US3907438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contour measuring system for cylinders
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-06-22
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1993-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A contour measuring system is disclosed in which the contour, surface texture and roundness of cylindrical members can be readily determined optically. Specifically, a slit camera converts the cylindrical surface to a planar surface, a picture. The illumination for the picture is provided by thin sheets of light in a plane approximately parallel to the axis of the cylinder and tangential to the surface. The image thus recorded resembles a topographical map of the cylindrical surface.
Inventors
- 👤 John M Holeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/24; G01B11/2441; G01B11/30; G01B9/00; G01B9/02; G01B9/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A contour measuring system for cylindrical surfaces comprising: a source of a plurality of parallel sheets of collimated light; a cylindrical surface having the axis thereof approximately parallel to the plane of said sheets, said cylindrical surface positioned so that said light sheets have a non-zero angle of incidence with respect to said surface; and slit camera means for recording the contour of said surface at the intersection of said light sheets and said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A contour measuring system for cylindrical surfaces comprising: a source of a plurality of parallel sheets of collimated light; a cylindrical surface having the axis thereof approximately parallel to the plane of said sheets, said cylindrical surface positioned so that said light sheets have a non-zero angle of incidence with respect to said surface; and slit camera means for recording the contour of said surface at the intersection of said light sheets and said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The contour measuring system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said light sheet producing means comprises a grating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The contour measuring system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said light source comprises: laser means producing a beam of coherent light; beam spreading means for enlarging the diameter of said laser beam; collimating means for producing a beam of parallel light; and light sheet producing means for converting said beam of parallel light into a plurality of light sheets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The contour measuring system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said light sheet producing means comprises an interferometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The contour measuring system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said source of parallel sheets of light includes beam splitting and reorienting means for tangentially illuMinating both sides of said cylindrical surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The contour measuring system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slit camera means includes photographic film as the recording medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
A contour measuring system for cylindrical members comprising: a source of a plurality of parallel sheets of collimated light; a cylindrical surface having the axis thereof parallel to the plane of said sheets, said cylindrical surface positioned so that said light sheets fall tangentially on said surface; and camera means for recording the contour of said surface as a plurality of deformed lines, the deformation of which is determined by the contour of said cylindrical surface, said camera positioned approximately radially with respect to said axis for viewing the surface upon which said light sheets are incident.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
A contour measuring system for cylindrical members comprising: a source of a plurality of parallel sheets of collimated light; a cylindrical surface having the axis thereof parallel to the plane of said sheets, said cylindrical surface positioned so that said light sheets fall tangentially on said surface; and camera means for recording the contour of said surface as a plurality of deformed lines, the deformation of which is determined by the contour of said cylindrical surface, said camera positioned approximately radially with respect to said axis for viewing the surface upon which said light sheets are incident.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The contour measuring system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said source of parallel sheets of light includes beam splitting and reorienting means for tangentially illuminating both sides of said cylindrical surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The contour measuring system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said camera means comprises a television camera.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
63 words
The method of measuring surface features of a cylindrical surface comprising the steps of: illiminating said surface with a plurality of spaced, parallel sheets of light incident upon said surface at a non-zero angle of incidence; recording the image of said surface as a plurality of topographical contours; determining the dimensions of said features by the number and shape of said topographical contours.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
63 words
The method of measuring surface features of a cylindrical surface comprising the steps of: illiminating said surface with a plurality of spaced, parallel sheets of light incident upon said surface at a non-zero angle of incidence; recording the image of said surface as a plurality of topographical contours; determining the dimensions of said features by the number and shape of said topographical contours.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said illuminating step comprises: generating a beam of coherent light; splitting said beam of coherent light into two beams; shearing said two beams to produce interference fringes; and intercepting said fringes with said cylindrical surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said recording step comprises: viewing said surface with a television camera to produce a video image; transmitting said video image to a remote location; displaying said video image on a monitor; and recording the display on said monitor on photographic film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2867149A
Cited
US3625618A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |