Self leveling transmitter for laser alignment systems

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated, said transmitter comprising:

• a chassis;
• means for leveling the chassis;
• a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• an optical deflector having a reflecting surface which converges toward the source for redirecting the beam into an omni-directional reference field of radiation;
• and
• flexible means having an omni-directional stiffness connected to the chassis for supporting the optical deflector within the beam in an aligned position relative to the beam with the chassis level, the beam being redirected omni-directionally by the deflector in the aligned position to define a reference field of radiation in a level orientation;
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation;
• and
• wherein the support means includes a coil spring having a lower end secured to the optical deflector and an upper end secured to the chassis, the stiffness of the coil spring being omni-directional and of a magnitude to provide a deviation of the optical deflector from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation.

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated, said transmitter comprising:

• a chassis;
• means for leveling the chassis;
• a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• an optical deflector having a reflecting surface which converges toward the source for redirecting the beam into an omni-directional reference field of radiation;
• and
• flexible means having an omni-directional stiffness connected to the chassis for supporting the optical deflector within the beam in an aligned position relative to the beam with the chassis level, the beam being redirected omni-directionally by the deflector in the aligned position to define a reference field of radiation in a level orientation;
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation;
• and
• wherein the support means includes:
• a flexible diaphragm having an outer periphery secured to the chassis above the optical deflector;
• and
• a rod having a lower end secured to the optical deflector and an upper end secured to the flexible diaphragm;
• wherein the stiffness of the diaphragm is omni-directional and of a magnitude to provide a deviation of the optical deflector from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation.

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated, said transmitter comprising:

• a chassis;
• means for leveling the chassis;
• a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• an optical deflector having a reflecting surface which converges toward the source for redirecting the beam into an omni-directional reference field of radiation;
• and
• flexible means having an omni-directional stiffness connected to the chassis for supporting the optical deflector within the beam in an aligned position relative to the beam with the chassis level, the beam being redirected omni-directionally by the deflector in the aligned position to define a reference field of radiation in a level orientation;
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation;
• and
• wherein the support means comprises a double gimbal pivot having two pairs of orthogonal arms, one said pair being fixed to the chassis and the other said pair being fixed to the optical deflector;
• and
• wherein the stiffness of the double gimbal pivot is omni-directional and of a magnitude to provide a deviation of the optical deflector from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation.

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated, said transmitter comprising:

• a chassis;
• means for leveling the chassis;
• a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• an optical deflector having a reflecting surface which converges toward the source for redirecting the beam into an omni-directional reference field of radiation;
• and
• flexible means having an omni-directional stiffness connected to the chassis for supporting the optical deflector within the beam in an aligned position relative to the beam with the chassis level, the beam being redirected omni-directionally by the deflector in the aligned position to define a reference field of radiation in a level orientation;
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation;
• and
• wherein the support means comprises at least three flexible support members, each said support member connected at an upper end to the optical deflector and at a lower end to the chassis, the stiffness of said support members being omni-directional and of a magnitude to provide a deviation of the optical deflector from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation.

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated, said transmitter comprising:

• a chassis;
• means for leveling the chassis;
• a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• an optical deflector having a reflecting surface which converges toward the source for redirecting the beam into an omni-directional reference field of radiation;
• and
• flexible means having an omni-directional stiffness connected to the chassis for supporting the optical deflector within the beam in an aligned position relative to the beam with the chassis level, the beam being redirected omni-directionally by the deflector in the aligned position to define a reference field of radiation in a level orientation;
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation;
• and
• wherein the support means comprises a flexible columnar support connected at one end to the chassis and at the other end to the optical deflector.

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated, said transmitter comprising:

• a chassis;
• means for leveling the chassis;
• a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• an optical deflector having a reflecting surface which converges toward the source for redirecting the beam into an omni-directional reference field of radiation;
• and
• flexible means having an omni-directional stiffness connected to the chassis for supporting the optical deflector within the beam in an aligned position relative to the beam with the chassis level, the beam being redirected omni-directionally by the deflector in the aligned position to define a reference field of radiation in a level orientation;
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation;
• and
• wherein the optical deflector redirects the beam:
• into a reference field of radiation which is conical in shape and is directed downwardly away from the transmitter.

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated, said transmitter comprising:

• a chassis;
• means for leveling the chassis;
• a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• an optical deflector having a reflecting surface which converges toward the source for redirecting the beam into an omni-directional reference field of radiation;
• and
• flexible means having an omni-directional stiffness connected to the chassis for supporting the optical deflector within the beam in an aligned position relative to the beam with the chassis level, the beam being redirected omni-directionally by the deflector in the aligned position to define a reference field of radiation in a level orientation;
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation;
• wherein movements of the deflector are damped by a fluid;
• and
• further comprising a transparent housing surrounding the optical deflector and wherein the fluid is a liquid which immerses the optical deflector in the housing.

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated, said transmitter comprising:

• a chassis;
• means for leveling the chassis;
• a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• an optical deflector having a reflecting surface which converges toward the source for redirecting the beam into an omni-directional reference field of radiation;
• and
• flexible means having an omni-directional stiffness connected to the chassis for supporting the optical deflector within the beam in an aligned position relative to the beam with the chassis level, the beam being redirected omni-directionally by the deflector in the aligned position to define a reference field of radiation in a level orientation;
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation;
• and
• further comprising magnet means for damping movements of the optical deflector.

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated, said transmitter comprising:

• a chassis;
• means for leveling the chassis;
• a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• an optical deflector having a reflecting surface which converges toward the source for redirecting the beam into an omni-directional reference field of radiation;
• and
• flexible means having an omni-directional stiffness connected to the chassis for supporting the optical deflector within the beam in an aligned position relative to the beam with the chassis level, the beam being redirected omni-directionally by the deflector in the aligned position to define a reference field of radiation in a level orientation;
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation;
• and
• further comprising sensor means for detecting when the angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level is outside of an acceptable range.

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated, said transmitter comprising:

• a chassis;
• means for leveling the chassis;
• a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• an optical deflector having a reflecting surface which converges toward the source for redirecting the beam into an omni-directional reference field of radiation;
• and
• flexible means having an omni-directional stiffness connected to the chassis for supporting the optical deflector within the beam in an aligned position relative to the beam with the chassis level, the beam being redirected omni-directionally by the deflector in the aligned position to define a reference field of radiation in a level orientation;
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation;
• and
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating an amount substantially equal to one-half of the engular error from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation.

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated, said transmitter comprising:

• a chassis;
• means for leveling the chassis;
• a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• an optical deflector having a reflecting surface which converges toward the source for redirecting the beam into an omni-directional reference field of radiation;
• and
• flexible means having an omni-directional stiffness connected to the chassis for supporting the optical deflector within the beam in an aligned position relative to the beam with the chassis level, the beam being redirected omni-directionally by the deflector in the aligned position to define a reference field of radiation in a level orientation;
• wherein an angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation;
• and
• further comprising means for causing the thickness of the reference field to converge.