System and method for determining structural characteristics of an object
Inventors
Earthman, James C. • Sheets, Cherilyn G. • Ghosh, Dipankar • Berger, John Wallace
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11604115-B2
Publication Date
2023-03-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a system and method for measuring the structural characteristics of an object. The object is subjected to an energy application processes and provides an objective, quantitative measurement of structural characteristics of an object. The system may include a device, for example, a percussion instrument, capable of being reproducibly placed against the object undergoing such measurement for reproducible positioning. The structural characteristics as defined herein may include vibration damping capacities, acoustic damping capacities, structural integrity or structural stability.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention is a device for determining structural characteristics of an object. The device includes a housing having an open end and a longitudinal axis, and an energy application tool mounted inside the housing for movement between a resting configuration and an active configuration, where the active configuration is an extended form of the resting configuration.
A sleeve protrudes from the open end of the housing for a distance and has an object resting portion at the open end. A drive mechanism supported inside the housing repeatedly moves the energy application tool between the resting and active configurations, and a disposable feature envelops a portion of the device during measurement with disposable feature active and resting configurations corresponding to the energy application tool.
The disposable feature remains covering the energy application tool during repeated movement during a measurement and is constructed of a material having a minimal effect on the operation of the energy application tool. In additional embodiments, the disposable feature includes a membrane and/or a separable tip that contacts the object during measurement while still covering or continuously covering a front portion of the energy application tool throughout repeated movements.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims, with inventive features focused on a housing and movable energy application tool between resting and extended active configurations, a disposable sleeve or membrane interface that remains covering the tool during repeated movement while having minimal effect on operation, and a measuring device coupled to the energy application tool.
Disposable-covered movable energy application tool between resting and active configurations
A device for determining structural characteristics of an object comprising a housing with an open end and a longitudinal axis; an energy application tool mounted inside the housing for movement with a resting configuration and an active configuration, the active configuration being an extended form of the resting configuration; a sleeve protruding from the open end with an object resting portion; a drive mechanism supported inside the housing for repeatedly moving the energy application tool between the resting and active configurations; and a disposable feature enveloping a portion of the device with disposable feature active and resting configurations corresponding to the energy application tool, the disposable feature remaining covering the energy application tool during measurement and being constructed of a material having a minimal effect on the operation of the energy application tool.
Disposable sleeve with continuously covering membrane and separable object-contact tip
A device for determining structural characteristics of an object comprising a housing with an open end and a longitudinal axis; an energy application tool mounted inside the housing for movement with a resting configuration and an active configuration, the active configuration being an extended form of the resting configuration; a drive mechanism supported inside the housing adapted for moving the energy application tool between the resting and active configurations; and a disposable feature comprising a sleeve with at least a portion adapted for attaching to a front portion of the housing, the sleeve portion having an open end with an object contacting portion for resting against the object; a membrane attached to the sleeve portion continuously covering a front portion of the energy application tool on an inside surface in the resting and active configurations and remaining during multiple repeated movements; and a separable tip of the energy application tool disposed about the front end of the energy application tool on an outside surface of the membrane, the separable tip contacting the object during measurement.
Measuring system with disposable sleeve covering the energy application tool and coupled measuring device
A system for determining structural characteristics of an object comprising a device having a housing with a front portion and a longitudinal axis; an energy application tool mounted inside the housing for repeated movement between an active form and a resting form with an object contacting tip for contacting the object in the active form, the active form being an extended form of the resting form; a disposable feature comprising at least a portion of a sleeve with a hollow interior, an open end adapted for resting against the object with at least a portion of the open end of substantially similar shape and size to the front portion of the housing for substantially covering a portion of the housing enclosing the energy application tool, the disposable feature having a resting configuration and an active configuration corresponding to the active form and resting form of the energy application tool and continuously covering the energy application tool during repeated movement during a measurement, and being constructed of a material having a minimal effect on the operation of the energy application tool; and a measuring device coupled to the energy application tool.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is for determining structural characteristics using a device or system with a housing containing an energy application tool movable between resting and extended active configurations, and a disposable sleeve or membrane interface that covers the tool during repeated movement while having a minimal effect on operation; one independent claim further specifies a system including a measuring device coupled to the energy application tool.
Stated Advantages
Provides a disposable feature that remains covering the energy application tool during repeated movement while being constructed of a material having a minimal effect on the operation of the energy application tool.
A disposable sleeve and membrane continuously cover the energy application tool during multiple repeated movements.
A separable tip contacts the object during measurement while the membrane covers the energy application tool on an inside surface.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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