US 7,599,582 B2Granted

Optical fiber cable take-up mechanism for scanning sensors

AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.

InventorsRonald E. Beselt, Frank M. Haran, John A. Harjula, Ulysse S. Dos Santos

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A scanning system includes a cable take-up mechanism that uses a series of pulleys that determine the bend diameters of a scanning system. The mechanism is particularly suited for a spectrometric, e.g., infrared, scanning system where moving scanner or sensor head essentially houses only the optical elements while essentially of all the other electronic and optical components associated with the measurement are housed in an easily accessible compartment that is remote from the moving scanner head. Light is transmitted through optical fiber cables. The cable take-up mechanism maintains the fiber optic cable at essentially constant total bend length and bend diameter thereby minimizing any dynamic changes to spectral bend losses as the optical head is scanned. The light weight construction of the sensor head further reduces vibrations associated with the moving scanner head.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A scanning mechanism for moving a mobile optical device between a first end and a second end along a main scanning direction that comprises:

means for maintaining substantially the same total bend length and radius as the mobile optical device moves along the main scanning direction;
means for maintaining substantially the same tension on a cable as the mobile optical device moves along the main scanning direction, wherein the optical device is operatively connected to the cable;
means for driving the mobile optical device along the main scanning direction;
a first stationary turning pulley that is positioned adjacent the first end of the main scanning direction;
a second stationary turning pulley that is positioned adjacent the second end of the main scanning direction;
a cable that is partially wound around the first and second stationary pulleys, wherein the cable has a first end that is secured and a second end that is secured and the mobile optical device that positioned between the first and second stationary turning pulleys, wherein the means for maintaining substantially the same tension, same total bend length and radius on the cable comprises:
(a) a first compensating pulley;
and
(b) a second compensating pulley, wherein the cable that is partially wound around the first and second compensating pulleys, wherein the first and second compensating pulleys are linked to move in unison along a path that is between the first and second stationary turning pulleys, and wherein the first compensating pulley is closer to the first stationary turning pulley than is the second compensating pulley and wherein the means for driving the mobile optical device moves the mobile optical device in a first direction and simultaneously moves the linked first and second compensating pulleys in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

6 more elements

A method of transmitting radiation from a remote stationary radiation source through a moving optical fiber cable to a scanning optical device and transmitting measured signals from the scanning optical device through the moving optical fiber cable to a remote stationary signal receiving device, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a scanning system that comprises:
(i) a first stationary turning pulley;
(ii) a second stationary turning pulley that is spaced apart from the first stationary turning pulley to define a scanning path for the scanning optical device and wherein the first and second stationary turning pulleys are adapted to support an optical fiber cable along the scanning path;
and
(iii) a tension compensating mechanism for maintaining the tension that is applied to a cable that is looped around the first and second stationary turning pulleys;
(b) looping an optical fiber cable partially around the first and second stationary pulleys and engaging the optical fiber cable to the tension compensating mechanism so that a portion of the optical fiber cable between the first and second stationary turning pulleys define a substantially linear path;
(c) securing a first end of the optical fiber cable;
(d) securing a second end of the optical fiber cable so that the curvature of the optical fiber cable and the total bend length of the optical fiber from the first end to the second end are essentially kept constant as the optical device traverses between the first end and second end
(e) operatively connecting an optical device to the optical fiber cable between the first and second stationary turning pulleys;
(f) driving the optical device back and forth along the scanning path characterized in that substantially the same tension on the optical fiber cable is maintained while the optical device is scanning;
(g) transmitting radiation from the remote radiation source through a portion of the optical fiber cable to the optical device as the optical device is scanning;
and
(h) transmitting measured signals from the scanning optical device through the moving optical fiber cable to the remote stationary signal receiving device.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/994,862Filed 22 Nov 2004
Published: US 2006/0109519 A125 May 2006
Granted: 6 Oct 2009
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G01N 21/89
Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination: in moving material, e.g. running paper or textiles
G01N 21/3554
Using infrared light: for determining moisture content
G01N 21/8806
Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination: specially adapted optical and illumination features
G01N 21/3559
For determining moisture content: in sheets, e.g. in paper