Laser apparatus and method for speed measurement

An apparatus for determining the acceleration of an object, comprising:

• a first laser source for emitting a first laser plane at an intended path;
• a second laser source for emitting a second laser plane at the intended path, the second laser source positioned from the first laser source at a first known distance;
• a third laser source for emitting a third laser plane at the intended path, the third laser source positioned from the second laser source at a second known distance;
• a detector system positioned to receive a first laser light, a second laser light, and a third laser light that have been reflected from the first laser plane, the second laser plane and the third laser plane, respectively, and for generating a first pulse signal, a second pulse signal, and a third pulse signal, respectively, in response to the receipt of the first, second and third laser lights, respectively;
• and
• a signal processing circuit coupled to the detector for alculating the acceleration of an object passing through the intended path based on the first, second and third pulse signals enerated by the detector system.