Electro-optical sensors for manual control
DCFirst Claim
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1. An apparatus for providing an in-range control signal for a non-contact distance measuring sensor of a part where the sensor and part are relatively movable comprising:
- a determining means for determining if the measuring sensor is within an operating range thereof, said determining means including(a) a light projecting means for projecting a light zone on the part,(b) an imaging means for imaging the projected light zone, and(c) a sensing means for sensing a characteristic of the imaged light zone indicative of the measuring sensor being within the operating range thereof; and
a signal means for providing an operating signal when said determining means determines that the measuring sensor is within the operating range thereof.
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Abstract
Novel method and apparatus are disclosed which assist in utilization of ranging type non-contact sensors with coordinate measurement machines (CMM'"'"'s ) and other machines. Various visual and/or audible indicators are provided to assist the operator in using the machine.
199 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing an in-range control signal for a non-contact distance measuring sensor of a part where the sensor and part are relatively movable comprising:
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a determining means for determining if the measuring sensor is within an operating range thereof, said determining means including (a) a light projecting means for projecting a light zone on the part, (b) an imaging means for imaging the projected light zone, and (c) a sensing means for sensing a characteristic of the imaged light zone indicative of the measuring sensor being within the operating range thereof; and a signal means for providing an operating signal when said determining means determines that the measuring sensor is within the operating range thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for determining the distance to a part surface comprising:
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a triangulation based optical sensor for non-contact determining of the exact distance from said triangulation sensor to the part surface; a reference detector means for sensing an approximate distance of said triangulation sensor to the part surface, said reference detector means including (a) a light projecting means for projecting a light zone on the part surface, (b) an imaging means for imaging the projected light zone, and (c) a sensing means for sensing a characteristic of the imaged light zone indicative of the approximate distance of said triangulation sensor to the part surface; and a signal means for providing an operating signal when the approximate distance determined by said reference detector means is within an operating range of said triangulation sensor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification