US5209131A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metrology
Assignee: Taylor Hobson Ltd
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Filing: 1990-10-12
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Granted: 1993-05-11
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Expires: 2010-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A multiaxis measuring probe 10 for continuous measurement of workpieces (e.g. roundness, other form, or size measurment) has in one embodiment a stylus 50 suspended by resilient forces acting in opposition so as to determine an equilibrium rest position. This appears to improve the dynamic response/accuracy trade-off of the probe. The resilient forces are preferably provided by a diaphragm spring 40,140,210 and one or more opposing springs 80A,80B,180,214. The stylus 50 is preferably held magnetically to a stylus mount 34,134,206,208 via precision bearings, and the resilient forces act on the stylus mount. During calibration, a series of probe data is gathered from probe/sensor output signals at given positions of the probe along curved paths. A corresponding series of positional data for the given positions is gathered independently of the probe. A correlation is made between the probe data and the positional data so as to obtain calibration parameters for correction of measurement signals. These calibration parameters are stored with a measurement expression for later use with probe output signals to obtain corrected measurement signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Iain K. Baxter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/004; G01B7/008; G01B7/012; G01B3/00; G01B3/002; G01B3/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A probe for measuring workpieces, the probe having a longitudinal Z axis and comprising a body and a stylus or stylus mount having a rest position relative to the body defined by the equilibrium between a plurality of restoring forces the magnitude of at least one of which: (a) varies with the displacement of the stylus or stylus mount; and (b) is provided by a diaphragm spring, such that movement of the stylus or stylus mount in the Z axis direction changes the degree to which the diaphragm spring has a conical shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A probe for measuring workpieces, the probe having a longitudinal Z axis and comprising a body and a stylus or stylus mount having a rest position relative to the body defined by the equilibrium between a plurality of restoring forces the magnitude of at least one of which: (a) varies with the displacement of the stylus or stylus mount; and (b) is provided by a diaphragm spring, such that movement of the stylus or stylus mount in the Z axis direction changes the degree to which the diaphragm spring has a conical shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A probe according to claim 1 in which the magnitude of a plurality of said restoring forces varies with displacement of the stylus or stylus mount.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A probe according to claim 2 comprising a resilient member, the diaphragm spring acting on said stylus or stylus mount in a first direction and the resilient member acting on said stylus or stylus mount in a second direction opposing the first.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A probe according to claim 3 in which the second member is a compression spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A probe according to claim 3 which further comprises one or more further resilient members, each acting on the stylus or stylus mount in a direction opposing the first direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A probe according to claim 3 in which the first and second directions are substantially anti-parallel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A probe according to claim 3 in which the resilient member comprises a substantially sheet-like member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A probe according to claim 7 in which the resilient member comprises one or more leaf spring portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A probe according to claim 7 in which the resilient member acts on the body or on the stylus or stylus mount through one or more tension members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A probe according to claim 1 in which the diaphragm spring is oriented in a plane substantially transverse to the Z axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A probe according to claim 10 in which the diaphragm spring is stressed to a substantially conical shape when the stylus or stylus mount is in its said rest position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A probe according to claim 2 comprising a resilient member having a first part which provides said diaphragm spring and acts on said stylus or stylus mount in a first direction and a second part which acts on said stylus or stylus mount in a second direction opposing the first.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A probe according to claim 12 in which the first and second directions are substantially anti-parallel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A probe according to claim 1 in which the gauging force in the Z axis direction is at least an order of magnitude greater than the gauging force in the plane transverse to the Z axis direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
155 words
A measuring probe having a longitudinal Z axis and comprising: a body; a stylus or stylus mount; a first restoring means supporting the stylus or stylus mount relative to the body for movement through a measuring range and applying a first restoring force between the body and the stylus or stylus mount; second restoring means acting on the body and the stylus or stylus mount and applying a second restoring force therebetween opposing the first restoring force; at least one transducer providing an output in accordance with the position or movement of the stylus or stylus mount; the first and second restoring means providing the first and second restoring forces in opposition to each other throughout the said measuring range; and the first restoring means comprising a diaphragm spring, such that movement of the stylus or stylus mount in the Z axis direction changes the degree to which the diaphragm spring has a conical shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
155 words
A measuring probe having a longitudinal Z axis and comprising: a body; a stylus or stylus mount; a first restoring means supporting the stylus or stylus mount relative to the body for movement through a measuring range and applying a first restoring force between the body and the stylus or stylus mount; second restoring means acting on the body and the stylus or stylus mount and applying a second restoring force therebetween opposing the first restoring force; at least one transducer providing an output in accordance with the position or movement of the stylus or stylus mount; the first and second restoring means providing the first and second restoring forces in opposition to each other throughout the said measuring range; and the first restoring means comprising a diaphragm spring, such that movement of the stylus or stylus mount in the Z axis direction changes the degree to which the diaphragm spring has a conical shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A probe according to claim 15 in which all the connections between the body and the stylus or stylus mount are flexible.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A probe according to claim 15 in which the first and second restoring means comprise parts of a common member.
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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) | 1996-05-10 | 1996-11-09 | 1997-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-10 | 2000-11-09 | 2001-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-10 | 2004-11-09 | 2005-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |