US3993906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater radiographic apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-06-25
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Granted: 1976-11-23
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Expires: 1995-06-25
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable bag is inserted through a small orifice in the side wall of a submerged, liquid-containing hollow member to be radiographed. The inflatable bag is directed to a chosen location within the hollow member, where it is inflated, displacing the liquid from the chosen location. A penetrating radiation source is securely positioned externally on the side wall of the hollow member so that penetrating radiation emanating from the source will traverse the chosen location within the hollow member. Imaging means is securely positioned externally on the side wall of the hollow member so that the chosen location within the hollow member is between the penetrating radiation source and the imaging means. After the radiograph has been made, the inflated bag is deflated and withdrawn from the orifice, following which the orifice is sealed, and the penetrating radiation source and imaging means are removed from the hollow member.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Nelson English
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B42/00; G03B42/02; G03B42/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
In a device for the underwater radiography of a hollow member containing a liquid and having a small orifice in the sidewall thereof, the improvement therein which comprises the combination of: a. means of inserting an inflatable bag through the orifice and directing the inflatable bag to a chosen location within the hollow member; b. means for inflating the inflatable bag, thereby displacing the liquid from the chosen location within the hollow member; c. penetrating radiation source means securely positioned externally on the side wall of the hollow member so that penetrating radiation emanating from the source will traverse the chosen location within the hollow member; and d. imaging means securely positioned externally on the side wall of the hollow member so that the chosen location within the hollow member is between the penetrating radiation source means and the imaging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a device for the underwater radiography of a hollow member containing a liquid and having a small orifice in the sidewall thereof, the improvement therein which comprises the combination of: a. means of inserting an inflatable bag through the orifice and directing the inflatable bag to a chosen location within the hollow member; b. means for inflating the inflatable bag, thereby displacing the liquid from the chosen location within the hollow member; c. penetrating radiation source means securely positioned externally on the side wall of the hollow member so that penetrating radiation emanating from the source will traverse the chosen location within the hollow member; and d. imaging means securely positioned externally on the side wall of the hollow member so that the chosen location within the hollow member is between the penetrating radiation source means and the imaging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1, which additionally comprises means for deflating the inflatable bag after inflation thereof and withdrawing the deflated inflatable bag through the orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the means for effecting the steps of inserting the inflatable bag through the orifice, directing the inflatable bag to the chosen location within the hollow member, inflating the inflatable bag, deflating the inflatable bag after inflation thereof, and withdrawing the deflated inflatable bag through the orifice comprises a hollow, flexible shaft having a flexible air-conveyance tube slidably secured axially therein, the mouth of the inflatable bag being hermetically secured to the flexible air-conveyance tube in proximity to the forward end thereof, the hollow, flexible shaft provided at the rear end thereof with torquing and forcing means for advancing the hollow, flexible shaft within the hollow member, the flexible air-conveyance tube provided at the rear end thereof with valve means for effecting and controlling the inflation and deflation of the inflatable bag.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 3, which comprises in addition a flexible conveyance sheath terminating at its forward end in a flared nozzle and at its rear end in torquing and forcing means, the hollow, flexible shaft being slidably secured axially within the flexible conveyance sheath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 4, which comprises in addition a rounded, removable cap for covering the flared nozzle of the flexible conveyance sheath and facilitating the insertion thereof through the orifice and the subsequent movement thereof through the hollow member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device of claim 3, which comprises in addition a cable attached to the flexible air-conveyance tube at a point within the inflatable bag, the cable extending axially through the interior of the inflatable bag and passing through a hermetic seal in the forward wall of the inflatable bag, the cable terminating in a ring having a buoyancy-compensating weight attached thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device of claim 3, which comprises in addition a cable attached to the flexible air-conveyance tube at a point within the inflatable bag, the cable extending axially through the interior of the inflatable bag and passing through a hermetic seal in the forward end of the inflatable bag, the cable terminating in a ring having a buoyancy-compensating restraining wire attached thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
135 words
The device of claim 3, which additionally comprises a receiving section having a passageway therethrough communicating with the orifice in the side wall of the hollow member, the receiving section having a saddle attached thereto for hermetically securing the receiving section to the side wall of the hollow member, the receiving section being adapted for alternatively a. receiving a plug for hermetically sealing the hollow member from the surrounding medium, and (b). admitting and securely positioning substantially axially within the hollow member in the direction of the chosen location thereof, a rigid, curved guide tube having a flared nozzle at its forward end, the guide tube being adapted to receive and transmit the hollow, flexible shaft enclosing the flexible air-conveyance tube having the inflatable bag hermetically secured thereto in proximity to the forward end thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-23 | 1980-05-24 | 1980-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-23 | 1984-05-24 | 1984-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-23 | 1988-05-24 | 1988-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |