Apparatus and method for measuring height variations in a surface
First Claim
1. Apparatus for measuring height variations along a directional axis in a surface, such as a roadway surface, from a vehicle movable along the axis, comprising:
- a set of sensing means, comprising;
a first sensing means for sensing a first distance from the first sensing means to a first point on the surface and generating a first signal indicative of the first distance; and
a second sensing means for sensing a second distance from the second sensing means to a second point on the surface and generating a second signal indicative of the second distance, the second point being axially separated from the first point; and
computer means for receiving the first and second signals, calculating the difference between the first and second signals, generating a difference signal indicative of the absolute difference in height of the first and second points, and recording the difference signal.
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for measuring height variations along a directional axis in a roadway surface from a vehicle includes a first sensor for sensing a first distance from the first sensor to a first point on the surface and generating a first signal indicative of the first distance; a second sensor for sensing a second distance from the second sensor to a second point axially separated from the first point on the surface and generating a second signal indicative of the second distance; and a computer for receiving the first and second signals and generating and recording a difference signal indicative of the difference in height of the first and second points, The first and second sensors are operated simultaneously to compensate for vertical motion of the sensors with respect to the surface.
16 Citations
19 Claims
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1. Apparatus for measuring height variations along a directional axis in a surface, such as a roadway surface, from a vehicle movable along the axis, comprising:
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a set of sensing means, comprising; a first sensing means for sensing a first distance from the first sensing means to a first point on the surface and generating a first signal indicative of the first distance; and a second sensing means for sensing a second distance from the second sensing means to a second point on the surface and generating a second signal indicative of the second distance, the second point being axially separated from the first point; and computer means for receiving the first and second signals, calculating the difference between the first and second signals, generating a difference signal indicative of the absolute difference in height of the first and second points, and recording the difference signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for measuring height variations along a directional axis in a surface, comprising:
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a set of sensing means, comprising; a first sensing means for sensing a first distance from the first sensing means to a first point on the surface and generating a first signal indicative of the first distance; and a second sensing means for sensing a second distance from the second sensing means to a second point on the surface and generating a second signal indicative of the second distance, the second point being axially separated from the first point; computer means for receiving the first and second signals, calculating the difference between the first and second signals, generating a difference signal indicative of the absolute difference in height of the first and second points, and recording the difference signal; and a vehicle for moving the first and second sensing means with respect to the surface. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Method of measuring height variations along a directional axis in a surface, such as a roadway surface, from a vehicle movable along the axis, comprising:
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sensing a first distance from a first sensing means to a first point on the surface and generating a first signal indicative of the first distance; sensing a second distance from a second sensing means to a second point axially separated from the first point on the surface and generating a second signal indicative of the second distance; and calculating the difference between the first and second signals and generating and recording a difference signal indicative of the absolute difference in height of the first and second points. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. Method for measuring height variations along a directional axis in a surface, comprising:
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sensing a first distance from a first sensing means to a first point on the surface and generating a first signal indicative of the first distance; sensing a second distance from the second sensing means to a second point axially separated from the first point on the surface and generating a second signal indicative of the second distance; and calculating the difference between the first and second signals and generating and recording a difference signal indicative of the absolute difference in height of the first and second points; and moving the first and second sensing means with respect to the surface in order to measure height variations along the directional axis.
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Specification