Patent US3801205A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3801205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process and device for the survey alignment with a laser beam
Assignee: PULFER AG
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Filing: 1972-04-06
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A process and system for survey alignment along a straight line in which a columnated laser beam is projected along the line to be aligned from adjacent its starting point to a target plate at an end point thereon, the laser beam being diffracted intermediate such points, and preferably adjacent the starting point, by means of at least one set of two closely spaced parallel edges passing entirely through the beam at an angle, preferably perpendicular, to the beam axis, the spacing of the edges of such set being substantially less than the thickness of the beam. The result of the diffraction is a linear diffraction pattern of beam images tapering with increasing distance from the beam axis to eventually approximate a linelike thinness. The thin images at the opposite ends of this pattern define a straight line which passes through the beam axis independently of the position of the set of edges within the beam and thus locates the beam axis in one direction. Preferably two such sets of edges are provided, arranged in angular, preferably perpendicular, relation so as to locate the beam axis in two directions. The sets of edges may be constituted by a tensioned filament or a line inscribed on a transparent plate.
Inventors
- 👤 E Eggenschwyler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C15/00; G01C15/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S33/00; Y10S33/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
In a process for survey alignment along a straight line in which a columnar beam of laser radiation is projected from adjacent the starting point of said line along its length to produce an image at an end point thereon, the improvement comprising projecting said laser beam across at least one set of two parallel straight edges spaced apart less than the beam thickness and passing through said beam at an angle to the beam axis, thereby producing by diffraction a linear diffraction pattern of images of said beam at said end point extending on either side of said beam with the outer images of said pattern tapering to eventually approximate a line-like thinness, said thin outer images defining the ends of a straight line which passes through the axis of the laser beam independently of the position relative to the beam axis of said set of edges in said beam and thus defines the position of the beam axis in one direction, whereby said end point can be aligned relative to the beam position thus defined.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a process for survey alignment along a straight line in which a columnar beam of laser radiation is projected from adjacent the starting point of said line along its length to produce an image at an end point thereon, the improvement comprising projecting said laser beam across at least one set of two parallel straight edges spaced apart less than the beam thickness and passing through said beam at an angle to the beam axis, thereby producing by diffraction a linear diffraction pattern of images of said beam at said end point extending on either side of said beam with the outer images of said pattern tapering to eventually approximate a line-like thinness, said thin outer images defining the ends of a straight line which passes through the axis of the laser beam independently of the position relative to the beam axis of said set of edges in said beam and thus defines the position of the beam axis in one direction, whereby said end point can be aligned relative to the beam position thus defined.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said laser beam is projected across two such sets of straight edges which sets pass through the beam in angular relation to one another, thereby producing plural diffraction patterns of such images, the respective outer images of said patterns defining plural straight lines passing through the beam axis and intersecting at such axis to define the position thereof in two directions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said two sets of edges pass through said beam in substantially perpendicular relation to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said sets of straight edges is constituted by a thin rectilinear element having a thickness substantially less than the thickness of said beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said set of edges passes through said beam at an angle perpendicular to the beam axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein a thin rectilinear element passes through said beam, the opposite edges of said element constituting said set of edges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said rectilinear element is a line or filament.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
152 words
In a system for survey alignment along a straight line including means for projecting a columnar beam of laser radiation from adjacent the starting point of said line along its length to its end point, means adjacent said beam projecting means for diffracting said beam into a diffraction image pattern, and target means at said end point for receiving and visibly displaying said diffraction image pattern, the improvement wherein said beam diffracting means comprises at least one thin rectilinear element passing through said beam at an angle to the beam axis, said element having a thickness not greater than about one-third the beam thickness, whereby said diffraction pattern is a linear chain of images tapering to eventually approximate a line-like thinness, the thin outer images defining the ends of a straight line extending through the beam axis and thus locating the beam axis in one direction for relative alignment of said line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
152 words
In a system for survey alignment along a straight line including means for projecting a columnar beam of laser radiation from adjacent the starting point of said line along its length to its end point, means adjacent said beam projecting means for diffracting said beam into a diffraction image pattern, and target means at said end point for receiving and visibly displaying said diffraction image pattern, the improvement wherein said beam diffracting means comprises at least one thin rectilinear element passing through said beam at an angle to the beam axis, said element having a thickness not greater than about one-third the beam thickness, whereby said diffraction pattern is a linear chain of images tapering to eventually approximate a line-like thinness, the thin outer images defining the ends of a straight line extending through the beam axis and thus locating the beam axis in one direction for relative alignment of said line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 8 wherein saiD rectilinear element is an opaque filament stretched transversely through the beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said rectilinear element is a straight line inscribed on a transparent support.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 8 wherein two distinct rectilinear elements are passed through said beam in angular relation to one another, thereby producing plural diffraction patterns which locate the beam axis in plural directions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said target means includes an opening thereon registering with the beam axis and larger in size than the beam for passage of the beam itself therethrough and means on the remote side of said opening for preventing the reflection of the beam towards said opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 12 including beyond said target opening a mirror for deflecting said beam away from said opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 12 including radiation absorbing means receiving said beam after passage through said opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |