Apparatus and Method for Determining the Spatial Position and Velocity Vector of a Spherical Projectile

• US 20140118720A1
• Filed: 10/30/2012
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leo Steffl
• Original Assignee: Leo Steffl
• Inventors: Steffl, Leo
• Granted Patent: US 9,157,731 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/28
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/002 for measuring two or more coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/14 for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures G01B11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/685 for projectile velocity measurements

Abstract

A spherical projectile is detected as it passes through an array of planer light beams and associated detectors. The construction of the Apparatus is such that at least 4 planar light beams are obscured by the passing projectile, two parallel beams in one direction and two parallel beams in a second direction. The apparatus records the time at which each affected light beam is obstructed by the passing projectile, The Apparatus than calculates both the spatial position and the 3 dimensional velocity vector of the projectile.

Claims

1. An apparatus and method for determining the spatial position and 3 dimensional velocity vector of a spherical projectile comprising:

A means of projecting a plurality of light beam arrays, each array consisting of a plurality of parallel beams of light arranged at known locations and separation distances within a single plane with the separation distance between adjacent beams less than the radius of the sphere, the arrays oriented at a minimum of 2 unique angles;

A means of receiving each beam of light from said projecting means and detecting the obstruction of said beams;

An instrumentation means of recording the time at which each beam is obstructed; and

A means of computing the position and the velocity vector of the projectile using the information obtained from said instrumentation means, the beam location and separation distance from said projecting means and the diameter of the sphere.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein 2 light beam arrays are used and the distance between the plane of the first array and the plane of the second array is zero.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein 2 light beam arrays are used and the distance between the plane of the first array and the plane of the second array is zero and the light beams of the first array and the light beams of the second array are at orthogonal angles to each other.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light beam arrays are used in sets where each set contains two arrays at non-parallel angles, distance between arrays in the same set being zero, distance between sets being non-zero.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of catching the sphere after said sphere passes the projecting means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of aligning the projecting means perpendicular to a primary axis of flight.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of leveling the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of compensating for the out-of-level condition of the apparatus by performing a coordinate system transformation in the computing means to correct for the out-of-level condition.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of calibrating the apparatus such that the tolerances inherent in the positioning of the LBA projecting and receiving elements are minimized by the calculating means.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of a frame that resists damage and supports the projecting and receiving means.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of a sound speaker.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of display.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of calculating the trajectory of the sphere.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of communication with an external device used to control apparatus functions.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of communication with an external device used for display.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of programming the apparatus to simulate game play.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of programming the apparatus to simulate pitching against a batter.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a method of displaying results of game play.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means of displaying statistical data.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a method of displaying results of training.