Laser sensor for detecting the extended state of an object in continuous motion especially the clogged or broken state of a drill bit
AssigneeExcellon Automation
InventorJohn Wachli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A non-contact, laser detection system for detecting the extended state of an object in continuous motion such as a drill bit. In the drill bit embodiment, the detected states are clean, clogged and broken In the laser detection system, a first signal, indicative of energy reflected from the surface of the drill bit, is digitized and compared to a first threshold A second signal, indicative of amplified energy reflected from the drill bit, is digitized and compared to a second threshold. The digital signals are analyzed by a computer to detect the state of the drill bit.
Claims27
A sensor for detecting the state of an object in continuous repetitive motion, comprising:
- an energy source for generating energy;
- means for focusing the energy on the object;
- means for detecting energy reflected from the object as a signal;
- means for detecting a level of the signal;
- means for amplifying the signal;
- means for detecting a level of the amplified signal;
- and
- means for processing the detected signal level and the detected amplified signal level so as to provide a state of the object, wherein the state is at least one of:
- object present and clean, object present and unclean, and object absent.
A sensor for detecting characteristics of a rotating drill bit having flutes, comprising:
- a laser light source for generating laser light;
- means for focusing the laser light on the rotating drill bill;
- means for sensing light reflected from the flutes of the rotating drill bit;
- signal means connected to the sensing means for indicating the presence of a drill bit;
- and
- signal means connected to the sensing means for indicating clogged flutes in the drill bit.
A method of rotting bit detection, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting light towards a bit;
- receiving reflected light from the bit as a signal;
- and
- processing the signal so as to define a state of the bit wherein the state is one of at least the following set of states:
- (1) bit clogged and (2) bit broken.
A method of detecting the state of an object in rotational motion, comprising the steps of:
- tracking the object by a first signal related to the frequency of rotation;
- thresholding the first signal with a first selected threshold value;
- obtaining a second signal from the first signal;
- thresholding the second signal with a second selected threshold value;
- and
- comparing the first and second thresholded signals, thereby detecting the presence of a material on the object.
A drilling machine, comprising:
- a spindle for providing a rotational force;
- a drill bit attached to the spindle;
- a worktable positioned under the axis of the drill bit and normal thereto;
- a pressure foot for retaining a board against the worktable;
- a laser mounted inside the pressure foot for directing a beam of light at the drill bit;
- a photodiode for receiving light reflected from the drill bit;
- and
- means responsive to the photodiode for detecting that the drill bit is clogged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.