Probe head orientation indicator
First Claim
1. An angular orientation indicator for providing the angular position of a probe head, said orientation indicator comprising:
- (a) a carrier tube resistant to torsional flexing attached to said probe head having an indicator extending along the length of said carrier tube at a predetermined angular position; and
(b) a detector for detecting the angular position of said indicator, thereby determining the angular position of said carrier tube and said probe head, wherein said detector includes a tubular conduit having a known predetermined angular position and adapted to receive said carrier tube, said detector facing said conduit to detect the presence of said indicator on said carrier tube;
means for rotating said detector around said conduit; and
measurement means to determine the angular position of said detector relative to said predetermined angular position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for determining both the axial and angular positions of a defect in a tube wall. The apparatus includes a probe head positioned at the end of an elongated probe carrier having an imbedded orientation indicator. In the preferred embodiment, an encoder measures the angular orientation of the probe head when facing the defect relative to the angular orientation of the carrier and a photodetector and reflective strip measure the angular orientation of the carrier relative to a known orientation. A data processor uses this data to calculate the angular orientation of the probe head and the location of the tube defect.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. An angular orientation indicator for providing the angular position of a probe head, said orientation indicator comprising:
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(a) a carrier tube resistant to torsional flexing attached to said probe head having an indicator extending along the length of said carrier tube at a predetermined angular position; and (b) a detector for detecting the angular position of said indicator, thereby determining the angular position of said carrier tube and said probe head, wherein said detector includes a tubular conduit having a known predetermined angular position and adapted to receive said carrier tube, said detector facing said conduit to detect the presence of said indicator on said carrier tube;
means for rotating said detector around said conduit; and
measurement means to determine the angular position of said detector relative to said predetermined angular position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for determining both the axial and angular positions of a defect in a tube, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a probe head including a defect sensor for detecting a defect in the wall of said tube; (b) a first drive means for axially positioning said probe head along the length inside said tube and providing the axial location of said probe head; (c) an angular orientation indicator for providing the angular position of said probe head, said orientation indicator including; (i) a carrier tube resistant to torsional flexing attached to said probe head having an indicator extending along the length of said carrier tube at a predetermined angular position and (ii) a detector for detecting the angular position of said indicator, thereby determining the angular position of said carrier tube and said probe heads, wherein said detector includes a tubular conduit having a known predetermined angular position and adapted to receive said carrier tube, said detector facing said conduit to detect the presence of said indicator on said carrier tube;
means for rotating said detector around said conduit; and
measurement means to determine the angular position of said detector relative to said predetermined angular position;(d) a second drive means for rotating said probe head with respect to said carrier tube and providing the angular orientation of said probe head with respect to said indicator of said carrier tube when said defect sensor is facing a defect in said tube; and (e) data processor for combining said axial and angular positions to determine the position of said defect in said tube. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An angular orientation indicator for providing the angular position of a probe head, said orientation indicator comprising:
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(a) a carrier tube resistant to torsional flexing attached to said probe head having an indicator extending along the length of said carrier tube at a predetermined angular position; and (b) a detector for detecting the angular position of said indicator, thereby determining the angular position of said carrier tube and said probe head, wherein said detector is an eddy current detector and said indicator is a conductive wire. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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26. An angular orientation indicator for providing the angular position of a probe head, said orientation indicator comprising:
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(a) a carrier tube resistant to torsional flexing attached to said probe head having an indicator extending along the length of said carrier tube at a predetermined angular position; and (b) a detector for detecting the angular position of said indicator, thereby determining the angular position of said carrier tube and said probe head, wherein said detector is a photosensor and said indicator is a stripe having a light reflectance different from said wall.
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33. An apparatus for determining both the axial and angular positions of a defect in a tube, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a probe head including a defect sensor for detecting a defect in the wall of said tube; (b) a first drive means for axially positioning said probe head along the length inside said tube and providing the axial location of said probe head; (c) an angular orientation indicator for providing the angular position of said probe head, said orientation indicator including;
(i) a carrier tube resistant to torsional flexing attached to said probe head having an indicator extending along the length of said carrier tube at a predetermined angular position and (ii) a detector for detecting the angular position of said indicator, thereby determining the angular position of said carrier tube and said probe head, wherein said detector is an eddy current detector and said indicator is a conductive wire;(d) a second drive means for rotating said probe head with respect to said carrier tube and providing the angular orientation of said probe head with respect to said indicator of said carrier tube when said defect sensor is facing a defect in said tube; and (e) data processor for combining said axial and angular positions to determine the position of said defect in said tube. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. An apparatus for determining both the axial and angular positions of a defect in a tube, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a probe head including a defect sensor for detecting a defect in the wall of said tube; (b) a first drive means for axially positioning said probe head along the length inside said tube and providing the axial location of said probe head; (c) an angular orientation indicator for providing the angular position of said probe head, said orientation indicator including;
(i) a carrier tube resistant to torsional flexing attached to said probe head having an indicator extending along the length of said carrier tube at a predetermined angular position and (ii) a detector for detecting the angular position of said indicator, thereby determining the angular position of said carrier tube and said probe head, wherein said detector is a photosensor and said indicator is a stripe having a light reflectance different from said wall;(d) a second drive means for rotating said probe head with respect to said carrier tube and providing the angular orientation of said probe head with respect to said indicator of said carrier tube when said defect sensor is facing a defect in said tube; and (e) data processor for combining said axial and angular positions to determine the position of said defect in said tube. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification