British Nuclear Fuels Plc

Iain S Davidson

Thomas G Rice

Graeme Michael Wigg

Leslie P Kennett

Alan Higson

Mark Hague

Joseph H Tyson

Apparatus for the detection of surface defects

Apparatus for the inspection of the surface of a cylindrical object which comprises a rotator for rotating the object to be inspected about its axis, a projector for projecting an incident beam of radiation to form a spot on the surface of the object whilst the object is rotating, a device for providing, relative to the object when being rotated, translation of the spot formed by the projection means, a detector for detecting a scattered beam of radiation which comprises radiation of the incident beam after scattering by the surface of the object and a processor for deriving from the detection by the detector of the scattered beam information about the depth of the surface of the inspected object in the region where the incident beam spot is applied.

Method and apparatus for inspecting the depth of the surface of

A rotary kiln has a number of thermocouples respectively sensing the kiln temperature at spaced locations and respectively connected to annular slip rings each in kiln sections. Laterally facing peripheral surfaces of the rings are respectively cooperable with brush contacts connected to a bar and a fork which embraces a ring moveable axially with the rings. Thus, on longitudinal expansion of the kiln the contacts are caused to move with the rings. The electric signal from the thermocouples are fed to a stationary sensor. In a modification the ring sections are electrically isolated and each section is connected to a respective sensor. Position sensors may be used to detect the rotary position of the kiln. The invention can be applied to other sensors.

Electric signal transfer systems

Growing community of inventors

Preston, United Kingdom

Iain S Davidson