Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for determining position

US4441809A · kind A · utility

34Cited by
6References
8Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 29, 1981
Grant dateApr 10, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 29, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01C15/004
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Position sensing apparatus comprises generating means (12) for generating a beam of radiation; rotation means (24) for rotating the beam about a vertical axis to define a horizontal reference plane, the beam having a sectional shape (for example "V" shape or "X" shape) such that a leading edge and a trailing edge are straight and diverge away from the reference plane; two radiation sensors (38, 40) spaced a known vertical distance apart; and means (30, 32, 44, 46) for determining the distances between the leading and trailing edges at the positions along those edges which pass across each sensor. The vertical distance of each sensor from the horizontal reference place and the distance of the sensors from the axis of rotation can then be determined.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.