Tube seam weld inspection device
First Claim
1. An apparatus for visualizing a longitudinal seam weld on a moving tube in combination with a tube forming machine which forms tube from a strip of flat metal stock, the strip having edges capable of being misaligned when the strip is formed into a tube, the apparatus comprisingmeans for detecting a misalignment of the edges, the means for detecting including means for projecting a steady plane of light on the tube seam weld as the tube moves longitudinally past said projecting means and means for imaging a reflection of the projected light from the tube seam weld, andmeans for displaying the reflection image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a method and apparatus for on-line, real-time imaging and inspecting a seam weld on a moving tube in a conventional tube forming environment. The apparatus is in a compact container sealed from workplace contaminants. A planar light source directs a steady plane of light by using mirrors, through an aperture in the container and onto the tube seam at a 45° angle relative to the tube axis, forming a light pattern on the moving tube. A camera in the container images the light, again at 45° relative to the tube axis, and said image is displayed remotely on a conventional video monitor. An operator interprets the light pattern image and adjusts the tube forming apparatus accordingly.
55 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An apparatus for visualizing a longitudinal seam weld on a moving tube in combination with a tube forming machine which forms tube from a strip of flat metal stock, the strip having edges capable of being misaligned when the strip is formed into a tube, the apparatus comprising
means for detecting a misalignment of the edges, the means for detecting including means for projecting a steady plane of light on the tube seam weld as the tube moves longitudinally past said projecting means and means for imaging a reflection of the projected light from the tube seam weld, and means for displaying the reflection image.
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10. An apparatus for visualizing a seam weld on a moving tube in combination with a tube forming machine which forms tube from a strip of flat metal stock, the apparatus comprising
a laser light source, lens means for forming a laser light into a steady plane of light, mirror means for directing the plane of light to intersect the tube seam weld and to direct the reflection of the intersection to a camera, and monitor means to display the reflection imaged by the camera.
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15. An apparatus for visualizing a seam weld on a tube moving longitudinally in the direction of its axis, the apparatus comprising
a container formed to include an interior region and an aperture facing the moving tube and its seam weld, the container being positioned in spaced-apart relation to the tube seam weld, light means for providing a steady planar light, the light means being mounted in the interior region, means for directing the planar light out of the interior region of the container through the aperture to intersect the tube seam weld to form a light pattern on the tube, the directing means being mounted in the interior region, means for imaging the light pattern on the tube seam weld, the imaging means being mounted in the interior region, means for displaying the imaged light pattern connected to the imaging means, the displaying means being positioned outside the container, source means for supplying electrical power to the light source and the imaging means, the power source means being mounted in the interior region, and transparent means for covering the aperture to keep workplace contaminants out of the interior region.
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17. An apparatus for optically determining departures in shape of a workpiece in combination with a manufacturing environment, the apparatus comprising
a container formed to include an interior region protected from the environment and an aperture, the container being positioned in spaced-apart relation to the workpiece, a planar light source mounted in the interior region, a camera mounted in the interior region, a plurality of mirrors arranged in the interior region to direct the planar light through the aperture to intersect the workpiece to form a light pattern on the workpiece and to direct the reflection of the light pattern which passes through the aperture toward the camera, a power supply mounted in the interior region to provide electrical power to the apparatus, a transparent aperture cover attached to the container in an aperture-closing position to keep workplace contaminants out of the interior region.
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18. An edge alignment measuring system for inspecting alignment of a pair of edges of a strip that abut one another at a seam weld to form a tube in a tube forming machine, the system comprising
means for projecting a steady plane of coherent light across the seam of the tube after it is welded to produce a first light pattern on a first of the edges and a second light pattern on a second of the edges, and means for displaying the first and second light patterns side-by-side to indicate discontinuity between the first and second light patterns so that misalignment of the first and second edges relative to one another is detected.
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23. An edge alignment measuring system for inspecting a pair of edges of a strip that abut one another at a seam weld to form a tube, the system comprising
a container formed to include an interior region and an aperture, means for projecting a steady plane of coherent light across the seam of the tube to produce a first light pattern on a first of the edges and a second light pattern on a second of the edges, where the projecting means is mounted inside the container, means for displaying the first and second light patterns side-by-side to indicate discontinuity between the first and second light patterns so that a misalignment of the first and second edges relative to one another is detected, and a transparent aperture cover mounted on the container.
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27. A method for inspecting the alignment of a pair of edges of a strip that abut one another at a weld seam to form a tube, the method comprising the steps of
projecting a first light pattern on a first of the edges and a second light pattern on a second of the edges, displaying the first and second light patterns side-by-side to indicate one of a match and a discontinuity to detect a misalignment of the first and second edges relative to one another.
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31. A method for inspecting the alignment of a pair of edges of a strip that abut one another at a weld seam to form a tube, the method comprising the steps of
projecting a first light pattern on a first of the edges and a second light pattern on a second of the edges, moving the tube longitudinally under the light patterns, and displaying the first and second light patterns side-by-side to indicate discontinuity to detect a misalignment of the first and second edges relative to one another.
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34. A measuring system for inspecting a cut made by a weld bead scarfing tool on a tube moving longitudinally in the direction of its axis at a tube seam extending along the axis and receiving a weld bead, the measuring system comprising
means for projecting a steady plane of coherent light across the cut made by the weld bead scarfing tool to produce a first light pattern on a first side of the tube seam and a second light pattern on a second side of the tube seam, and means for displaying the first and second light patterns side-by-side to indicate discontinuity between the first and second light patterns so that the depth of the cut made by the weld beam scarfing tool is detected.
Specification