← Back to Patent Explorer
US4381152A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Dimension measuring apparatus

Assignee: IHO Holding GmbH and Co KG
•
Filing: 1980-05-20
•
Granted: 1983-04-26
•
Expires: 2000-05-20
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A width gauge for measuring the width of self-radiating (i.e. hot) rolled material comprises a camera containing two linear arrays of photodiodes, the camera being arranged to produce on each array an image of a respective one of the edges of the material. To avoid problems in detecting the edges caused by dark spots which may be produced on the material by slag or uneven cooling, both arrays are scanned from the less illuminated end of the array to the more illuminated end. Other embodiments employ multi-camera arrangements to improve accuracy and/or correct errors due to changes in the position of the material, and a further embodiment employs a monochromatic light source to back-light the material and a filter in the camera matched to the light source.

Inventors

  • 👤 Volker Riech
  • 👤 Dietrich Sorgenicht

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 04:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/02; G01B11/04; G01B11/024

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 146 words
Apparatus for measuring the distance between two opposite edges of a luminous object, the apparatus comprising first and second cameras arranged to be disposed, in use, on opposite sides of the object with their optical axes substantially aligned and substantially perpendicular to the distance to be measured, each camera containing a respective row of photosensitive devices on which the camera produces, in use, an image of a respective one of said edges, the rows of devices being symmetrically disposed on each side of the common optical axis, and each row of devices being associated with scanning means capable of scanning the devices from the end of the row remote from the common optical axis to the end of the row nearer to the common optical axis, to determine the position therealong of said image and thereby determine the position of the corresponding edge of the object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 146 words
Apparatus for measuring the distance between two opposite edges of a luminous object, the apparatus comprising first and second cameras arranged to be disposed, in use, on opposite sides of the object with their optical axes substantially aligned and substantially perpendicular to the distance to be measured, each camera containing a respective row of photosensitive devices on which the camera produces, in use, an image of a respective one of said edges, the rows of devices being symmetrically disposed on each side of the common optical axis, and each row of devices being associated with scanning means capable of scanning the devices from the end of the row remote from the common optical axis to the end of the row nearer to the common optical axis, to determine the position therealong of said image and thereby determine the position of the corresponding edge of the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 48 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising comparison means for comparing the value of the signals produced by the illuminated devices of one of the cameras with a reference level and for adjusting the exposure time of both rows in dependence upon the result of said comparison.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 73 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising third and fourth cameras similar to the first and second cameras and also arranged to be disposed, in use, on opposite sides of the object with their optical axes substantially aligned, the common optical axis of the third and fourth cameras being substantially perpendicular to the common axis of the first and second cameras and substantially parallel to the distance to be measured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 169 words
Apparatus for sensing the position of the edge of an object which may emit light, the apparatus comprising a camera containing a row of photosensitive devices on which the camera produces, in use, an image of said edge, and means for scanning the row of devices to determine the position therealong of said image and thereby determine the position of said edge, further comprising a substantially monochromatic light source disposed on the opposite side of the object to the camera, said light source comprising a low-pressure sodium-vapor lamp, and an optical band pass filter of the narrow-band, interference type disposed between the object and the camera, and arranged preferentially to transmit light of the wavelength produced by the light source, and wherein the low-pressure sodium-vapor lamp is adapted to be energized by the normal alternating mains supply voltage, and the scanning means is arranged to scan the row of devices at intervals of approximately T seconds, where T is half the period of said normal alternating mains supply voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 169 words
Apparatus for sensing the position of the edge of an object which may emit light, the apparatus comprising a camera containing a row of photosensitive devices on which the camera produces, in use, an image of said edge, and means for scanning the row of devices to determine the position therealong of said image and thereby determine the position of said edge, further comprising a substantially monochromatic light source disposed on the opposite side of the object to the camera, said light source comprising a low-pressure sodium-vapor lamp, and an optical band pass filter of the narrow-band, interference type disposed between the object and the camera, and arranged preferentially to transmit light of the wavelength produced by the light source, and wherein the low-pressure sodium-vapor lamp is adapted to be energized by the normal alternating mains supply voltage, and the scanning means is arranged to scan the row of devices at intervals of approximately T seconds, where T is half the period of said normal alternating mains supply voltage.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

DE1084035B Cited
US3187185A Cited
US3565531A Cited
DE2104893A1 Cited
DE2127751C3 Cited
DE2140939A1 Cited
US3874798A Cited
US3947129A Cited
US4067652A Cited
DE2819395C2 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-04-25 1986-10-25 1987-04-26 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-04-25 1990-10-25 1991-04-26 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-04-25 1994-10-25 1995-04-26 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag