US4900146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple channel optical flying spot triangulation ranger system
Assignee: Lincoln Electric Co
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Filing: 1988-03-18
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Granted: 1990-02-13
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Expires: 2008-03-18
Abstract
Abstract Multiple light detection channels are introduced into a flying spot optical triangulation ranging system to increase the speed of acquiring range values. A laser beam is rapidly swept across a surface by a beam deflector. Each fiber optic channel can receive light only from a different point along a line at the intersection of the swept beam with the surface. The receiver channels are duplicated and separate detectors generate signal pulses at times that are a function of range to the surface. These are processed in parallel to calculate N range values per beam sweep, where N is the number of channels.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl M. Penney
- 👤 Nelson R. Corby Jr.
- 👤 Nancy H. Irwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/02; G01C9/06; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/46; G01S17/48; G01S17/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An improved swept aperture flying spot triangulation ranger system comprising: means for providing a narrow spot of light beam and rapidly sweeping said beam across a surface in a given direction; multiple adjacent linearly arrayed light detection channels optically coupled to separate detectors, one detector per channel, each of said channels having a rectangular entry face, lens means for focusing images of a light spot onto said detection channels entry faces, which respectively receive light scattered from the surface at different rectangular sensitive zones along a line that forms the intersection of said light beam with said surface, and aperture stop means disposed between said lens means and said detection channels having a rectangular slit; said detectors each generating a signal pulse at a time that is a function of range to the surface so that for every sweep of said light beam a plurality of range points are measured equal to the number of said detection channels; and means for parallel processing said signal pulses and calculating multiple range values.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
An improved swept aperture flying spot triangulation ranger system comprising: means for providing a narrow spot of light beam and rapidly sweeping said beam across a surface in a given direction; multiple adjacent linearly arrayed light detection channels optically coupled to separate detectors, one detector per channel, each of said channels having a rectangular entry face, lens means for focusing images of a light spot onto said detection channels entry faces, which respectively receive light scattered from the surface at different rectangular sensitive zones along a line that forms the intersection of said light beam with said surface, and aperture stop means disposed between said lens means and said detection channels having a rectangular slit; said detectors each generating a signal pulse at a time that is a function of range to the surface so that for every sweep of said light beam a plurality of range points are measured equal to the number of said detection channels; and means for parallel processing said signal pulses and calculating multiple range values.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ranger system of claim 1 wherein said light detection channels are comprised of separate noncoherent fiber optic bundles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The range system of claim 1 wherein said light detection channels are separated by opaque barriers and are solid glass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ranger system of claim 1 wherein the number of said light detection channels is about ten to twenty.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The ranger system of claim 1 wherein said detectors are photomultipliers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The ranger system of claim 1 further comprising mirror means for scanning said light beam in a direction orthogonal to said given direction following every beam sweep and successively measuring other sets of range points, and calculating range values on a strip of said surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
170 words
A multiple channel swept aperture flying spot triangulation ranger system comprising: a narrow spot of laser beam source and means for deflecting and sweeping said beam across a surface in an X direction; multiple adjacent linearly arrayed fiber optic light detection channels, each of said channels having a rectangular entry face and receiving light only from a different rectangular sensitive zone along a line that forms the intersection of said laser beam with said surface, and an aperture stop plate disposed between said receiving lens and said fiber optic channels having a rectangular slit to limit passage of light and increase depth of focus; a receiving lens to focus light scattered from the surface onto entrance faces of said detection channels; separate detectors, one detector per channel, sensing the light delivered by said fiber optic channels and generating signal pulses at times related to range to the surface; and means for processing said signal pulses in parallel and calculating multiple range values equal to the number of said detection channels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
A multiple channel swept aperture flying spot triangulation ranger system comprising: a narrow spot of laser beam source and means for deflecting and sweeping said beam across a surface in an X direction; multiple adjacent linearly arrayed fiber optic light detection channels, each of said channels having a rectangular entry face and receiving light only from a different rectangular sensitive zone along a line that forms the intersection of said laser beam with said surface, and an aperture stop plate disposed between said receiving lens and said fiber optic channels having a rectangular slit to limit passage of light and increase depth of focus; a receiving lens to focus light scattered from the surface onto entrance faces of said detection channels; separate detectors, one detector per channel, sensing the light delivered by said fiber optic channels and generating signal pulses at times related to range to the surface; and means for processing said signal pulses in parallel and calculating multiple range values equal to the number of said detection channels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ranger system of claim 7 wherein the number of said fiber optic channels is about ten to twenty.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ranger system of claim 8 further comprising polygonal mirror means to scan said laser beam in the Y-direction in coordination with the X direction sweep.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ranger system of claim 7 wherein said means for deflecting said laser beam is an acousto-optic deflector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The ranger system of claim 7 wherein said detectors are photomultipliers.
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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) | 1993-02-12 | 1993-08-14 | 1994-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-12 | 1997-08-14 | 1998-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-12 | 2001-08-14 | 2002-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |