Multiple-beam triangulation-based range finder and method
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G01C-003/08
G01S-007/481
G01S-017/48
G01S-017/32
출원번호
US-0660285
(2015-03-17)
등록번호
US-9791554
(2017-10-17)
발명자
/ 주소
Uyeno, Gerald P.
Keller, Sean D.
Batinica, Michael J.
출원인 / 주소
Raytheon Company
대리인 / 주소
Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
4
초록▼
A multiple-beam triangulation-based range finder can direct multiple beams onto a sample from different orientations. The range finder can use a quadrant detector to detect light from the multiple beams that is reflected from the sample. The range finder generates a trigger signal when the target is
A multiple-beam triangulation-based range finder can direct multiple beams onto a sample from different orientations. The range finder can use a quadrant detector to detect light from the multiple beams that is reflected from the sample. The range finder generates a trigger signal when the target is a specified distance from the range finder. In some examples, two or more of the multiple beams are directed onto the sample simultaneously, where the beams are modulated at different frequencies and the signals from the quadrant detector are analyzed at the respective frequencies. In some examples, two or more of the multiple beams are directed onto the sample in succession, where the signals from the quadrant detector are analyzed in respective time windows. Using multiple beams with the quadrant detector can increase robustness against relative tilt of the sample with respect to the range finder.
대표청구항▼
1. A multiple-beam triangulation-based range finder, comprising: a housing defining an axis extending from the housing toward a target to be measured;a light source coupled to the housing, the light source configured to emit a first light beam from a first location on the housing with an orientation
1. A multiple-beam triangulation-based range finder, comprising: a housing defining an axis extending from the housing toward a target to be measured;a light source coupled to the housing, the light source configured to emit a first light beam from a first location on the housing with an orientation to intersect the axis at a first distance from the housing, the light source further configured to emit a second light beam from a second location on the housing, different from the first location, with an orientation to intersect the axis at the first distance from the housing;a quadrant detector coupled to the housing, centered with respect to the axis, and configured to receive light from the first and second light beams that is reflected from the target when the target is positioned along the axis; andcircuitry coupled to the quadrant detector and configured to produce a trigger signal that has a first value when the target is spaced from the housing by less than half the first distance and has a second value, different from the first value, when the target is spaced from the housing by more than half the first distance, wherein the trigger signal switches from the second value to the first value, triggering an action. 2. The range finder of claim 1, wherein the circuitry produces the trigger signal by subtracting a first of at least two signals produced by elements of the quadrant detector from a second of the at least two signals produced by the elements of the quadrant detector. 3. The range finder of claim 1, wherein the light source emits the first and second light beams simultaneously. 4. The range finder of claim 3, wherein the light source comprises: a first light-producing element to generate the first light beam; anda second light-producing element, spaced apart from the first light-producing element, to generate the second light beam. 5. The range finder of claim 4, wherein the first light-producing element modulates the first light beam at a first frequency; wherein the circuitry associates signals from the quadrant detector at the first frequency with the first light beam;wherein the second light-producing element modulates the second light beam at a second frequency, different from the first frequency; andwherein the circuitry associates signals from the quadrant detector at the second frequency with the second light beam. 6. The range finder of claim 3, wherein the light source comprises: a light-producing element configured to produce an incident beam; anda beamsplitter configured to direct a first fraction of the incident beam into the first light beam and a second fraction of the incident beam into the second light beam. 7. The range finder of claim 6, further comprising: a first modulator configured to modulate the first light beam at a first frequency; anda second modulator configured to modulate the second light beam at a second frequency, different from the first frequency;wherein the circuitry associates signals from the quadrant detector at the first frequency with the first light beam; andwherein the circuitry associates signals from the quadrant detector at the second frequency with the second light beam. 8. The range finder of claim 1, wherein the light source emits the first and second light beams sequentially. 