Mirage Development, Ltd.

Other

Spectra Precision, Inc.

Ncr Corporation

Trimble Navigation Limited

Mirage Holography Ltd.

Robert M Perchak

Jonathan A Jackson

Edward E Hart

Robin Gwen McCarty

John P Dugan

Richard D'Alessandro

An axicon is disclosed comprising a generally cylindrical body having an exterior surface, preferably a cylindrical surface. A first outwardly reflective lens surfaceand a second inwardly reflective lens surfaceare formed at opposite ends of the body. A light input beam from a suitable source is directed into one of those surfaces and through the axicon to the other of those surfaces, and the beam is transformed by the axicon into a beam(s) exiting such other surface. The shape and angular extent of the exit beam will depend, in part, on the selected position of the first surface with respect to the optical axis of the axicon and/or the second surface. The axicon is an optical grade unit, preferably unitary, which can receive light of a specified pattern through a first surface, redirect and modify the light, and output light of a different pattern though a second surface. In one configuration a concentrated light beam can be input to the axicon and output as a differently shaped beam, such as defining a predetermined plane or geometric surface. In another configuration, light surrounding the axicon can be input to the first surface, concentrated and then output through the second surfaceas a beam of predetermined size and shape, such as may be be sensed by a photodiode supported at or near the focal point of the lens.

Wide angle surface generator and target

A multi-axis bubble vial device includes a bubble vial having a vial body defining a fluid chamber with a curved upper surface, and a quantity of fluid partially filling the chamber. The fluid defines a bubble in the upper portion of the chamber that moves along the upper surface in dependence upon the orientation of the vial. A centrally positioned light source above the bubble vial directs light into the chamber, and four light sensors, positioned above the bubble vial and arranged circumferentially around the centrally positioned light source, detect the reflection of light from a reflector beneath the fluid chamber. A first pair of the sensors is positioned on opposite sides of the light source along a first axis, and a second pair of the sensors is positioned on opposite sides of the light source along a second axis. The second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

Multi-axis bubble vial device

A method and an instrument are provided for checking and adjusting the accuracy of an alignment device which transmits a collimated (e.g. laser) light beam that serves as an alignment reference. That beam generator defines a precise reference for purposes of alignment of various other forms of apparatus, often over great distance. The checking and adjusting instrument (which is totally passive) provided by this invention is precisely attached to the alignment device, temporarily, and receives the reference beam of light from the device. The instrument displays an indication of misalignment of the beam, and also aids in correcting same.

Optical angle finder and coaxial alignment device

Correction is provided for a curved or skewed scan output from a penta assembly in an instrument that scans a beam in a predetermined fashion. The penta assembly has first and second beam directing surfaces supported at a predetermined angle to each other. A laser beam source directs a beam along a path preferably coinciding with the scanning axis of said mount toward the first surface, and a first optical element converges the input beam to a spot on that first surface. Then the reflection or redirection of such spot is transmitted onto the second surface, and finally the redirected beam from that second surface is transformed into a collimated output beam from the penta assembly. This is accomplished using simple passive optical elements, e.g. convex lenses or optical equivalents, which are readily incorporated into the penta assembly.

Penta assembly skew compensator

A laser receiver is provided that is capable of providing an accurate indication of laser receiver tilt and correcting a generated elevation signal based upon the indicated laser receiver tilt. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a laser receiver is provided comprising a laser beam detection unit, an inclination detection unit, and suitable laser receiver control circuitry. The laser beam detection unit is arranged to enable production of an elevation signal indicative of an elevation of a laser beam relative to the laser receiver. The inclination detection unit comprises a reference light source, an optical fiber, and an optical detector. The optical fiber defines a light input end and a light output end and is coupled to the reference light source such that light from the reference light source enters at the light input end and exits from the light output end as an output beam of light. The optical detector is arranged to receive the output beam of light. The inclination detection unit is arranged to permit the output end of the optical fiber to move relative to the optical detector as the primary receiver axis tilts relative to a vertical reference axis. The optical detector is arranged to produce an optical detection signal indicative of a position of the output beam on the optical detector. The laser receiver control circuitry is arranged to generate a receiver tilt signal from the optical detection signal. The receiver tilt signal is indicative of a degree to which the primary receiver axis is tilted relative to the vertical reference axis. The laser receiver control circuitry is also arranged to correct the elevation signal as a function of the receiver tilt signal.

Laser receiver with out-of-plumb indication and compensation

Opposite wedge plates having identical non-parallel surfaces are joined to provide an optical element which will receive a portion (e.g. one-half) of an input light beam, and project the side-by-side interference patterns directly onto a viewing screen to check for collimation of the beam. The instrument incorporates a rectangular housing having an input window in one side of the housing for admission of the beam being investigated, and a viewing window in another side located at right angles to the input window. A viewing screen is fitted into or supported in the viewing window. The optical element comprises a matched pair of optical wedge plates having the same wedge angle and being supported side-by-side with their wedge directions opposite, and is supported in and across the housing extending at forty-five degrees to the input window, from a corner adjacent the viewing window to an opposite corner. A telescope including a pair of lenses, at least one of which is adjustable with respect to the other, extends from the input window and acts to focus the interference fringe patterns onto the viewing screen. A scale on the telescope indicates the convergence and/or divergence of the beam from its source to the instrument when the patterns are visually equal and in focus.

Bi-lateral shearing interferometer with beam convergence/divergence

A passive target device has as its principal element an optical axcicon having an optical axis which is intended to be aligned with a reference beam. The axicon has a geometric center line coincident with its optical axis and includes at least one facet which will form a reference image when the optical axis is aligned with the reference beam, such image being symmetrical in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. This optical axicon is mounted in a holder, such as a tubular body, having an inlet window and a output or display window, and is adapted to be supported a distance away from the source of the beam, which may vary from less than one meter up to several hundred meters. Different forms of optical elements may be utilized with the axicon, the elements employing one or more like facets arranged symmetrically about the optical axis.

Beam centering system

A device for leveling a laser transmitter is provided. An optical position sensor is used to measure the position of a compensator assembly. The compensator assembly automatically adjusts the position of the laser beam once the compensator assembly is within a specified range of level. Once the compensator assembly is within the specified range, the compensator assembly optically adjusts the laser beam so that it is plumb. A leveling device may be used to level the laser transmitter in response to the position of the compensator assembly as measured by the position sensor.

Position leveling sensor for a laser transmitter

Opposite wedge plates having identical non-parallel surfaces are joined to provide an optical element which will receive a portion (e.g. one-half) of an collimated input light beam, and project the side-by-side interference patterns directly onto a viewing screen to check for collimation of the beam. The instrument incorporates a rectangular, preferably cube shaped, housing having an input window in one side of the housing for admission of the beam being investigated, and a viewing window in another side located at right angles to the input window. A viewing screen (such as a diffusing plate) is fitted into or supported in the viewing window. The optical element is supported in and across the housing extending at forty-five degrees to the input window, from a corner adjacent the viewing window to an opposite corner. The optical element comprises a matched pair of optical wedge plates having the same wedge angle and being supported side-by-side with their wedge directions opposite. The wedge plates are fabricated by splitting a source plate across the direction of the interference fringes of the source plate and rejoining the resulting pair of wedge plates with their wedge directions opposite.

Bi-lateral shearing interferometer

The target structure of this invention is comprised of a thin optically transparent lightguide sheet, preferably two sheets bonded together with flat sides. The thin sheet material is chosen to make a good pocket-size lightguide and provide an adequate tradeoff to cost, manufacturing ease, and internal reflective loss, and may be colored to provide an optical filter enhancing contrast of the viewed image by rejecting unwanted light. At the entrance edge of the target are side-by-side formations generating optically the lens and axicon function, and separately the reference lens function. The exit edges of the sheets are either flat and perpendicular to the faces, or at such an angle as to direct images at a prescribed angle with respect to the face of the sheet(s). The entrance edge of the one sheet is formed with a curve to produce the optical lens and axicon functions, the shape of which can be chosen to enhance any difference occuring between the images when the incoming beam is not on center. The other sheet is similarly designed to the lens function that produces a single image reference line. The exit ends of each lightguide are made in several ways depending on where the images are to be viewed. The output ends may be viewed from the edge of the target, as for drop ceiling rail alignment, and the images appear directly on the ends.

