Scanner

Abstract

An ultrasonic scanner has an encoder contacting a drum containing an array. The scanning assembly can be replaced via a snap fit formation. The encoder and drum are resiliently biased and movable relative to the chassis. The array can also be movable relative to the chassis.

1 . A scanner comprising:
 a chassis,   a scanning assembly having an ultrasonic scanning array having a scanning direction, the scanning assembly having a rotating component rotatably mounted relative to the chassis, the rotating component comprising an ultrasonic couplant and having a peripheral contact surface for contacting a surface of a workpiece to provide ultrasonic coupling between the array and a surface of a workpiece such that movement of the chassis relative to a workpiece with the contact surface in contact with a surface of a workpiece results in rotation of the rotating component with the array orientated to keep the scanning direction perpendicular to the surface, and   an encoder comprising a movement sensor, wherein.   
     
     
         2 . A scanner according to  claim 1  in which the movement sensor contacts the rotating component. 
     
     
         3 . A scanner according to  claim 1  in which the movement sensor contacts the peripheral contact surface of the rotating component. 
     
     
         4 . A scanner according to  claim 16 , wherein the scanner includes an axle that enables the array to rotate relative to the chassis to provide a selectable fixed chassis position in use. 
     
     
         5 . A scanner according to  claim 2  in which the movement sensor is movably mounted to the chassis and resiliently biased towards the rotating component. 
     
     
         6 . A scanner comprising:
 a chassis and   a scanning assembly having an ultrasonic scanning array and a rotating component rotatably mounted relative to the chassis, the rotating component comprising an ultrasonic couplant and having a peripheral contact surface for contacting a surface of a workpiece to provide ultrasonic coupling between the array and a surface of a workpiece such that movement of the chassis relative to a workpiece with the contact surface in contact with a surface of a workpiece results in rotation of the rotating component, wherein:   the rotating component is resiliently, translationally moveable relative to the chassis.   
     
     
         7 . A scanner comprising:
 a chassis;   a movement sensor; and   a scanning assembly having an ultrasonic scanning array and a rotating component rotatably mounted relative to the chassis, the rotating component comprising an ultrasonic couplant and having a peripheral contact surface for contacting a surface of a workpiece to provide ultrasonic coupling between the array and a surface of a workpiece such that movement of the chassis relative to a workpiece with the contact surface in contact with a surface of a workpiece results in rotation of the rotating component, wherein at least one of:
 (i) the scanning assembly is removably mounted to the chassis via a quick release formation; or 
 (ii) the array is rotatable relative to the chassis, and the scanner comprises a stabiliser rotationally fixed to the array, which stabiliser comprises a surface positioned to contact a surface of a workpiece to prevent rotation of the array relative to the surface of the workpiece in use. 
   
     
     
         8 . A scanner according to  claim 7 , wherein the scanning assembly is removably mounted to the chassis via the quick release formation, and wherein the quick release formation is a snap-fit arrangement. 
     
     
         9 . A scanner according to  claim 7 , wherein the scanning assembly is removably mounted to the chassis via the quick release formation, and wherein the quick release formation comprises opposing electrical contacts for the transfer of electrical signals from the scanning assembly to the chassis. 
     
     
         10 . A scanner according to  claim 7 , wherein the array is rotatable relative to the chassis,
 and the scanner comprises the stabiliser rotationally fixed to the array, which stabiliser comprises the surface positioned to contact the surface of the workpiece to prevent rotation of the array relative to the surface of the workpiece in use.   
     
     
         11 . A scanner according to  claim 7 , wherein the scanning assembly is removably mounted to the chassis via the quick release formation. 
     
     
         12 . A scanner according to  claim 7 , wherein the movement sensor is configured to sense a movement of the rotating component. 
     
     
         13 . A scanner according to  claim 12  in which the movement sensor contacts the rotating component. 
     
     
         14 . A scanner according to  claim 10 , wherein the movement sensor is configured to sense a movement of the rotating component. 
     
     
         15 . A scanner according to  claim 14  in which the movement sensor contacts the rotating component. 
     
     
         16 . A scanner according to  claim 7 , wherein the scanner is a hand held scanner. 
     
     
         17 . A scanner according to  claim 7 , wherein the scanner includes an apparatus configured to enable the array to be rotationally adjustable relative to the chassis to provide a selectable fixed chassis position in use. 
     
     
         18 . A scanner according to  claim 7 , wherein the scanner includes means for the array to be rotationally adjustable relative to the chassis to provide a selectable fixed chassis position in use. 
     
     
         19 . A scanner according to  claim 7 , wherein the array is mounted to an axle, and the axle is rotationally adjustably mounted to the chassis to provide a selectable fixed chassis position in use. 
     
     
         20 . A scanner according to  claim 7 , wherein the scanner includes an axle that enables the array to rotate relative to the chassis to provide a selectable fixed chassis position in use.