Magician Harry Houdini patented a "Diver's Suit" enabling the wearer to "quickly divest himself of the suit while being submerged and to safely escape and reach the surface of the water."
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8054459 | Inspection system and method A method of inspecting a lateral pipe extending from a manhole, said method comprising: (a) inserting an imaging head into said manhole using a positioning system, said imaging head connected to an elongated member and comprising an imaging device adapted to convert... | 11/08/2011 |
| 8054460 | Methodology for evaluating the start and profile of a thread with a vision-based system A system and method for identifying the start location of the lead thread and the thread profile and quality in a threaded bore in a part, where the system and method can be used for determining the location of the lead thread in a threaded bore in a cylinder head f... | 11/08/2011 |
| 7903245 | Multi-beam optical probe and system for dimensional measurement A multi-beam optical probe according to illustrative embodiments of the present invention generally reduce the limitations, difficulties and disadvantages of the conventional measurement devices and techniques by providing a non-contact multi-beam optical probe appa... | 03/08/2011 |
| 7826050 | System and method for dual path length optical analysis of fluids downhole A method is disclosed for changing an optical path length through a fluid downhole, comprising interspersing an optically transmissive member into a first optical path through the fluid, thereby creating a second shorter optical path through the fluid. In another em... | 11/02/2010 |
| 7782453 | Method for measuring missing corner dimensions A method for obtaining the area of a missing portion of an object under inspection with a borescope includes aligning the borescope with the object under inspection, extrapolating the missing edges of the missing portion and calculating the missing portion area usin... | 08/24/2010 |
| 7751038 | Apparatus and method for obtaining images of a borehole Apparatus for obtaining images of the wall of a borehole, comprises a tool body; a light source mounted on the tool body and arranged to illuminate the borehole wall; a camera mounted in the tool body; and a mirror moveably mounted on the tool body and spaced axiall... | 07/06/2010 |
| 7733477 | Micro-cavity measuring equipment and method based on double optical fiber coupling A micro-cavity measuring equipment based on double optical fiber coupling includes a sight and transmitter, a controller, and a length measuring device. The equipment detects small changes in the position of an object with respect to a probe from a moment when the s... | 06/08/2010 |
| 7646480 | Borehole imaging Apparatus for imaging the wall of a borehole drilled through an underground formation, comprising: a light source; an optical detector device such as a CCD camera; a sensor head including a window for application against the wall of the borehole, the light source be... | 01/12/2010 |
| 7612878 | Device for inspecting a pipeline A device to inspect a pipeline includes an optical system for contactless detection of an interior contour of the pipeline by optical triangulation, with the optical system being attachable to a carrier structure, which is insertable in a pipeline. The optical syste... | 11/03/2009 |
| 7609374 | Method and system for determining the properties of a surface of revolution The invention relates to a method and system for determining the direction and location of the symmetry axis of a revolution-shaped article. Furthermore, the invention enables one to determine the radius of the article as well as the pitch of a possible thread. In t... | 10/27/2009 |
| 7602486 | Coolant passage inspection device and method of vehicle cylinder head coolant passage blockage detection A vehicle cylinder head coolant passage inspection device and a method for inspecting vehicle cylinder head coolant passages therewith. A device and method of the present invention can be used to detect blockages present within such coolant passages. A device and me... | 10/13/2009 |
| 7602487 | Surface inspection apparatus and surface inspection head apparatus A surface inspection apparatus has a detection unit that irradiates an inner circumferential surface of an inspection object with inspection light from a laser diode through a light projecting fiber, and detects the intensity of the reflected light of that inspectio... | 10/13/2009 |
| 7557914 | Rotating laser measurement system An apparatus including a scanning mechanism, a tracking mechanism, and a processing unit. The scanning mechanism includes a rotating mechanism, a mounting arm rotatably attached to the rotating mechanism, and a light source connected to the mounting arm. The scannin... | 07/07/2009 |
| 7535564 | Apparatus for determining the internal outline of a duct or cavity, and in particular for determining the internal impression of the auditory canal, a probe for this apparatus, and reflection device for an optical scanning apparatus An apparatus for determining the internal outline of a duct or cavity, comprises light-emitting means (71) suitable for generating a collimated light beam, an elongate probe element (51; 51′; 51″) suitable for being introduced into the duct and for... | 05/19/2009 |
| 7480041 | Inspection system and method A method of inspecting a lateral pipe extending from a manhole, the method comprising: (a) extending an imaging head into the manhole using a positioning system, the imaging head comprising an imaging device and at least one lamp capable of producing a light beam, t... | 01/20/2009 |
| 7471384 | Via hole depth detector A via hole depth detector for detecting the depth of a via hole formed in a workpiece held on a chuck table, comprising: a first surface position detection means which comprises a first detection laser beam oscillation means for oscillating a first detection laser b... | 12/30/2008 |
| 7440120 | Internal and external measuring device A measuring device for measuring internal or external dimensions of a manufactured or machined component is provided with a laser source, a beam redirection member, and a beam receptor. The beam redirection member is adapted to be positioned within an internal bore ... | 10/21/2008 |
| 7435010 | High temperature light guide Disclosed is a method of forming an optical monitoring or transmitting light guide and a resulting apparatus that begins by bonding a bundle of optical fibers together using an epoxy and polishing the distal end of the bundle of optical fibers to create an optical a... | 10/14/2008 |
| 7430311 | System and method for inside can inspection A system and method for imaging an interior of a substantially cylindrical object are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a substantially cylindrical illuminator is positioned above an opening of a substantially cylindrical object t... | 09/30/2008 |
| 7403872 | Method and system for inspecting manufactured parts and sorting the inspected parts A method and system are provided for inspecting manufactured parts such as cartridges and cartridge cases and sorting the inspected parts. The system includes an illumination assembly for evenly illuminating a plurality of annular, exterior side surfaces of a part w... | 07/22/2008 |
