Patent ID: 7624654

Claim:
An automated probe for obtaining data at various locations in a stack flow through a stack, the automated probe comprising: a probe assembly having a sensing tip at one end; structure that supports a translation-imparting mechanism and a rotation-imparting mechanism for imparting translation and rotation respectively to the probe assembly to enable the probe assembly to obtain data about stack flow, rollers disposed on the structure for providing bearing support for the probe assembly while allowing the probe assembly to translate along an axis but constraining the probe assembly from turning on the structure about the axis, the translation-imparting mechanism comprising a gripper assembly that can grip and release the probe assembly and a first motor for moving the gripper assembly along the axis so that when the gripper assembly is moved while gripping the probe assembly, the probe assembly translates on the structure along the axis, and the rotation-imparting mechanism comprising a second motor that turns a pinion that is in mesh with a toothed segment that attaches to the stack via a mounting so that operation of the second motor rotates the structure and probe assembly about the axis.