The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 30, 1996
Filed:
Aug. 29, 1994
Helmut Winkelmann, Forchheim, DE;
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Munich, DE;
Abstract
A distance sensor is provided for supplying a precise distance signal identifying the spacing between two components in a computed tomography apparatus which move relative to each other. The two components may be, for example, the rotating scan frame and the stationary gantry inside of which the scan frame rotates. The distance sensor includes a measuring mark mounted on one of the components and having a geometrical shape, such as the shape of a triangle tapering toward the other component, so that the measuring mark influences, such as by interrupting, the path of a measuring light ray which is emitted from the other of the components. The time during which the measuring mark influences the measuring light ray is dependent on the spacing of the components from each other. A signal indicative of this spacing is supplied to an evaluation circuit, and can be used to identify deviations from a specified rotational center of the scan frame with a high degree of resolution, so that appropriate correction steps can be undertaken.