Seam tracking system with acousto-optical scanner
US4700045A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1985 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23Q35/128
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for tracking a random seam on a surface for the purposes of, for example, welding or inspecting the seam. The sensing assembly in the system comprises a laser and a scattered light detector. The beam from the laser is scanned across the seam via an acousto-optical deflector in the range of 170-2100 scans per second, thereby providing accurate tracking of the seam while allowing the system to move longitudinally along the seam in the range of 3.3 to 10 inches per second. The scanning width is reduced, or windowed, to decrease the amount of data received by the detector and the system's overall control system to allow the higher speeds in the range while maintaining the desired tracking accuracy by decreasing data processing time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.