公开(公告)号：US6011389A

公开(公告)日：2000-01-04

申请号：US912567

申请日：1997-08-18

申请人： Karl Masreliez ,  Nils Ingvar Andermo ,  Kim W. Atherton

发明人： Karl Masreliez ,  Nils Ingvar Andermo ,  Kim W. Atherton

IPC分类号： G01B7/00 ,  G01D5/20 ,  G01B7/14 ,  G01B7/02

CPC分类号： G01D5/2053 ,  G01D5/2046

摘要： An inductive transducer system for use in high accuracy applications such as linear or rotary encoders, employs two members movable relative to each other. A first, active member induces eddy currents in a second, passive member that lacks a power source or electrical wires connected thereto. The first, active member contains both a transmitter for generating a magnetic field and a receiver for receiving the field. The receiver has a plurality of symmetric loops. Electronic circuitry coupled to the receiver evaluates the relative position between the two members as the passive member disrupts the magnetic field received by the receiver. The inductive transducer can be readily manufactured using known printed circuit board technology, and is substantially immune to contamination by particles, including ferromagnetic particles, oil, water and other fluids. A pulse-driven drive circuit allows the inductive transducer to consume little power, and thus allows the transducer to be readily incorporated into hand-held, battery-powered measurement tools.

摘要翻译： 用于诸如线性或旋转编码器的高精度应用的感应传感器系统使用两个可相对于彼此移动的构件。 第一有源构件在缺少电源或连接到其上的电线的第二无源构件中引起涡流。 第一个活动构件包含用于产生磁场的发射器和用于接收场的接收器。 接收机具有多个对称环路。 耦合到接收器的电子电路在无源构件破坏由接收器接收的磁场时评估两个构件之间的相对位置。 感应传感器可以使用已知的印刷电路板技术容易地制造，并且基本上免受包括铁磁颗粒，油，水和其它流体在内的颗粒的污染。 脉冲驱动驱动电路允许电感式换能器消耗很少的功率，从而允许传感器容易地结合到手持式电池供电的测量工具中。

公开(公告)号：US20090119940A1

公开(公告)日：2009-05-14

申请号：US11937427

申请日：2007-11-08

申请人： Michael E. Meichle ,  Kim W. Atherton

发明人： Michael E. Meichle ,  Kim W. Atherton

IPC分类号： G01B5/14 ,  G01B7/02

CPC分类号： G01B3/205

摘要： An electronic hand tool type caliper includes a scale track located along a scale member reference edge that forms a sliding bearing with a mating surface of the caliper slide, thereby maintaining proper alignment of the slide jaw. Placing the scale track along the reference edge is advantageous in that the reference edge surface is inherently precisely machined and particles are excluded by the inherently close fit and the wiping action of the sliding bearing. A readhead sensor is mounted within the slide surface that mates to the reference edge to provide the sliding bearing. Thus, a very small readhead sensor may be reliably positioned at an extremely small gap relative to the scale in a protected operating environment, without detrimentally affecting cost, slider friction, or signal strength. High resolution digital signals may be provided.

摘要翻译： 电子手动工具型卡钳包括沿着刻度件参考边缘定位的刻度轨道，其形成具有卡钳滑块的配合表面的滑动轴承，从而保持滑动卡爪的适当对准。 沿着参考边缘放置刻度轨迹的优点在于，参考边缘表面固有地被精确加工，并且通过滑动轴承的固有紧密配合和擦拭动作排除了颗粒。 读取头传感器安装在滑动表面内，与配合边缘配合，以提供滑动轴承。 因此，非常小的读取头传感器可以在受保护的操作环境中相对于刻度尺可靠地定位在非常小的间隙，而不会有害地影响成本，滑块摩擦力或信号强度。 可以提供高分辨率数字信号。

