Ultrasonic bar inspection system with improved centering assembly
AssigneeOlympus America Inc.
InventorsDavid-Alexandre Roy Chevalier, Christian Gagnon-Lachance
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is an ultrasonic bar or tube inspection assembly comprising two centering assemblies and two inspection cassettes. The centering assemblies are designed to guide the bar under inspection with rollers disposed on symmetrically arranged pivot arms activated by a single centering ring. A pressure plate is designed to push the probe cassettes to be stacked tightly and concentrically onto the centering assembly. The inspection probe cassettes, with the accompanying design of engagement grooves and ridges, and a pressure plate, may be easily removed from the bar inspection assembly for maintenance operations.
Claims24
A non-destructive inspection system configured to perform an inspection on a test object with a longitudinal shape being passed through the inspection system in an axial direction, the inspection system comprising:
- at least one centering assembly comprising a centering frame centered around a system axis, positioned along a first radial plane, and having at least three centering arms having respective first ends attached to the centering frame at respective arm joints spaced substantially equally around the centering frame, the centering arms having respective second ends configured to hold and feed the test object at times the inspection system is in operation,
- at least one probe cassette, positioned along a second radial plane, configured to carry inspection probes,
- a pair of locking components configured respectively on the centering frame and the probe cassette to align the probe cassette to be centered along a system axis when the locking components are in an engaged position,
- at least one pressure plate sandwiched between the centering frame and the probe cassette and configured with a pushing mechanism, which when actuated, pushes the probe cassette and the centering frame into the engaged position.
A non-destructive testing centering assembly configured to perform an inspection on a test object with a longitudinal shape, the test object is fed through the centering assembly in an axial direction at times of operation, the centering assembly comprising:
- a main plate positioned along a radial plane,
- at least one rigid circular centering ring plate attached onto a first side of the main plate in a manner to allow a relative circular movement between the ring plate and the main plate, the ring plate having at least three pivot arms having respective first ends pivotably attached to the ring plate at respective pivotal joints spaced substantially equally around the ring plate, the pivot arms having respective second ends configured to tangentially engage the test object at times of operation;
- wherein the at least three arms further comprise respective arm pivot points between the respective first ends and the second ends, the pivot points pivotably attaching the respective arms to the main plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.