US3723013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alignment system
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1970-10-23
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1990-10-23
Abstract
Abstract This alignment system utilizes intermediate photodetectors having central apertures and a terminal photodetector, each photodetector having four quadrants of active area, with their centers aligned on the axis of a laser beam, their output signals being utilized to indicate alignment, or the degree of misalignment, of their centers with respect to the axis of the laser beam. Alternatively their output signals are utilized to drive servo systems that automatically move the quipments on which they are mounted into alignment, Means for providing orthogonal alignment, and means to avoid air turbulence are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 M Stirland
- 👤 J Kalinowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/26; G01B11/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
A system for aligning a plurality of equipments in a predetermined direction with respect to a reference line of sight comprising: a laser disposed with the axis of the laser beam directed in the predetermined direction; a terminal photodetector having four equal areas of lightsensitive material spaced at 90* intervals around its center mounted on a first equipment, which is the most distant from the laser of the plurality of equipments to be aligned, so that the areas face the laser beam and when the terminal photodetector is centered on the axis of the laser beam the first equipment is aligned in the predetermined direction; at least one intermediate photodetector mounted on an intermediate equipment located at a point between the laser and the first equipment, the photodetector having a substrate with an aperture, four equal areas of light-sensitive material on the substrate spaced at 90* intervals around the aperture and an annulus of inactive material forming a central mask between the aperture and the light-sensitive areas, the intermediate photodetector being so mounteD that the areas and mask face the laser beam and when the intermediate photodetector is centered on the axis of the laser beam the intermediate equipment is aligned in the predetermined direction; first electrical means connected to the areas of the terminal photodetector for producing signals indicative of the relative position of the terminal photodetector with respect to the axis of the laser beam when the laser beam impinges on the areas and for producing a distinguishable signal when the laser beam does not impinge upon the areas; second electrical means connected to the areas of the intermediate photodetector for producing, when the laser beam impinges on its areas, signals indicative of its relative position with respect to the axis of the laser beam; and means for moving the terminal and intermediate equipments into alignment with the predetermined direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
312 words
A system for aligning a plurality of equipments in a predetermined direction with respect to a reference line of sight comprising: a laser disposed with the axis of the laser beam directed in the predetermined direction; a terminal photodetector having four equal areas of lightsensitive material spaced at 90* intervals around its center mounted on a first equipment, which is the most distant from the laser of the plurality of equipments to be aligned, so that the areas face the laser beam and when the terminal photodetector is centered on the axis of the laser beam the first equipment is aligned in the predetermined direction; at least one intermediate photodetector mounted on an intermediate equipment located at a point between the laser and the first equipment, the photodetector having a substrate with an aperture, four equal areas of light-sensitive material on the substrate spaced at 90* intervals around the aperture and an annulus of inactive material forming a central mask between the aperture and the light-sensitive areas, the intermediate photodetector being so mounteD that the areas and mask face the laser beam and when the intermediate photodetector is centered on the axis of the laser beam the intermediate equipment is aligned in the predetermined direction; first electrical means connected to the areas of the terminal photodetector for producing signals indicative of the relative position of the terminal photodetector with respect to the axis of the laser beam when the laser beam impinges on the areas and for producing a distinguishable signal when the laser beam does not impinge upon the areas; second electrical means connected to the areas of the intermediate photodetector for producing, when the laser beam impinges on its areas, signals indicative of its relative position with respect to the axis of the laser beam; and means for moving the terminal and intermediate equipments into alignment with the predetermined direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the first electrical means produce null indications in the X and Y directions established by the four equal areas of light-sensitive material when the laser beam impinges on the photodetector and the photodetector is in alignment therewith and produce a predetermined signal in one of either the X or Y direction when the laser does not impinge upon the areas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the predetermined signal produced when the laser beam does not impinge upon the areas is obtained by adjustment of the dark current of one of the areas of light-sensitive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the null indication and predetermined signal are obtained by the adjustment of the dark current of the four light-sensitive areas to an unbalanced condition whereby when the laser beam does not impinge upon the photodetector a signal is obtained in one direction only.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a system for aligning equipment in a predetermined direction with reference to a line of sight established by a laser beam which includes a photodetector having four equal areas of light-sensitive material around its center mounted on equipment to be aligned, the improvement comprising electrical means connected to said areas of a photodetector for producing signals indicative of the relative position of the photodetector with respect to the axis of the laser beam when the laser beam impinges on the areas and for producing a distinguishable signal when the laser beam does not impinge upon the areas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a system for aligning equipment in a predetermined direction with reference to a line of sight established by a laser beam which includes a photodetector having four equal areas of light-sensitive material around its center mounted on equipment to be aligned, the improvement comprising electrical means connected to said areas of a photodetector for producing signals indicative of the relative position of the photodetector with respect to the axis of the laser beam when the laser beam impinges on the areas and for producing a distinguishable signal when the laser beam does not impinge upon the areas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein the electrical means produce null indications in the X and Y directions established by the four equal areas of light-sensitive material when the laser beam impinges on the photodetector and the photodetector is in alignment therewith and produce a predetermined signal in one of either the X or Y direction when the laser beam does not impinge upon the areas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein the predetermined signal produced when the laser beam does not impinge upon the areas is obtained by adjustment of the dark current of one of the areas of light-sensitive material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the null indication and predetermined signal are obtained by the adjustment of the dark current of the four light-sensitive areas to an unbalanced condition whereby when the laser beam does not impinge upon the photodetector a signal is obtained in one direction only.
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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) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |