US4532014A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Laser alignment system
Assignee: Gould Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1984-11-13
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Granted: 1985-07-30
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Expires: 2004-11-13
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a system for aligning a plurality of rollers in a metal or metal alloy foil production line. The alignment system comprises a reference frame having a longitudinal dimension parallel to the direction of foil travel through the production line and an optical alignment system movably mounted to the frame. The optical alignment system comprises a laser beam generator, beam splitters and a mirror for generating an orthogonal reference frame for aligning each foil contacting roller in the production line.
Inventors
- 👤 Ned W. Polan
- 👤 Raymond J. Smialek
- 👤 Arvind Parthasarathi
- 👤 Peter E. Sevier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:06
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D1/00; C25D1/04; C25D7/00; C25D7/06; C25D7/0614; H; H05; H05K; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/03; H05K2201/0332; H05K2201/0335; H05K2201/0355; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/03; H05K2203/0307; H05K2203/0392; H05K2203/07; H05K2203/0703; H05K2203/0723
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for aligning a plurality of rollers in a metal or metal alloy foil production line, said system comprising: a reference frame having a longitudinal dimension parallel to the direction of travel of the foil through said foil production line; and means mounted to said frame for optically aligning the rotational axis of each said roller in a first plane transverse to said longitudinal dimension and for optically aligning each roller in a second plane parallel to said longitudinal dimension and perpendicular to said first plane.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for aligning a plurality of rollers in a metal or metal alloy foil production line, said system comprising: a reference frame having a longitudinal dimension parallel to the direction of travel of the foil through said foil production line; and means mounted to said frame for optically aligning the rotational axis of each said roller in a first plane transverse to said longitudinal dimension and for optically aligning each roller in a second plane parallel to said longitudinal dimension and perpendicular to said first plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: a support structure mounted to said frame; and said optical alignment means being mounted to said support structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said optical alignment means comprises: a light beam generator mounted to said support structure for generating a light beam parallel to said longitudinal dimension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said optical alignment means further comprises: means for splitting the generated light beam into a first beam parallel to said longitudinal dimension and a second beam perpendicular to said first beam; and said first beam forming a reference beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said optical alignment means further comprises: means for forming a third light beam parallel to said reference beam, said third light beam forming means comprising means for redirecting a first portion of said second beam along an axis perpendicular to said second beam and parallel to said reference beam; and said third light beam being used to align each said roller in said second plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 5 further comprising: means for forming a fourth light beam mutually perpendicular to said reference beam and said second beam, said fourth light beam forming means comprising means for redirecting a second portion of said second beam; and said fourth light beam being used to align the axis of rotation of each said roller in said first plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 6 further comprising: a support arm mounted to said support structure; and said third beam and fourth beam forming means being slidably mounted to said support arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 7 wherein: said third beam forming means comprises a beam splitter for redirecting said first portion of said second beam and for permitting said second portion of said second beam to pass through undeflected; and said fourth beam forming means comprises a mirror for reflecting said second portion of said second beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 3 wherein; said light beam generator comprises a laser beam generator; and said support structure comprises a trolley movably mounted to said frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: said production line comprises a plurality of treatment tanks through which said foil passes; each of said treatment tanks having at least one roller contacting said foil; and said optical alignment means being moved along said frame to align each of said rollers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process for aligning a plurality of rollers in a metal or metal alloy foil production line, said process comprising: providing a reference frame having a longitudinal dimension parallel to the direction of travel of said foil through said production line; optically aligning the rotational axis of each said roller in a first plane transverse to said longitudinal dimension; and optically aligning each roller in a second plane parallel to said longitudinal dimension and perpendicular to said first plane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process for aligning a plurality of rollers in a metal or metal alloy foil production line, said process comprising: providing a reference frame having a longitudinal dimension parallel to the direction of travel of said foil through said production line; optically aligning the rotational axis of each said roller in a first plane transverse to said longitudinal dimension; and optically aligning each roller in a second plane parallel to said longitudinal dimension and perpendicular to said first plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 11 further comprising: generating a light beam parallel to said longitudinal dimension.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 12 further comprising: splitting said generated light beam into a first beam parallel to said longitudinal dimension and a second beam perpendicular to said first beam, said first beam acting as a reference beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said roller aligning step comprises: forming a third beam parallel to said reference beam by redirecting a first portion of said second beam along an axis perpendicular to said second beam and parallel to said reference beam; and aligning a sidewall of each said roller with said third beam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said rotation axis aligning step comprises: forming a fourth beam mutually perpendicular to said reference beam and said second beam by redirecting a second portion of said second beam along an axis mutually perpendicular to the reference beam and said second beam; focusing said fourth beam on an axle of each said roller; and aligning said axle with said fourth beam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 15 further comprising: providing a movable support structure on said frame; mounting said light beam generator to said movable structure; and moving said light beam generator along said frame to align said rollers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
The process of claim 6 further comprising: providing a support arm mounted to said support structure perpendicular to said longitudinal dimension; providing means for forming said third and fourth light beams slidably mounted to said arm; and moving said third and fourth light beam forming means along said arm to align said rollers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 12 wherein said light beam generating step comprises generating a laser beam parallel to said longitudinal dimension.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-29 | 1989-01-28 | 1989-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-29 | 1993-01-28 | 1993-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-29 | 1997-01-28 | 1997-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |