Optical inspection probe
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A camera inspection probe for a coordinate measuring apparatus including a housing having an exterior window, the housing comprising:
- an imaging assembly of the camera inspection probe that is configured to capture an image of an object at an object plane of the imaging assembly; and
an illumination assembly of the camera inspection probe that is configured to produce a light beam directed toward the object to illuminate the object, the light beam being directed toward the object plane,wherein the light beam converges to a focal point at a first focal plane outside the housing, the focal point being between the exterior window and the object plane so as to be prior to intersection of the light beam with the object plane, andwherein the imaging assembly is configured to obtain a focused image of a region of the object from reflected light of the light beam produced by the illumination assembly, at a point subsequent to the focal point of the light beam.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical inspection probe for obtaining and providing images of an object to be inspected. The optical inspection probe comprises an imaging assembly for capturing an image of an object and an illumination assembly for producing a light beam directed toward the object. The optical inspection probe is configured such that the light beam converges to a focal point at a first focal plane.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A camera inspection probe for a coordinate measuring apparatus including a housing having an exterior window, the housing comprising:
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an imaging assembly of the camera inspection probe that is configured to capture an image of an object at an object plane of the imaging assembly; and an illumination assembly of the camera inspection probe that is configured to produce a light beam directed toward the object to illuminate the object, the light beam being directed toward the object plane, wherein the light beam converges to a focal point at a first focal plane outside the housing, the focal point being between the exterior window and the object plane so as to be prior to intersection of the light beam with the object plane, and wherein the imaging assembly is configured to obtain a focused image of a region of the object from reflected light of the light beam produced by the illumination assembly, at a point subsequent to the focal point of the light beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of inspecting a feature of an object, the method comprising:
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taking a camera inspection probe mounted on a coordinate measuring apparatus, the camera inspection probe including a housing having an exterior window, the housing comprising; (1) an imaging assembly of the camera inspection probe that is configured to capture an image of the feature to be inspected, and (2) an illumination assembly of the camera inspection probe that is configured to produce a light beam directed toward the feature so as to illuminate the feature of the object, the light beam being directed toward an object plane of the imaging assembly, and the light beam converging at a focal point at a first focal plane between the exterior window and the object plane so as to be prior to intersection of the light beam with the object plane; arranging the focal point of the light beam such that the light beam converges at its focal point prior to falling on the feature; and obtaining by the imaging assembly at least one focused image of a region of the feature from reflected light of the light beam produced by the illumination assembly, at a point subsequent to the focal point of the light beam. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A camera inspection probe for a coordinate measuring apparatus including a housing having an exterior window, the housing comprising:
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an imaging assembly of the camera inspection probe that is configured to capture an image of an object at an object plane of the imaging assembly; and an illumination assembly of the camera inspection probe that is configured to produce a light beam directed toward the object to illuminate the object, the light beam being directed toward the object plane, wherein the light beam converges to a focal point at a first focal plane outside the housing, the focal point being between the exterior window and the object plane so as to be prior to intersection of the light beam with the object plane, wherein the imaging assembly is configured to obtain a focused image of a region of the object from reflected light of the light beam produced by the illumination assembly, at a point subsequent to the focal point of the light beam, and wherein (i) the imaging assembly has a depth of field of not more than 1/100th of the distance between an objective lens of the imaging assembly and the object plane or (ii) the imaging assembly has a depth of field of not more than 5 mm. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A method of inspecting an opening of an object, the method comprising:
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taking a camera inspection probe mounted on a coordinate measuring apparatus, the camera inspection probe including a housing having an exterior window, the housing comprising; (1) an imaging assembly of the camera inspection probe that is configured to capture an image of the opening to be inspected, and (2) an illumination assembly of the camera inspection probe that is configured to produce a light beam directed toward the opening so as to illuminate the opening of the object, the light beam being directed toward an object plane of the imaging assembly, and the light beam converging at a focal point at a first focal plane between the exterior window and the object plane so as to be prior to intersection of the light beam with the object plane; arranging the focal point of the light beam such that the light beam converges at its focal point prior to falling on the opening and such that the focal point is substantially at a mouth of the opening; and obtaining by the imaging assembly at least one focused image of a region of the opening from reflected light of the light of the light beam produced by the illumination assembly, at a point subsequent to the focal point of the light beam. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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Specification