公开(公告)号：US07030351B2

公开(公告)日：2006-04-18

申请号：US10719210

申请日：2003-11-24

申请人： Richard M. Wasserman ,  Paul G. Gladnick ,  Kim W. Atherton

发明人： Richard M. Wasserman ,  Paul G. Gladnick ,  Kim W. Atherton

IPC分类号： G02B7/04

CPC分类号： H04N5/23212 ,  G02B21/244 ,  G02B21/365 ,  H04N5/2256

摘要： Auto focus systems and methods for a machine vision metrology and inspection system provide high speed and high precision auto focusing, while using relatively low-cost and flexible hardware. One aspect of various embodiments of the invention is that the portion of an image frame that is output by a camera is minimized for auto focus images, based on a reduced readout pixel set determined in conjunction with a desired region of interest. The reduced readout pixel set allows a maximized image acquisition rate, which in turn allows faster motion between auto focus image acquisition positions to achieve a desired auto focus precision at a corresponding auto focus execution speed that is approximately optimized in relation to a particular region of interest. In various embodiments, strobe illumination is used to further improve auto focus speed and accuracy. A method is provided for adapting and programming the various associated auto focus control parameters.

摘要翻译： 机器视觉测量和检测系统的自动对焦系统和方法提供高速度和高精度的自动对焦，同时使用相对低成本和灵活的硬件。 本发明的各种实施例的一个方面是，基于与期望的感兴趣区域一起确定的缩小的读出像素集，由相机输出的图像帧的部分被最小化用于自动聚焦图像。 缩小的读出像素组允许最大化的图像采集速率，其进而允许自动聚焦图像采集位置之间的更快的运动，以相对于感兴趣的特定区域近似优化的对应的自动聚焦执行速度获得期望的自动聚焦精度 。 在各种实施例中，使用频闪照明来进一步提高自动对焦速度和精度。 提供了一种用于适应和编程各种相关联的自动对焦控制参数的方法。

公开(公告)号：US06905258B2

公开(公告)日：2005-06-14

申请号：US10650453

申请日：2003-08-27

申请人： Joseph D. Tobiason ,  Michael Nahum ,  Kim W. Atherton

发明人： Joseph D. Tobiason ,  Michael Nahum ,  Kim W. Atherton

IPC分类号： G01B11/00 ,  G01D5/347 ,  G02B6/36

CPC分类号： G01D5/34723

摘要： A fiber optic readhead arrangement for imaging a scale onto a set of optical fiber receiver channels is disclosed. The readhead arrangement includes an imaging lens and may include an aperture positioned at a focal point of the imaging lens in a telecentric arrangement. An axicon lens may be utilized to direct source light away from the imaging lens and into a ring-shaped annular source lens which surrounds the imaging lens. A source lens may concentrate source light on the scale in an area where it will be imaged back through the imaging lens to the readhead. In one embodiment, multiple source fibers may be provided around the perimeter of the fiber optic readhead arrangement. In another embodiment, the receiver fibers may also function as source fibers. In various exemplary embodiments, high levels of displacement signal interpolation may be achieved to provide high resolution measurement.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于将刻度成像到一组光纤接收器通道上的光纤读头装置。 读取头装置包括成像透镜，并且可以包括以远心布置定位在成像透镜的焦点处的孔。 可以使用旋转透镜来将源光引导离开成像透镜并且将其引导到围绕成像透镜的环形环形源透镜中。 源透镜可以将源光集中在其将通过成像透镜成像回到读取头的区域中的刻度上。 在一个实施例中，可以围绕光纤读头装置的周边设置多个源光纤。 在另一个实施例中，接收器光纤也可用作源光纤。 在各种示例性实施例中，可以实现高水平的位移信号内插以提供高分辨率测量。

公开(公告)号：US5973494A

公开(公告)日：1999-10-26

申请号：US645483

申请日：1996-05-13

申请人： Karl G. Masreliez ,  Nils Ingvar Andermo ,  Kim W. Atherton

发明人： Karl G. Masreliez ,  Nils Ingvar Andermo ,  Kim W. Atherton

IPC分类号： G01B3/20 ,  G01B7/00 ,  G01B7/02 ,  G01B21/02 ,  G01D5/20 ,  G01B7/14 ,  G01B7/30

CPC分类号： G01B3/205 ,  G01D5/2046

摘要： An electronic caliper using a low power induced current position transducer includes a slider assembly mounted on an elongated beam with first and second measuring jaws projecting from the main beam and slider assembly. The position of the slider assembly on the beam is indicative of the distance between the first and second jaws. A depth bar is also attached to, and projects from, the slider assembly. Relative movement between the measuring jaws is determined by an inductive read head mounted on the slider assembly that couples to flux modulators on the beam. The read head includes a transmitter winding and a pair of receiver windings carried by a common printed circuit board. The flux modulators, which can include both flux disrupters and flux enhancers, are carried by the beam and modulate the magnetic fields produced by the transmitter. Thus, the receiver windings produce output voltages corresponding to the overlap between the modulators and the receiver windings. Signal processing electronics are connected to the read head and determine the relative positions of the jaws by monitoring the output of the receiver windings. A digital display displays the determined position. In one embodiment, either flux enhancers or flux disrupters are used. In another embodiment, both flux disrupters and flux enhancers are used. The relatively insensitive nature of the low power induced current position transducer to industrial contaminants allows the caliper to function with improved reliability when operating in traditional shop environments.

摘要翻译： 使用低功率感应电流位置传感器的电子卡钳包括安装在细长梁上的滑块组件，其具有从主梁和滑块组件突出的第一和第二测量爪。 滑块组件在梁上的位置表示第一和第二夹爪之间的距离。 一个深度条也附着在滑块组件上并从其滑出。 测量爪之间的相对运动由安装在滑块组件上的感应读头确定，该感应读头与梁上的通量调节器相连。 读头包括由普通印刷电路板承载的发送器绕组和一对接收器绕组。 可以包括通量破坏器和通量增强器的通量调制器由光束承载并且调制由发射器产生的磁场。 因此，接收器绕组产生对应于调制器和接收器绕组之间的重叠的输出电压。 信号处理电子设备连接到读取头，并通过监视接收器绕组的输出来确定钳口的相对位置。 数字显示屏显示确定的位置。 在一个实施方案中，使用通量增强剂或通量破坏剂。 在另一个实施方案中，使用通量破坏剂和通量增强剂。 低功率感应电流位置传感器对工业污染物的相对不敏感性质允许卡钳在传统的商店环境中操作时具有改进的可靠性。

公开(公告)号：US5894678A

公开(公告)日：1999-04-20

申请号：US790459

申请日：1997-01-29

申请人： Karl G. Masreliez ,  Nils Ingvar Andermo ,  Kim W. Atherton

发明人： Karl G. Masreliez ,  Nils Ingvar Andermo ,  Kim W. Atherton

IPC分类号： G01B3/10 ,  G01B7/02 ,  G01D5/20 ,  G01D5/245

CPC分类号： G01B7/026 ,  G01B3/1061 ,  G01D5/2046 ,  G01D5/2455 ,  G01B2003/1069

摘要： An electronic linear tape measure using a low power induced current position transducer. The tape measure includes an enclosure case with a lateral slot through which the tape blade can be pulled. The tape blade is wound inside the enclosure case on a tape reel which is mounted on an axis support that has a spring loaded rewind mechanism. Also included are a tape lock, a keypad for various functions, and a conventional LCD display for displaying measured lengths. The signal processing and display electronics of the electronic tape measure are connected to the active portion of the transducer. The display provides an indication of the relative position between the elements of the transducer that coincides with the length of tape that has been pulled from the enclosure case. The relatively insensitive nature of the low power induced current position transducer to contaminants, tape damage and mechanical shock allows construction of an electronic tape measure with the preferred, historically proven, form that functions with greatly improved reliability when operating in a traditional environment. Additionally, the low power consumption of the induced current position transducer significantly increases the practicality of an electronic tape measure.

摘要翻译： 使用低功率感应电流位置传感器的电子线性卷尺。 卷尺包括具有横向狭槽的外壳，带状片可通过其横向拉出。 磁带刀片被卷绕在壳体内部的磁带卷轴上，该磁带卷轴安装在具有弹簧加载倒带机构的轴支架上。 还包括磁带锁，用于各种功能的键盘以及用于显示测量长度的常规LCD显示器。 电子卷尺的信号处理和显示电子装置连接到换能器的有效部分。 该显示器提供了与从壳体拉出的带的长度重合的换能器元件之间的相对位置的指示。 低功率感应电流位置传感器对污染物，胶带损伤和机械冲击的相对不敏感性质允许以优选的历史证明的形式构建电子卷尺，其在传统环境中操作时具有极大改进的可靠性。 此外，感应电流位置传感器的低功耗显着增加了电子卷尺的实用性。

