Method and apparatus for positioning sensors against a non-planar surface
US5959211A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S15/87
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Typically, paint film thickness is measured at a plurality of locations on a vehicle body by a hand-held sensor which is positioned by an operator at a position normal to the respective locations being sensed. This operation may be inaccurate and time-consuming because substantial reliance is placed upon the operator. The invention provides an apparatus for positioning a plurality of sensors in contact with a plurality of locations, respectively, on a non-planar surface such that each sensor is positioned normal to the non-planar surface at the respective location on the surface. The apparatus includes a movable fixture and a plurality of pistons carried by the movable fixture. Each of the pistons is movable independently with respect to the fixture. Each piston includes a distal end, and a sensor is pivotally mounted to each distal end. Each distal end is spring-biased away from the fixture, and each sensor includes at least two contact points for contacting the non-planar surface on opposing sides of the respective location for orienting the sensor in a position normal to the non-planar surface at the respective location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.