US5604593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interferometer position measurement system with extensible legs
Assignee: Renishaw PLC
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Filing: 1994-11-25
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Granted: 1997-02-18
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Expires: 2014-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A hexapod machine comprises a fixed structure (10,11) and a movable structure (14,15). Six extensible legs (18) are connected between the fixed and movable structures, and their lengths determine the relative position and orientation of the structures. The lengths of the legs are measured by respective laser interferometers (60,62). To increase the accuracy of the measurement, a retroreflector (62) of the interferometer is directly mounted to and fast with one of the structures (14,15).
Inventors
- 👤 David R. McMurtry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:57
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/08; G09B9/12; G09B9/14; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/002; G01B11/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/30; Y10T409/306216; Y10T409/306384; Y10T409/30644; Y10T409/309576
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A machine comprising: two support structures which are movable in three dimensions relative to each other; a plurality of extensible legs connected between the support structures, a position and an orientation in said three dimensions of one support structure relative to the other being defined by the relative lengths of the extensible legs; a plurality of interferometers acting between the support structures, each comprising a light emitting unit associated with one support structure and a reflector associated with the other support structure, wherein the reflector is rigidly mounted on its associated support structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A machine comprising: two support structures which are movable in three dimensions relative to each other; a plurality of extensible legs connected between the support structures, a position and an orientation in said three dimensions of one support structure relative to the other being defined by the relative lengths of the extensible legs; a plurality of interferometers acting between the support structures, each comprising a light emitting unit associated with one support structure and a reflector associated with the other support structure, wherein the reflector is rigidly mounted on its associated support structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit of at least one of the interferometers is directed towards the corresponding reflector by a mechanical linkage connected to one of the extensible legs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit of at least one of the interferometers is directed towards the corresponding reflector by a mechanical linkage, the linkage forming an extensible leg which is connected between the support structures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A machine according to claim 3, wherein the extensible leg which forms said linkage is a powered ram.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine according to claim 3, wherein the extensible leg which forms said linkage is provided in tandem with a powered ram.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine according to claim 3, wherein the extensible leg which forms said linkage has a pivotable bearing which connects it to one of the support structures, the reflector being provided within the pivotable bearing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is a retroreflector which directs a light beam from the light emitting unit back towards the light emitting unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
A machine comprising: two support structures which are movable relative to each other; a plurality of extensible legs connected between the support structures, a position and an orientation of one support structure relative to the other being defined by the relative lengths of the extensible legs; a plurality of interferometers acting between the support structures, each comprising a light emitting unit associated with one support structure and a reflector associated with the other support structure, wherein the reflector is rigidly mounted on its associated support structure, and wherein the light emitting unit of at least one of the interferometers is directed towards the corresponding reflector by a mechanical linkage connected to one of the extensible legs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
A machine comprising: two support structures which are movable relative to each other; a plurality of extensible legs connected between the support structures, a position and an orientation of one support structure relative to the other being defined by the relative lengths of the extensible legs; a plurality of interferometers acting between the support structures, each comprising a light emitting unit associated with one support structure and a reflector associated with the other support structure, wherein the reflector is rigidly mounted on its associated support structure, and wherein the light emitting unit of at least one of the interferometers is directed towards the corresponding reflector by a mechanical linkage connected to one of the extensible legs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
A machine comprising: two support structures which are movable relative to each other; a plurality of extensible legs connected between the support structures, a position and an orientation of one support structure relative to the other being defined by the relative lengths of the extensible legs; a plurality of interferometers acting between the support structures, each comprising a light emitting unit associated with one support structure and a reflector associated with the other support structure, wherein the reflector is rigidly mounted on its associated support structure, and wherein the light emitting unit of at least one of the interferometers is directed towards the corresponding reflector by a mechanical linkage, the linkage forming an extensible leg which is connected between the support structures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
A machine comprising: two support structures which are movable relative to each other; a plurality of extensible legs connected between the support structures, a position and an orientation of one support structure relative to the other being defined by the relative lengths of the extensible legs; a plurality of interferometers acting between the support structures, each comprising a light emitting unit associated with one support structure and a reflector associated with the other support structure, wherein the reflector is rigidly mounted on its associated support structure, and wherein the light emitting unit of at least one of the interferometers is directed towards the corresponding reflector by a mechanical linkage, the linkage forming an extensible leg which is connected between the support structures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A machine according to claim 9, wherein the extensible leg which forms said linkage is a powered ram.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine according to claim 9, wherein the extensible leg which forms said linkage is provided in tandem with a powered ram.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A machine according to claim 9, wherein the extensible leg which forms said linkage has a pivotable bearing which connects it to one of the support structures, the reflector being provided within the pivotable bearing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A machine according to claim 9, wherein the reflector is a retro-reflector which directs a light beam from the light emitting unit back towards the light emitting unit.
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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) | 2000-02-18 | 2000-08-19 | 2001-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-18 | 2004-08-19 | 2005-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-18 | 2008-08-19 | 2009-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |