Adjustable centering feet assembly for eddy current probe
AssigneeZetec, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Frederick Ziegenhagen, Paublas M. Tarango, Evan Lloyd, Wayne Rector, Adis Ozegovic, Stephen Timm, Maria Almanza
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A centering assembly for an eddy current probe includes a foot element having a plurality of resilient cantilevered legs projecting radially about a central aperture and an adjustment element moveable relative to the foot element for exerting a radial force on the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs. Movement of the adjustment element allows an outside diameter of the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs to be maintained consistent as the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs are worn down during use.
Claims19
A centering assembly for an eddy current probe, comprising:
- a foot element having a plurality of resilient cantilevered legs projecting radially about a central aperture;
- and
- an adjustment element moveable relative to the foot element for exerting a radial force on the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs,
- wherein the adjustment element comprises:
- a foot expander positioned within the central aperture of the foot element, and
- an adjustment nut, movement of which causes the foot expander to exert the radial force on the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs,
- wherein movement of the adjustment element allows an outside diameter of the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs to be maintained consistent as the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs are worn down during use.
A centering assembly for an eddy current probe, comprising:
- a foot element having a plurality of resilient cantilevered legs projecting radially about a central aperture;
- and
- an adjustment element moveable relative to the foot element for exerting a radial force on the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs,
- wherein the adjustment element comprises:
- an adjustment nut having a leg deflecting portion projecting rearwardly therefrom,
- wherein movement of the adjustment nut causes the leg deflecting portion to exert the radial force on the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs,
- wherein movement of the adjustment element allows an outside diameter of the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs to be maintained consistent as the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs are worn down during use.
A non-destructive conduit testing assembly, comprising:
- an eddy current probe;
- and
- two or more centering assemblies coupled to the eddy current probe and configured to maintain the eddy current probe in a position centered within a conduit under test,
- wherein each of the two or more centering assemblies comprises:
- a foot element having a plurality of resilient cantilevered legs projecting radially and rearwardly about a central aperture;
- a foot expander positioned within the central aperture of the foot element for exerting a radial force on the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs;
- and
- an adjustment nut threadingly coupled to the foot expander,
- wherein movement of the adjustment nut causes the foot expander to exert the radial force on the plurality of resilient cantilevered legs.
A non-destructive conduit testing assembly, comprising:
- an eddy current probe;
- and
- two or more centering assemblies coupled to the eddy current probe and configured to maintain the eddy current probe in a position centered within a conduit under test,
- wherein each of the two or more centering assemblies comprises:
- a foot element having a plurality of resilient cantilevered legs projecting radially and rearwardly about a central aperture;
- an adjustment shaft having a tubular body configured to be received within the central aperture of the foot element;
- and
- an adjustment nut threadingly coupled to the adjustment shaft,
- wherein the adjustment shaft includes a threaded forward end having an outside diameter greater than an inside diameter of the central aperture of the foot element,
- wherein the threaded forward end is configured to engage corresponding threads on the adjustment nut,
- wherein the adjustment nut includes a leg deflecting portion projecting rearwardly therefrom,
- wherein movement of the adjustment nut causes the leg deflecting portion to exert a radial force on the plurality of cantilevered legs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.