Patent US5714762A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5714762A
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Determination of the surface properties of an object
Assignee: Sellafield Ltd
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Filing: 1994-11-08
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Granted: 1998-02-03
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Expires: 2014-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for the determination of the surface properties of an object which comprises irradiating the surface of interest with an incident beam of radiation from an optical source, detecting by a detector radiation from the beam scattered by the surface, the detector being located at a predetermined position relative to the surface and the optical source and digitizing and analyzing the image detected by the detector, wherein the incident beam has in cross-section a two dimensional envelope and within the envelope an intensity structure which has multiple edges running in more than one direction which provide information about components of the structure of the beam and the analysis of the image is a two dimensional analysis of the intensity shape and structure of the scattered radiation to provide information about the manner in which the incident beam intensity shape and structure has been changed by scattering at the surface of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Lin Li
- 👤 William Maxwell Steen
- 👤 Peter Julian Modern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/24; G01B11/25; G01B11/2513; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/50; G06T7/521
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for the determination of the surface properties of an object which method comprises: irradiating the surface of interest with an incident beam of radiation from the optical source, detecting by a detector radiation from said beam scattered by the surface, the detector being located at a predetermined position relative to the surface and the optical source; and digitizing and analyzing the image detected by the detector, wherein the incident beam has in two dimensional cross-section an intensity distribution which has at least two non-parallel intensity distribution edges, each edge including an intensity change across the edge, the analysis of the image comprising a two dimensional analysis of intensity shape and structure of the scattered radiation to provide information about the manner in which the incident beam intensity shape and structure has been changed by scattering at the surface of the object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for the determination of the surface properties of an object which method comprises: irradiating the surface of interest with an incident beam of radiation from the optical source, detecting by a detector radiation from said beam scattered by the surface, the detector being located at a predetermined position relative to the surface and the optical source; and digitizing and analyzing the image detected by the detector, wherein the incident beam has in two dimensional cross-section an intensity distribution which has at least two non-parallel intensity distribution edges, each edge including an intensity change across the edge, the analysis of the image comprising a two dimensional analysis of intensity shape and structure of the scattered radiation to provide information about the manner in which the incident beam intensity shape and structure has been changed by scattering at the surface of the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the incident beam comprises a laser beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the beam shape and structure comprises a two dimensional region which includes at least one of a cross, a cross in a circle, a cross in a rectangle, a multirectangular grid, multiple small circles in a larger circle, and concentric circles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the beam produced by the optical source is passed through one of a beam expander and beam diffuser/integrator as well as an aperture imposing said intensity distribution upon the cross-sectional structure of the beam, which constitutes said incident beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the detector means for detecting scattered radiation comprises a video camera system or other two-dimensional photodetector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the incident beam directed at the surface of the object is applied in pulses by application of a control waveform to the power supplied to the optical source, the image signal produced by the detector being referenced to a corresponding reference waveform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein radiation scattered by said surface is passed through an optical filter prior to detection by the detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the steps of: thermally treating said object to form a meltpool or hot spot; and detecting radiation radiated by the meltpool or hot spot by means of a detector to form an image of the meltpool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein signals produced by detection, digitization and analysis of the image of the scattered radiation are applied to a robotic device or manipulator arranged to carry out operations on the object or on a means to treat the object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the object being investigated is part of a nuclear plant which is being serviced, repaired or decommissioned in a remotely controlled environment.
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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) | 2001-02-02 | 2001-08-04 | 2002-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-02 | 2005-08-04 | 2006-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-02 | 2009-08-04 | 2010-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |