US3856400A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for no-contact measurement having a multi-colored grating
Assignee: Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH
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Filing: 1973-02-22
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-02-22
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the no-contact measurement of the velocity, the path, or the distance of objects without special optical markers with respect to a reference position having the object imaged onto a grating and measurement of the light flux leaving this grating after cooperation with this grating by means of photoelectric elements. The output signals of the photoelectric elements exhibit a frequency component proportional to the velocity of movement. The present invention is an improvement over the prior art wherein a grating (5,25) is located in the imaging beam path, in the proximity of the imaging plane of an objective (4), as a correlator and position frequency filter. The grating is constructed in the form of a support (26) with areal, photoelectrically distinguishable, colored structures (6, 6'', 27). These structures, in correspondence with their colors, are disposed alternatingly in side-by-side linewise relationship and the support is followed, via at least one chromatic splitter (8), by preferably two photoelectric receivers (10, 11). The output signals of these receivers are phase-shifted with respect to one another by given amounts based on the physical configuration of the grating.
Inventors
- 👤 H Hartmann
- 👤 H Stankewitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/36; G01C; G01C3/00; G01C3/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
In an apparatus for the no-contact measurement of the velocity, the path, or the distance of an object without special optical markers with respect to a reference position having the object imaged by an objective onto a grating along an imaging beam path and measuring the light flux leaving the grating after cooperation with the grating by means of photoelectric elements generating output signals which exhibit a frequency component proportional to the velocity of movement, the improvement comprising: a grating (5, 25) located in the imaging beam path in proximity to the imaging plane of the objective (4) defining a correlator and position frequency filter, said grating comprising a support (26) having areal, photoelectrically distinguishable, colored structures (6,6'', 27), said structures disposed alternatingly in side-by-side linewise relationship in correspondence with their colors, and said support followed, via chromatic splitter means (8) by a plurality of photoelectric receivers (10, 11) generating output signals which are phase-shifted with respect to one another by given amounts based on the physical configuration of the grating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
In an apparatus for the no-contact measurement of the velocity, the path, or the distance of an object without special optical markers with respect to a reference position having the object imaged by an objective onto a grating along an imaging beam path and measuring the light flux leaving the grating after cooperation with the grating by means of photoelectric elements generating output signals which exhibit a frequency component proportional to the velocity of movement, the improvement comprising: a grating (5, 25) located in the imaging beam path in proximity to the imaging plane of the objective (4) defining a correlator and position frequency filter, said grating comprising a support (26) having areal, photoelectrically distinguishable, colored structures (6,6'', 27), said structures disposed alternatingly in side-by-side linewise relationship in correspondence with their colors, and said support followed, via chromatic splitter means (8) by a plurality of photoelectric receivers (10, 11) generating output signals which are phase-shifted with respect to one another by given amounts based on the physical configuration of the grating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said structures have two colors in linear arrangement (6,6'') and said receivers (10, 11) are arranged with their output signals in a push-pull relationship to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said structures are rectangular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, for the purpose of measuring in two coordinate directions, said structures are rectangles (6'''''') in two colors in a checkerboard arrangement, and drive means (15) are provided for the continuous movement of the support in one coordinate direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein for the purpose of measuring in two coordinate directions, said structures have more than two colors disposed in an alternating pattern in lines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said chromatic splitter means defines an interference filter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said colored structures are triangles (27) colored in four photoelectrically distinguishable colors and disposed with their sides in parallel to one another and in a side-by-side relationship, wherein respectively four differently colored triangles join at one point; and said chromatic splitter means are corresponding chromatic splitters (32, 33, 34), with each color associated with a photoelectric receiver (28, 29, 30, 31).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said colored structures (6, 6'' , 27), together with said associated chromatic splitter means, are constructed for measurement with infrared light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said colored structures (6, 6'' , 27), together with said associated chromatic splitter means are constructed for measurement with ultraviolet light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 1, for measuring in two coordinate directions, wherein Said colored structures of the grating are in two colors with adjacent lines (20, 21) alternately exhibiting different transmissions for the light of one color and adjacent columns (22, 23) exhibiting different transmissions for the light of the other color; and said chromatic splitter means comprises one corresponding chromatic splitter (8), with each color associated with a photoelectric receiver.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |