Inspection apparatus for evaluating a partially completed weld

An inspection apparatus for evaluating a partially completed weld which has opposite sides and which is used in combination with an automated movable welder which moves across a supporting surface, comprising:

• a frame member mounted on the welder;
• an ultrasonic sensor mounted on the frame member and disposed in ultrasonic sound transmitting relation relative to the partially completed weld;
• and
• a drive assembly for adjusting the position of the ultrasonic sensor relative to the partially completed weld, and wherein the drive assembly comprises a motor mounted on the frame member, and a threaded shaft mounted on the frame member and oriented in force receiving relation relative to the motor, and wherein energizing the motor imparts rotational movement to the threaded shaft, and wherein the ultrasonic sensor is threadably mounted on the threaded shaft, and rotational movement of the threaded shaft urges the ultrasonic sensor along the frame member.

An inspection apparatus for evaluating a partially completed weld which has opposite sides and which is used in combination with an automated movable welder which moves across a supporting surface, comprising:

• a frame member mounted on the welder;
• an ultrasonic sensor mounted on the frame member and disposed in ultrasonic sound transmitting relation relative to the partially completed weld;
• a drive assembly for adjusting the position of the ultrasonic sensor relative to the partially completed weld;
• and
• a heat dissipation assembly borne by the frame member and which facilitates the dissipation of heat energy from the ultrasonic sensor.

An inspection apparatus for evaluating a partially completed weld which has opposite sides and which is used in combination with an automated movable welder which moves across a supporting surface, comprising:

• a frame member mounted on the welder and disposed in spaced relation relative to the supporting surface over which the automated moveable welder moves;
• an ultrasonic sensor movably mounted on the frame member and disposed in ultrasonic sound transmitting relation relative to the partially completed weld, and wherein the frame member orients the ultrasonic sensor in trailing relation relative to the direction of travel of the automated movable welder;
• and
• a drive assembly borne by the frame and which concurrently adjusts the position of the ultrasonic sensor relative to the partially completed weld during welding operations, and wherein the ultrasonic sensor images the partially completed weld during welding operations.

An inspection apparatus for evaluating a partially completed weld which has opposite sides and which is used in combination with an automated movable welder which moves across a supporting surface, comprising:

• a coupling member mounted on the welder;
• a frame member mounted on the coupling member and disposed in spaced relation relative to the supporting surface over which the automated moveable welder moves;
• a moveable support member mounted on the frame member;
• an ultrasonic sensor mounted on the support member and disposed in ultrasonic sound transmitting relation relative to the partially completed weld, and wherein the coupling member orients the ultrasonic sensor in trailing relation relative to the direction of travel of the automated movable welder;
• an analysis assembly electrically coupled with the ultrasonic sensor, and which interprets ultrasonic signals received by the ultrasonic sensor to identify predetermined welding flaws;
• a communication device electrically coupled with the ultrasonic sensor and the analysis assembly, the communication device identifying the location and the type of welding flaw;
• and
• a drive assembly borne by the frame for concurrently adjusting the position of the ultrasonic sensor relative to the partially completed weld during welding operations the drive assembly positioning the moveable support member in predetermined locations along the frame member, and wherein the ultrasonic sensor images the partially completed weld during welding operations.

An inspection apparatus for evaluating a partially completed weld which has opposite sides and which is used in combination with an automated movable welder which moves across a supporting surface, comprising:

• a coupling member mounted on the welder;
• a frame member mounted on the coupling member and disposed in spaced relation relative to the supporting surface over which the automated moveable welder moves;
• a rotatable tire movably mounted on the frame member;
• an ultrasonic sensor enclosed within the rotatable tire and disposed in ultrasonic sound transmitting relation relative to the partially completed weld, and wherein the coupling member orients the ultrasonic sensor in trailing relation relative to the direction of travel of the automated movable welder;
• an analysis assembly electrically coupled with the ultrasonic sensor, and which interprets ultrasonic signals received by the ultrasonic sensor to identify predetermined welding flaws;
• a communications device electrically coupled with the ultrasonic sensor and the analysis assembly, the communications device identifying the location and the type of welding flaw;
• and
• a drive assembly mounted on a frame member and which concurrently adjusts the position of the ultrasonic sensor relative to the partially completed weld during weld operations, and wherein the ultrasonic sensor images the partially completed weld during welding operations.