BORESCOPE UTILIZING A RIGHT FRUSTUM OR A CONE AS REFLECTOR
United States Patent 3610763
A body is mounted on one end of an elongated handle with which the body can be positioned within the bore of a workpiece. An image of the walls of the bore is reflected by an external surface of the body with light from a source mounted in the handle. The body is also sized to simultaneously function as a dimension gauge for the bore.
US Patent References:
Interior inspection device
Mitchell - August 1932 - 1874571
Borescope utilizing a stepped cone reflector
Ferris - December 1965 - 3221593
Interior inspection device
Mitchell - August 1932 - 1874571
Borescope utilizing a stepped cone reflector
Ferris - December 1965 - 3221593
Application Number:
04/867133
Publication Date:
10/05/1971
Filing Date:
10/17/1969
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Combustion Engineering, Inc. (New York, NY)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
356/241.600
International Classes:
G02B23/24; G01N21/16
Field of Search:
356/241 240/2.18,4.2
Primary Examiner:
Wibert, Ronald L.
Assistant Examiner:
Chew II, Orville B.
Claims:
The invention having been described, what is claimed is
1. A tool for inspection of the interior surface of a cylinder, including,
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein,
1. A tool for inspection of the interior surface of a cylinder, including,
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein,
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates to visual inspection of holes whose walls are located awkwardly for normal observations. More specifically, the invention relates to utilizing a manually manipulated mirror with an associated light source to easily bring the walls of holes into view, the body of the mirror simultaneously serving as a sizing gauge.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Machined and cast walls of holes and crevices of manufactured devices are often difficult to view directly. Viewing of these walls is often necessary to inspect them for flaws and irregularities.
A dental mirror and hand flashlight are presently used for the laborious task of inspection. The small dental mirror is limited in its view and awkward to coordinate with a flashlight to reflect a plenary image of hole walls to the eye.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates providing a body with a mirrorlike surface on its periphery. The body is suspended by a handle which includes a light bulb spaced from the surface. The surface is inclined from the walls of a hole adjacent the body to reflect light from the walls to the eye of an inspector. As the body and light are moved in a path parallel the inspected walls, a comprehensive view of the walls is obtained by the inspector positioning his eye in the parallel path. The body is also sized to function as a dimensional gauge for the hole.
Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the written specification, appended claims, and attached drawing, wherein;
FIG. 1 is partially sectioned elevation view of a tool embodying the invention as held in a hole of a workpiece;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the tool positioned to reflect light from a specific flaw in the wall of the hole, and
FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned elevation view of the tool as inserted into a workpiece bore to function as a dimensional gauge.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed an example of a workpiece having a cavity, hole, depression, chamber or bore whose walls require inspection to determine if they are flawed or whether some structure on the walls is formed or positioned correctly. Specifically, workpiece 1 has an internal bore 2 with walls 3 requiring inspection.
The bore 2 has an opening 4 into which the inspection tool embodying the invention is inserted. With the tool, a peripheral section of the walls is viewed by eye 5. Positioning the tool along the walls will develop the image of the walls 3 available to eye 5 until the complete area of the bore walls 3 is viewed.
The tool is basically characterized by body 6 which is provided with a reflective surface 7. Surface 7 is polished or plated to provide a mirror which will reflect all light received from walls 3 to eye 5. Surface 7 is inclined at 45° to the horizontal to reflect the image of the walls 3 to eye 5. Movement of body 6 along the bore will transmit images of that portion of walls 3 to eye 5 which are opposite the reflective surface of body 6.
Body 6 is manually positioned, although this is not a limitation of the invention. Handle 8 is bolted to body 6. Extending up from body 6, and symmetrically attached, relative reflective surface 7, handle 8 is a convenient means whereby body 6 is positioned along bore 2 to provide the desired view of its walls 3.
Handle 8 includes a flashlight with a switch 9. The bulb 10, as a source of light, is held in fixed relation to the body 6 and its reflective surface 7. Specifically, the bulb 10 is spaced from body 6 and casts its light on walls 3. The light reflected from walls 3 is received by surface 7 and the image of the walls reflected to eye 5.
The mechanical arrangement of flashlight 8, bulb 10 and body 6 is completely disclosed by the drawing. A clear plastic portion 11 of handle 8 is bolted to body 6 so the flashlight 8 and bulb 10 within the plastic portion 11 are symmetrical with respect to reflective surface 7. The combination provides a compact tool which is readily manipulated by hand. It is thrust into the opening of a cavity, chamber, hole or depression whose walls require inspection and reciprocated to scan the internal walls.
FIG. 2 discloses how a specific defect, or flaw, 12 in the walls 3 appears to eye 5 as an image on surface 7. Thus the invention produces a handy, flexible viewing device for surfaces not readily viewable directly. The embodying apparatus is a vast improvement over the present arrangement of a small dental mirror and separate flashlight which are fumbled awkwardly about in a time-consuming effort to comprehensively inspect internal walls.
FIG. 3 discloses the tool embodying the invention simultaneously utilized as a dimensional gauge. Many times the bore having walls to be inspected visually has a cross-sectional dimension which needs to be checked. A bore 13 in a workpiece 14 is disclosed with the body 6 positioned in it. As a "go" dimensional gauge, the tool can simultaneously function to provide the image of the walls 15 which is also desired.
