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. 02, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 22, 2000
Dirrick J. Ferrell, Kentwood, MI (US);
Ross C. Stoepker, Kentwood, MI (US);
Timothy E. Steenwyk, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Eric Jon Walstra, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Laser Alignment, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Abstract
A control system for establishing grade and elevation control for a tool of a construction apparatus for maintaining the vertical position of the tool relative to a reference includes a first ultrasonic transducer configured to be carried by the construction apparatus, with the first transducer transmitting and receiving acoustic waves, at least one reflector, a second ultrasonic transducer configured to be carried by the construction apparatus, with the second transducer receiving acoustic waves, and a controller coupled to the first and second ultrasonic transducers which drive the transducers to produce an acoustic wave and monitors the time reflections of the acoustic wave are respectively received by the first and second transducers. The controller determines the local speed of sound based on a first in time reflection received by the second ultrasonic transducer and determines the distance from the construction tool to a reference based on the local speed of sound and a second in time reflection received by both the first and second ultrasonic transducers. The controller produces at least one electrical signal as a function of the distance of the ultrasonic transducers from the reference. In preferred form, the controller communicates the signal to a positioning device, which signal actuates the positioning device to adjust the position of the construction tool with respect to the reference.