulsed image of the illuminated weld site, said sensor operating as a high-speed shutter; and electronic means for synchronizing said shutter operation with said pulsed light source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for viewing a weld site obscured by an intense plasma or flame comprising: a pulsed light source providing an illumination beam for illuminating the weld site, the peak brightness of the light reflected from the weld site being greater than the brightness of the intense plasma or flame; an electronic image sensor for detecting a pulsed image of the illuminated weld site, said sensor operating as a high-speed shutter; and electronic means for synchronizing said shutter operation with said pulsed light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for minimizing specular reflection from the weld site.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said minimizing means comprises a polarizing filter positioned in front of the sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 3 further comprising a polarizing filter positioned in the illumination beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises an intensifier tube and further comprising a video camera for receiving said detected pulsed image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said intensifier tube is positioned at an angle which excludes the angle of major specular reflection from the object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said pulsed light source comprises a xenon short-arc flashlamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said pulsed light source comprises a pulsed laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said pulsed light sources comprise a pulsed polarized laser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising preshuttering means positioned in front of the sensor.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of viewing a weld site obscured by an intense plasma or flame comprising the steps of: illuminating the weld site with a pulsed light source, the peak brightness of the light reflected from the weld site being greater than the brightness of the intense plasma or flame; detecting a pulsed image of the illuminated weld site on an electronic image sensor; operating said sensor as a high-speed shutter; and synchronizing said shuttering operation with said pulsed light source.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of viewing a weld site obscured by an intense plasma or flame comprising the steps of: illuminating the weld site with a pulsed light source, the peak brightness of the light reflected from the weld site being greater than the brightness of the intense plasma or flame; detecting a pulsed image of the illuminated weld site on an electronic image sensor; operating said sensor as a high-speed shutter; and synchronizing said shuttering operation with said pulsed light source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of minimizing the specular reflection from the weld site.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the specular reflection from the weld site is minimized by polarizing said pulsed image prior to detection.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of polarizing the light from the pulsed light source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said sensor comprises an intensifier tube and further comprising the step of transferring said detected pulsed image to the photosensitive target of a video camera.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said pulsed image is detected from an angle which excludes the angle of major specular reflection from the object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said pulsed light source comprises a xenon short-arc flashlamp.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said pulsed light source comprises a pulsed laser.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said pulsed light source comprises a pulsed polarized laser.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of pre-shuttering said pulsed image prior to detecting.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for synchronizing said shutter operation with said pulsed light source enables said light source and said shutter for pulse width intervals less than or equal to 3.0 microseconds.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 21 having a discrimination ratio of at least 10,000:1.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said pulsed light source includes means for focusing light from said light source onto the weld site.
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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) | 1990-03-09 | 1990-09-08 | 1991-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-09 | 1994-09-08 | 1995-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-09 | 1998-09-08 | 1999-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |