John Martin Flaherty

US Patent:

41933060, Mar 18, 1980

Filed:

Oct 19, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/952844

Inventors:

John J. Flaherty - Elk Grove Village IL
Eric J. Strauts - Park Ridge IL

Assignee:

Magnaflux Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 2904

US Classification:

73629

Abstract:

An ultrasonic system for detection of defects is provided including a pulse-echo instrument having a cathode ray tube on which an A-scan visual indication of flaws is produced and including a doppler circuit arranged to produce a doppler signal in an audible range in response to movement of a transducer relative to defects in a pipe seam or other region being investigated. The doppler signal is applied to earphones, permitting the existence of defects to be reliably determined audibly, after which the defects may be more carefully studied through the visual indications on the cathode ray tube. The doppler signal is also recorded on one track of a magnetic tape with operator's comments being recorded on a second track of the same tape. The doppler circuit includes an oscillator operated during a gating time interval to generate a reference signal, a phase detector responsive to a reference signal and to echo ignals, and a sample and hold circuit for storing the output of the phase detector from one cycle to the next.

US Patent:

43510310, Sep 21, 1982

Filed:

Nov 7, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/204946

Inventors:

John J. Flaherty - Elk Grove Village IL
Eric J. Strauts - Park Ridge IL
Helmut F. Wagerer - Des Plaines IL
Timothy C. Loose - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Magnaflux Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01R 3300

US Classification:

364580

Abstract:

An eddy current type of nondestructive testing instrument is disclosed in which the operating frequency is automatically adjusted in accordance with a comparison of output signals obtained in scanning operations in which the frequency is adjusted over its range. The system may be used, for example, in providing lift-off compensation for conductivity measurements or flaw detection or it may be used for sorting of parts of different characteristics.

US Patent:

40064077, Feb 1, 1977

Filed:

Mar 10, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/556898

Inventors:

John J. Flaherty - Elk Grove Village IL
Eric J. Strauts - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Magnaflux Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01R 3312

US Classification:

324 40

Abstract:

Automatic balancing circuits are provided for non-destructive testing systems such as eddy current systems in which an unbalance of a probe circuit including a test coil produces undesired deviations from a null indication. Error signal components are generated from a probe circuit output signal, stored in storage means and then applied in a balancing direction to cancel the effect of the unbalance of the probe circuit. Preferably, the error signal components are generated by a pair of quadrature phase detectors and the storage means comprises either a capacitor or the combination of digital storage and digital-analog converter means. The balancing is performed either automatically, with a delay in the storage operation, or by operation of a switch means between a sample or null condition in which the error signals are stored and a hold condition in which the stored error signals are applied. In one embodiment, the stored error signals are used to modulate AC signal components in quadrature phase relation which are applied in a balancing direction. In another, the stored error signals are developed from phase detector output signals and then combined therewith.

US Patent:

42498104, Feb 10, 1981

Filed:

Feb 27, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/881148

Inventors:

Donald T. O'Connor - Barrington IL
Donald E. Lorenzi - Des Plaines IL
John J. Flaherty - Elk Grove Village IL
Edward Schaefer - Bellwood IL

Assignee:

Magnaflux Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G03B 3700

US Classification:

354 63

Abstract:

Pipeline inspection apparatus is provided including a camera unit and associated illumination means, preferably a strobe flash unit, for recording on photographic film the images of internal surface portions of a pipe for detection of defects. The camera unit is moved longitudinally within a pipeline by a drive unit which preferably includes electric motors energized from a self-contained battery unit. Important features relate to means for automatically reversing the drive of the apparatus after it has travelled a predetermined distance and to mechanical features for facilitating movement of the device through bends and the like.

US Patent:

41237978, Oct 31, 1978

Filed:

Mar 1, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/773338

Inventors:

Eric J. Strauts - Park Ridge IL
John J. Flaherty - Elk Grove Village IL

Assignee:

Magnaflux Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G11C 1126

US Classification:

365118

Abstract:

A storage system is provided in which digital numbers are read into a memory by periodically sampling a pair of analog input signals and in which the memory is scanned in timed relation to the signal sampling and also in timed relation to the scanning of a cathode ray tube screen in a raster pattern, the scanning spot being brightened when a stored digital number is detected. A pair of digital-to-analog converters are used both in sampling and for raster scanning. In sampling, the outputs thereof are compared with the input signals to control analog-to-digital logic circuits and the inputs thereof are connected through multiplexers to the output of the analog-to-digital logic circuits which operate as successive approximation registers. In raster scanning, the inputs of the digital-to-analog converters are connected to counter sections driven from a high frequency clock one being operative to develop a sawtooth signal to generate a sweep line and the other being operative at a field or frame rate. The memory is also connected through the multiplexers, alternately to the outputs of the analog-to-digital logic circuits and to the counters to be scanned in synchronism with the scanning of the screen.

US Patent:

43726585, Feb 8, 1983

Filed:

Feb 10, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/347541

Inventors:

Donald T. O'Connor - Barrington Hills IL
Donald E. Lorenzi - Des Plaines IL
John J. Flaherty - Elk Grove Village IL
Edward Schaefer - Bellwood IL

Assignee:

Magnaflux Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G03B 3700

US Classification:

354 63

Abstract:

Pipeline inspection apparatus is provided including a camera unit and associated illumination means, preferably a strobe flash unit, for recording on photographic film the rectangular images corresponding to generally rectangular internal surface portions of a pipe for detection of defects, a viewing axis of the camera being normal to the axis of the pipe. Weight means are provided for operating in a manner such as to establish a viewing axis in predetermined angular relation to a vertical plane through the axis of a horizontal pipe. In one embodiment, the device is supported by resilient cups for movement through the pipe and the entire device is rotatable under the influence of the weight means. In another embodiment, at least the optical portion of the camera unit is rotatably supported and connected to the weight means. Magnetic flaw detection means are provided for triggering the camera unit.

US Patent:

43787002, Apr 5, 1983

Filed:

Nov 7, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/204950

Inventors:

John J. Flaherty - Elk Grove Village IL
Eric J. Strauts - Park Ridge IL

Assignee:

Magnaflux Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01N 2900

US Classification:

73620

Abstract:

An indicating system is disclosed for use with nondestructive testing systems of various types including an eddy current instrument in which the characteristics of a specimen structure are indicated by the form, position and dimensions of a trace on a screen. The system indicates whether or not the relationship of two test signals is within certain limits which can be shown in the form of outlines or a series of contiguous boxes on a screen. Prior to the testing of a structure of unknown characteristics, such limits may be learned or recorded by the system either during the manual manipulation of a joystick control or the like or during the testing of a structure of known or standard characteristics.