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US4472974A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Roller-type ultrasonic inspection devices
Assignee: Gemalto Terminals Ltd
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Filing: 1982-12-07
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Granted: 1984-09-25
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Expires: 2002-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A roller-type ultrasonic inspection device for inspecting vehicle tires comprises a roller assembly 20 mounted on a non-rotatable hug 16. Two piezoelectric crystals 80,82 are mounted in the hub 16 such that their principal transmitting/receiving axes A and B converge generally radially outwardly of the hub. The angle between the axes A and B is selected such that when the roller assembly 20 is urged into rolling contact with the tread-bearing surface of a tire 90, the axes meet (allowing for refraction effects) in the body of the tire beneath the tread. This ensures that the device can detect defects in the body of the tire, and is relatively insensitive to the tread.
Inventors
- 👤 John K. Dickson
- 👤 Trevor H. Easter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/24; G01N29/2493
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A roller-type ultrasonic inspection device for inspecting a vehicle tire, the device comprising a roller member which is rotatably supported on a non-rotating hub and which is adapted to make rolling contact with the tire, and first and second ultrasonic transducers which are mounted in said hub and which each have a principal transmitting and receiving axis, said transducers being electrically connected to cooperate with each other and being mounted in said hub such that said axes converge generally outwardly of said hub, the angle between said axes being selected such that when the roller member is placed in rolling contact with the tread-bearing surface of the tire and the device is operated as a transmitter, the transducers cooperate together to focus transmitted ultrasonic energy in the body of the tire beneath the tread, and when the device is operated as a receiver, the transducers are responsive to defects in the body of the tire beneath the tread.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A roller-type ultrasonic inspection device for inspecting a vehicle tire, the device comprising a roller member which is rotatably supported on a non-rotating hub and which is adapted to make rolling contact with the tire, and first and second ultrasonic transducers which are mounted in said hub and which each have a principal transmitting and receiving axis, said transducers being electrically connected to cooperate with each other and being mounted in said hub such that said axes converge generally outwardly of said hub, the angle between said axes being selected such that when the roller member is placed in rolling contact with the tread-bearing surface of the tire and the device is operated as a transmitter, the transducers cooperate together to focus transmitted ultrasonic energy in the body of the tire beneath the tread, and when the device is operated as a receiver, the transducers are responsive to defects in the body of the tire beneath the tread.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second transducers are electrically connected in parallel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second transducers each comprise a respective flat piezoelectric crystal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said crystals are substantially undamped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said crystals are of lead zirconate titanate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second transducers are formed by splitting a single, substantially circular, piezoelectric crystal into two substantially symmetrical halves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second transducers are mounted on respective flat surfaces on a common mounting member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mounting member is made of aluminium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the included angle between said flat surfaces is less than 160°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said angle is about 120°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mounting member is secured in a radially inwardly extending recess in said hub, with its radially outer surface machined to conform to the radially outer surface of the hub, said flat surfaces being formed on the radially inner surface of the mounting member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the portion of the recess radially inwardly of said transducers is gas-filled.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1120333A
Cited
GB1294404A
Cited
US4165648A
Cited
EP0001474A1
Cited
EP0001674A1
Cited
US4217782A
Cited
US4302976A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-25 | 1988-03-26 | 1988-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-25 | 1992-03-26 | 1992-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-25 | 1996-03-26 | 1996-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |