Supports – Brackets – Article holding means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-24
2002-08-27
King, Anita (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Article holding means
C033S372000, C033S373000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06439524
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a measuring head holder for a measuring head, for example but not exclusively an optical measuring head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical form of optical measuring head is for example a 3-D speckle interferometry measuring head by means of which deformation and/or the contour of a surface of an object can be measured by a non-destructive procedure. For that purpose, the measuring head has to be moved into a defined position relative to the surface of the object whose surface is to be measured, and has to be held in that properly defined position during the measurement procedure.
In that respect a problem which frequently arises is that a measuring head can measure and survey on the object a measurement area which may be some square centimeters in size, whereas the object whose surface is to be measured is substantially larger. In such situations, there is frequently a wish to measure the surface of the object at a plurality of measurement locations thereon, in particular when the object is in different conditions and states. It is then necessary to measure the various measurement locations on the object firstly in an initial condition or state of the object and then for example in a condition or state of the object in which it is subjected to a loading.
As such a measuring head is generally a highly expensive component, the procedure adopted usually involves employing one and the same measuring head in succession at each of the individual measurement locations on the object whose surface is to be measured, rather than using a plurality of different measuring heads. It will be appreciated that it is important to achieve in that respect reproducible results in the respective conditions or states of the object whose surface is to be measured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring head holder affording a simple and inexpensive way of holding a measuring head in a uniform position relative to an object whose surface is to be measured during measurement procedures.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a measuring head holder which can be previously secured to an object whose surface is to be measured in a properly defined position in order thereby to prepare the object for the measuring procedure, so that the measuring head can then be fixed to the fitted measuring head holder in a defined position and released therefrom again after measurement.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a measuring head holder for carrying a measuring head for measuring a surface of an object, for example using a 3-D speckle interferometry technique, which is of a simple design configuration and structure while nonetheless ensuring mounting of a measuring head thereto in the appropriately defined position.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention the foregoing and other objects are attained by a measuring head holder for mounting a measuring head, for example for implementing a 3-D speckle interferometry procedure on an object to be measured, wherein the measuring head holder has a mounting or receiving portion for definedly securing thereto a measuring head, and at least one securing element for fixing the mounting or receiving portion to said object.
As will be seen in greater detail from the description hereinafter of preferred embodiments of the invention, the fact that the measuring head holder includes a mounting or receiving portion, which can be referred to hereinafter for the sake of brevity just as the receiving portion, means that the measuring head can be released from the measuring head holder at any time without the holder being removed from the object to which it is mounted.
The fact that the receiving portion includes at least one securing element also means that the receiving portion can be fixed to the object, independently of the fixing of the measuring head to the holder.
In a preferred feature of the invention the receiving portion can be in the form of a mounting or adaptor ring having a central through opening, the longitudinal direction of which coincides with the observation direction of the measuring head. That arrangement ensures very stable securing of the measuring head to the object as the ring shape of the receiving portion guarantees a high level of stability without observation of the object whose surface is to be measured by the measuring head being adversely affected.
The measuring head holder may include as securing elements feet or legs, referred to hereinafter for convenience as feet, which are secured on the one hand to the receiving portion, more especially when in the form of an adaptor ring, and which on the other hand bear with their respective free front ends against the surface of the object. That arrangement provides that it is possible on the one hand to suitably select the number of mounting or attachment points, in general three such points to provide a properly defined but not over-defined mounting or support configuration. On the other hand, the position of the feet can be suitably selected in accordance with the shape of the object insofar as the holder or adaptor ring can have a plurality of possible mounting positions for the feet thereon.
To provide for maximum stability in terms of positioning of the measuring head holder with respect to the object whose surface is to be measured by the measuring head, the mounting points of the feet could be spaced away from each other to the maximum extent achievable in regard to the structure of the holder, that is to say for example the feet can extend inclinedly outwardly from the adaptor ring. That however gives rise to the problem that on the one hand association of the measuring area to be observed by the measuring head, in regard to position on the surface of the object, is something that can only be achieved with difficulty, while on the other hand there is also the problem that, in the event of deformation of the surface of the object in the measuring area being measured by the measuring head, it is not clear how the surface of the object is displaced with respect to the measuring area. With those considerations in mind, the mounting points of the measuring head holder and more particularly the mounting points of the feet on the surface of the object, will desirably be so selected that at least one of the mounting points and preferably in particular all mounting points are close to or precisely just in the measuring area.
In addition, the contact points of the measuring head holder and in particular the contact points of the feet are such that either only one mounting point, that is to say a foot, always remains fixedly on its point on the object, whereas the other two out of three can move along the surface of the object or, instead of the other feet, there can be an independent holding means which is external with respect to the object to be measured, for example a robot arm.
An alternative in this respect provides that all contact points of the feet against the object are arranged fixedly on the object and for example upon extension or elongation of the surface of the object, the feet experience elastic deformation which is uniform in regard to all feet.
While in the former case the fixed mounting point serves as a fixed point between the measuring area and the surface of the object even when the surface of the object experiences deformation, in the second case the fixed point between the surface of the object and the measuring area is the geometrical center between the fixed mounting points, thus generally the geometrical center of the above-mentioned adaptor ring which can preferably form the receiving portion.
A further possible structural configuration provides that there are at least three feet or legs on the adaptor ring, which ensure that there is a spacing that is always the same between the adaptor ring and the surface of the object, that is to say the length of the legs remain the same, without one of the mounting points serving as a f
Crozler John H.
King Anita
Morrison Naschica S.
LandOfFree
Measuring head holder does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Measuring head holder, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Measuring head holder will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2962503