Patent · US Expired

Alignment measuring system and method

US4914964A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
1References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 4, 1988
Grant dateApr 10, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 4, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01G11/006
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring the alignment of two or more adjacent targets while the targets are in motion is provided. The alignment measuring apparatus includes a plurality of alignment scanners, each adapted to detecting the arrival of an associated target. A speed scanner is spaced apart from the alignment scanner for detecting said first one of the targets. First timing means are provided for measuring a first time differential indicative of the time delay between detection of the leading and trailing targets by the alignment scanners to provide a measurement proportional to the misalignment between the targets. Second timing means measure a second time differential indicative of the time delay between detection of the first target by the speed scanner and its associated alignment scanner to provide a measurement that is proportional to the speed at which the lugs are traveling and determining whether adjacent lugs are within a selected alignment tolerance based in part upon the time differential measurements. An oscillatory timing clock operates at a selected frequency and the first timing means determines the number of clock pulses that occur during said first time differentia…

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