9. The range finder of claim 8, wherein the light source comprises: a first light-producing element to generate the first light beam in a first time interval, wherein the circuitry associates signals from the quadrant detector within the first time interval with the first light beam; anda second light-producing element, spaced apart from the first light-producing element, to generate the second light beam in a second time interval, different from the first time interval, wherein the circuitry associates signals from the quadrant detector within the second time interval with the second light beam. 10. The range finder of claim 8, wherein the light source comprises: a light-producing element configured to produce an incident beam; anda beam steering element configured to direct the incident beam into the first light beam during a first time interval and direct the incident beam into the second light beam during a second time interval, different from the first time interval. 11. The range finder of claim 10, wherein the circuitry associates signals from the quadrant detector within the first time interval with the first light beam; and wherein the circuitry associates signals from the quadrant detector within the second time interval with the second light beam. 12. The range finder of claim 1, wherein the light source emits the first and second light beams at respective first and second inclination angles with respect to the longitudinal axis; andwherein the first and second inclination angles are equal. 13. The range finder of claim 1, wherein the light source emits the first and second light beams at respective first and second inclination angles with respect to the longitudinal axis; andwherein the first and second inclination angles are different. 14. The range finder of claim 1, wherein the light source is further configured to emit a third light beam from a third location on the housing with an orientation to intersect the axis at a second distance from the housing. 15. The range finder of claim 1, wherein the light source includes a beam-steering element configured to controllably vary an inclination angle of the first light beam, and thereby vary the location at which the first light beam intersects the longitudinal axis. 16. The range finder of claim 15, wherein the beam-steering element includes a waveguide that redirects the first light beam in response to an applied voltage. 17. A method for determining a time-varying distance between a housing, the housing defining an axis extending from the housing toward a target disposed along the axis, comprising: emitting a first light beam from a first location on the housing with an orientation to intersect the axis at a first distance from the housing;emitting a second light beam from a second location on the housing, different from the first location, with an orientation to intersect the axis at the first distance from the housing;collecting light from the first and second light beams that is reflected from the target with a multi-element detector;subtracting a first of at least two signals produced by elements of the multi-element detector from a second of the at least two signals produced by the elements of the multi-element detector to form a trigger signal that has a first value when the target is spaced from the housing by less than half the first distance and has a second value, different from the first value, when the target is spaced from the housing by more than half the first distance, andwherein the trigger signal switches from the second value to the first value, triggering an action. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first and second light beams are emitted simultaneously; and further comprising: modulating the first and second light beams at respective different first and second frequencies;associating signals from the multi-element detector at the first frequency with the first light beam;associating signals from the multi-element detector at the second frequency with the second light beam; andforming the trigger signal using signals from both the first and second light beams. 19. A multiple-beam triangulation-based range finder, comprising: a housing defining an axis extending from the housing toward a target to be measured, a light source coupled to the housing, the light source configured to simultaneously emit first and second light beams from respective first and second locations on the housing, the first and second light beams having orientations to both intersect the axis at a first distance from the housing, the light source modulating the first and second light beams at respective first and second frequencies;a quadrant detector coupled to the housing, centered with respect to the axis, and configured to receive light from the first and second light beams that is reflected from the target when the target is positioned along the axis; andcircuitry coupled to the quadrant detector and configured to produce a trigger signal that has a first value when the target is spaced from the housing by less than half the first distance and has a second value, different from the first value, when the target is spaced from the housing by more than half the first distance, the circuitry associating signals from the quadrant detector at the first frequency with the first light beam, the circuitry associating signals from the quadrant detector at the second frequency with the second light beam, the circuitry forming the trigger signal using signals from both the first and second light beams, wherein the trigger signal switches from the second value to the first value, triggering an action. 20. The range finder of claim 19, wherein the circuitry produces the trigger signal by subtracting a first of at least two signals produced by elements of the quadrant detector from a second of the at least two signals produced by the elements of the quadrant detector.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
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