Optics: measuring and testing – Angle measuring or angular axial alignment – Relative attitude indication along 3 axes with photodetection
Patent
1994-12-02
1997-01-21
Buczinski, Stephen C.
Optics: measuring and testing
Angle measuring or angular axial alignment
Relative attitude indication along 3 axes with photodetection
3561413, 356153, G01B 1126
Patent
active
055964036
ABSTRACT:
A system for measuring relative angular position about a roll-axis, a yaw-axis, and a pitch-axis includes a source assembly and a receiver assembly. A source assembly emits a rotationally polarized carrier wave laser beam. A laser beam from a laser diode is directed through a linear polarizer and then through the center of a rotating half-wave plate. The plate is secured to a hollow shaft of an electric motor. The beam travels through the plate and through the hollow shaft. A reference signal corresponding to the rotational modulation imposed by the rotating plate is obtained using a flag which is secured to the shaft and positioned to actuate an optical encoder. After leaving the source assembly and reaching the receiver assembly, the beam travels through another linear polarizer, a neutral density filter, and an aplanatic achromatic lens to a two-dimensional position sensing detector. In response to the beam, the position sensing detector produces output signals that correspond to the position of the beam. The signals are routed to a microprocessor by way of additional electronics. The microprocessor also receives the reference signal from the optical encoder adjacent the rotating motor shaft. The microprocessor then uses the various signals to accurately determine the roll, yaw, and pitch of the receiver assembly relative to the source assembly.
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Cheever Daniel R.
Schiff Tod F.
Wilson Daniel J.
Buczinski Stephen C.
TMA Technologies, Inc.
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