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:
Nov. 17, 2009
Filed:
Jan. 24, 2008
Joseph E. Hayden, Spencerport, NY (US);
Cormic K. Merle, Rochester, NY (US);
Eric L. Wick, Churchville, NY (US);
Joseph E. Hayden, Spencerport, NY (US);
Cormic K. Merle, Rochester, NY (US);
Eric L. Wick, Churchville, NY (US);
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
A system for measuring distance to an optical surface includes a range finder for transmitting a beam toward the optical surface, and a ring mirror disposed between the range finder and the optical surface. The ring mirror has (a) a circumferential reflecting surface for reflecting a portion of the transmitted beam back to the range finder, and (b) a central aperture for passing another portion of the transmitted beam toward the optical surface. The circumferential reflecting surface is effective in providing a zero reference point for the range finder. The central aperture is effective in passing the transmitted beam to the optical surface for sequentially addressing the optical surface at different locations on the optical surface. The transmitted beam may be steerable for (a) providing the zero reference point circumferentially about the reflecting surface, and (b) providing sequential addresses to locations on the optical surface.