Self-compensating laser tracker

• US 7,583,375 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2008
• Issued: 09/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2003
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: West, James K., Bridges, Robert E., Cramer, Peter G.
• Primary Examiner(s): PUNNOOSE, ROY M
• Application Number:
  US12/335,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20090109426A1
• Time in Patent Office: 260 Days
• Field of Search: 356/154
• US Class Current: 356/154
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/005 coordinate measuring machines
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/66 Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/86 Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4813 Housing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4817 relating to scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/497 Means for monitoring or calibrating

Abstract

A self-compensating laser tracker may include a frame assembly including a laser, and at least two-embedded, non-moveable, reflecting members; and a rotatable mirror. The laser and the mirror are arranged such that a laser beam emitted from the laser may be reflected by the mirror. One of the at least two reflecting members may be a cube corner retroreflector and a second of the at least two reflecting members may be a frame assembly mirror. The cube corner retroreflector and the frame assembly mirror may be fixed in position on the frame assembly relative to the rotatable payload and relative to each other, and are structured to reflect the laser beam in a frontsight mode and a backsight mode.

Claims

1. A self-compensating laser tracker comprising:

a frame assembly comprising;

a laser; and

at least two-embedded, non-moveable, reflecting members; and

a rotatable mirror;

wherein the laser and the mirror are arranged such that a laser beam emitted from the laser is reflected by the mirror;

one of the at least two reflecting members is a cube corner retroreflector and a second of the at least two reflecting members is a frame assembly mirror; and

wherein the cube corner retroreflector and the frame assembly mirror are fixed in position on the frame assembly relative to the rotatable payload and relative to each other, and are structured to reflect the laser beam in a frontsight mode and a backsight mode.

2. A self-compensating laser tracker in accordance with claim 1, wherein the frame assembly comprises a gimbaled mechanism.

3. A self-compensating laser tracker in accordance with claim 2, wherein the gimbaled mechanism produces motion in the azimuth and zenith directions.

4. A self-compensating laser tracker comprising:

a frame assembly comprising;

a laser; and

at least two-embedded, non-moveable, reflecting members; and

a rotatable structure comprising at least one mirror;

wherein the laser and the mirror are arranged such that a laser beam emitted from the laser is reflected by the mirror;

one of the at least two reflecting members is a cube corner retroreflector and a second of the at least two reflecting members is a frame assembly mirror; and

wherein the cube corner retroreflector and the frame assembly mirror are fixed in position on the frame assembly relative to the rotatable payload and relative to each other, and are structured to reflect the laser beam in a frontsight mode and a backsight mode.