Other

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.

Chief Automotive Technologies, Inc.

Michael T Hanchett

David Scott Groothuis

Robin Knoke

Darryl W Koop

Roy E Lawton

Jim C Hartl

A scanning measurement systems for the repair of structures that includes laser base or hub assembly. The laser base assembly serves as a single rotating head emitting a pair of laser beams, and may include a device for detecting a reflected signal (if using retroreflective targets) such as an array of photo diodes, for example, and a system for transmitting this detected signal to a computer that analyzes the signals. One use of the system is to determine the amount of deformation from a manufacturer's standards of a structure such as a vehicle frame. The system provides a compact and cost-effective way to determining the deformation of various portions of the structure and a monitoring system to display real-time data as the structure is being changed (repaired). The system can be used to show a work plan for an estimate, or a detailed report of all changes made to the structure.

Scanning and measurement system for repair of structures

A process for calibrating and correcting errors in laser measurement systems in situ, either remotely over the Internet or where the laser measurement system is physically located. In one embodiment, a number of targets are arrayed around the scanner and read by the software of a system. The laser scanner is rotated 180 degrees and the positions of the targets are read again. A correction factor is determined by calculation and displayed to show the expected improvement in accuracy of the laser measurement system. In a second embodiment, the laser scanner is positioned under a vehicle with targets at reference positions for which the measurements are known. The scanner readings are checked against the known values and a correction factor developed. This could be applied on a one-time basis or it can be programmed in the host computer where evaluation and compensation occur automatically.

Method of calibrating laser measurement systems in-situ

An improved laser scanning apparatus () for determining frame or unibody alignment or misalignment of a vehicle () is provided, which includes a laser assembly (), a pair of rotatable mirror assemblies () and laser detectors () located within an enclosed housing (). The laser assembly () has an upper pair of lasers () located in known, spaced relationship above a lower pair of lasers (); detector assemblies () are also provided including substantially parabolic reflective surfaces () with detectors () disposed substantially at the focal point of the surfaces (). The apparatus () is used in conjunction with a plurality of individually coded reflective targets () which are suspended from known reference points on the vehicle (). In use, the laser assembly () in conjunction with the mirror assemblies () directs upper and lower laser beams through 360 degree scans to impinge on the targets (); laser radiation reflected from the targets () is detected by the detector assemblies (), allowing trigonometric calculation of target positions using information derived from the scans of the upper and lower beams. In this way, a determination can be made if any of the targets () are out of plumb (i.e., not truly vertical). Preferably, the housing () includes a pair of elongated, laser-transparent panels () and is effectively sealed to minimize contamination of the apparatus (). The provision of parabolic detection assembliesincreases the signal-to-noise ratio for the apparatus ().

Laser scanner with parabolic collector

A laser measurement system indicates the difference between an actual position of a vehicle frame reference point on a vehicle frame and a normal position employing a rotating laser scanner; an electro-optical detector and a host computer. A positioning arrangement is also provided for positioning the electro-optical detector at a known distance from the reference point. In operation, the host computer queries the scanner and detector via a communication link, calculates the actual position of the reference point, and displays the difference between the position of the vehicle reference point on the vehicle frame and the normal position.

Laser measurement system

An improved laser scanning apparatus () for determining frame or unibody alignment or misalignment of a vehicle () is provided, which includes a laser assembly (), a pair of rotatable mirror assemblies () and laser detectors () located within an enclosed housing (). The laser assembly () has an upper pair of lasers () located in known, spaced relationship above a lower pair of lasers (). with the detectors () disposed between the upper and lower laser pairs (). The apparatus () is used in conjunction with a plurality of individually coded reflective targets () which are suspended from known reference points on the vehicle (). In use, the laser assembly () in conjunction with the mirror assemblies () directs upper and lower laser beams through 360 degree scans to impinge on the targets (); laser radiation reflected from the targets () is detected by the detectors (), allowing trigonometric calculation of target positions using information derived from the scans of the upper and lower beams. In this way, a determination can be made if any of the targets () are out of plumb (i.e., not truly vertical). Preferably, the housing () includes a pair of elongated, laser-transparent panels () and is effectively sealed to minimize contamination of the apparatus ().

Vehicle measuring system

An improved laser scanning apparatus ( ) for determining frame or unibody alignment or misalignment of a vehicle ( ) is provided, which includes a laser assembly ( ), a pair of rotatable mirror assemblies ( ) and laser detectors ( ) located within an enclosed housing ( ). The laser assembly ( ) has an upper pair of lasers ( ) located in known, spaced relationship above a lower pair of lasers ( ), with the detectors ( ) disposed between the upper and lower laser pairs ( ). The apparatus ( ) is used in conjunction with a plurality of individually coded reflective targets ( ) which are suspended from known reference points on the vehicle ( ). In use, the laser assembly ( ) in conjunction with the mirror assemblies ( ) directs upper and lower laser beams through 360 degree scans to impinge on the targets ( ); laser radiation reflected from the targets ( ) is detected by the detectors ( ), allowing trigonometric calculation of target positions using information derived from the scans of the upper and lower beams. In this way, a determination can be made if any of the targets ( ) are out of plumb (i.e., not truly vertical). Preferably, the housing ( ) includes a pair of elongated, laser-transparent panels ( ) and is effectively sealed to minimize contamination of the apparatus ( ).

An improved laser scanning apparatus ( ) for determining frame or unibody alignment or misalignment of a vehicle ( ) is provided, which includes a laser assembly ( ), a pair of rotatable mirror assemblies ( ) and laser detectors ( ) located within an enclosed housing ( ). The laser assembly ( ) has an upper pair of lasers ( ) located in known, spaced relationship above a lower pair of lasers ( ); detector assemblies ( ) are also provided including substantially parabolic reflective surfaces ( ) with detectors ( ) disposed substantially at the focal point of the surfaces ( ). The apparatus ( ) is used in conjunction with a plurality of individually coded reflective targets ( ) which are suspended from known reference points on the vehicle ( ). In use, the laser assembly ( ) in conjunction with the mirror assemblies ( ) directs upper and lower laser beams through 360 degree scans to impinge on the targets ( ); laser radiation reflected from the targets ( ) is detected by the detector assemblies ( ), allowing trigonometric calculation of target positions using information derived from the scans of the upper and lower beams. In this way, a determination can be made if any of the targets ( ) are out of plumb (i.e., not truly vertical). Preferably, the housing ( ) includes a pair of elongated, laser-transparent panels ( ) and is effectively sealed to minimize contamination of the apparatus ( ). The provision of parabolic detection assemblies increases the signal-to-noise ratio for the apparatus ( ).

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Lynnwood, WA, United States of America

Michael T Hanchett