Method and apparatus for testing the operability of a probe
First Claim
1. An apparatus for testing the operability of a probe for detecting contact with an object having a displaceable stylus, said probe being used in a machine tool system having a controller, said apparatus comprising:
- first circuit means for generating a first signal, said first circuit means able to generate said first signal independently of said controller, said first signal inducing said probe to generate a second signal; and
second circuit means for receiving said second signal, said second circuit means being adapted to generate a third signal indicative of the operability of said probe when said second signal is received, said third signal comprising first and second indicator signals, said first indicator signal being generated when said second signal has a first characteristic, said second indicator signal being generated when said second signal has a second characteristic produced in response to the displacement of said stylus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of testing the operability of probes used in performing workpiece probing operations. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the probe has a first circuit for generating a first signal, the first signal inducing the probe to generate a second signal. A second circuit is provided for receiving the second signal. The second circuit is adapted to generate a third signal indicative of the operability of the probe when the second signal is received. In the preferred embodiment, an infrared signal is delivered by the apparatus to the probe causing the probe to emit an infrared signal. The infrared signal emitted by the probe is then used by the apparatus to generate an electrical signal indicative of the operability of the probe.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for testing the operability of a probe for detecting contact with an object having a displaceable stylus, said probe being used in a machine tool system having a controller, said apparatus comprising:
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first circuit means for generating a first signal, said first circuit means able to generate said first signal independently of said controller, said first signal inducing said probe to generate a second signal; and second circuit means for receiving said second signal, said second circuit means being adapted to generate a third signal indicative of the operability of said probe when said second signal is received, said third signal comprising first and second indicator signals, said first indicator signal being generated when said second signal has a first characteristic, said second indicator signal being generated when said second signal has a second characteristic produced in response to the displacement of said stylus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus in the form of a hand-held housing for testing the operability of a probe having a displaceable stylus used for detecting contact with a workpiece, said probe being used in a machine tool system having a controller, said probe including a self-contained battery source of electrical potential, said apparatus comprising:
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first circuit means for generating a first signal, said first signal inducing said probe to generate a second signal, said first circuit means able to generate said first signal independently of said controller; second circuit means for receiving said second signal, said second circuit means being adapted to generate a third signal indicative of the operability of said probe when said second signal is received, said third signal comprising first and second indicator signals, said first indicator signal being generated when said second signal has a first characteristic, said second indicator signal being generated when said second signal has a second characteristic produced in response to displacement of said stylus; and third circuit means for determining the operability of said battery source. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for testing the operability of a battery-operated probe having a displaceable stylus located in a machine tool system and used to transmit signals in connection with inspection of a workpiece, said probe being used in a machine tool system having a controller, said method comprising:
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manually carrying a hand-held testing unit into the general proximity of said machine tool system; activating a device on the said testing unit to cause said testing unit to transmit a first signal to said probe, with the probe responding to said first signal by transmitting a second signal when said probe is in condition for proper operation, said testing unit transmitting said first signal independently of said controller; receiving said second signal by said testing unit; and generating a perceivable signal by said testing unit in response to the receipt of said second signal thereby providing an indication of the operability of said probe, said perceivable signal being operable to indicate whether said second signal has a first characteristic, said perceivable signal being further operable to indicate whether said second signal has a second characteristic generated upon displacement of said stylus. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. Apparatus for testing the operability of a probe used in detecting contact with a workpiece, said probe being used in a machine tool system having a controller, said probe having a self-contained battery source of electrical potential, said apparatus comprising a hand-held testing unit having a housing including:
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means for generating and transmitting an infrared signal to said probe independently of said controller, said means including an oscillating circuit and a transformer electrically coupled therewith, said oscillating circuit being adapted to selectively induce current across the secondary winding of said transformer, said means for generating further including an infrared flash tube connected to said secondary winding of said transformer and being adapted to generate a flash of infrared radiation when said oscillating circuit induces said current across said secondary winding; means for receiving an infrared signal from said probe and generating an electrical signal indicative of the operability of said probe; means for filtering and amplifying said electrical signal; phase-locked loop means for decoding said electrical signal and generating a carrier on signal and a probe status signal; first indicator means responsive to said carrier on signal for indicating the presence thereof; second indicator means responsive to said probe status signal for indicating the presence thereof; a receptacle for receiving said battery source; and circuit means for determining the operability of said battery source. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification