US4369581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the determination of the axis of rotation of a circular table in multiple coordinate measuring instruments
Assignee: Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH
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Filing: 1980-10-03
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Granted: 1983-01-25
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Expires: 2000-10-03
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method for determining the axis of rotation of a rotatable table in a multiple coordinate measuring instrument equipped with at least one tracer, comprising the steps of arranging a spatial contact surface eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the rotatable table; determining the position of a point associated with the contact surface, in the coordinate system of the multiple coordinate measuring instrument by contacting the contact surface with the tracer; repeating the determination step in at least two additional different angular positions of the rotatable table; determining the direction of the normal to a plane which contains the points determined in the at least three angular positions of the rotatable table; and determining the center of a circle passing through the at least three points, whereby the axis of rotation of the rotatable table is the normal passing through the center of the circle. Also disclosed is a device for carrying out this method.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl J. Lenz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/24; G01B5/25; G01B5/004; G01B5/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for determining the axis of rotation of a rotatable table in a multiple coordinate measuring instrument equipped with at least one tracer, comprising the steps of: arranging a spatial contact surface excentrically to the axis of rotation of the rotatable table; determining the position of a point associated with the contact surface, in the coordinate system of the multiple coordinate measuring instrument by contacting the contact surface with the tracer; repeating the determination of the position of said point in at least two additional different angular positions of the rotatable table; determining the direction of the normal to a plane which contains the points determined in the at least three angular positions of the rotatable table; and determining the center of a circle passing through the at least three points, whereby the axis of rotation of the rotatable table is the normal passing through the center of the circle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for determining the axis of rotation of a rotatable table in a multiple coordinate measuring instrument equipped with at least one tracer, comprising the steps of: arranging a spatial contact surface excentrically to the axis of rotation of the rotatable table; determining the position of a point associated with the contact surface, in the coordinate system of the multiple coordinate measuring instrument by contacting the contact surface with the tracer; repeating the determination of the position of said point in at least two additional different angular positions of the rotatable table; determining the direction of the normal to a plane which contains the points determined in the at least three angular positions of the rotatable table; and determining the center of a circle passing through the at least three points, whereby the axis of rotation of the rotatable table is the normal passing through the center of the circle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the position of the point associated with the contact surface is determined by contacting the contact surface at a plurality of points not lying on a single plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the position of the point associated with the contact surface is determined by contacting the contacting surface with a self-centering tracer in a single measuring step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the different angular positions of the rotatable table differ from the initial setting by approximately 120°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface comprises a spherical surface and the point is the center of the sphere.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the self-centering tracer comprises a funnel shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the spatial contact surface is arranged near the periphery of the rotatable table.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface comprises a triple sphere and the point comprises the coordinates of the tracer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface comprises a surface incorporated into the surface of the rotatable table and the point comprises the coordinates of the tracer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
150 words
A multiple coordinate measuring instrument for determining the axis of rotation of a rotatable table in said instrument, said instrument comprising; a base; a support member which slidable on said base along one coordinate direction; a rotatable specimen table mounted on said support member; a spatial contact surface detachably mounted on said table excentrically to the axis of rotation of said table; a bridge member positioned above said base; a tracer mounted on said bridge and extending to a position adjacent said table, said tracer being movable on said bridge along the other two coordinate directions to contact said spatial contact surface at at least three different angular positions of said rotatable table for determining the position of a point associated with said spatial contact surface in said different angular positions; and calibration means for determining the three coordinates of each position of the tracer with respect to said table.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
150 words
A multiple coordinate measuring instrument for determining the axis of rotation of a rotatable table in said instrument, said instrument comprising; a base; a support member which slidable on said base along one coordinate direction; a rotatable specimen table mounted on said support member; a spatial contact surface detachably mounted on said table excentrically to the axis of rotation of said table; a bridge member positioned above said base; a tracer mounted on said bridge and extending to a position adjacent said table, said tracer being movable on said bridge along the other two coordinate directions to contact said spatial contact surface at at least three different angular positions of said rotatable table for determining the position of a point associated with said spatial contact surface in said different angular positions; and calibration means for determining the three coordinates of each position of the tracer with respect to said table.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
An instrument according to claim 10, wherein said contact surface comprises a spherical surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An instrument according to claim 11, wherein said tracer comprises a funnel shape large enough to accommodate said spherical surface therein, whereby the tracer will self-center when contacted with said spherical surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
An instrument according to claim 10, wherein said contact surface comprises a triple where.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instrument according to claim 10, wherein said contact surface is mounted near the periphery of said table.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An instrument according to claim 11 wherein said tracer is constructed to contact said contact surface at at least four points in each angular position of said rotatable table.
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) | 1986-01-24 | 1986-07-26 | 1987-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-24 | 1990-07-26 | 1991-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-24 | 1994-07-26 | 1995-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |