Patent GB-558355-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for measuring or indicating roughnesses or undulations of a surface
IPC: G01B5/28
Filed: 1942-05-18
Abstract: 558,355. Measuring surface roughness. KAPELLA, Ltd., and REASON, R. E. May 18, 1942, No. 6718. [Class 40 (i)] [Also in Group XIX] A pick-up unit for measuring surface roughness comprises a pick-up head provided with a stylus and one or more skids or other means such as are described in Specification 552,675 for affording a datum line, the head being capable of movement in a direction normal to the surface, in a light framework having relatively widely spaced supports which are held against the surface so that when the whole unit is manually traversed over the surface or the pick-up head mechanically traversed relatively to the frame, the measuring movements of the stylus in the case of a cylindrical surface take place along lines passing through or close to the axis of the cylinder. The pick-up head may be electromagnetic as described in Specifications 539,271, 539,272, 539,273, and 539,274, or piezoelectric, and measuring circuits and indicating arrangements similar to those described in said Specifications may be used. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the pick-up head C having a stylus D and skids D1, D2, is pivoted at C2 to a rod B movable by nut B1 in a framework A which has inverted V cut-away portions A<SP>1</SP> in its end walls to provide supports during manual traversing of the whole unit over the surface. The rod B is prevented from rotating by a pin B3 and slot B2, and pivotal movement of the head is limited by a pin C3. In place of the cut away parts A<SP>1</SP> the framework may have a pair of spaced rails to engage the surface. In a modification, Fig. 3, the head C is connected by link F to a casing E carried by rod B, the head being traversed within frame A by rod G driven by a spring (not shown) and escapement G1 similar to known timing arrangements for camera shutters. The drive is released by catch H and the head is restored after the traverse by a push-button H2. a ratchet or like device in the drive being provided to permit quick restoration. Limit contacts G<SP>3</SP> control the circuit of the average meter. In the further modification shown in Fig. 4, the head C is carried by links J and flat ligament springs J<SP>1</SP> from platform B4 on rod B which, in addition to the adjustment B1, is arranged to have limited movement controlled by spring B5. The frame A has a continuous inverted V groove A3 for engagement with the surface and the head is traversed by a cam K which may be driven by an electric motor in casing E. The leads from the head are taken through hollow rod B to the measuring and indicating apparatus L1 and the leads for the motor are connected to source M1, a switch M3 being provided so that the motor armature may be fed across the whole or portion of resistance M2 to give different driving speeds for use in conjunction with an average meter and pen recorder. In other modifications, the weight of the pickup head is balanced by a counterweighted rack geared to rod B, Fig. 6 (not shown), or the pickup at its end remote from the stylus may have a roller running on the surface the same end of the pick-up being connected to the platform B4 by a pair of links, Fig. 7 (not shown). In the last mentioned modifications, the nut B1 for moving rod B is dispensed with, relative movement between rod B and the framework being controlled only by a spring at the upper end of the rod.