The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 29, 1988
Filed:
Jan. 30, 1984
Istvan M Matay, N. Royalton, OH (US);
John D Lydick, Manhattan Beach, CA (US);
TRW, INC., Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A tubing length or workpiece is conveyed to a readying apparatus (A) in which it is cleaned and otherwise readied for inspection. The readied tubing length is conveyed to an inspection and segregating apparatus (B). An ultrasonic array (20) inspects the tubing length, and as a result of the inspection, a switching system (26) places the inspected member on one of: an unrepairable workpiece conveyor (28); an acceptable workpiece conveyor (30); and, a repairable workpiece conveyor (32). The repairable tubing lengths are conveyed to a physical alteration apparatus (C). The physical alteration apparatus removes material, deposits material, hot isostatic pressure consolidates deposited material, and otherwise alters the repairable tubing lengths in such a manner as to bring them into conformity with preselected specifications. The altered tubing lengths are conveyed back to the inspection and segregating apparatus for reinspection. The acceptable tubing lengths are conveyed to a post-processing apparatus (D) which performs selected post-processing operations thereon, e.g., plastic coating. A computer implemented control (E) controls the inspection apparatus, the switching system, the physical alteration apparatus, and the post-processing apparatus such that tubing lengths are inspected and repaired quickly and efficiently.