Electric heating – Metal heating – By arc
Patent
1984-04-06
1987-01-13
Shaw, Clifford C.
Electric heating
Metal heating
By arc
318577, B23K 912
Patent
active
046366121
ABSTRACT:
The optical tracker of this invention is for tracking a boundary on an illuminated surface where the reflectivity of the surface changes at the boundary. In the preferred embodiment the optical tracker includes an optic foot which rides on the surface to be tracked. The optic foot comprises a housing with two channels for receiving a transmitter optical fiber and the receiver optical fiber. The two channels converge to form an opening in the housing which faces the surface to be tracked. Light supplied by the transmitter optical fiber illuminates the portion of the surface underneath the opening and the reflected light from such portion of the surface enters the receiver optical fiber which transmits the light to a detecting means for locating and tracking the boundary on the surface. In the preferred embodiment the receiver optical fiber is oriented substantially normal to the surface and the transmitter optical fiber substantially at 60 degrees thereto to reduce dynamic range. In the preferred embodiment the optic foot rides on two ruby or sapphire half spheres to accommodate uneven surfaces to be tracked. If the boundary to be tracked is an edge or lap joint, the portion of the joint at an angle to the surface is illuminated by a source located away from the vertical plane containing the joint for improved illumination. The light reflected from the surface is focused by a lens system onto the receiver optical fiber. The distance between the surface and the receiver optical fiber is adjustable by the addition or removal of shims. Where it is desirable for the tracker not to touch the surface, an arc voltage control system is employed in the tracker to sense the distance between the surface and an instrument for performing work on the surface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3989921 (1976-11-01), Ohi et al.
patent: 4410787 (1983-10-01), Kremers et al.
patent: 4491719 (1985-01-01), Corby, Jr.
Cyclomatic Industries, Inc.
Shaw Clifford C.
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