US4655085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trackless scanner
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1985-07-26
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Granted: 1987-04-07
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Expires: 2005-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A trackless scanner for examination of pipings comprises an annular base removably mountable to a plant pipe to be examined, and a plurality of drive wheels for running supported on the base and being in contact with the plant pipe. Each of the drive wheels is associated with a sensor for detecting an angle which the annular base makes when it turns circumferentially of the pipe, a mechanism responsive to a detection signal from the sensor to control the axial running of the drive wheel for running, and a sensor for detecting a curvature of the pipe.
Inventors
- 👤 Fumio Tomizawa
- 👤 Kenji Tsuchita
- 👤 Sakae Sugiyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02854
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A trackless scanner for examination of pipings comprising: an annular base removably mountable to a pipe to be examined; a plurality of drive wheels for running supported on said base and being in contact with said pipe; a sensor, associated with each drive wheel, for detecting a circumferential turning of said base relative to said pipe; a circumferential posture control mechanism, associted with each drive wheel, responsive to a detection signal from said sensor so as to control an axial running of said drive wheel; and a sensor, associated with each drive wheel, for detecting a curvature of said pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A trackless scanner for examination of pipings comprising: an annular base removably mountable to a pipe to be examined; a plurality of drive wheels for running supported on said base and being in contact with said pipe; a sensor, associated with each drive wheel, for detecting a circumferential turning of said base relative to said pipe; a circumferential posture control mechanism, associted with each drive wheel, responsive to a detection signal from said sensor so as to control an axial running of said drive wheel; and a sensor, associated with each drive wheel, for detecting a curvature of said pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 1 further comprising an annular circumferential rotor rotatably mounted to said base concentrically therewith; rotation drive means for rotating said annular circumferential rotor relative to said base; and a sensor for piping examination mounted on said circumferential rotor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 2 wherein said sensor for detection of the circumferential turning comprises: a ball member being in slidable contact with said pipe and free to rotate; and means for detecting a rotation amount of said ball member in terms of components on two orthogonal axes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 2 wherein said sensor for detection of the circumferential turning comprises: a wheel rotatably supported on a shaft extending in parallel with a center axis of said annular base and being in slidable contact with said pipe to be examined; and means for detecting a rotation amount of said wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 2 wherein said curvature sensor comprises a plurality of sub-sensors, each sub-sensor including: a rotatably supported arm; a wheel rotatably mounted to one end of said arm and being in slidable contact with said pipe near said drive wheel; and means, provided on the other end of said arm, for detecting a rotation angle of said arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 1 wherein said circumferential posture control mechanism comprises: means for rotatably supporting a mount plate member of said drive wheel relative to said base; and means for rotating said mount plate member relative to said base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 6 wherein said sensor for detection of the circumferential turning comprises: a ball member being in slidable contact with said pipe and free to rotate; and means for detecting a rotation amount of said ball member in terms of components on two orthogonal axes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 6 wherein said sensor for detection of the the circumferential turning comprises: a wheel rotatably supported on a shaft extending in parallel with a center axis of said annular base and being in slidable contact with said pipe to be examined; and means for detecting a rotation amount of said wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 6 wherein said curvature sensor comprises a plurality of sub-sensors, each sub-sensor including: a rotatably supported arm; a wheel rotatably mounted to one end of said arm and being in slidable contact with said pipe near said drive wheel; and means, provided on the other end of said arm, for detecting a rotation angle of said arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 6 wherein said circumferential posture control mechanism uses a gravity sensor for detecting the direction of the force of gravity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 1 wherein said sensor for detection of the circumferential turning comprises: a ball member being in slidable contact with said pipe and free to rotate; and means for detecting a rotation amount of said ball member in terms of components on two orthogonal axes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 1 wherein said sensor for detection of the circumferential turning comprises: a wheel rotatably supported on a shaft extending in parallel with a center axis of said annular base and being in slidable contact with said pipe to be examined; and means for detecting a rotation amount of said wheel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 1 wherein said curvature sensor comprises a plurality of sub-sensors, each sub-sensor including: a rotatably supported arm; a wheel rotatably mounted to one end of said arm and being in slidable contact with said pipe near said drive wheel; and means, provided on the other end of said arm, for detecting a rotation angle of said arm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A trackless scanner for piping examination according to claim 1 wherein said circumferential posture control mechanism uses a gravity sensor for detecting the direction of the force of gravity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS58129253A
Cited
US4531413A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-06 | 1990-10-06 | 1991-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-10-06 | 1995-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-06 | 1998-10-06 | 1999-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |