Apparatus for measuring the length of pipe and other hollow members
First Claim
1. A distance measuring apparatus comprising:
- an electromagnetic wave transmitter including a frequency modulator, for sending a start timing signal in the form of a frequency modulated electromagnetic wave, disposed at a first location;
an electromagnetic energy sensor disposed at a second location, for detecting said frequency modulated start timing signal, where the difference between said first and second locations equals the distance to be measured;
an acoustic transmitter for sending an acoustic stop timing signal over said distance to be measured, located at said first location;
an acoustic receiver for detecting said stop timing signal, located at said second location;
a reference signal generator for initiating both of said start and stop timing signals; and
circuit means for calculating the time delay response between the detection of said start time signal and said stop timing signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Pipe measuring apparatus is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a transmitter is arranged at one end and a receiver at the other end of the pipe. At the transmitter, there is a tone generator which transmits acoustic signal along the pipe. In addition, a power amplifier drives an output diode which transmits light of a specified frequency, and both are funneled along the pipe to be measured. At the receiving end, an amplifier picks up the sound. In like manner, the light which is transmitted through the pipe is also detected. Both detected signals are amplified. After amplification, their modulating envelopes are compared to one another. There is a time shift which is a function of transmission distance, treating the transmitted light as the reference. This time shift is converted by a scale factor into a multi-digit output. The conversion occurs through the use of a clock connected through a decimal counter which is gated on by the light signal and which is gated off by the advent of the sound signal. The output is proportionate to pipe length, and, with appropriate calibrations, length can be measured directly.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A distance measuring apparatus comprising:
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an electromagnetic wave transmitter including a frequency modulator, for sending a start timing signal in the form of a frequency modulated electromagnetic wave, disposed at a first location; an electromagnetic energy sensor disposed at a second location, for detecting said frequency modulated start timing signal, where the difference between said first and second locations equals the distance to be measured; an acoustic transmitter for sending an acoustic stop timing signal over said distance to be measured, located at said first location; an acoustic receiver for detecting said stop timing signal, located at said second location; a reference signal generator for initiating both of said start and stop timing signals; and circuit means for calculating the time delay response between the detection of said start time signal and said stop timing signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A distance measuring apparatus comprising means for transmitting two distinct quantums of energy from a first location to a second location, where the difference between said first and second location is the distance to be measured, with one of said quantums of energy being electromagnetic in nature and frequency modulated, and said second quantum of energy being acoustic in nature;
- means for receiving said two distinct quantums of energy; and
circuit means for calculating the time delay response between the detection of said two distinct quantums of energy electrically connected to and operatively associated with said means for receiving said two distinct quantums of energy.
- means for receiving said two distinct quantums of energy; and
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13. A method for measuring distance comprising the steps of:
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generating an electromagnetic signal at a first location for creating a start timing signal, frequency modulating said start timing signal at said first location, generating an acoustic signal for providing a stop timing signal at said first location, initiating both of said start and stop timing signals with a low frequency signal oscillator; sensing said frequency modulated start timing signal at a second location wherein the difference in distance between said first and second location equals the distance to be measured; detecting said acoustic signal at said second location; and calculating the time delay response between the detection of said electromagnetic signal and said acoustic signal. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification