Surface sensing device with optical sensor
US6633051B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 1, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B5/012
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surface sensing device includes an articulating head adapted for attachment to the spindle of a measuring machine and having two relatively rotatable parts capable of rotation about two mutually perpendicular axes. The device additionally includes a stylus assembly having a relatively stiff hollow stylus carrier, and a relatively flexible hollow stylus. An optical transducer system is provided within the stylus assembly and comprises a fixed light source which directs a beam of light towards a stylus tip, and a retro-reflective component at the tip which reflects the beam back to a fixed detector. The arrangement is such that lateral displacement of the stylus tip when the tip is in contact with a surface can be measured directly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.