Noncontact position measurement systems using optical sensors

US5367373A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US

Inventors

• Ilene J. Busch-Vishniac · Baltimore, US
• Alvin B. Buckman · Austin, US
• Wanjun Wang · Baton Rouge, US
• Dahong Oian · Dallas, US
• Vladimir Mancevski · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 19, 1992
• Grant date: Nov 22, 1994
• Expiry date: Nov 19, 2012

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S17/88
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Optical and computational components are combined to form high precision, six degree-of-freedom, single-sided, noncontact position measurement systems. Reflective optical targets are provided on a target object whose position is to be sensed. Light beams are directed toward the optical targets, producing reflected beams. Electrical signals are produced by movements of reflected beams across position-sensitive detectors, such as lateral-effect photodiodes. The signals are transformed to provide measurements of translation along and rotation around three nonparallel axes which define the space in which the target object moves.