Real time IR optical sensor

• US 6,836,329 B1
• Filed: 07/09/2003
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ziemins, Uldis A., Reyes, Ray A., Schmoke, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Zandra V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VALENTIN, JUAN D
• Application Number:
  US10/604,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20050007578A1
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 356/213, 356/218, 356/219, 356/364, 356/399, 356/400, 356/614, 356/615
• US Class Current: 356/399
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/27 for testing the alignment of axes means for centering or aligning a light guide within a ferrule G02B6/3834

Abstract

An apparatus and method to align an invisible light beam sensor, such as an IR sensor, utilizing a visible light beam such as a visible LED or HeNe laser, and provide the ability to visually monitor when the sensor needs adjustment in real time and avoid off line adjustments. Various embodiments synchronize and position both the invisible light beam and the visible light beam to travel the same path to a common desired location.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing alignment and monitoring of optical sensors comprising:

an invisible light source emitting an invisible light beam;

a visible light source emitting a visible light beam and positioned opposite from and approximately coaxial with said invisible light source;

an optical polarizing beam splitter having an outer reflecting surface and an inner reflecting surface, said outer reflecting surface reflecting approximately 100% of said invisible light beam and said inner reflecting surface reflecting approximately 50% of said visible light beam in the same path as said invisible light beam, said optical polarizing beam splitter positioned between and approximately coaxial with said invisible light source and said visible light source; and

an optical detector positioned opposite and approximately coaxial with said outer reflecting surface to collect both said reflected invisible and visible light beams.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said optical polarizing beam splitter is rotatable.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a motor connected to said rotatable optical beam splitter with a rotatable shaft, said rotatable shaft having a longitudinal opening concentric with its axis of rotation; and

said visible light source positioned approximately coaxial with said longitudinal opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said visible light source is a He—

He laser.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said invisible light source is an infrared laser.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said invisible light source is an ultraviolet laser.

7. An apparatus for performing alignment and monitoring of optical sensors comprising:

an invisible light source;

a visible light source;

a reflecting mirror;

means for alternatively shuttling said visible light source and said invisible light source in optical alignment with said reflecting mirror, and

an optical detector positioned opposite and approximately coaxial with said reflecting mirror.

8. An apparatus for performing alignment and monitoring of optical sensors comprising:

an invisible light source emitting an invisible light beam;

a visible light source emitting a visible light beam and positioned opposite and approximately coaxial to said invisible light source;

a dual mirror assembly positioned between and approximately coaxial with said visible light source and said invisible light source, said dual mirror assembly having a first side opposite said invisible light source and a second side opposite said visible light source such that in operation said invisible light beam and said visible light beam are both reflected and converge at a common point;

a reflecting mirror positioned in alignment with said common point such that both said invisible light beam and said visible light beam are reflected in the same direction; and

an optical detector positioned opposite and approximately coaxial with said reflecting mirror to collect said invisible light beam and said visible light beam.

9. A method for performing alignment and monitoring of optical comprising the steps of:

providing an invisible light source emitting an invisible light beam;

positioning a visible light source emitting a visible light beam opposite from and approximately coaxial with said invisible light source;

positioning an optical polarizing beam splitter between and approximately coaxial with said invisible light source and said visible light source, said optical polarizing beam splitter having an outer reflecting surface and an inner reflecting surface, said outer reflecting surface reflecting approximately 100% of said invisible light beam and said inner reflecting surface reflecting approximately 50% of said visible light beam in the same path as said invisible light beam; and

positioning an optical detector opposite and approximately coaxial with said outer reflecting surface to collect both said reflected invisible and visible light beams.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said optical polarizing beam splitter is rotatable.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

connecting a motor to said rotatable optical beam splitter with a rotatable shaft, said rotatable shaft having a longitudinal opening concentric with its axis of rotation; and

positioning said visible light source approximately coaxial with said longitudinal opening.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said visible light source is a He—

Ne laser.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said invisible light source is an infrared laser.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said invisible light source is an ultraviolet laser.

15. A method for performing alignment and monitoring of optical sensors comprising the steps of:

providing an invisible light source, a visible light source and a reflecting mirror;

providing means for alternatively shuttling said visible light source and said invisible light source in optical alignment with said reflecting mirror; and

positioning an optical detector opposite and approximately coaxial with said reflecting mirror.

16. A method for performing alignment and monitoring of optical sensors comprising the steps of:

providing an invisible light source emitting an invisible light beam;

positioning a visible light source emitting a visible light beam opposite and approximately coaxial to said invisible light source;

positioning a dual mirror assembly between and approximately coaxial with said visible light source and said invisible light source, said dual mirror assembly having a first side opposite said invisible light source and a second side opposite said visible light source such that in operation said invisible light beam and said visible light beam are both reflected and converge at a common point;

positioning a reflecting mirror in alignment with said common point such that both said invisible light beam and said visible light beam are reflected in the same direction; and

positioning an optical detector opposite and approximately coaxial with said reflecting mirror to collect said invisible light beam and said visible light beam.