# US 12,000,964 B2 · Laser tracker calibration system and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,000,964 B2 - Document ID: US12000964B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/353,034 - Filed: 2021-06-21 - Published: 2021-10-07 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-10 - Assignees: Brunson Instrument Company - Applicants: Brunson Instrument Company - Inventors: Mark J. Meuret; Aaron A. Hudlemeyer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12000964B2 ## CPC - G01S 7/497: Means for monitoring or calibrating - G01B 11/002: {for measuring two or more coordinates} - G01B 21/042: {Calibration or calibration artifacts (G01B3/30, G01B9/02072 take precedence)} - G01S 7/481: Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements - G01S 17/66: Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves - F16B 7/0406: {for rods or tubes being coaxial (F16B7/10 takes precedence)} - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract A system and method of calibrating a laser tracker is provided. The system includes a support system for quickly and easily moving an artifact to a desired position and orientation and for holding the artifact in the position and orientation. An adjustable alignment mirror is coupled to a first end of the artifact so that the more accurate ranging system of the laser tracker can be isolated to determine a reference length of the artifact. Additional measurements are then taken to exercise one or more error source within the tracker. The support system includes a positioner and a support beam for positioning and supporting the artifact. The artifact is coupled to the support beam using kinematic clamps that are designed to reduce or eliminate errors associated with over-constraining the artifact. The artifact is movable between a deployed configuration for use and a stowable configuration for ease of storage and transportation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A calibration system for use in calibrating a laser tracker, the system comprising an artifact comprising: a main segment having opposed first and second ends; a first segment extending from said first end of said main segment, wherein said first segment is restrained in six degrees of freedom relative to said main segment when said first segment is in a locked configuration; a first end plate coupled to said first end of said main segment, said first end plate defining first and second receiving apertures; a first protruding member extending from said proximal end of said first segment, said first protruding member of said first segment being configured to be received by said first receiving aperture of said first end plate when said artifact is in a deployed configuration; and a second protruding member extending from said proximal end of said first segment, said second protruding member of said first segment being configured to be received by said second receiving aperture of said first end plate when said artifact is in the deployed configuration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said first protruding member of said first segment defines a lip for catching at least a portion of said first end plate, thereby limiting translation of said first segment relative to said main segment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said second protruding member defines a void for receiving a locking feature when said artifact is in the deployed configuration, thereby moving said first segment to the locked configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein said locking feature is a thumb screw. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said artifact further comprises: a second segment extending from said second end of said main segment; a second end plate coupled to said second end of said main segment, said second end plate defining first and second receiving apertures; a first protruding member extending from a proximal end of said second segment, said first protruding member of said second segment being configured to be received by said first receiving aperture of said second end plate when said artifact is in the deployed configuration; and a second protruding member extending from said proximal end of said second segment, said second protruding member of said second segment being configured to be received by said second receiving aperture of said second end plate when said artifact is in the deployed configuration. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, further comprising a kinematic mounting system for restraining said artifact in six degrees of freedom. ### Claim 7 A calibration system for use in calibrating a laser tracker, the system comprising: an artifact comprising: a main segment having opposed first and second ends; and a first segment extending from said first end of said main segment, wherein said first segment is restrained in six degrees of freedom relative to said main segment when said first segment is in a locked configuration; a kinematic mounting system engaged with said artifact; a support beam engaged with said kinematic mounting system, wherein said kinematic mounting system restrains the artifact in six degrees of freedom relative to said support beam; a positioner assembly engaged with said support beam, said positioner assembly being configured to orient said support beam, thereby orienting said artifact; and a ring brake coupled to said support beam, wherein said positioner comprises a yoke for receiving said ring brake, thereby facilitating engagement of said support beam with said positioner, wherein said ring brake defines a plurality of locating features for haptic feedback and positioning repeatability, and wherein said positioner comprises a plunger that is configured to selectively engage with one or more locating features of said ring brake. ### Claim 8 A method of assembling a calibration system, the system being configured for calibrating a laser tracker, the method comprising: attaching a first segment of the artifact to a first end of the main segment of the artifact, thereby moving the artifact from a stowable configuration towards a deployed configuration; and restraining the first segment in six degrees of freedom relative to said main segment, thereby moving said first segment to a locked configuration, wherein the artifact comprises: a first end plate coupled to the first end of the main segment, the first end plate defining first and second receiving apertures; a first protruding member extending from the proximal end of the first segment, the first protruding member of the first segment being configured to be received by the first receiving aperture of the first end plate when the artifact is in the deployed configuration; and a second protruding member extending from the proximal end of the first segment, the second protruding member of the first segment being configured to be received by the second receiving aperture of the first end plate when the artifact is in the deployed configuration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the first protruding member of the first segment defines a lip for catching at least a portion of the first end plate, thereby limiting the ability of the first segment to translate relative to the main segment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising engaging a locking feature from the second protruding member after attaching the first segment to the main segment, wherein the second protruding member defines a void for receiving the locking feature when the artifact is in the deployed configuration, thereby moving the first segment to the locked configuration. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the locking feature is a thumb screw. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising: attaching a second segment of the artifact to a second end of the main segment of the artifact, wherein the artifact further comprises: a second end plate coupled to said second end of said main segment, said second end plate defining first and second receiving apertures; a first protruding member extending from said proximal end of said second segment, said first protruding member of said second segment being configured to be received by said first receiving aperture of said second end plate when the artifact is in the deployed configuration; and a second protruding member extending from said proximal end of said second segment, said second protruding member of said second segment being configured to be received by said second receiving aperture of said second end plate when the artifact is in the deployed configuration. ### Claim 13 A method of assembling a calibration system, the system being configured for calibrating a laser tracker, the method comprising: attaching a first segment of the artifact to a first end of the main segment of the artifact, thereby moving the artifact from a stowable configuration towards a deployed configuration; restraining the first segment in six degrees of freedom relative to said main segment, thereby moving said first segment to a locked configuration; engaging the artifact with a kinematic mounting system of the calibration system; engaging the kinematic mounting system with a support beam of the calibration system; and coupling a ring brake to the support beam and engaging the ring brake with a yoke of a positioner assembly, wherein the kinematic mounting system restrains the artifact in six degrees of freedom relative to the support beam, wherein the positioner assembly is configured to orient the artifact by orienting the support beam, wherein the ring brake defines a plurality of locating features for haptic feedback and positioning repeatability, and wherein the positioner comprises a plunger that is configured to selectively engage with one or more locating features of the ring brake.