Gap measurement for shim manufacture
US5385050A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S11/16
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fabrication of a shim for insertion within a gap extending in two orthogonal directions between two structural members in the building of a mechanical structure is accomplished by measuring the gap to provide a map of gap width. Variations in gap width appear in the map so as to enable machining of the shim with corresponding variations in thickness so as to fit accurately in the gap. Measurement of the gap width is attained by use of two acousto-electric transducer assemblies, each of which is constructed as an array of electrode discs produced by photolithography upon a flexible, electrically-insulating film of piezoelectric material which serves as a substrate for support of electrodes on a front surface thereof and a ground plane structure on a back surface thereof. The two transducer assemblies are secured adhesively to corresponding surfaces of structural members defining the gap, and an acoustically-transmissive gel is disposed between the two transducer assemblies. Electrical ranging circuitry is connected to the electrodes of the transducer assemblies to provide a transmitting array for generating sonic signals and a receiving array for receiving the acoustic signals pro…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.