Abstract A target for alignment of pipes and the like about a beam of light projected along a predetermined axis. The target includes a light-sensing means positioned at one end of the pipe to intercept and detect the light beam. The sensing means through suitable electronic circuitry, provides an input to a readout indicator. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator includes a plurality of incandescent bulbs arranged in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the sensing elements. Movement of the pipe and target about the light beam is detected by the sensors and visually displayed by the indicator. In an alternate embodiment, the indicator provides an audible signal to indicate the relative position of the light source with the sensors.
A target system for use in aligning pipes to a pre-aligned collimated light beam which is projected axially of the pipe, said target comprising: electrically operated light beam sensing means positionable at an end of a pipe section to intercept said beam and adapted to generate a signal when in alignment with said beam; said light beam sensing means including a plurality of photosensing elements arranged in a predetermined pattern, said sensing elements being adapted to generate a signal in response to impingement of said beam on said sensing elements, and indicating means responsive to said signal from said sensing means to indicate alignment of said beam with said sensing means, said indicating means including tone generating means responsive to signals from said sensing means to produce an audible indication of the position of said sensing means with respect to said light beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A target system for use in aligning pipes to a pre-aligned collimated light beam which is projected axially of the pipe, said target comprising: electrically operated light beam sensing means positionable at an end of a pipe section to intercept said beam and adapted to generate a signal when in alignment with said beam; said light beam sensing means including a plurality of photosensing elements arranged in a predetermined pattern, said sensing elements being adapted to generate a signal in response to impingement of said beam on said sensing elements, and indicating means responsive to said signal from said sensing means to indicate alignment of said beam with said sensing means, said indicating means including tone generating means responsive to signals from said sensing means to produce an audible indication of the position of said sensing means with respect to said light beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said light beam is pulsed and said photo-sensing elements are responsive only to said pulsed light beam.