CONCLUSION
Body 6 has the shape of a conical frustum. The particular relation disclosed, between the size of the end of portion 11 and the attached end of body 6, is that they are of the same area. However, they could be different.
The handle 8 could be used with a body 6 of different dimensions than disclosed and carry out the function of the invention.
To form body 6 as a dimensional gauge, it could be quite large for the handle 8 disclosed. Such a body could be lightened by hollowing it out.
The basic concept is the provision of a body with a reflective surface embodied with a light-source handle. Secondarily, the concept includes the use of the body as a dimensional gauge at the same time it provides the inspector an image of walls.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the method and apparatus.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the invention.
As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter set forth above or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates to visual inspection of holes whose walls are located awkwardly for normal observations. More specifically, the invention relates to utilizing a manually manipulated mirror with an associated light source to easily bring the walls of holes into view, the body of the mirror simultaneously serving as a sizing gauge.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Machined and cast walls of holes and crevices of manufactured devices are often difficult to view directly. Viewing of these walls is often necessary to inspect them for flaws and irregularities.
A dental mirror and hand flashlight are presently used for the laborious task of inspection. The small dental mirror is limited in its view and awkward to coordinate with a flashlight to reflect a plenary image of hole walls to the eye.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates providing a body with a mirrorlike surface on its periphery. The body is suspended by a handle which includes a light bulb spaced from the surface. The surface is inclined from the walls of a hole adjacent the body to reflect light from the walls to the eye of an inspector. As the body and light are moved in a path parallel the inspected walls, a comprehensive view of the walls is obtained by the inspector positioning his eye in the parallel path. The body is also sized to function as a dimensional gauge for the hole.
Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the written specification, appended claims, and attached drawing, wherein;
FIG. 1 is partially sectioned elevation view of a tool embodying the invention as held in a hole of a workpiece;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the tool positioned to reflect light from a specific flaw in the wall of the hole, and
FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned elevation view of the tool as inserted into a workpiece bore to function as a dimensional gauge.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed an example of a workpiece having a cavity, hole, depression, chamber or bore whose walls require inspection to determine if they are flawed or whether some structure on the walls is formed or positioned correctly. Specifically, workpiece 1 has an internal bore 2 with walls 3 requiring inspection.
The bore 2 has an opening 4 into which the inspection tool embodying the invention is inserted. With the tool, a peripheral section of the walls is viewed by eye 5. Positioning the tool along the walls will develop the image of the walls 3 available to eye 5 until the complete area of the bore walls 3 is viewed.
The tool is basically characterized by body 6 which is provided with a reflective surface 7. Surface 7 is polished or plated to provide a mirror which will reflect all light received from walls 3 to eye 5. Surface 7 is inclined at 45° to the horizontal to reflect the image of the walls 3 to eye 5. Movement of body 6 along the bore will transmit images of that portion of walls 3 to eye 5 which are opposite the reflective surface of body 6.
Body 6 is manually positioned, although this is not a limitation of the invention. Handle 8 is bolted to body 6. Extending up from body 6, and symmetrically attached, relative reflective surface 7, handle 8 is a convenient means whereby body 6 is positioned along bore 2 to provide the desired view of its walls 3.
Handle 8 includes a flashlight with a switch 9. The bulb 10, as a source of light, is held in fixed relation to the body 6 and its reflective surface 7. Specifically, the bulb 10 is spaced from body 6 and casts its light on walls 3. The light reflected from walls 3 is received by surface 7 and the image of the walls reflected to eye 5.
The mechanical arrangement of flashlight 8, bulb 10 and body 6 is completely disclosed by the drawing. A clear plastic portion 11 of handle 8 is bolted to body 6 so the flashlight 8 and bulb 10 within the plastic portion 11 are symmetrical with respect to reflective surface 7. The combination provides a compact tool which is readily manipulated by hand. It is thrust into the opening of a cavity, chamber, hole or depression whose walls require inspection and reciprocated to scan the internal walls.
FIG. 2 discloses how a specific defect, or flaw, 12 in the walls 3 appears to eye 5 as an image on surface 7. Thus the invention produces a handy, flexible viewing device for surfaces not readily viewable directly. The embodying apparatus is a vast improvement over the present arrangement of a small dental mirror and separate flashlight which are fumbled awkwardly about in a time-consuming effort to comprehensively inspect internal walls.
FIG. 3 discloses the tool embodying the invention simultaneously utilized as a dimensional gauge. Many times the bore having walls to be inspected visually has a cross-sectional dimension which needs to be checked. A bore 13 in a workpiece 14 is disclosed with the body 6 positioned in it. As a "go" dimensional gauge, the tool can simultaneously function to provide the image of the walls 15 which is also desired.
CONCLUSION
Body 6 has the shape of a conical frustum. The particular relation disclosed, between the size of the end of portion 11 and the attached end of body 6, is that they are of the same area. However, they could be different.
The handle 8 could be used with a body 6 of different dimensions than disclosed and carry out the function of the invention.
To form body 6 as a dimensional gauge, it could be quite large for the handle 8 disclosed. Such a body could be lightened by hollowing it out.
The basic concept is the provision of a body with a reflective surface embodied with a light-source handle. Secondarily, the concept includes the use of the body as a dimensional gauge at the same time it provides the inspector an image of walls.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the method and apparatus.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the invention.
As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter set forth above or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.