Reconfigurable surface finish inspection apparatus for cylinder bores and other surfaces
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Michigan
InventorsStephen B. Segall, Yoram Koren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reconfigurable inspection apparatus for inspecting a surface finish of a cylinder bore or other machined surface. The apparatus may include a reconfigurable multi-spindle apparatus supporting a plurality of inspection probes. Each probe may include a laser that directs a laser beam perpendicularly to the machined surface, and a detector positioned at an angle to the laser beam to detect scattered laser light from the surface. The probe may also include a computer system including software that compares the detected scattered light to a scattered light signature from a first-type finishing mark and to a scattered light signature from a second-type finishing mark and determines a condition of the surface finish.
Claims28
An inspection probe for inspecting a surface finish of a machined surface, the probe comprising:
- a laser directing a laser beam perpendicularly to the machined surface;
- an optical detector positioned at an angle to the laser beam to detect scattered laser light from the surface;
- and
- a computer system including software that compares the detected scattered light to a scattered light signature from a first-type finishing mark and to a scattered light signature from a second-type finishing mark and determines a condition of the surface finish, wherein the machined surface is a cylinder bore for an engine block.
A method for inspecting the surface finish of a machined surface, the method comprising:
- directing a laser beam perpendicularly to the machined surface;
- detecting a scattered laser beam light from the machined surface;
- determining a signature of the detected scattered laser beam light;
- and
- determining a condition of the machined surface from the signature.
- wherein the machined surface is a cylinder bore and, wherein determining a signature includes comparing a scattered light signature from a first-type finishing mark to a scattered light signature from a second-type finishing mark.
A reconfigurable inspection apparatus for inspecting the surface finish of a plurality of machined surfaces in a part, the inspection apparatus comprising:
- a reconfigurable multi-spindle apparatus having a plurality of spindles;
- a plurality of inspection probes rotatably and movably supported on corresponding spindles, each inspection probe comprising:
- a laser that directs a laser beam perpendicularly to the machined surface;
- a detector positioned at an angle to the laser beam to detect scattered laser light from the surface;
- and
- a computer system including software that compares the detected scattered light to a scattered light signature from a first-type finishing mark and to a scattered light signature from a second-type finishing mark and determines a condition of the surface finish.
An inspection probe for inspecting a surface finish of a manufactured surface, the probe comprising:
- a laser directing a laser beam perpendicularly to the manufactured surface;
- an optical detector positioned at an angle to the laser beam to detect scattered laser light from the surface;
- a computer system including software that compares the detected scattered light to a scattered light signature from a first-type finishing mark and to a scattered light signature from a second-type finishing mark and determines a condition of the surface finish, wherein the first and second finishing marks correspond to finishing marks before and after a removal of material.
An inspection probe for inspecting a surface finish of a manufactured surface, the probe comprising:
- a laser directing a laser beam perpendicularly to the manufactured surface;
- an optical detector positioned at an angle to the laser beam to detect scattered laser light from the surface;
- a computer system including software that compares the detected scattered light to a scattered light signature from a first-type finishing mark and to a scattered light signature from a second-type finishing mark and determines a condition of the surface finish, wherein the first and second finishing marks correspond to finishing marks before and after an addition of material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.