US3924953A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Helix pitch monitor
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1974-12-18
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-12-18
Abstract
Abstract The pitch of a helix is monitored by measurement of the reflection of a light source. Segments of a beam of light are reflected off of the helix, through a mask and onto a photodetector that receives light indicative of the proper spacing of the helix. The photodetector then supplies an output signal to a readout device that indicates if proper spacing of the helix being monitored is present.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick C Allard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A pitch monitor for determining quality of spacing on a moving reflector having spaced reflective surfaces comprising: a source of electromagnetic energy adapted to generate and conduct a beam onto the moving reflector having spaced reflective surfaces for reflecting spatial highlights of said beam; a lens aligned to receive the reflected portion of said beam for forming an image of the reflected spatial highlights of said beams; stop means receiving said reflected portion of said beam for establiShing telecentricity of said lens; opaque means having spaced indicators aligned with said image of spatial highlights upon said reflective surfaces being perfectly spaced for transmitting said image of spatial highlights in alignment with said indicators; photodetection means for converting energy in said image of spatial highlights in alignment with said spaced indicators into an electrical signal; and readout means connected to receive said electrical signal for providing an indication of the spacing of said reflective surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A pitch monitor for determining quality of spacing on a moving reflector having spaced reflective surfaces comprising: a source of electromagnetic energy adapted to generate and conduct a beam onto the moving reflector having spaced reflective surfaces for reflecting spatial highlights of said beam; a lens aligned to receive the reflected portion of said beam for forming an image of the reflected spatial highlights of said beams; stop means receiving said reflected portion of said beam for establiShing telecentricity of said lens; opaque means having spaced indicators aligned with said image of spatial highlights upon said reflective surfaces being perfectly spaced for transmitting said image of spatial highlights in alignment with said indicators; photodetection means for converting energy in said image of spatial highlights in alignment with said spaced indicators into an electrical signal; and readout means connected to receive said electrical signal for providing an indication of the spacing of said reflective surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A pitch monitor according to claim 1 wherein said source of electromagnetic energy further comprises: a Helium-Neon laser for generating said beam; a beam expander/collimator for expanding and collimating said beam; and a mirror for deflecting said expanded and collimated beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A pitch monitor according to claim 2 wherein said opaque means further comprises a mask including a positive film transparency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A pitch monitor according to claim 3 wherein said readout means further comprises an oscilloscope and a recorder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
135 words
A pitch monitor comprising: a source of electromagnetic energy adapted for generating and conducting a beam; a moving reflector having spaced reflective surfaces located in the path of said beam for reflecting spatial highlights said beam; a lens aligned to receive the reflected portion of said beam for forming an image of the reflected spatial highlights of said beam; stops means receiving said reflected portion of said beam for establishing telecentricity of said lens; opaque means for transmitting spaced indicators aligned with said image of spatial highlights upon said reflective surfaces being perfectly spaced; photodetection means for converting energy in said image of spatial highlights in alignment with said spaced indicators into an electrical signal; and readout means connected to receive said electrical signal for providing an indication of the spacing of said reflective surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
135 words
A pitch monitor comprising: a source of electromagnetic energy adapted for generating and conducting a beam; a moving reflector having spaced reflective surfaces located in the path of said beam for reflecting spatial highlights said beam; a lens aligned to receive the reflected portion of said beam for forming an image of the reflected spatial highlights of said beam; stops means receiving said reflected portion of said beam for establishing telecentricity of said lens; opaque means for transmitting spaced indicators aligned with said image of spatial highlights upon said reflective surfaces being perfectly spaced; photodetection means for converting energy in said image of spatial highlights in alignment with said spaced indicators into an electrical signal; and readout means connected to receive said electrical signal for providing an indication of the spacing of said reflective surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A pitch monitor according to claim 5 wherein said moving reflector further comprises a helix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A pitch monitor according to claim 6 wherein said source of electromagnetic energy further comprises: a Helium-Neon laser for generating said beam; a beam expander/collimator for expanding and collimating said beam; and a mirror for deflecting said expanded and collimated beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A pitch monitor according to claim 7 wherein said mirror is aligned to deflect said expanded and collimated beam into said helix at an angle no more than 15* with the axis of said helix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A pitch monitor according to claim 8 wherein said opaque means further comprises a mask including a positive film transparency.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A pitch monitor according to claim 9 wherein said readout means further comprises an oscilloscope and a recorder.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of measuring pitch on a moving reflector having spaced reflective surfaces comprising the steps of: generating a beam; expanding and collimating the beam; deflecting the beam onto the spaced reflective surfaces at a predetermined angle; reflecting highlights produced by said beam striking said spaced reflective surfaces; imaging said highlights with a lens having a telecentric stop; conducting portions of said imaged highlights arriving at predetermined intervals and inhibiting the remainder of said highlights; detecting the conducted portions of said imaged highlights and converting them into electrical signals indicative of the pitch of said space reflective surfaces; and displaying said electrical signals.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of measuring pitch on a moving reflector having spaced reflective surfaces comprising the steps of: generating a beam; expanding and collimating the beam; deflecting the beam onto the spaced reflective surfaces at a predetermined angle; reflecting highlights produced by said beam striking said spaced reflective surfaces; imaging said highlights with a lens having a telecentric stop; conducting portions of said imaged highlights arriving at predetermined intervals and inhibiting the remainder of said highlights; detecting the conducted portions of said imaged highlights and converting them into electrical signals indicative of the pitch of said space reflective surfaces; and displaying said electrical signals.
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) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |