Method of engagement of electrical contacts to pipe members

摘要

A scheme for rapidly connecting and rapidly disconnecting a large number of point contacts onto a pipe surface is taught. The scheme involves pressing sharply pointed pin contacts onto the pipe surface by gas pressure. Each pin is held in a conforming opening in an annular ring structure. The ring forms the inner wall of an annulus capable of holding gas pressure to urge the many needles inward against the pipe surface. Each pin is individually connected to a power supply and sensing apparatus.