US3858983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shaped product measurement
Assignee: AUTECH MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-13
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-11-13
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a non-destructive dimension measuring and comparing system wherein a coherent light beam is impinged on a workpiece surface, and the back scattered radiation directed onto a vidicon to produce a pair of backscatter images representative of the geometry or spacing of the workpiece in relation to a reference. The system is particularly adapted to measure surface geometry and profiles of extruded shapes passing over a reference surface such as a roll. Electronic circuitry for processing the vidicon image signals includes noise rejection means permitting effective interpretation of backscatter images only slightly more intense than the ambient light level. A mechanical arrangement is provided by which the coherent light source, the vidicon, etc., are positioned and scanned in relation to the reference surface and the workpiece to allow extremely accurate measurement of small profile dimensions.
Inventors
- 👤 George B Foster
- 👤 Donald L Cullen
- 👤 Albert C Abnett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/02; G01B11/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An electro-optical gauging system for measuring a workpiece having one surface thereof in contact with a reference surface at the point of measurement, said system comprising a laser; means to direct a laser beam ontrthe surface of said workpiece opposite to that in contact with said reference surface; an optical detector; means for observing the point of impingement of the laser beam on the workpiece, means for directing a pair of backscatter images of said point of impingement onto said detector to produce a pair of images having a spacing related to the position of said workpiece surface; means for scanning said laser beams and said workpiece in relation to each other; means for storing data representative of the position of said reference surface; first signal processing means for generating a signal representative of the backscatter image spacing; and means responsive to said stored reference position data and sAid image spacing signal to develop an output representative of the position of the point of impingement of said laser beam on said workpiece in relation to said reference surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
An electro-optical gauging system for measuring a workpiece having one surface thereof in contact with a reference surface at the point of measurement, said system comprising a laser; means to direct a laser beam ontrthe surface of said workpiece opposite to that in contact with said reference surface; an optical detector; means for observing the point of impingement of the laser beam on the workpiece, means for directing a pair of backscatter images of said point of impingement onto said detector to produce a pair of images having a spacing related to the position of said workpiece surface; means for scanning said laser beams and said workpiece in relation to each other; means for storing data representative of the position of said reference surface; first signal processing means for generating a signal representative of the backscatter image spacing; and means responsive to said stored reference position data and sAid image spacing signal to develop an output representative of the position of the point of impingement of said laser beam on said workpiece in relation to said reference surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first signal processing means comprises threshhold detector means responsive to a component of the output of said optical detector exceeding a preset level to produce a gating signal; amplifier means responsive to the output of said optical detector to produce a signal having a peak component responsive of the backscatter images and a low amplitude component responsive of ambient light; and logic means responsive to said peak component and to said gating signal to generate a pair of well-defined pulses constituting said spacing signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 2 wherein said amplifier means includes means for generating the derivative of the output of said optical detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 3 wherein the peak component of said amplifier output is a zero crossing, and wherein said logic means includes means responsive to said zero crossing in conjunction with said gating signal to generate said spacing signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 4 wherein said gating means includes means to adjust the preset level above which said gating signal is generated to about one half the expected peak value of the output of said optical detector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 1 wherein said scanning means comprises housing means for said laser and said optical detector; carriage means including means for mounting said housing in space relation to the surface of said workpiece and means for moving said housing and said reference surface in relation to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 6 further including adjusting means for maintaining essentially constant the distance between said reference surface and the image surface of said optical detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 7 wherein said reference surface is in motion in a first direction, wherein said carriage means includes guide means for said housing, and drive means to move said housing along said guide means in a direction other than the direction of motion of said reference surface; and wherein said adjusting means comprises means to vary the position of at least one portion of said guide means toward and away from said reference surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 8 wherein said adjusting means is adapted to deform said guide means whereby to adjust the spacing of portions thereof from said reference surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 8 wherein said reference surface is a rotating cylinder adapted to carry said workpiece, wherein said guide means comprises an elongated track parallel to and spaced from the axis of said cylinder, and wherein said drive means comprises means to move said housing back and forth along said track.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 10 including means for sensing the presence of said housing at at least one end of said track.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 1 when said workpiece travels in a first direction; and wherein said scanning means comprises means for moving said laser beam across said workpiece in a direction transverse to said first direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 12 wherein said laser and said detector are so oriented with respect to each other and the direction of scan of said laser beam that discontinuities of the workpiece surface intersect with the plane defined by the laser beam and the backscatter beams and not with the edge of said plane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
A gauging system as defined in claim 1 wherein said laser and said detector are so oriented with respect to each other and the direction of motion relative to said workpiece that discontinuities of the workpiece surface intersect with the plane defined by the laser beam and the backscatter beams and not with the edge of said plane.
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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |