Vehicle frame deformation measurement apparatus and method
First Claim
1. Apparatus for indicating deformation of a vehicle body, said vehicle body having at least one reference point and a normal position thereof, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one target positioned at a predetermined location relative to the reference point on the vehicle body for providing information indicating the position of the target relative to said normal position thereof;
a laser scanner for sweeping a laser beam across the target to activate said target and provide target location information, said laser scanner having a laser source; and
a computer for receiving the target location information and calculating the position of the target relative to normal position;
wherein the laser source comprises a Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) laser.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for indicating deformation of a vehicle body when the vehicle body has reference points and a normal position thereof. The apparatus and method comprising the use of at least one target positioned at a predetermined location relative to the reference point on the vehicle body. The target is adapted to provide information indicating the position of the target relative to said normal position thereof when a laser scanner sweeps a laser beam across the target to activate the target and provide target location information. A computer is provided for receiving the target location information and calculating the position of the target relative to normal position. The laser source of the laser scanner is a Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) laser to provide stable beam output and prevent beam drift to prove a more accurate measurement.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for indicating deformation of a vehicle body, said vehicle body having at least one reference point and a normal position thereof, said apparatus comprising:
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at least one target positioned at a predetermined location relative to the reference point on the vehicle body for providing information indicating the position of the target relative to said normal position thereof; a laser scanner for sweeping a laser beam across the target to activate said target and provide target location information, said laser scanner having a laser source; and a computer for receiving the target location information and calculating the position of the target relative to normal position; wherein the laser source comprises a Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) laser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for indicating deformation of a vehicle body, said vehicle body having at least one reference point and a normal position thereof, said method comprising the steps of:
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positioned at least one target, at a predetermined location relative to the reference point on the vehicle body, for providing target location information indicating the position of the target relative to said normal position thereof; sweeping a laser beam, from laser source, across the target to activate said target and provide target location information; and using a computer for receiving the target location information and calculating the position of the target relative to normal position; wherein the laser source comprises a Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) laser. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for measuring accidental deformation of a vehicle comprising:
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a laser source and measuring unit, adapted for placement under the vehicle; a plurality of coded reflective targets adapted to be positioned with respect to predetermined locations on the vehicle; computer including reference data of the normal location, with respect to a reference plane, of said predetermined locations on the vehicle; and a processing program for accepting output from the source and measuring unit representing the deformed position of said points as computed based on reflections from the coded targets and for processing the output and comparing it to the reference data whereby the amount of deformation may be indicated, wherein the laser source and measuring unit includes a DPSS laser source for generating two laser beams, and a rotating hub on which the DPSS laser source is mounted and rotates, whereby each laser beams sweeps an entire 360.degree. arc. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification