Method and device for monitoring the alignment of a measuring instrument, and measuring instrument
US7325321B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C2009/066
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The method and the device serve to monitor the alignment of a measuring instrument, specifically a balance. To perform this function, the monitoring device is equipped with an inclination sensor based on the principle of a spirit level, with a container filled with a fluid in which a bubble is formed. According to the invention, the position of the bubble is measured optically by means of a radiating element that is arranged on one side of the bubble and serves to emit a radiation, and a sensor element that is arranged on the opposite side of the bubble and serves to receive the radiation. The radiating element, preferably a light-emitting diode, and the sensor element, preferably a photodiode, together define the sensor axis (sx) on which the bubble is centered as long as the sensor axis runs parallel to the axis of the gravity force. Furthermore, the sensor element is flanked by at least two reference elements that are likewise receiving the radiation. The reference elements serve to test whether the intensity of the radiation is within a permissible range. A function test is performed automatically inside the monitoring device in order to verify that the monitoring device is fun…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.