Tracking laser interferometer

Details Tracking laser interferometer Tracking laser interferometer

1987-09-30

1988-12-13

Willis, Davis L.

Optics: measuring and testing

Range or remote distance finding

With photodetection

250203R, 356351, 356358, 356363, G01B 902

Patent

active

047906510

ABSTRACT:
A system for tracking a randomly moving object using a laser beam and first and second beam steering assemblies. The steering assemblies pivot, respectively, about substantially perpendicular and intersecting X and Y axes and direct the laser beam along an R axis, which is perpendicular to the X axis and intersects the X and Y axes. Along the R axis, the laser beam is intercepted by a retroreflector, which is coupled to the moving object and which returns the laser beam to a quadrant detector via the steering assemblies. The quadrant detector generates an error signal representative of the object's movement relative to the X and Y axes, and this signal is transmitted to two motors which pivot the steering assemblies about the X and Y axes to reduce the error to zero. The system includes an interferometer to determine the distance of the object from a reference location. The first beam steering assembly includes two prisms which redirect the laser beam through three 90.degree. reflections from an initial direction parallel to the Y axis and towards the X axis to an intermediate direction along the X axis and towards the Y axis. The second beam steering assembly includes a third prism which redirects the laser beam through one 90.degree. reflection from the intermediate direction along the X axis to one coincident with the R axis.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4436417 (1984-03-01), Hutchin
patent: 4457625 (1984-07-01), Greenleaf et al.
patent: 4621926 (1986-11-01), Merry et al.
patent: 4707129 (1987-11-01), Hashimoto et al.
patent: 4714339 (1987-12-01), Lau et al.

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