Apparatus and method for viewing and inspecting a circumferential surface area of an object
US6122045A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus (10) and method is provided for generating a 360.degree. view of a surface area of a three-dimensional object, such as a wire or cable, and for inspecting the surface area for flaws or imperfections. A receiving lens (12) defines an optical axis (14) extending through the object, and an origin (0) located on the optical axis within the object and spaced a predetermined distance (S) from the receiving lens (12), for generating a direct image of a front surface section of the object. A first mirror (16) is spaced a first predetermined distance (L1) from the origin (0) on another side of the object relative to the receiving lens (12) for generating a first mirror image of a first rear surface section of the object. A second mirror (18) is spaced a second predetermined distance (L2) from the origin (0) on another side of the object relative to the receiving lens (12), and on another side of the optical axis (14) relative to the first mirror, for generating a second mirror image of a second rear surface section of the object. The first and second mirror images are each defined in part by a first and second central ray (18, 22), respectively, and each central ray forms an an…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.