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Topological and motion measuring tool

  • US 6,127,672 A
  • Filed: 05/23/1997
  • Issued: 10/03/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A measuring tool for providing data corresponding to a geometric configuration in space comprising:

  • (1) a longitudinally extending, flexible substrate having a compliant reference surface and being capable of bending in at least two degrees of freedom so as to be configurable in three dimensional space;

    (2) a plurality of spaced bend sensor means and a plurality of spaced twist sensor means each of said plurality of sensor means being respectively coupled to and positioned at specific discrete locations, on and at known respective bend sensor and twist sensor spacing intervals along the longitudinal extent of the substrate to provide flexure signals indicating the respective local state of bend and twist present in the substrate at the respective locations where the respective bend sensor means and twist sensor means are coupled to the substrate; and

    (3) sensor data processing means coupled to the bend sensor means and twist sensor means for receiving flexure signals therefrom and for presenting data on the geometric configuration of the reference surface of the substrate in three dimensional space,wherein the sensor data processing means operates by determining the geometric configuration of the substrate from bend and twist signals derived from the flexure signals provided by the bend sensor means and twist sensor means at their specific locations and from the spacings intervals for such sensors.

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