US5008623A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for testing balls with the use of eddy currents
Assignee: SKF Industrial Trading and Development Co BV
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Filing: 1990-03-19
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2010-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Method, according to the eddy current method, for checking damage on the surface of round, e.g., ball-shaped, metal objects, whereby a similar object is supported and made to rotate around at least one axis while an electronic contact-free scanner or sensor is aimed at the surface of the object, characterized by the fact that the round object is placed on a fixed support and a gaseous medium, e.g., air is blown against the object in such manner that between the support and the object a gas or air layer is formed which carries the object, and the object is made to rotate by the gas or air flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Hendrik Dolfsma
- 👤 Hendrik van Engelenburg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/28; G01B7/286; G01B7/282; G01B7/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
In a method employing eddy currents for checking damage on the surface of a round, e.g., ball-shaped, metal object, wherein the object is supported and made to rotate around at least one axis while an electronic contact-free scanner or sensor is aimed at the surface of the object, the improvement comprising placing the round object on a fixed support, and blowing a gaseous medium against the object to flow between the support and the object in a direction to form a gas layer that supports the object, said step of blowing comprising blowing the gas to impart a rotational movement to the object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a method employing eddy currents for checking damage on the surface of a round, e.g., ball-shaped, metal object, wherein the object is supported and made to rotate around at least one axis while an electronic contact-free scanner or sensor is aimed at the surface of the object, the improvement comprising placing the round object on a fixed support, and blowing a gaseous medium against the object to flow between the support and the object in a direction to form a gas layer that supports the object, said step of blowing comprising blowing the gas to impart a rotational movement to the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising aiming the scanner or sensor at the surface of the object and rotating the scanner or sensor in a circular orbit around an axis passing through the center of the object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a device for employing eddy currents for checking damage to the surface of a round metal object, including a support for the object, means for making the object rotate and an electronic, contact-free scanner or sensor for scanning the object, the improvement wherein the support contains an upwardly open cavity for receiving and supporting said object, a number of channels opening into said cavity, means for connecting the channels to a gas source under pressure to urge an object in said cavity upwardly, said scanner or sensor comprising an electronic contact-free scanner or sensor mounted above said cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a device for employing eddy currents for checking damage to the surface of a round metal object, including a support for the object, means for making the object rotate and an electronic, contact-free scanner or sensor for scanning the object, the improvement wherein the support contains an upwardly open cavity for receiving and supporting said object, a number of channels opening into said cavity, means for connecting the channels to a gas source under pressure to urge an object in said cavity upwardly, said scanner or sensor comprising an electronic contact-free scanner or sensor mounted above said cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 3, further comprising a rotatable pivot, said scanner or sensor being attached to said rotatable pivot, said pivot having an axis that passes through the center of the cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of rotating the scanner or sensor comprises moving said scanner or sensor in a horizontal plane completely around said object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said pivot is suspended above said cavity, whereby said scanner or sensor is rotatable fully around said object.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |