Patent ID: 6029361
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G01B,Y10S

Abstract:
In a nozzle of an air gauge comprising an air-probe structure having an output end, wherein (1) said air-probe structure defines an air-probe bore having an output tip situated at said air-probe structure's output end, (2) the distance between said output tip and a workpiece can be controlled in accordance with the air pressure measured by said air gauge, and (3) said output tip of said air-probe bore has a given cross-sectional area that is sufficiently large to prevent inherent back pressure from being produced within said air-probe bore, but is sufficiently small to cause inadvertent contact between said workpiece and said bore's output tip to result in damage to said output tip; the improvement wherein:said air-probe structure's output end further includes a protective manifold that surrounds said given cross-sectional area of said bore's output tip, the area of said protective manifold being sufficiently larger than said given cross-sectional area of said bore's output tip to prevent damage to said output tip by inadvertent contact between said workpiece and said bore's output tip.