# US 10,768,120 B2 · Technologies for identifying defects > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,768,120 B2 - Document ID: US10768120B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/978,338 - Filed: 2018-05-14 - Published: 2018-11-01 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-10 - Assignees: Sunspring America, Inc. - Applicants: Sunspring America, Inc. - Inventors: Scott Steven Sheppard; James Richard Lambdin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768120B2 ## CPC - G01N 21/952: Inspecting the exterior surface of cylindrical bodies or wires (G01N21/956 takes precedence) - G01N 21/8806: {Specially adapted optical and illumination features} - G01N 2021/8809: {Adjustment for highlighting flaws} - G01N 2201/06113: Coherent sources; lasers - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A method comprises: directing a laser beam onto a side of a tube, wherein the side includes a defect; moving the tube with respect to the laser beam such that the laser beam beams onto the defect; sensing a reflection of the laser beam from the side based on the defect; computationally identifying a change between the laser beam and the reflection; computationally acting based on the change. The side can be internal or external. In other implementations, the laser beam is moved with respect to the tube such that the laser beam beams onto the defect. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: directing a laser beam onto an inner side of a tube from a laser source positioned within the tube, wherein the laser beam has a wavelength between about 360 nanometers (nm) and about 500 nm within a visible region of an electromagnetic spectrum, wherein the inner side includes a defect that is lubricated before an intended operative end use, wherein the inner side includes copper or an alloy including copper; rotationally moving the tube with respect to the laser beam such that the laser beam beams onto the defect that is lubricated before the intended operative end use, wherein the laser source is stationary within the tube while the tube is rotationally moving; sensing a reflection of the laser beam from the inner side based on the defect; computationally identifying a change between the laser beam and the reflection; and computationally acting based on the change. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein rotationally moving the tube with respect to the laser beam includes a full rotation or less. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein rotationally moving the tube with respect to the laser beam includes a full rotation or more. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the defect is lubricated. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein rotationally moving the tube with respect to the laser beam includes pushing the tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein rotationally moving the tube with respect to the laser beam includes pulling the tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein computationally acting based on the change includes computationally determining whether the defect satisfies a predefined threshold. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein computationally acting based on the change includes taking a machine-based action with respect to the tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the machine-based action includes marking the tube with a mark. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the mark is in proximity of the defect such that the defect is positionally associated with the mark. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the machine-based action includes segregating the tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the change is identified based on a reflection beam time difference. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein computationally acting based on the change includes computationally forming a defect map of the inner side. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tube is rectilinear where the inner side includes the defect. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tube is non-rectilinear where the inner side includes the defect. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tube varies in cross-section with respect to at least one of a shape or a size thereof where the inner side includes the defect. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tube is uniform in cross-section with respect to at least one of a shape or a size thereof where the inner side includes the defect. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the tube is an assembly of pieces where the inner side includes the defect. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the defect includes a depression. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein rotationally moving the tube with respect to the laser beam is via a tube straightener. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the laser beam includes a blue laser beam. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the laser source is secured to a housing containing a sensor sensing the reflection. ### Claim 23 A method comprising: directing a laser beam onto an inner side of a tube from a laser source positioned within the tube, wherein the laser beam has a wavelength between about 360 nanometers (nm) and about 500 nm within a visible region of an electromagnetic spectrum, wherein the inner side includes a defect that is lubricated before the intended operative end use, wherein the inner side includes copper or an alloy including copper; rotationally moving the laser beam with respect to the tube such that the laser beam beams onto the defect that is lubricated before the intended operative end use, wherein the tube is stationary while the laser source is rotationally moving within the tube; sensing Ea reflection of the laser beam from the inner side based on the defect; computationally identifying a change between the laser beam and the reflection; and computationally acting based on the change. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the laser source is secured to a housing containing a sensor sensing the reflection. ### Claim 25 A method comprising: directing a laser beam onto an outer side of a tube, wherein the laser beam has a wavelength between about 360 nanometers (nm) and about 500 nm within a visible region of an electromagnetic spectrum, wherein the outer side includes a defect that is lubricated before an intended operative end use, wherein the outer side includes copper or an alloy including copper; rotationally moving the tube with respect to the laser beam such that the laser beam beams onto the defect that is lubricated before the intended operative end use, wherein the laser beam is stationary while the tube is rotationally moving; sensing a reflection of the laser beam from the outer side based on the defect, wherein the laser beam is directed from a housing containing a source of the laser beam and a sensor sensing the reflection; computationally identifying a change between the laser beam and the reflection; and computationally acting based on the change. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the intended operative end use includes a plumbing use. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein computationally acting based on the change includes taking a machine-based action with respect to the tube. ### Claim 28 A method comprising: directing a laser beam onto an outer side of a tube, wherein the laser beam has a wavelength between about 360 nanometers (nm) and about 500 nm within a visible region of an electromagnetic spectrum, wherein the outer side includes a defect that is lubricated before the intended operative end use, wherein the outer side includes copper or an alloy including copper; rotationally moving the laser beam with respect to the tube such that the laser beam beams onto the defect that is lubricated before the intended operative end use wherein the tube is stationary while the laser beam is rotationally moving; sensing a reflection of the laser beam from the outer side based on the defect, wherein the laser beam is directed from a housing containing a source of the laser beam and a sensor sensing the reflection; computationally identifying a change between the laser beam and the reflection; and computationally acting based on the change. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28, wherein the laser source is secured to a housing containing a sensor sensing the reflection. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28, wherein computationally acting based on the change includes taking a machine-based action with respect to the tube.