| 7369225 | Device and method for inspecting surfaces in the interior of holes A device and method for checking surfaces in the interior of holes, depressions, or the like. The device and method are developed in such a manner that a multicolor light beam can be produced with a light source, wherein a light beam, due to the chromatic aberration... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7355695 | Wavefront calibration analyzer and methods A wavefront sensor enhances calibration of a laser ablation system, such as a laser eye surgery system, by measuring one or more characteristics of an ablated test surface. Typically, light is passed through the ablated test surface, and the light is analyzed to det... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7349083 | Rotary borescopic optical dimensional mapping tool A borescopic device and an associated method are provided that permit the controlled movement of the object under test both angularly and along several different axes, such that the object including its internal surfaces, can be thoroughly inspected in a controlled ... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7345757 | Inspection apparatus for pipelines An inspection system is provided that includes a camera and a laser distance measuring device. The camera has high magnification capabilities and can be panned and tilted as needed. The laser distance measuring device provides information regarding the distance from... | 03/18/2008 |
| 7320242 | Tensile impact apparatus The present invention generally relates to a tensile impact apparatus that is designed to give dynamic stress-strain curves and fracture characteristics for a rubber specimen undergoing tensile impact loading. More particularly, this invention relates to a tensile i... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7317180 | Imaging optical system and endoscope provided with imaging optical system An imaging optical system includes a spherical or nearly spherical viewing port, an objective lens that includes an aspheric surface and is formed as a single lens element, and a solid-state image sensor that receives an image formed by the imaging optical system. S... | 01/08/2008 |
| 7312864 | Measurement device and process for determining the straightness of hollow cylindrical or hollow conical bodies and their orientation relative to one another Device for determining the straightness of hollow cylindrical surfaces and partial surfaces thereof, and the three-dimensional orientation of several hollow cylindrical surfaces or partial surfaces with reference to at least one of axial parallel offset and angular ... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7312454 | Non-destructive infrared inspection device A non-destructive inspection device has an infrared sensor for infrared thermography inspection of a structure or surface. A rotatable reflector reflects infrared light from an inspected surface to an infrared sensor. An inspecting portion of a non-destructive devic... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7283224 | Face lighting for edge location in catalytic converter inspection A method and system for inspecting an object having a planar face with surface variations such as catalytic converters. Light sources are placed above the planar face of the object for lighting the face of the object. At least one obscuration is positioned proximate... | 10/16/2007 |
| 7271894 | Imaging system for robotically inspecting gas turbine combustion components A system for in situ inspection of a surface of a hot gas component of a turbine includes a robot having an elongated inspection arm extending toward the surface of the hot gas component; and an inspection head carried adjacent an end of the inspection arm remote fr... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7258664 | Endoscope inserting direction detecting method and endoscope inserting direction detecting system An endoscope inserting direction detecting system receives an endoscopic image, detects an endoscope inserting direction, in which an endoscope should be inserted, on the basis of the endoscopic image and produces information concerning the detected inserting direct... | 08/21/2007 |
| 7251025 | Method and apparatus for obtaining position data relating to a probe in the ear canal A method for obtaining position data relating to a probe in the ear canal whereby a probe is inserted into the ear canal, the method further comprising the steps of:—determine the distance from the distal portion of the probe to at least one point of the internal ... | 07/31/2007 |
| 7238309 | Extruded ceramic log transfer system An apparatus for orienting section of a plasticized ceramic extrudate includes a marking assembly for applying an orientation reference mark to a plasticized ceramic extrudate exiting an extrusion die onto an extrudate support, and at least one extrudate-contacting ... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7232409 | Method and apparatus for displaying endoscopic images A method is disclosed for displaying endoscopic images that includes three-dimensional surfaces, variable viewing points, directions, and orientations. A computer receives a captured endoscopic image. A virtual surface is defined in the computer with the captured im... | 06/19/2007 |
| 7224450 | Method and apparatus for position-dependent optical metrology calibration A calibration method suitable for highly precise and highly accurate surface metrology measurements is described. In preferred embodiments, an optical inspection tool including a movable optics system is characterized in terms of position and wavelength dependent qu... | 05/29/2007 |
| 7215419 | Method and apparatus for position-dependent optical metrology calibration A calibration method suitable for highly precise and highly accurate surface metrology measurements is described. In preferred embodiments, an optical inspection tool including a movable optics system is characterized in terms of position and wavelength dependent qu... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7212283 | Imaging sensor optical system The present invention relates to an in-vessel or down-hole optical imaging sensor or system for operating in structures which may contain media with different spectral transmission characteristics. The imaging sensor of the present invention selectively emits and/or... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7206067 | Method and apparatus for obtaining geometrical data relating to the ear canal of the human body A method and apparatus for obtaining geometrical data relating to the internal surface of the ear canal and/or ear whereby a probe having a light emitting distal portion is inserted into the ear canal, the method including the steps of: ... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7193702 | Insertion fluid inspection device A fluid inspection device for inspecting a fluid in a vessel includes an elongate insertion well having a rear end disposed at the wall of the vessel and a front end disposed in the interior of the vessel. An inside of the insertion well is sealed off from the fluid... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7187454 | Measuring device While a ball 14 is inserted into a hole WA of a workpiece W and is moved in the longitudinal direction of the hole WA while automatically centripetally moved, a change of back pressure of a gas injected into the hole WA is detected by a converter 30, a... | 03/06/2007 |