Adapter for measuring instrument

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016349194-A1
Application number	US-201415107030-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 18, 2014
Priority date	Dec 23, 2013
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An adapter apparatus includes a generally cylindrical adapter body 14 including a channel 16 extending axially therethrough, the adapter body having an interior surface, bounding the channel, and an exterior surface 18, a generally circular external cross section and an interior cross section which is adapted to engage at least one object 10, the external surface being formed from a material which is capable of supporting a scanning or testing apparatus at a constant distance from the origin of the circle forming the external cross section.

First claim

1 . An adapter apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical adapter body including a channel extending axially therethrough, said adapter body having an interior surface, bounding said channel, and an exterior surface, a generally circular external cross section and an interior cross section which is adapted to engage at least one object, the external surface being formed from a material which is capable of supporting a scanning or testing apparatus at a constant distance from the origin of the circle forming the external cross section.

2 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter body comprises at least one material within a skin or shell formed of a different material.

3 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface is smooth or contoured.

4 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface provides a means by which a scanning apparatus may be moved axially along said adapter body.

5 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface comprises a plurality of ribs which are spaced apart.

6 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said ribs extend circumferentially around the exterior surface of said adapter body.

7 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said ribs extend longitudinally along the exterior surface.

8 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of said adapter body has a circular cross section.

9 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of said adapter body has a non-circular cross section.

10 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising inserts or blocks which are adapted to fit between the interior surface of the adapter and the object to be scanned.

11 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the interior surface comprises a material which is compliant or deformable.

12 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adapter comprises two or more portions which may be assembled around the object to form a complete adapter.

13 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising at least two modular lengths, which may be joined together to form a longer length of adapter.

14 . A method of scanning an object according comprising the steps of attaching an adapter to the object then placing a scanning apparatus adjacent an external surface of said adapter and carrying out a scanning operation using said scanning apparatus, wherein said adapter is an adapter according to claim 1 .

15 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein said scanning operation involves causing radiation to pass through said object and detecting a portion of said radiation.

16 . An adapter apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the exterior surface is smooth or contoured.

Assignees

• Johnson Matthey Plc

Inventors

• Beckett Oliver John
• Wilson Brian

Classifications

• G01N23/046

  using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT] · CPC title

• G01D11/30 Primary

  Supports specially adapted for an instrument; Supports specially adapted for a set of instruments · CPC title

• G01N23/18 Primary

  Investigating the presence of flaws defects or foreign matter · CPC title

• G01N2223/3303

  object fixed; source and detector move · CPC title

• G01N2223/628

  tubes, pipes · CPC title