Apparatus for ultrasonic transducer or other contact sensor placement against a test material
US8683882B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2638
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A spherical bearing provides a passive apparatus that enables a contact sensor that needs to self-align to the surface of a test object. In some embodiments, the contact sensor is a transducer. This self-alignment apparatus may be used in a measurement system for aligning the face of a contact transducer to the surface of a material to be measured. The spherical bearing may be dry or may be lubricated with a liquid or with pressurized air to minimize the bearing friction and enable the transducer to self-align. The upper portion of the spherical bearing is preferably attached to a spring-loaded piston. The transducer is preferably attached to the lower portion of the spherical bearing. The spring-loaded piston holds the spherical bearing portions together and centers the floating lower bearing portion after each measurement operation. A cowling preferably retains the lower bearing portion between measurements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.