公开(公告)号：US5841274A

公开(公告)日：1998-11-24

申请号：US790494

申请日：1997-01-29

申请人： Karl G. Masreliez ,  Nils Ingvar Andermo ,  Kim W. Atherton

发明人： Karl G. Masreliez ,  Nils Ingvar Andermo ,  Kim W. Atherton

IPC分类号： G01B7/00 ,  G01B3/20 ,  G01B7/02 ,  G01B7/14 ,  G01B7/30 ,  G01D5/20 ,  G01D5/245 ,  G01R27/26 ,  H03M1/22 ,  H03M1/24

CPC分类号： G01D5/2053

摘要： A high-accuracy inductive absolute position transducer system has two members movable relative to each other and includes a code track transducer and may include a fine track transducer. The code track transducer includes a code track transmitter winding and at least one set of code track receiver windings. Each set of code track receiver windings includes n balanced pairs. Each balanced pair extends along the measuring axis and includes a positive polarity winding and a negative polarity winding. A code track has a plurality of flux modulator zones distributed along the measuring axis. Flux modulators are formed in at least some of the flux modulator zones. A signal generating and processing circuit is connected to the transmitter winding and each balanced pair. The code track transmitter winding and each balanced pair form an inductive coupling. The flux modulators modulate the inductive coupling between each balanced pair and the code track transmitter winding based on the relative position between the read head member and the scale member. The flux modulators are distributed along the measuring axis such that each pair of adjacent flux modulator zones forms one of a set of output states in an overlying balanced pair. The pairs of adjacent flux modulator zones form a series of code elements extending along the measuring axis such that each set of m adjacent code elements forms a unique codeword. Each unique codeword defines an absolute position of the read head member relative to the scale member to a first resolution.

摘要翻译： 高精度电感式绝对位置传感器系统具有可相对于彼此移动的两个构件，并且包括代码轨道换能器并且可以包括精细轨道换能器。 代码轨道换能器包括码轨发送器绕组和至少一组码轨接收器绕组。 每组代码轨道接收器绕组包括n个平衡对。 每个平衡对沿测量轴延伸，包括正极性绕组和负极性绕组。 码轨具有沿测量轴分布的多个通量调节区。 磁通调制器形成在至少一些通量调节区中。 信号发生和处理电路连接到发送器绕组和每个平衡对。 代码轨发送器绕组和每个平衡对形成电感耦合。 磁通量调制器基于读头部件和刻度部件之间的相对位置来调制每个平衡对和代码轨道发送器绕组之间的电感耦合。 通量调制器沿着测量轴分布，使得每对相邻的通量调制器区域形成上覆平衡对中的一组输出状态之一。 相邻通量调制器区域对形成沿着测量轴延伸的一系列代码元件，使得每组m个相邻代码元素形成唯一的码字。 每个唯一的码字将读头部件相对于刻度尺的绝对位置定义为第一分辨率。

公开(公告)号：US07873488B2

公开(公告)日：2011-01-18

申请号：US12330431

申请日：2008-12-08

申请人： Michael Nahum ,  David William Sesko ,  Kim W. Atherton

发明人： Michael Nahum ,  David William Sesko ,  Kim W. Atherton

IPC分类号： G01C25/00 ,  G01C3/02

CPC分类号： G01B11/0608 ,  G01B21/042 ,  G01B2210/50

摘要： A chromatic point sensor (CPS) calibration object and characterizing data are provided. The calibration object comprises a flat base plane with steps extending from it. Step measurement points provided by the steps and base plane measurement points provided by portions of the base plane are intermingled along a measurement track. The characterizing data characterizes known heights of the measurement points. A calibration method acquires measurement data such that some base plane measurement points should be at nearly the same measurement distance and therefore have the same common mode errors relative to known base plane measurement point heights. If such base plane measurement points exhibit minimal error variations, then measurements for those and proximate measurement points may provide reliable calibration data. In contrast, error variations outside an expected range indicate unreliable measurements that should be screened or replaced by new calibration measurements.

