US4938599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Non-contact optical gauge
Assignee: Contrologic Inc
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Filing: 1988-06-07
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Granted: 1990-07-03
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Expires: 2008-06-07
Abstract
Abstract Non-contact gauges and methods of optical measurement are provided which include storing a signature indicative of an error associated with measuring a known dimension and then determining an unknown dimension in relation to this signature. The novel technique enables low cost production of preferred gauge designs using standard, off the shelf components. The non-contact gauge includes a radiation source directed toward the object to be measured and a scanning device, preferably a rotating drum having small slits disposed therethrough, for producing a signal responsive to an image produced by the radiation source upon the object. The device is capable of having a resolution of about 0.0001 inches and an accuracy of about +/0.00025 inches. The device can include a nuclear radiation source, such as X-ray radiation, for determining wall-thicknesses. The designs disclosed further produce cross-sectional images of solid and hollow objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt A. Goszyk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A non-contact, device for measuring a dimension of an object comprising: (a) storage means for memorizing a signature indicative of an error associated with measuring a known dimension; (b) radiation source means for directing radiation upon said object; (c) scanning means for receiving an image of said object produced by said radiation and for producing a signal responsive to said image, said scanning means comprising rotating drum means having an aperture therein disposed to pass nonlinearly through said image; and (d) processing means for receiving said signal from said scanning means and for producing at least an output which is indicative of the dimension of said object, said processing means determining said output in relation to said signature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A non-contact, device for measuring a dimension of an object comprising: (a) storage means for memorizing a signature indicative of an error associated with measuring a known dimension; (b) radiation source means for directing radiation upon said object; (c) scanning means for receiving an image of said object produced by said radiation and for producing a signal responsive to said image, said scanning means comprising rotating drum means having an aperture therein disposed to pass nonlinearly through said image; and (d) processing means for receiving said signal from said scanning means and for producing at least an output which is indicative of the dimension of said object, said processing means determining said output in relation to said signature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said radiation source means comprises means for generating light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said radiation source means comprises means for generating laser light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said radiation source means comprises means for generating X-rays.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said radiation source means comprises means for generating infrared light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said radiation source means comprises a light-emitting-diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said radiation source means comprises collimation means for collimating said radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said collimation means comprises condensing means for condensing said radiation produced by said radiation source means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said condensing means comprises a plurality of condensing lenses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said condensing means further comprises an objective lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said scanning means comprises a vertically rotating drum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said vertically rotating drum comprises a horizontal slit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said scanning means further comprises a focusing lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said vertical rotating drum comprises two slits placed approximately opposite each other on said vertically rotating drum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 14 wherein each of said slits is angled with respect to an axis of rotation of said vertically rotating drum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 15 wherein each of said slits is angularly disposed in an opposite direction to the other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 16 wherein said slits are placed 180° apart on said drum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said scanning means further comprises receiver means for receiving radiation transmitted through said scanning means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 19 wherein said receiver means comprises a photodetector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 19 wherein said photodetector comprises an infrared sensor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 18 wherein said processing means comprises means for determining an off versus on time relationship of said receiver means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said processing means comprises means for correcting said output in response to a misalignment within said device of greater than about 0.001 inches.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said processing means comprises means for correcting said output in response to a misalignment in said device of greater than about 0.05 inches.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said processing means comprises means for correcting said output in response to a misalignment in said device of greater than about 0.250 inches.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said processing means comprises means for averaging a plurality of light intensity readings.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said processing means comprises means for correcting said output for imperfect collimation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said processing means comprises means for correcting said output by comparing said output to a signature signal compensated for at least one of optical, mechanical or electrical errors.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said processing means comprises means for correcting said output for a vertical displacement of said object within said device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said processing means comprises means for correcting said output for a horizontal displacement of said object within said device.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for measuring a dimension of an object, comprising: (a) memorizing a signature indicative of an error associated with measuring a known dimension; (b) directing radiation upon said object; (c) non-linearly scanning said image of said object produced by said radiation with a rotating drum means to provide a plurality of scanned readings; (d) providing a signal responsive to said scanned readings; and (e) processing said signal from said providing step (d) to provide at least an output which is indicative of the dimension of said object, said processing step (d) determining said output in relation to said signature.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for measuring a dimension of an object, comprising: (a) memorizing a signature indicative of an error associated with measuring a known dimension; (b) directing radiation upon said object; (c) non-linearly scanning said image of said object produced by said radiation with a rotating drum means to provide a plurality of scanned readings; (d) providing a signal responsive to said scanned readings; and (e) processing said signal from said providing step (d) to provide at least an output which is indicative of the dimension of said object, said processing step (d) determining said output in relation to said signature.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said scanning step (c) comprises providing a vertically rotating drum having an aperture therethrough.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said scanning step (c) comprises disposing said image and a portion of said radiation upon said vertically rotating drum.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said scanning step (c) comprises providing a vertically rotating drum having two slits located approximately opposite each other on said vertically rotating drum.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said providing step (d) comprises providing a photodetector for converting at least a portion of said radiation into an output signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 34, wherein the step of processing (e) comprises determining an off versus on time relationship of said photodetector.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the step of processing (e) comprises comparing said output with a signature signal compensated for at least one of optical, mechanical or electrical errors.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said processing step (e) further comprises correcting said output of said processing step in response to an error in alignment of greater than about 0.001 inches.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the step of processing further comprises correcting said output of said processing step in response to an error in alignment of greater than about 0.05 inches.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the step of processing further comprises correcting said output in response to an error in alignment of greater than about 0.25 inches.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 30 comprising collimating said radiation and, correcting said output of said processing step (e) for imperfect collimation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said step of processing (e) further comprises correcting said output for a vertical displacement of said object during said scanning step (c).
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said step of processing (e) further comprises correcting said output for a horizontal displacement of said object during said scanning step (c).
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 34 comprising providing a plurality of radiation intensity readings with said photodetector and averaging said radiation intensity readings.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said step of directing step (b) disposes X-ray radiation upon said object.
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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) | 1993-07-02 | 1994-01-01 | 1994-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-02 | 1998-01-01 | 1998-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-02 | 2002-01-01 | 2002-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |