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Laser measurement system

  • US 7,181,856 B1
  • Filed: 11/09/2005
  • Issued: 02/27/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A vehicle frame measurement system for determining the difference between the actual three-dimensional configuration of a vehicle frame requiring repair and the normal three-dimensional configuration of the vehicle frame as defined by the manufacturer to determine the extent of deformation of the vehicle frame and the necessary repairs required to the vehicle frame, the system comprising:

  • a rotating laser scanner having a pair of substantially parallel laser beams separated by a known distance and rotating in unison at a known speed of rotation around an axis of rotation and synchronization pulse light emitters for broadcasting a synchronization pulse when the pair of substantially parallel laser beams are at a known reference angle;

    a plurality of active targets each for attachment to the vehicle frame at a give reference point having a corresponding normal reference point value as defined by the manufacturer, each active target detecting position data comprising the synchronization pulse, the time of detection of the laser beams relative to one another and the synchronization pulse, a vertical position of the laser beams on the active target and including storage means storing the position data;

    positioning means for positioning each active target within view of the scanning laser beams and the synchronization pulse emitted by the laser scanner and at a known vertical distance from the associated reference point which is communicated to the associated active target and stored by the storage means with the position data;

    a host computer for receiving position data from the active targets to determine an actual position of each reference point relative to a normal position of the reference point as determined by the manufacturer'"'"'s specifications and for displaying the frame and the differences between the actual and the normal positions of the reference points of the frame to illustrate the degree of deformation of the actual configuration of the frame and to visually indicate the repairs needed to restore the frame to its normal configuration; and

    a communication link by which the host computer at least receives position information from the plurality of active targets communicate with one another.

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