Patent ID: 8164758

Claim:
An inspection system for measuring at least a portion of the threaded surface of an internally threaded component, the inspection system comprising: at least one measuring probe, wherein said at least one measuring probe includes an emitter and a receiver and is sized and shaped to be positionable adjacent to at least a portion of the threaded surface at an offset distance, wherein said emitter is configured to emit electromagnetic energy onto the threaded surface to generate reflected electromagnetic energy off of the threaded surface and wherein said receiver is configured to receive at least a portion of said reflected electromagnetic energy and generate threaded surface data; a processing device, wherein said processing device is in signal communication with said measuring probe to receive said threaded surface data and process said threaded surface data to determine one or more physical characteristics of the threaded surface; and a component retention device, said component retention device being configured to have at least one active state and at least one inactive state, wherein said component retention device in said active state secures the internally threaded component in a fixed position relative to at least one said measuring probe and in said inactive state allows the internally threaded component to move in at least one plane, said component retention device being controllably actuated between said active and inactive states.