Firearm Bore Inspection Patents (Class 356/241.2)
  • Patent number: 10533448
    Abstract: A borescope plug includes a threaded section that extends from a head section along an axis, the threaded section including a central passage along said axis. A spindle is located within the central passage. A multiple of detents are positioned in response to an axial position of the spindle along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Darren M. Smith
  • Patent number: 8988676
    Abstract: This apparatus provides a method to enable a borescope to see inside a bore with a brighter image and a less obstructed view. This removable apparatus is essentially an extended coil spring that grips over the forward end of a borescope shaft by compression. The opposite end of this apparatus is connected in the same manner to an opposing light reflector by constricting over the outside surface of a light reflector. As a borescope enters the bore, it emits light forward that is reflected by the light reflector rearward against the viewing surface inside the bore. This apparatus connects the borescope to an opposing reflective surface with an extended thin wire that is partially in view of the borescope, providing minimal obstruction of the viewing area that is seen by the borescope. This apparatus also provides a minimal increase to the outside diameter of the borescope allowing it to fit inside a smaller bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Larry A. Willis
  • Patent number: 7557914
    Abstract: 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 scanning mechanism also includes a mirror connected to the mounting arm, wherein the mirror is positioned to reflect the coherent light. The scanning mechanism also includes a measuring system attached to the mounting arm. The measuring system measures a parameter associated with an object on which the coherent light falls. The tracking mechanism is in communication with the scanning mechanism. The tracking mechanism measures a distance from the tracking mechanism to the scanning mechanism. The processing unit is in communication with the scanning mechanism and the tracking mechanism. The processing unit collects measurement information from the scanning mechanism and the tracking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Vincent Thompson, Stephen J. Bennison, Scott L. Waltari
  • Patent number: 7234263
    Abstract: A firearm bore light includes a miniature light source with a removable head. The removable head is configured with a plastic light tube that is adapted to be inserted into the bore end of a firearm. Another optional head allows the device to be used as a miniature flashlight. High intensity LEDs are used for the light source to provide optimal operation in virtually any lighting conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas G. Thiakos
  • Patent number: 7180587
    Abstract: This inspection device includes an open ended, elongated sighting tube with an optical inspection window in the outer circumference for binocular viewing of the chamber. The elongated sighting tube is generally cylindrical and has a relatively short dimension of between about 1? and 2? and the sighting tube has a longitudinal axis which coincides with the longitudinal centerline of the gun barrel when the gun barrel inspection device is placed into position in the breech. A substantially circular angled specular flat plate mirror of a relatively thin dimension of from about 1/32? to about 3/32? is attached with the tube to an angled back plate plug that terminates in a substantially circular angled flat surface to receive and support the angled mirror. The back plate plug is sized to be inserted into the open end of the elongated sighting tube to position the angled mirror in a supported arrangement within full view in the optical inspection window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Max A. Matijczyk
  • Patent number: 6587213
    Abstract: The present invention is a nondestructive and quantitative laser ultrasonic laser apparatus and associated method for determining adhesion quality of a coating on a substrate. The apparatus of the invention is preferably a pulsed laser for generation and Michelson-type interferometer based system and includes a rotary probe head assembly for making evaluations within a cylindrical test specimen. The method of the invention includes data analysis that uses acquired data from the ultrasonic laser apparatus and computes the dispersion relation or curves (frequency versus velocity) using a ridge-following technique in wavelet analysis and from this, outputs the adhesive quality of the coating by comparing it with a theoretically based determination of a particular coating/substrate bond system. The invention is used for evaluating adhesion quality of coatings used in a gun bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Bryon Knight, Julius Frankel, Moayyed Hussain, Jeffrey Braunstein