US 2021/0080337 A1 · DUAL SLIDER MECHANISM

Abstract

An apparatus for automated inspection or maintenance is provided. The apparatus includes a dual slider mechanism for deploying a probe. The dual slider mechanism comprises: a frame; a probe slider configured to attach the probe; a probe linear guide coupled to the frame and configured to guide the probe slider and attached probe in a linear direction; a spring having one end attached to the probe slider; a spring slider attached to another end of the spring; and a spring linear guide coupled to the frame and configured to guide the spring slider and attached spring in the linear direction, in order to guide the probe slider and attached probe in the linear direction along the probe linear guide using the guided spring.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus for automated inspection or maintenance, the apparatus comprising a dual slider mechanism configured to deploy a probe, the dual slider mechanism comprising:

a frame;
a probe slider configured to attach to the probe;
a probe linear guide coupled to the frame and configured to guide the probe slider and attached probe in a linear direction;
a spring having one end attached to the probe slider;
a spring slider attached to another end of the spring;
and
a spring linear guide coupled to the frame and configured to guide the spring slider and attached spring in the linear direction, in order to guide the probe slider and attached probe in the linear direction along the probe linear guide using the guided spring.

4 more elements

A method of automated inspection or maintenance using a dual slider mechanism to deploy a probe, the method comprising:

attaching the probe to a probe slider of the dual slider mechanism;
and
guiding the probe slider and attached probe in a linear direction along a probe linear guide of the dual slider mechanism, the probe linear guide being coupled to a frame of the dual slider mechanism,
wherein guiding the probe slider and attached probe comprises:
attaching one end of a spring of the dual slider mechanism to the probe slider and another end of the spring to a spring slider of the dual slider mechanism;
guiding the spring slider and attached spring in the linear direction along a spring linear guide of the dual slider mechanism, the spring linear guide being coupled to the frame;
and
guiding the probe slider and attached probe in the linear direction along the probe linear guide using the guided spring.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/670,626Filed 31 Oct 2019

Priority

18 Sep 2019

Published

18 Mar 2021

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G01M 3/005
Investigating fluid-tightness of structures: using pigs or moles
G01M 5/0025
Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings: of elongated objects, e.g. pipes, masts, towers or railways
G01M 5/0033
Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings: by determining damage, crack or wear
G01M 5/0075
Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings: by means of external apparatus, e.g. test benches or…

Dual slider mechanism

Life of this patent

Dual slider mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18