초록 ▼

The invention is a method and apparatus for automatic mensuration of three-dimensional surfaces. The surface is sensed via non-contact optical triangulation means and the optically produced image measured by electronic means. The electronic measurements are encoded as binary data and passed to a dig

The invention is a method and apparatus for automatic mensuration of three-dimensional surfaces. The surface is sensed via non-contact optical triangulation means and the optically produced image measured by electronic means. The electronic measurements are encoded as binary data and passed to a digital computer for storage, analysis and other functions. The invention is significant because of the speed and relative simplicity of the method and a provision for alleviating shadowing from large surface irregularities. The apparatus has no moving parts, excepting a mechanism to provide for movement of the apparatus relative to the surface so as to progressively view the entire surface. This invention projects two or more planes of light which intersect the surface at known angles, producing illuminated lines. Said lines are viewed by a video type camera placed at a known angle away from the planes so that displacements in the line may be sensed. Electronic circuits detect and measure points on the line and transfer the data to a digital computer.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for performing high speed noncontacting mensuration of 3-dimensional surfaces comprising: a means for illuminating said surface with one or more planes of light intersecting said surface and producing contour lines; a means for moving said surface relative to said planes of light; a mea

An apparatus for performing high speed noncontacting mensuration of 3-dimensional surfaces comprising: a means for illuminating said surface with one or more planes of light intersecting said surface and producing contour lines; a means for moving said surface relative to said planes of light; a means for sensing points on said contour lines reflected from said surface; a means for accurately determining the position of said points over a wide dynamic range of reflected light intensity and beam spreading, whereby a wide variety of surfaces can be measured without adjusting sensor sensitivity or lens aperture; said means including a circuit wherein the sensor output is divided into two parts, the first being delayed before connection to one input of an amplitude comparator, the second connected to the remaining input of the comparator resulting in an amplitude and distortion insensitive timing detector; a means for storing the point position data; a means to provide synchronization for all parts of the apparatus.