Joe A Graham

US Patent:

39525821, Apr 27, 1976

Filed:

Mar 7, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/556422

Inventors:

Joe D. Graham - Poway CA
Kenneth W. Mead - El Cajon CA
Henry Edgar Babb - El Cajon CA

Assignee:

Carpenter Technology Corporation - Reading PA

International Classification:

G01N 2904

US Classification:

73 678S

Abstract:

An ultrasonic measuring system particularly suited for measuring the wall thickness of large tubing of widely different shapes and sizes. An ultrasonic transducer is adjustably supported in an ultrasonic head assembly so as to provide precise focusing of the energy across a gap to the surface of the part being measured. The head assembly is urged against the surface of the part while the two are displaced relative to one another so that the transducer scans a predetermined path along the part. Freely rotatable balls carried by the head assembly engage the surface of the part while a column of water is maintained to fill the gap between the transducer and the surface of the part. Provision is made for rotating circular parts so that the transducer sweeps out a spiral path over the surface of such parts. In the case of non-circular parts, the head assembly is oscillated from side-to-side while the part and the head are moved relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the part so that the transducer sweeps out a sinusoidal path over a side of the part.