Optics: measuring and testing – Range or remote distance finding – Triangulation ranging to a point with one projected beam
Patent
1999-04-08
2000-11-14
Buczinski, Stephen C.
Optics: measuring and testing
Range or remote distance finding
Triangulation ranging to a point with one projected beam
3561414, G01C 300, G01B 1126
Patent
active
06147746&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The submitted invention provides an optical measuring method to measure relative angles between a measuring device and a measuring point by using a band of fanned beams which are emitted from the measuring device and said beams are being thrown back by reflectors installed at the measuring points, whereby the emitting light beam is rotated around the axis of the measuring device, and said light beam passes a predetermined angle range at the beginung in relation to the measuring device, said angle being measured by counting clock pulses until said light beam has reached the end of the angle range, and whereby the determined counter readings are recorded, said counter readings are obtained by a reflected light beam thrown back and the relative angles are calculated by interpretation of the ratio of the counter readings, and furthermore there is included a measuring device to implement said optical measuring method.
A similar method has been noted in patent registration WO 94/00778, U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,787. Said patent relates to a method to measure angles between a measuring platform and a measuring point, whereby a fanned light beam in a level band is rotated around the vertical axis of said measuring platform and where said light beam is thrown back to the measuring platform by reflectors instaled at the measuring points. There is a counter device on the measurig platform which begins to count pulses of the passing fanned light beam at a defined starting position and which registers counter readings when receiving a reflecting light beam. The relative angle between the reflector and the starting position of the measuring platform can be computed by using the ratio of counter readings.
It has been noticed, however, that the accuracy of this method does not meet necessary requirements by using various ratios of the measuring platform especially in relation to the reflectors and moving measuring platform. It is also not possible to calculate the direct distance between measuring platform and reflectors with known methods and devices. This is only possible with separate measuring means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The task of the submitted invention was to improve the known methods to such a degree that, on one side, direct distance measuring is possible and, on the other side, the accuracy of measuring results is increased even for continuously changing conditions of the measuring platform, especially in regard to the moving speed of the measuing platform in relation to the reflectors.
This task is resolved in accordance with the invention defined in claim1.
Other preferred applications using the measuring device are described in related claims 7 to 10.
The placement of a light source with a tangential light beam in relation to a concentric orbit that circles a rotating axis, instead of the radial placement of a light beam in relation to the rotating axis, makes possible direct distance measuring to the reference marks. In addition, the placement of several light sources adds to the increase of accuracy since angle and distance can me measured by using several readings.
According to the invention, said placement of a light source allows also easy installation of the light source and light receptor within the measuring device housing, since they will no longer have to be installed in the center of said housing.
In accordance with the invention, the measuring method and the measuring device is particularly practical for taking measurements from moving platforms, as for example from railroad cars.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Application examples of the invention are described in the attached drawings. They show the following:
Drawing #1 (FIG. 1) Axial section view of a conventional measuring device.
Drawing #2 (FIG. 2) Diagram of measuring procedures using a conventional method.
Drawing #3 (FIG. 3) Diagram of measuring azimuth according to the invention.
Drawing #4 (FIG. 4) Diagram of measuring elevation according to the invention.
Drawing #5 (FIG. 5) Diagram of measuring di
REFERENCES:
patent: 2830487 (1958-04-01), Griffith
patent: 3714657 (1973-01-01), Lapeyre
patent: 4268167 (1981-05-01), Alderman
patent: 4486095 (1984-12-01), Mitchelson
patent: 4895440 (1990-01-01), Cain et al.
patent: 4911548 (1990-03-01), Keren-Gill
patent: 5110202 (1992-05-01), Dornbusch et al.
International Publication No. WO 94/00778 dated Jan. 6, 1994.
Buczinski Stephen C.
J. Muller AG
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