Apparatus for inspecting an externally threaded surface of an object
OwnerDale Reevesinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method are shown for inspecting the externally threaded surface of an object such as a pipe. A video camera is mounted in a translational frame for movement in x,y,z planes. The translational frame is mounted in a rotational assembly which rotates the frame about the circumference of the pipe threads to be inspected. The video signals from the camera are digitized and sent to a computer processor where the signals are interpreted to position the camera as it moves linearly along the axis of the pipe threads and to detect defects and discontinuities in the threaded surface of the pipe being inspected.
Claims11
An apparatus for inspecting the externally threaded surface of an object, comprising:
- a studio section including a light source for illuminating the threaded surface to be inspected, a mirror system for directing the light from the light source, and a video camera for receiving the directed light, for forming an optical image of the illuminated threaded surface, and for converting the optical image into electrical video signals;
- positioning means including a translational frame on which the studio section is mounted for moving the studio section in x,y,z planes in order to position the studio section about the object to be inspected at a starting point and for moving the studio section linearly along the longitudinal axis of the object during the inspection process;
- A rotational assembly for spinning the translational frame and studio section circumferentially about the object exterior as the translational frame moves the studio section linearly along the longitudinal axis of the object;
- encoding means for converting the video signals from the video camera into digitized information representative of special information in the optical images viewed by the video camera;
- and
- processing means for receiving and interpreting the digitized information provided by the encoding means, the processing means including a position controller for controlling the movement of the translational frame in response to the digitized information, and an image processor for comparing the digitized information to a programmed standard for detecting defects in the threaded surface being inspected.
A method of inspecting the externally threaded surface of a pipe, comprising the steps of:
- holding a pipe having an end with an externally threaded surface to be inspected stationary while revolving a studio circumferentially about the pipe exterior, the studio being provided with a light source for illuminating the threaded surface to be inspected, a mirror system for directing the light from the light source, and a video camera for receiving the directed light, for forming an optical image of the illuminated threaded surface, and for converting the optical image into electrical video signals;
- and
- digitizing the electrical video signals with an encoder and providing the digitized signals to a computer processor which interprets and compares the digitized signals to a known standard for determining defects in the threaded surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.