US4011017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Borescope support apparatus
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1975-07-16
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Granted: 1977-03-08
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Expires: 1995-07-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for supporting a borescope probe in a gas turbine includes a housing, spaced swivel or washer bearings which receive the stem of the borescope probe, resilient washers disposed between the bearings that receive the borescope stem in close fitting relationship therewith, and a locking collar to selectively urge the bearings toward each other so as to deform the washers into gripping engagement with the borescope stem and frictionally lock the bearings.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger F. Feuerstein
- 👤 Maurice A. Freeman
- 👤 Leonardo B. Spinelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 18:30
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2476; F; F01; F01D; F01D21/00; F01D21/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for supporting a borescope probe, said borescope probe being of the type having an elongated, generally cylindrical stem portion which projects through an opening in an outer casing, said apparatus comprising: a housing; at least one resiliently deformable washer formed with an annular opening therethrough sized, in a non-deformable condition, to slideably receive said stem portion in close fitting relationship therewith; spherical bearing means abutting said resilient washer for providing swivelling movement of said resilient washer, said bearing means formed with an opening therethrough which is generally axially aligned with the resilient washer opening and is sized to permit the borescope stem portion to freely pass therethrough; and; a locking collar carried by said housing, said locking collar being movable between a first position wherein said borescope stem portion is free to slide along and rotate about its axis and said bearing means are free to swivel and a second position wherein said resilient washer is resiliently deformed into gripping engagement with said borescope stem portion and said bearings are frictionally locked against further swivelling motion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for supporting a borescope probe, said borescope probe being of the type having an elongated, generally cylindrical stem portion which projects through an opening in an outer casing, said apparatus comprising: a housing; at least one resiliently deformable washer formed with an annular opening therethrough sized, in a non-deformable condition, to slideably receive said stem portion in close fitting relationship therewith; spherical bearing means abutting said resilient washer for providing swivelling movement of said resilient washer, said bearing means formed with an opening therethrough which is generally axially aligned with the resilient washer opening and is sized to permit the borescope stem portion to freely pass therethrough; and; a locking collar carried by said housing, said locking collar being movable between a first position wherein said borescope stem portion is free to slide along and rotate about its axis and said bearing means are free to swivel and a second position wherein said resilient washer is resiliently deformed into gripping engagement with said borescope stem portion and said bearings are frictionally locked against further swivelling motion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said support apparatus includes two axially spaced resilient washers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said spherical bearing means comprise two outer, washer-like portions formed with a concave spherical surface, each such bearing outer portion having an associated inner washer-like portion having a convex spherical surface seated on the concave surface of its bearing outer portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that one said bearing outer portion is secured within a seat formed in said housing, said deforming means comprising a locking collar threadably engaged with said housing and abutting the other bearing outer portion, whereby when said collar is rotated in one direction said bearing outer portions are urged toward each other and said resilient washer is deformed into gripping engagement with said borescope stem portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The structure of claim 4 further characterized in that said housing is threadably engageable with said outer casing and said housing and said locking collar include central passages which are sized to permit free passage of said borescope stem portion therethrough and into and through said casing opening, with one bearing outer portion secured to said housing and the other bearing outer portion secured to said locking collar.
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) | 1980-03-07 | 1980-09-06 | 1981-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-07 | 1984-09-06 | 1985-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-07 | 1988-09-06 | 1989-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |