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US 4,761,072 AGranted
Electro-optical sensors for manual control
AssigneeDiffracto Ltd.
InventorTimothy R. Pryor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Novel method and apparatus are disclosed which assist in utilization of ranging type non-contact sensors with coordinate measurement machines (CMM's ) and other machines. Various visual and/or audible indicators are provided to assist the operator in using the machine.
Claims16
An apparatus for providing an in-range control signal for a non-contact distance measuring sensor of a part where the sensor and part are relatively movable comprising:
- a determining means for determining if the measuring sensor is within an operating range thereof, said determining means including
- (a) a light projecting means for projecting a light zone on the part,
- (b) an imaging means for imaging the projected light zone, and
- (c) a sensing means for sensing a characteristic of the imaged light zone indicative of the measuring sensor being within the operating range thereof;
- and
- a signal means for providing an operating signal when said determining means determines that the measuring sensor is within the operating range thereof.
3 more elements
An apparatus for determining the distance to a part surface comprising:
- a triangulation based optical sensor for non-contact determining of the exact distance from said triangulation sensor to the part surface;
- a reference detector means for sensing an approximate distance of said triangulation sensor to the part surface, said reference detector means including
- (a) a light projecting means for projecting a light zone on the part surface,
- (b) an imaging means for imaging the projected light zone, and
- (c) a sensing means for sensing a characteristic of the imaged light zone indicative of the approximate distance of said triangulation sensor to the part surface;
- and
- a signal means for providing an operating signal when the approximate distance determined by said reference detector means is within an operating range of said triangulation sensor.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.