Laser-based pipe alignment device and method
US5426507A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C15/002
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A pipe alignment device and method is provided for efficiently generating an air flow in sections of pipe such that the sections of pipe may be aligned along a prepositioned reference laser beam without refraction errors. A fan blade assembly is supported in one end of the pipe section by a support frame. A motor, mounted on the frame, rotates the fan blade assembly through a plurality of intermeshed gears to generate a air flow in the pipe. The fan blade assembly defines a light transparent aperture which permits the reference laser beam to enter the pipe sections concomitantly with the generated air flow. The light transparent aperture may include a window disposed therein.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.