US5412880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of constructing a 3-dimensional map of a measurable quantity using three dimensional coordinate measuring apparatus
Assignee: Xenon Research Inc
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Filing: 1993-08-26
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Granted: 1995-05-09
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Expires: 2013-08-26
Abstract
Abstract A novel, portable coordinate measuring machine comprises a multi-jointed (preferably six joints) manually positionable measuring arm for accurately and easily measuring a volume, which in a preferred embodiment, comprises a sphere ranging from six to eight feet in diameter and a measuring accuracy of 2 Sigma±0.005 inch. (It will be appreciated that "Sigma" means "one standard deviation".) In addition to the measuring arm, the present invention employs a controller (or serial box) which acts as the electronic interface between the arm and a host computer. The coordinate measuring machine of this invention is particularly useful in a novel method for constructing a 3-dimensional map of a measurable quantity (such as temperature, coating, thickness, density or the like) using an independent transducer located at the end of the measuring arm.
Inventors
- 👤 Simon Raab
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/004; G01B5/008; G01B21/00; G01B21/02; G01B21/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for generating a 3-dimensional map of a measurable quantity including the steps of: (1) scanning at least a portion of an item to be measured with a passive coordinate measuring machine having a measuring arm with at least three degrees of freedom, said measuring arm being capable of measuring dimensional measurements including at least one of (a) position and (b) orientation, said measuring arm having attached thereto a transducer capable of measuring a selected measurable quantity, said measuring by said transducer being independent of said dimensional measurements by said arm; (2) generating measurement signals from the transducer related to the selected measurable quantity and associating the signals with at least one of the dimensional measurements of (a) position and (b) orientation as measured by said measuring arm; and (3) generating a 3-dimensional map of the portion of the item measured which displays the selected measurable quantity measured by the transducer with respect to at least one of its (a) position and (b) orientation in the item as measured by the measuring arm.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for generating a 3-dimensional map of a measurable quantity including the steps of: (1) scanning at least a portion of an item to be measured with a passive coordinate measuring machine having a measuring arm with at least three degrees of freedom, said measuring arm being capable of measuring dimensional measurements including at least one of (a) position and (b) orientation, said measuring arm having attached thereto a transducer capable of measuring a selected measurable quantity, said measuring by said transducer being independent of said dimensional measurements by said arm; (2) generating measurement signals from the transducer related to the selected measurable quantity and associating the signals with at least one of the dimensional measurements of (a) position and (b) orientation as measured by said measuring arm; and (3) generating a 3-dimensional map of the portion of the item measured which displays the selected measurable quantity measured by the transducer with respect to at least one of its (a) position and (b) orientation in the item as measured by the measuring arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said coordinate measuring machine includes at least five degrees of freedom and signals from the transducer are generated for both position and orientation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said transducer is positioned at an end of the measuring arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said measurable quantity is selected from quantities consisting of temperature, pressure, coating thickness, hardness, density color, bonding and surface roughness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said transducer is selected from the group consisting of pressure, temperature, ultrasonic, colorimeter, surface roughness and hardness tester.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
A graphical display generated by the method of claim 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
116 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said CMM comprises: a movable arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including plurality of joints with each joint corresponding to a degree of freedom such that said arm is movable within a selected volume, each of said joints comprising a rotational transfer housing for housing position transducer means, said transducer means producing a position signal; a support base attached to said first end of said movable arm; a probe attached to said second end of said movable arm; and electronic circuit means for receiving said position signals from said transducer means and providing a digital coordinate corresponding to the position of said probe in a selected volume.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 7 where said transfer housing further includes: a carrier having a shaft extending therefrom; a casing having an opening therethrough for receiving said shaft of said carrier; and roller bearing means on said shaft within said opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 7 including: a discrete serial box communicating with said arm and including at least a portion of said electronic circuit means, said serial box including microprocessor means for preprocessing position data prior to transfer of said position data to a host computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein: each of said rotational transfer housings have a modular, interchangeable configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 wherein: said arm is comprised of substantially the same material to maintain a substantially consistent coefficient of thermal expansion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said arm includes wiring and wherein: said wiring is integral to said arm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said probe includes: option port means for attachment to said transducer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for generating a 3-dimensional map of a measurable quantity including the steps of: (1) scanning at least a portion of an item to be measured with a passive coordinate measuring machine having a measuring arm with at least three degrees of freedom, said measuring arm being capable of measuring dimensional measurements including at least one of (a) position and (b) orientation, said measuring arm having attached thereto a transducer capable of measuring a selected measurable non-dimensional quantity, said measuring by said transducer being independent of said dimensional measurements by said arm; (2) generating measurement signals from the transducer related to the selected non-dimensional quantity and associating the signals with at least one of the dimensional measurements of (a) position and (b) orientation as measured by said measuring arm; and (3) generating a 3-dimensional map of the portion of the item measured which displays the selected measurable non-dimensional quantity measured by the transducer with respect to at least one of its (a) position and (b) orientation in the item as measured by the measuring arm.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for generating a 3-dimensional map of a measurable quantity including the steps of: (1) scanning at least a portion of an item to be measured with a passive coordinate measuring machine having a measuring arm with at least three degrees of freedom, said measuring arm being capable of measuring dimensional measurements including at least one of (a) position and (b) orientation, said measuring arm having attached thereto a transducer capable of measuring a selected measurable non-dimensional quantity, said measuring by said transducer being independent of said dimensional measurements by said arm; (2) generating measurement signals from the transducer related to the selected non-dimensional quantity and associating the signals with at least one of the dimensional measurements of (a) position and (b) orientation as measured by said measuring arm; and (3) generating a 3-dimensional map of the portion of the item measured which displays the selected measurable non-dimensional quantity measured by the transducer with respect to at least one of its (a) position and (b) orientation in the item as measured by the measuring arm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14 wherein: said coordinate measuring machine includes at least five degrees of freedom and signals from the transducer are generated for both position and orientation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14 wherein: said transducer is positioned at an end of the measuring arm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said measurable non-dimensional quantity is selected from quantities consisting of temperature, pressure, coating thickness, hardness, density color and bonding.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said transducer is selected from the group consisting of pressure, temperature, ultrasonic, colorimeter, and hardness tester.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
10 words
A graphical display generated by the method of claim 14.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
116 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said CMM comprises: a movable arm having opposed first and second ends, said arm including plurality of joints with each joint corresponding to a degree of freedom such that said arm is movable within a selected volume, each of said joints comprising a rotational transfer housing for housing position transducer means, said transducer means producing a position signal; a support base attached to said first end of said movable arm; a probe attached to said second end of said movable arm; and electronic circuit means for receiving said position signals from said transducer means and providing a digital coordinate corresponding to the position of said probe in a selected volume.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said probe includes: option port means for attachment to said transducer.
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