US3845463A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic testing apparatus
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1973-01-15
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A scanning unit for moving an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving head has means for moving the head linearly and means for swinging the head so that a series of linear scans can be performed with the head swung at differing angles for each scan. Utilization of the received signals may be to give a ''''B-scan'''' presentation on a bi-stable storage tube. The unit is preferable immersible in water and has one important application for the ultrasonic inspection of nuclear reactor pressure vessels.
Inventors
- 👤 A Timbs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:54
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/35; G10K11/352; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/25; B23Q1/44; B23Q1/48; B23Q1/4804; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/24; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/06; G01N29/0609; G01N29/0645
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A scanning unit for an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving head comprising: a. a watertight compartment, b. an elongate water-floodable structure attached to the watertight compartment, c. drive means in the watertight compartment with drive shAfts extending through the watertight compartment into the waterfloodable structure, d. a carriage movable along said structure by rotation of one of said drive shafts, e. an ultrasonic wave transmitting receiving head on said carriage, f. a swingable mounting for said head on said carriage, and g. means coupling another of said drive shafts with said swingable mounting so that rotation of that drive shaft causes the head to swing on the carriage, whereby said head can be scanned linearly along the unit and optionally swung predetermined amounts to transmit/receive waves in the compression mode or in the shear mode at various angles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A scanning unit for an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving head comprising: a. a watertight compartment, b. an elongate water-floodable structure attached to the watertight compartment, c. drive means in the watertight compartment with drive shAfts extending through the watertight compartment into the waterfloodable structure, d. a carriage movable along said structure by rotation of one of said drive shafts, e. an ultrasonic wave transmitting receiving head on said carriage, f. a swingable mounting for said head on said carriage, and g. means coupling another of said drive shafts with said swingable mounting so that rotation of that drive shaft causes the head to swing on the carriage, whereby said head can be scanned linearly along the unit and optionally swung predetermined amounts to transmit/receive waves in the compression mode or in the shear mode at various angles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A scanning unit as claimed in claim 1 having wheels to space the unit from a surface on which the wheels can run to provide a scanning movement of the unit as a whole in a direction transverse to the elongate axis of the unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A scanning unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the drive shaft for moving the carriage is a lead screw and the carriage has a nut movable on that lead screw.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
A scanning unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means coupling another of said drive shafts with said swingable mounting comprises: a rotatable keying shaft coupled to said other of said drive shafts, a worm rotatably captive in the carriage and longitudinally slidable along the keying shaft, said worm being constrained to rotate with the keying shaft, a shaft rotatable on a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the keying shaft, a worm gear complementary to said worm and secured to the shaft, and a pinion secured to said shaft, said swingable mounting having an arcuate gear rack complementary to the pinion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3159023A
Cited
US3553638A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |