Automatic plumb and level tool with acoustic measuring capability
US5182863A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 1991 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S33/21
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automatic plumb, level, pointing and distance measuring tool uses a visible laser diode to project a beam in any of several different modes through a beam exit window. The tool, approximately the size and shape of a tape measure, can be placed on one edge to project a tilt-compensated vertical beam. Placed on another edge 90.degree.-rotated, the tool projects through the same exit window a tilt-compensated horizontal beam. When laid on either of its larger flat sides, the tilt compensation becomes inoperative and the tool projects a beam which is fixed relative to the housing. Acoustic distance measurement is facilitated using a second component or target side device which is activated to send an acoustic signal across a space to be measured, toward the laser tool. A receiver in the laser tool detects arrival of the acoustic signal and causes the laser to project a characteristically modulated or pulsed beam, received at a photodetector on the target side device. The acoustic transit time is clocked and distance is calculated and displayed. The use of a single acoustic transit time, without reflection increases distance measuring range. Also, the visible laser beam projected bet…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.