US4241609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube internal measuring instrument
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
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Filing: 1979-04-09
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Granted: 1980-12-30
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Expires: 1999-04-09
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an internal measuring instrument for directly measuring wall thickness and for detecting flaws within the wall of a tube. This instrument comprises a rotatable disc support adapted to be moved through a length of tubing the disc having at least three holes spaced equal distance apart about its circumference, at least one laterally movable search unit compressively positioned in one of the holes, laterally movable contact shoes compressively positioned in the remaining holes, a rotatable handle having a visible indication mark corresponding to the position of the search unit, a conduit connecting the disc support to the handle, and an indicating device electrically connected to the search unit for directly presenting the internal characteristics of the tubing.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack N. Bergman
- 👤 Bernard Ostrofsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/265; G01B; G01B17/00; G01B17/02; G01B21/00; G01B21/02; G01B21/08; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02854
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An internal measuring instrument for directly measuring the wall thickness and for detecting flaws within the walls of tubing comprising: (a) a rotatable disc support adapted to be moved through a length of tubing, said disc having at least three holes spaced equal distance apart on the circumference of said disc; (b) at least one laterally movable search unit compressively positioned in at least one of said holes; (c) laterally movable contact shoes compressively positioned in said remaining holes; (d) a rotatable handle having a visible indication mark corresponding to the position of said search unit; (e) a conduit connecting said disc to said handle; and (f) an indicating device electrically connected to said search unit for monitoring measurements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An internal measuring instrument for directly measuring the wall thickness and for detecting flaws within the walls of tubing comprising: (a) a rotatable disc support adapted to be moved through a length of tubing, said disc having at least three holes spaced equal distance apart on the circumference of said disc; (b) at least one laterally movable search unit compressively positioned in at least one of said holes; (c) laterally movable contact shoes compressively positioned in said remaining holes; (d) a rotatable handle having a visible indication mark corresponding to the position of said search unit; (e) a conduit connecting said disc to said handle; and (f) an indicating device electrically connected to said search unit for monitoring measurements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said search unit is an ultrasonic single pulse echo transducer unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said ultrasonic single pulse echo transducer unit comprises a single piezoelectric element which transforms electrical impulses into ultrasonic energy waves which propagate through a wall of a tube and are reflected back to said element, reconverted to an electrical signal and transmitted to said indicating device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said search unit is an ultrasonic dual pulse echo transducer unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The instrument of claim 4 wherein said ultrasonic dual pulse echo transducer unit comprises two piezoelectric elements, one of which converts electrical impulses to ultrasonic energy waves which propagate through a wall of a tube and are reflected back and received by the second element which recoverts said waves to an electrical signal and transmits said signals to said indicating device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said indicating device is an oscilloscope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said indicating device is a direct reading digital display recorder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said conduit is flexible.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 8 wherein said flexible conduit can bend 180°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said rotatable disc support can rotate 360°.
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) | 1983-12-30 | 1984-06-30 | 1984-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-30 | 1988-06-30 | 1988-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-30 | 1992-06-30 | 1992-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |