Optical method for inspecting spherical parts
US4259013A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 1979 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/951
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Spherical parts such as ball bearings are inspected by rolling the parts down sizing rails so that they rotate rapidly with minimal translational motion at a point where they drop through the sizing rails. In a region of rapid rotation the part is inspected by an array of optical systems covering the entire area of the part. Each system focuses a small line of light on the part and in a direction slightly misaligned with the center of the part and the same optics focuses specularly reflected light from the part to a detection region where the light level is measured and a corresponding electrical signal is produced. When the line image scans over a defect, the resulting absorption or scattering of the light causes a rapid decrease in the light received at the measuring location so that a detectable change in the electrical signal occurs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.