Thin lightguide target for laser alignment

Targets for use with scanning light beam leveling/marking devices, are constructed with their elements assembled as unitary target structure. The lens and beam divider functions are provided by optical quality fresnel lenses attached to or formed on a polycarbonate block, these parts thus can be made essentially an integral element. These special fresnel lens which are optically equivalent of the input lens and beam dividing axicon, and the viewing screen diffuser function provided by a frosted viewing plate. A separate fresnel lens is mounted alongside the beam dividing lenses and functions to provide a reference image on the viewing screen. The optical path for the impinging light beam (after it is divided) may be transmitted directly through the body block, from the input to the view window, or through a reflector surface at a side of the block, the block body of the target functioning as a waveguide.

Laser leveling target with fresnel lens system

The invention provides a passive hand held target for use with a scanning light beam, particularly a laser beam, in which the beam impinged upon (i.e. input to) the target is divided and the resultant beams are directed to a viewing screen witha diffusing function, where an observer can discern equality or inequalities of their images as the target is moved to center its input window with respect to the scanning beam. Adjustment of the target then provides a reference for marking of a surface adjacent the target. The beam divider may include a mask which produces a pair of symmetrical easy to compare beam shapes. An alternative beam divider is an axicon. Holograms can be used as equivalent optical devices for the lens and axicon beam dividing function and for the diffusing viewing function, as well as to direct the beams at convenient angles.

Target for laser leveling systems

A number of embodiments of targets, for use with scanning light beam leveling/marking devices, are constructed with their elements incorporated as target structure. The lens and beam divider functions are formed into optical quality parts such as a polycarbonate block, these parts thus are made essentially as an integral element, or the function of those elements can be provided by a first hologram which is optically equivalent of the input lens and beam dividing axicon, and the viewing screen diffuser function provided by a second hologram, and these holograms may be made on a single substrate, to improve and maintain alignment. The optical path for the impinging light beam (after it is divided) may be transmitted and reflected from the input to the view window through one or more reflector surfaces, with the body of the target functioning as a waveguide. Utilizing such integral constructions, and using input and output holograms, provides advantages of minimized space for the optical elements, and built-in permanent alignment of these elements. They also are small in size, sturdy, have no external protuberances, and will withstand rough handling in a construction environment.

Methods and apparatus for measuring the lateral displacement and changes in the lateral dimension of thin long objects, particularly filament materials such as wire or various fibers. The material may move quasi-statically or at a high rate of speed. The simplest embodiment of this invention utilizes a light source such as an incandescent lamp, a laser, a light emitting diode, etc., to produce a collimated beam of light. The light traverses the sample region and impinges on a detector including least two precisely separated photosensors arranged at a predetermined angle to the object to monitor and/or measure changes in lateral dimension and displacement detection. Displacement information which can be derived from the method and apparatus can be utilized to determine the vibration and also the tension in a monitored filament or the like. A beam splitter can be used to produce multiple output beams directed to separate detectors.

Non-contact measurement of displacement and changes in dimension of

Disclosed is a two-stage thermoelectric heat pumping apparatus for heating/cooling an I.C. chip. The first stage is a primary thermoelectric module sandwiched between a base made of a high thermal conductivity material and functioning as a heat source/sink and a heat conductive pad. The second stage is a secondary thermoelectric module sandwiched between the pad and a heat conductive block designed to receive a slotted I.C. chip socket at the top portion thereof and provided with a contact surface such that, upon insertion into the socket, the chip is in direct contact with said contact surface. By passing suitable currents through all the thermoelectric modules heat is pumped, in the heating mode, from the base (source) to the chip and, in the cooling mode, from the chip to the base (sink).

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Dayton, OH, United States of America

Robert M Perchak