US3905705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical measuring apparatus
Assignee: Techmet Co
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Filing: 1973-10-10
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A narrow laser beam is directed towards a mirror which is rotated to effect rotary planar scanning or sweeping of a lens constructed to convert the rotary scanning beam into a parallel scanning beam. An article to be measured is positioned in the path of the parallel scanning beam at generally the focal point of the lens, and the interruptions of the parallel scanning beam, as produced by the article, are sensed by a photodetector. The photodetector transmits corresponding pulses or signals through an amplifier to an edge decoder which receives a reset signal with each pass of the scanning beam. The edge decoder may provide for selecting different combinations of signals received from the amplifier to control the counting of constant pulses received by a counter from a high frequency generator or clock so that the counted pulses correspond to the dimension of the article at the plane of the parallel scanning beam. Preferably, the motor which rotates the scanning mirror is supplied with electrical energy from the clock through a frequency divider, and the amplified signals from the photodetector are compared with a reference level to provide an automatic gain control for the amplifier.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry G Petrohilos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/02; G01B11/08; G01B11/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
In apparatus for optically measuring a dimension relative to an object and including a laser effective to produce a narrow light beam, a reflector member having a reflecting surface positioned within the path of the light beam, means for rotating said reflector member at a constant speed on a fixed axis to produce a rotary scanning light beam within a scanning plane, means for converting the rotary scanning light beam into a planar parallel scanning light beam and having a focal point, means for sensing the parallel scanning light beam and for producing electrical signals in response to interruptions of the light beam by an object positioned within the Path of the parallel scanning light beam, means for producing pulses at a constant frequency, means for counting the pulses, and means for controlling said counting means in response to the operation of said sensing means to provide for counting the pulses between predetermined electrical signals, the improvement wherein substantially all of the light from said light beam engages said reflecting surface of said reflector member at substantially a fixed reflecting point, said reflecting point is disposed on the rotational axis of said reflector member causing said rotary scanning light beam to originate from said reflecting point, and said rotary axis of said reflector member extends perpendicular to the plane of said parallel scanning light beam and through the focal point of said means for converting said rotary scanning light beam into a said parallel scanning light beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
In apparatus for optically measuring a dimension relative to an object and including a laser effective to produce a narrow light beam, a reflector member having a reflecting surface positioned within the path of the light beam, means for rotating said reflector member at a constant speed on a fixed axis to produce a rotary scanning light beam within a scanning plane, means for converting the rotary scanning light beam into a planar parallel scanning light beam and having a focal point, means for sensing the parallel scanning light beam and for producing electrical signals in response to interruptions of the light beam by an object positioned within the Path of the parallel scanning light beam, means for producing pulses at a constant frequency, means for counting the pulses, and means for controlling said counting means in response to the operation of said sensing means to provide for counting the pulses between predetermined electrical signals, the improvement wherein substantially all of the light from said light beam engages said reflecting surface of said reflector member at substantially a fixed reflecting point, said reflecting point is disposed on the rotational axis of said reflector member causing said rotary scanning light beam to originate from said reflecting point, and said rotary axis of said reflector member extends perpendicular to the plane of said parallel scanning light beam and through the focal point of said means for converting said rotary scanning light beam into a said parallel scanning light beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for converting the rotary scanning light beam into a planar parallel scanning light beam comprise a lens having an optical axis, and said rotary axis of said reflector member extends perpendicular to said optical axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotary axis of said reflector member extends perpendicular to said narrow light beam engaging said reflecting surface of said reflector member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
219 words
In a method of optically measuring a dimension relative to an object and including the steps of producing a narrow light beam, positioning a reflector member having a reflecting surface within the path of the light beam, rotating said reflector member at a constant speed on a fixed axis to produce a rotary scanning light beam within a scanning plane, converting the rotary scanning light beam into a planar parallel scanning light beam with means having a focal point, sensing the parallel scanning light beam and producing electrical signals in response to interruptions of the light beam by an object positioned within the path of the parallel scanning light beam, producing pulses at a constant frequency, and counting the pulses between predetermined electrical signals, the improvement comprising the steps of directing substantially all of the light from said light beam at substantially a fixed reflecting point on said reflecting surface of said reflector member, locating said reflecting point on the rotational axis of said reflecting member for causing said rotary scanning light beam to originate from said reflecting point, and positioning said rotary axis of said reflecting member perpendicular to the plane of said parallel scanning light beam and through said focal point of said means converting said rotary scanning light beam into a said parallel scanning light beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
219 words
In a method of optically measuring a dimension relative to an object and including the steps of producing a narrow light beam, positioning a reflector member having a reflecting surface within the path of the light beam, rotating said reflector member at a constant speed on a fixed axis to produce a rotary scanning light beam within a scanning plane, converting the rotary scanning light beam into a planar parallel scanning light beam with means having a focal point, sensing the parallel scanning light beam and producing electrical signals in response to interruptions of the light beam by an object positioned within the path of the parallel scanning light beam, producing pulses at a constant frequency, and counting the pulses between predetermined electrical signals, the improvement comprising the steps of directing substantially all of the light from said light beam at substantially a fixed reflecting point on said reflecting surface of said reflector member, locating said reflecting point on the rotational axis of said reflecting member for causing said rotary scanning light beam to originate from said reflecting point, and positioning said rotary axis of said reflecting member perpendicular to the plane of said parallel scanning light beam and through said focal point of said means converting said rotary scanning light beam into a said parallel scanning light beam.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |