Apparatus for determining the thickness of a transparent material by measuring the time interval between impingement of front and back surface reflections on a detector

Claim 2

Apparatus for measuring the thickness of a transparent member having near and far spaced optical surfaces, comprising: a. means for directing a relatively narrow beam of light toward said near surface at an angle incident to produce first and second reflected beams from said near and far surfaces; b. light responsive detection means positioned in the path of said reflected beams; c. constant rate chopping means also in said path, including means for repeatedly interrupting said reflected beams and allowing said first and second reflected beams to successively impinge on said detection means, with the interval between impingement of said first and second beams on said detection means being indicative of the thickness of said transparent member; and d. lens means interposed between said chopping means and said near surface to image said means for interrupting said beams at said near surface.

Claim 3

Apparatus for measuring the thickness of a transparent member having near and far spaced optical surfaces, comprising: a. a light source; b. an opaque member having a slit therein for projecting a restricted linear beam of light from said source towards said member at an angle to produce first and second spaced reflected beams from said surfaces; c. a first lens means positioned in the path of said beam to image said slit of light of said opaque member at said near surface of said transparent member; d. detection means positioned in the path of said reflected beams; e. constant rate chopping means adjacent said detection means, including means for repeatedly interrupting said reflected beams and allowing said first and second reflected beams to successively impinge on said detection means, with the interval between impingement of said first and second beams on said detection means being indicative of the thickness of said transparent member; f. lens means interposed between said chopping means and said near surface to image said means for interrupting said beams at said near surface.

Claim 4

Apparatus for measuring the thickness of a transparent member having near and far spaced optical surfaces, comprising: a. a light source; b. an opaque member having a slit therein for projecting a restricted linear beam of light from said source towards said member at an angle to produce first and second spaced reflected beams from said surfaces; c. a first lens means positioned in the path of said beam to image said slit of light of said opaque member at said near surface of said transparent member; d. detection means positioned in the path of said reflected beams; e. constant rate chopping means adjacent said detection means, including means for repeatedly interrupting said reflected beams and allowing said first and second reflected beams to successively impinge on said detection means, with the interval between impingement of said first and second beams on said detection means being indicative of the thickness of said transparent member; f. lens means interposed between said chopping means and said near surface to image said means for interrupting said beams at said near surface.

Claim 5

a light detector electrically responsive to said reflected beams;

Claim 6

a light detector electrically responsive to said reflected beams;

Claim 7

means adjacent said light source for projecting a restricted beam of light in a first direction;

Claim 8

means adjacent said light source for projecting a restricted beam of light in a first direction;

Claim 9

recording means having means driven by said signal, and means connected to said detector to convey selected pulses produced by said detector to said recording means to indicate the width and position of said ribbon moving in said lehr.

Claim 10

recording means having means driven by said signal, and means connected to said detector to convey selected pulses produced by said detector to said recording means to indicate the width and position of said ribbon moving in said lehr.

Claim 11

a light detector electrically responsive to said reflected beams; and

Claim 12

a light detector electrically responsive to said reflected beams; and

Claim 13

a light detector electrically responsive to said reflected beams;

Claim 14

a light detector electrically responsive to said reflected beams;

Claim 15

means positioned in the path of said reflected beams to interrupt said reflected beams at a rate proportionate to the spacing between said spaced optical surfaces and selectively allow said spaced reflected beams to impinge on said detector producing spaced pulses, said last-mentioned means comprising a tubular opaque member having an elongated narrow slit therein and surrounding said detector, and means for rotating said tubular member; and

Claim 16

means positioned in the path of said reflected beams to interrupt said reflected beams at a rate proportionate to the spacing between said spaced optical surfaces and selectively allow said spaced reflected beams to impinge on said detector producing spaced pulses, said last-mentioned means comprising a tubular opaque member having an elongated narrow slit therein and surrounding said detector, and means for rotating said tubular member; and

Claim 17

a first mirror assembly positioned in the path of said projected beam to direct said beam towards said glass ribbon, incident at an angle to produce spaced reflected beams from said spaced optical surfaces;

Claim 18

a first mirror assembly positioned in the path of said projected beam to direct said beam towards said glass ribbon, incident at an angle to produce spaced reflected beams from said spaced optical surfaces;

Claim 19

means positioned in the path of said reflected beams to interrupt said reflected beams at a rate proportionate to the spacing between said spaced optical surfaces and selectively allow said spaced reflected beams to impinge on said detector producing spaced pulses; said width and position indicator comprising:

Claim 20

means positioned in the path of said reflected beams to interrupt said reflected beams at a rate proportionate to the spacing between said spaced optical surfaces and selectively allow said spaced reflected beams to impinge on said detector producing spaced pulses; said width and position indicator comprising:

Claim 21

means positioned in the path of said reflected beams to interrupt said reflected beams at a rate proportionate to the spacing between said spaced optical surfaces and selectively allow said spaced reflected beams to impinge on said Detector producing spaced pulses; and

Claim 22

means positioned in the path of said reflected beams to interrupt said reflected beams at a rate proportionate to the spacing between said spaced optical surfaces and selectively allow said spaced reflected beams to impinge on said Detector producing spaced pulses; and

Claim 23

Apparatus for measuring the thickness of a transparent member having near and far spaced optical surfaces, comprising: a. a casing having a light source mounted therein; b. means secured to said casing for directing a restricted beam of light from said source in a first direction; c. a first adjustable mirror assembly secured to said casing in the path of said beam to direct said beam towards the near surface of said transparent member, at an angle incident to produce first and second spaced reflected beams from said surfaces; d. a second adjustable mirror assembly secured to said casing and positioned in the path of said reflected beams to direct said reflected beams in a second direction; e. detection means secured to said casing and positioned in the path of said reflected beams directed in said second direction; f. constant rate chopping means including means repeatedly interrupting said reflected beams and allowing said first and second reflected beams to successively impinge on said detection means in timed relation with the interval between impingement of said first and second beams on said detection means being indicative of said transparent member thickness; and g. lens means positioned in the path of said reflected beams between said means and said near surface to image said means interrupting said beams at said near surface.

Claim 24

Apparatus for measuring the thickness of a transparent member having near and far spaced optical surfaces, comprising: a. a casing having a light source mounted therein; b. means secured to said casing for directing a restricted beam of light from said source in a first direction; c. a first adjustable mirror assembly secured to said casing in the path of said beam to direct said beam towards the near surface of said transparent member, at an angle incident to produce first and second spaced reflected beams from said surfaces; d. a second adjustable mirror assembly secured to said casing and positioned in the path of said reflected beams to direct said reflected beams in a second direction; e. detection means secured to said casing and positioned in the path of said reflected beams directed in said second direction; f. constant rate chopping means including means repeatedly interrupting said reflected beams and allowing said first and second reflected beams to successively impinge on said detection means in timed relation with the interval between impingement of said first and second beams on said detection means being indicative of said transparent member thickness; and g. lens means positioned in the path of said reflected beams between said means and said near surface to image said means interrupting said beams at said near surface.

Claim 25

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said incident angle is substantially 49*.

Claim 26

a second mirror assembly positioned in the path of said spaced reflected beams to direct said reflected beams in a second direction; and

Claim 27

a second mirror assembly positioned in the path of said spaced reflected beams to direct said reflected beams in a second direction; and

Claim 28

a lens assembly positioned in the path of said reflected beams between said last-mentioned means and said glass ribbon surface.

Claim 29

a lens assembly positioned in the path of said reflected beams between said last-mentioned means and said glass ribbon surface.

Claim 30

a lens assembly positioned in the path of said reflected beams between said last-mentioned means and said glass ribbon surface.

Claim 31

a lens assembly positioned in the path of said reflected beams between said last-mentioned means and said glass ribbon surface.

Claim 32

a chopper assembly positioned in the path of said reflected beams; said chopper assembly including: a. detection means positioned to receive said reflected beams; and b. means to interrupt said reflected beams at a rate proportionate to the spacing between said spaced optical surfaces and selectively allow said spaced reflected beams to impinge on said detector producing spaced pulses.

Claim 33

a chopper assembly positioned in the path of said reflected beams; said chopper assembly including: a. detection means positioned to receive said reflected beams; and b. means to interrupt said reflected beams at a rate proportionate to the spacing between said spaced optical surfaces and selectively allow said spaced reflected beams to impinge on said detector producing spaced pulses.

Claim 34

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said chopping means includes: a. an opaque wheel surrounding said detection means and having an elongated slit therein; and b. means for rotating said wheel at a constant velocity.

Claim 35

In combination with an annealing lehr having a glass ribbon with spaced optical surfaces supported for movement therein; a. an inspection device; b. means for supporting said device for movement on said lehr; and c. driving means for traversing said device on said lehr; said inspection device comprising:

Claim 36

In combination with an annealing lehr having a glass ribbon with spaced optical surfaces supported for movement therein; a. an inspection device; b. means for supporting said device for movement on said lehr; and c. driving means for traversing said device on said lehr; said inspection device comprising:

Claim 37

In combination with an annealing lehr having a glass ribbon with spaced optical surfaces supported for movement therein: a. an inspection device; b. means for supporting said device for movement on said lehr; and c. driving means for traversing said device on said lehr; said inspection device comprising:

Claim 38

In combination with an annealing lehr having a glass ribbon with spaced optical surfaces supported for movement therein: a. an inspection device; b. means for supporting said device for movement on said lehr; and c. driving means for traversing said device on said lehr; said inspection device comprising:

Claim 39

In combination with an annealing lehr having a glass ribbon with spaced optical surfaces supported for movement therein: a. an inspection device; b. means for supporting said device for movement on said lehr; c. driving means for traversing said device on said lehr; and d. a width and position indicator; said inspection device comprising:

Claim 40

In combination with an annealing lehr having a glass ribbon with spaced optical surfaces supported for movement therein: a. an inspection device; b. means for supporting said device for movement on said lehr; c. driving means for traversing said device on said lehr; and d. a width and position indicator; said inspection device comprising:

Claim 41

In combination with an annealing lehr of a glassmaking machine having a glass ribbon with near and far spaced optical surfaces supported for movement therein: a. an inspection device supported for movement on said lehr; b. driving means for traversing said device on said lehr; said inspection device comprising:

Claim 42

In combination with an annealing lehr of a glassmaking machine having a glass ribbon with near and far spaced optical surfaces supported for movement therein: a. an inspection device supported for movement on said lehr; b. driving means for traversing said device on said lehr; said inspection device comprising:

Claim 43

A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said chopper assembly includes: a. constant velocity chopping means interposed in the path of said reflected beams adjacent said detection means including means to allow said reflected beams to selectively impinge on said detection means, thereby producing said spaced pulses; and b. lens means interposed in the path of said reflected beams between said chopping means and said near surface to image said means allowing selective impingement of said beams on said detection means at said near surface of said glass ribbon.

Claim 44

A combination as defined in claim 9, including means for differentiating said spaced pulses to locate the peaks of said pulses independent of pulse amplitude.