GB973419A - Improved methods of and apparatus for testing materials for faults - Google Patents

Abstract

973,419. Roller conveyer. HUTTENWERKE SALZGITTER A.G. Aug. 9, 1961 [Aug. 20. 1960; July 18, 1961; July 20, 1961], No. 28791/61. Heading B8A. [Also in Divisions G1 and H4] In a sonic flaw-testing system for plates utilizing Chladnic sound patterns produced by oscillation generators (see Division H4), the plates are transported to and from the testing position as follows. Trolley 5 runs on rails A, C and supports rigid hooks 6; trolley 8 runs on rails B, C and supports rigid hook 7. Centering plates in groups 2a, 2b are provided between rollers of a roller track, in order to bring a test plate E into line with the longitudinal axis of the roller track; the centering plates are slidably guided in the bed of the roller track and are driven simultaneously by rack-andpinion gearing. A stop 1 is provided for arresting the test plate. Hydraulically or electrically driven rams 3 lift the test plate into the testing position. A transversely movable oscillation generator 9, which can be moved downwardly against the rear edge of the test plate, is provided on trolley 8; and a second oscillation generator 11 is provided on a transversely movable slide 10. In operation, whilst plate E is rolled forward from the left, stop 1 is raised to bring the test plate to rest; the position of the plate relative to the longitudinal axis of the roller track is then corrected by centering plates 2a, 2b which subsequently return to their original positions. After this, lifting rams 3 raise the test plate, Figs. 9 and 12, trolleys 5, 8 bring their respective hooks forward from the left, the lifting rams are lowered and the hooks support the plate which is then tested. The plate is returned to the roller track by raising the lifting rams and at the same time moving the oscillation generators vertically away from the plate, returning the trolleys to their starting positions at the left-hand end of the rails A, B, C, and lowering the lifting rams and stop 1; finally, the roller track is set in motion to effect further transport of the plate and the conveyance of the next plate to be tested. In a modification the centering plates are replaced by an arrangement in which the rail B is omitted and tiltable rails are utilized.