US3739176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arrangement for the controlled guidance of a working machine with laser beams
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1971-02-22
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-02-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus which moves may be simply and accurately controlled to travel generally parallel with a laser beam where the apparatus has connected therewith or mounted thereon a control means including a first and second sensing means which detect any relative movement from a predetermined relationship with the laser beam. Advantageously the control means includes at least first and second sensing means positioned in spaced relation along the laser beam with each producing a separate indication of deviation from the laser beam. In addition a third sensing means may be provided on the apparatus at a point remote from the laser beam to measure rotary movement of said apparatus. It is an important feature of the invention that the laser beam have distinctly measurable horizontal and vertical components and may take the form of a cross. In such case each of the first and second sensing means will include a pair of photoelectric sensors preferably located on opposite sides of each of a horizontal and vertical component of the laser beam at the point of the sensing means.
Inventors
- 👤 J Thorn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:39
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/20; E02F9/2025; E02F9/2045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus guidance system comprising a laser beam having a predetermined position, an apparatus having a longitudinal axis adapted to be parallel to said laser beam, a control means mounted on said apparatus and cooperating with said laser beam to indicate deviations of said apparatus axis from a position in which it is parallel to said laser beam whereby the apparatus position may be adjusted to overcome the indicated deviation and return the apparatus to a position parallel with said laser beam, said control means including first and second sensing means positioned in spaced relation along a direction extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said apparatus and along said laser beam, each of said sensing means producing a separate indication of deviation from the laser beam.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus guidance system comprising a laser beam having a predetermined position, an apparatus having a longitudinal axis adapted to be parallel to said laser beam, a control means mounted on said apparatus and cooperating with said laser beam to indicate deviations of said apparatus axis from a position in which it is parallel to said laser beam whereby the apparatus position may be adjusted to overcome the indicated deviation and return the apparatus to a position parallel with said laser beam, said control means including first and second sensing means positioned in spaced relation along a direction extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said apparatus and along said laser beam, each of said sensing means producing a separate indication of deviation from the laser beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus guidance system according to claim 1 wherein said control means includes a third sensing means measuring rotary movement of said apparatus about said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus guidance system according to claim 1 wherein said laser beam has at least one relatively narrow vertical component and at least one relatively narrow horizontal component, said first and second sensing means each having sensors on opposite sides of each of said horizontal and vertical laser beam components whereby relative vertical or horizontal movement therebetween will be detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus guidance system according to claim 3 including a third sensing means measuring rotary movement of the apparatus, said apparatus having a longitudinal axis of rotation parallel to said laser beam, said third sensing means including a pendulum means pivoted on said longitudinal axis of said apparatus and swinging in a plane generally perpendicular to said apparatus whereby rotary movement of said apparatus is detected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus guidance system according to claim 1 wherein said laser beam is generally in the shape of a cross having horizontal and vertical elements crossing each other, said first and second sensing means each including a vertical sensor and a horizontal sensor, said sensors detecting relative movement with said laser beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
135 words
An apparatus guidance system according to claim 5 wherein said crossed horizontal and vertical elements of said laser beam form left and right horizontal portions on opposite sides of said vertical element and upper and lower vertical portions on opposite sides of said horizontal elements, said vertical sensor of said first sensing means including a pair of photoelectric cells on opposite sides of said lower vertical laser beam portion, said horizontal sensor of said first sensing means including a pair of photoelectric cells on opposite sides of said left horizontal portion, said vertical sensor of said second sensing means including a pair of photoelectric cells on opposite sides of said upper vertical portion, said horizontal sensor of said first sensing means including a pair of photoelectric cells on opposite sides of said right horizontal portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
An arrangement for the controlled guidance of an apparatus which travels essentially in the direction of its longitudinal axis, said apparatus being guided by a control means including a laser beam fixed in space and a photosensitive receiver system mounted on said apparatus, said receiver system including two photoreceiver sets spaced along said laser beam and along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, said control means measuring the position of two points on said laser beam whereby travel of said apparatus may be accurately guided.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
An arrangement for the controlled guidance of an apparatus which travels essentially in the direction of its longitudinal axis, said apparatus being guided by a control means including a laser beam fixed in space and a photosensitive receiver system mounted on said apparatus, said receiver system including two photoreceiver sets spaced along said laser beam and along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, said control means measuring the position of two points on said laser beam whereby travel of said apparatus may be accurately guided.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
An arrangement according to claim 7 wherein the lAser beam is fanned open in two planes standing preferably perpendicular to one another to form a fan cross, each of said photoreceiver sets containing at least two photoelectric cells arranged parallel to each plane whereby relative movement between said photoelectric cells and said laser beam will be detected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An arrangement according to claim 8 wherein the photoelectric cells of each photoreceiver set form an L, said two L''s supplementing each other to form a rectangle in a projection thereof parallel to the laser beam axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |