Patent · US Active

Laser tracker with position-sensitive detectors for searching for a target

US9696140B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
6References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 6, 2012
Grant dateJul 4, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 7, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S17/66
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Some embodiments of the invention relate to a laser tracker for continuously pursuing a reflective target and for determining the position of the target. The method may include a base which defines a vertical axis, a beam guiding unit for emitting a measurement beam, the beam guiding unit being pivotable by motor relative to the base about the vertical axis and an inclination axis, and a measurement axis being defined by an emission direction of the measurement beam. The laser tracker may include a precision distance measurement unit and an angle measurement function. The target search unit may have illumination source for illuminating the target, a first camera with a first position-sensitive detector and at least one part of the illumination beam reflected on the target being determinable as a first target position, and a control and evaluation unit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.