Patent · US Expired

Self leveling transmitter for laser alignment systems

US4679937A · kind A · utility

53Cited by
19References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 18, 1985
Grant dateJul 14, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 18, 2005

Classification

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

Abstract

A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated in a non-planar reference cone is disclosed. The transmitter includes a source for providing a collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation directed parallel to a beam axis. A cantilever strand supports a bob within the beam. The bob has a conical reflecting surface to reflect the collimated beam conically. Optimally, the cantilever strand and bob are chosen to provide a deflection between the bob and plumb which is substantially one-half of any angular error between the beam axis and plumb. In an especially preferred form, a housing surrounds the bob and has inner and outer surfaces which minimize temperature effects on the orientation of the reference plane. Also, detectors are provided to sense when the angular error between the beam axis and plumb is outside of an acceptable range.

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