Probe holder providing constant lift-off for in-line bar-pipe testing
US9746446B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2015 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2634
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is a probe holder for in-line inspection of the surface of bars of high value alloys. To attain full coverage of the inspected surface, the bar is rotated while either the bar or the probe holder is translated. The probe holder of the invention ensures constant probe lift-off by allowing the probe to move freely under its own weight, while constraining the motion to be only in the radial direction of the bar. The lift-off distance is defined by a spacer which is made of soft material to avoid damaging the inspected surface. Although the spacer is soft, its wear due to friction with the rotating bar is minimized by minimizing the pressure between the spacer and the bar. This is achieved by resting most of the mechanism weight on two rollers, with only the much smaller weight of the probe resting on the spacer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.