摘要翻译： 提供了色点传感器（CPS）校准对象和特征数据。 校准对象包括从其延伸的台阶的平底座平面。 由基本平面的部分提供的台阶和基面测量点提供的步测量点沿测量轨迹混合。 特征数据表征测量点的已知高度。 校准方法获取测量数据，使得一些基面测量点应该处于几乎相同的测量距离，因此相对于已知的基准面测量点高度具有相同的共模误差。 如果这样的基面测量点表现出最小的误差变化，那么这些测量点和邻近测量点的测量可以提供可靠的校准数据。 相比之下，超出预期范围的误差变化表示不可靠的测量，应该被筛选或由新的校准测量代替。

公开(公告)号：US07211782B2

公开(公告)日：2007-05-01

申请号：US10901701

申请日：2004-07-29

申请人： Joseph D. Tobiason ,  Avron Zwilling ,  Casey Emtman ,  Scott Harsila ,  Mike Goldsworthy ,  Kim W. Atherton

发明人： Joseph D. Tobiason ,  Avron Zwilling ,  Casey Emtman ,  Scott Harsila ,  Mike Goldsworthy ,  Kim W. Atherton

IPC分类号： G01J1/04 ,  G02B6/36

CPC分类号： G01D5/35303 ,  G02B6/381

摘要： All-optical output precision measuring gauges that sense the displacement of an internal scale grating are disclosed. Each type of gauge includes a compact, miniature, or ultra-miniature optical readhead that includes a light source for transmitting light to the scale grating, and optical-fiber detector channels for receiving light from the scale grating and outputting optical measuring signals from the gauge. In various embodiments, the optical-fiber detector channels have respective phase grating masks for receiving a periodic light pattern that moves in correspondence to the scale grating, and the channels are arranged in balanced pairs. In various embodiments, the optical readhead is an interferometric-type optical readhead that provides a measuring resolution as fine as 10–50 nanometers or less. In various embodiments, the gauge is provided in an unprecedented miniature size. In various embodiments, the gauge is motorized to provide a precision actuator.

摘要翻译： 公开了感测内部刻度光栅的位移的全光输出精密测量计。 每种类型的量规包括一个紧凑型，微型或超微型光学读取头，其包括用于将光传输到刻度光栅的光源和用于接收来自刻度光栅的光的光纤检测器通道，并从该规格输出光学测量信号 。 在各种实施例中，光纤检测器通道具有各自的相位光栅掩模，用于接收对应于刻度光栅移动的周期性光图案，并且通道以平衡对布置。 在各种实施例中，光学读取头是干涉式光学读取头，其提供的精度为10-50纳米或更小的测量分辨率。 在各种实施例中，以前所未有的微型尺寸提供量规。 在各种实施例中，将该量规机动化以提供精密致动器。

公开(公告)号：US06867412B2

公开(公告)日：2005-03-15

申请号：US10293784

申请日：2002-11-12

申请人： Andrew M. Patzwald ,  Kim W. Atherton

发明人： Andrew M. Patzwald ,  Kim W. Atherton

IPC分类号： G01D5/30 ,  G01B21/02 ,  G01D5/245 ,  G01D5/249 ,  G01D5/347 ,  G01D5/34

CPC分类号： G01D5/2455 ,  G01D5/34792

摘要： An absolute position-sensing device is usable to measure the relative position of two elements. An absolute scale includes an integrated track extending along a measuring axis of the scale. The integrated track includes a plurality of code portions interleaved with, or embedded in, a plurality of periodic portions. Each periodic portion includes a plurality of periodically-placed incremental scale elements. Each code portion includes a plurality of code elements indicative of an absolute measurement value. The code elements are arranged in code element zones along the direction perpendicular to the motion axis, and are detectable by associated variations along the direction perpendicular to the motion axis. The offset of the periodically placed elements relative to a readhead of the device is combined with the absolute measurement value to determine an absolute position.

摘要翻译： 绝对位置检测装置可用于测量两个元件的相对位置。 绝对刻度包括沿着刻度尺的测量轴延伸的集成轨道。 集成轨道包括与多个周期性部分交错或嵌入在多个周期部分中的多个代码部分。 每个周期部分包括多个周期性地放置的增量刻度元件。 每个代码部分包括指示绝对测量值的多个代码元素。 代码元素沿着垂直于运动轴线的方向被布置在代码元素区域中，并且可以沿着垂直于运动轴线的方向的相关变化来检测。 定期放置的元件相对于器件的读数头的偏移与绝对测量值相结合以确定绝对位置。