Measuring and testing – Vibration – By mechanical waves
Reexamination Certificate
2008-01-22
2008-01-22
Larkin, Daniel S. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Vibration
By mechanical waves
C073S639000, C073S643000, C073S644000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07320249
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and method for inspecting a structure are provided which include probes with sensing elements and are disposed proximate opposite surfaces of a structure, where only one of the probes need be driven. A tracking probe may be magnetically coupled to a driven probe and move in coordination therewith. Ring magnets may be used in the driven and tracking probes to provide the magnetic coupling and align sensing elements disposed in the centers of the ring magnets. The probes may include a fluid bearing, such as a water bearing or an air bearing, for supporting the structure and maintaining the desired orientation and spacing of the probes relative to the structure. The fluid of a fluid bearing may be used as a couplant between an ultrasonic transducer and a structure. A flow moderating skirt may be used to with a probe employing a fluid bearing for support.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3956938 (1976-05-01), Carrico
patent: 4167880 (1979-09-01), George
patent: 4311052 (1982-01-01), Jeffras et al.
patent: 4398425 (1983-08-01), Matzuk
patent: 4423636 (1984-01-01), Plante
patent: 4454763 (1984-06-01), Mahler
patent: 4468619 (1984-08-01), Reeves
patent: 4495587 (1985-01-01), Plante et al.
patent: 4728941 (1988-03-01), Andrejasich
patent: 5024294 (1991-06-01), Van Fossen et al.
patent: 5219041 (1993-06-01), Greve
patent: 5297408 (1994-03-01), Yoshida
patent: 5323658 (1994-06-01), Yao et al.
patent: 5593633 (1997-01-01), Dull et al.
patent: 5902935 (1999-05-01), Georgeson et al.
patent: 6050143 (2000-04-01), Smith
patent: 6484583 (2002-11-01), Chennell et al.
patent: 6658939 (2003-12-01), Georgeson et al.
patent: 6722202 (2004-04-01), Kennedy et al.
patent: 6748791 (2004-06-01), Georgeson et al.
patent: 6907769 (2005-06-01), Aiello et al.
patent: 2003/0154801 (2003-08-01), Georgeson
patent: 2003/0210027 (2003-11-01), Pedigo et al.
patent: 2004/0103721 (2004-06-01), Georgeson
patent: 2006/0055399 (2006-03-01), Georgeson et al.
patent: 407181141 (1995-07-01), None
patent: 9229911 (1997-09-01), None
Automated Ultrasonic Scanning System(AUSS®),Mobile Automated Scanner(MAUS®) http://www.engineeringatboeing.com/mfgquality/quality/automatedsystems.html, Jun. 21, 2004, 4 pages.
Non Destructive Testing, http://www.aascworld.com
dt-ttu.htm, Aug. 19, 2004, 3 pages.
Inspection of In-Service Composite-Honeycomb Structures, Aerospace Application Note, Rev.: Jan. 2002, R/D Tech.
Probe Catalog 2003-2004, Thru-Transmission Ultrasonics, NDT Engineering Corporation, R/D Tech Company, pp. 1-11.
Air-Coupled Ultrasonic Inspection, http://www.qmi-inc.com/AIRSCAN.htm, Aug. 19, 2004, 3 pages.
AIRSCAN® Transducer Specificaitons, http://www.qmi-inc.com/Airscan%20TX20Specifications.htm, Aug. 19, 2004, 18 pages.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/752,890, filed Jan. 7, 2004, In re: Bossi et al., entitledNon-Destructive inspection Device for Inspecting Limited-Access Features of a Structure.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/734,452, filed Dec. 12, 2003, In re: Bossi et al., entitledUltrasonic Inspection Device for Inspecting Components at Preset Angles.
Fluid Film Bearings, http://magnetic.waukbearing.com/fluid—film—bearing, Jun. 22, 2004, 3 pages.
Report on Application of Hydrostatic(Oil-Pad)Bearings to the Azimuth Axis of the TSU 2-m Telescope, Eaton et al., http://astro.tsuniv.edu/eng—t13—brngrep.html, Jun. 22, 2004, 5 pages.
Fogarty Michael D.
Georgeson Gary E.
Richardson Stanley W.
Alston & Bird LLP
Larkin Daniel S.
Saint-Surin Jacques M.
The Boeing Company
LandOfFree
Magnetically attracted inspecting apparatus and method using... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Magnetically attracted inspecting apparatus and method using..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Magnetically attracted inspecting apparatus and method using... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2809680