摘要:
A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated in a non-planar reference cone is disclosed. The transmitter includes a chassis with a source fixed to the chassis for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation and an optical deflector which converges toward the source reflects the beam into an omni-directional cone of radiation. A flexible support having an omni-directional stiffness supports the optical deflector in the beam to reflect the reference field in a level orientation when the chassis is level. An angular error in the orientation of the chassis from level results in the optical deflector deviating from the aligned position to maintain the reference field in the level orientation. Damping of the deflector is also provided for and sensors detect when the angular error of the chassis has exceeded an allowable amount.
摘要:
A transmitter for an alignment system in which a field of electromagnetic radiation is propagated in a non-planar reference cone is disclosed. The transmitter includes a source for providing a collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation directed parallel to a beam axis. A cantilever strand supports a bob within the beam. The bob has a conical reflecting surface to reflect the collimated beam conically. Optimally, the cantilever strand and bob are chosen to provide a deflection between the bob and plumb which is substantially one-half of any angular error between the beam axis and plumb. In an especially preferred form, a housing surrounds the bob and has inner and outer surfaces which minimize temperature effects on the orientation of the reference plane. Also, detectors are provided to sense when the angular error between the beam axis and plumb is outside of an acceptable range.
摘要:
This invention provides a method for controlling the path of a crop spraying aircraft in making repeated traverses over a field to insure that each traverse is laterally spaced from the adjacent traverse by the proper distance to assure adequate coverage of the crop land with the material being sprayed and avoiding over-lapping or insufficient coverage of any portion of the crop land. In accordance with the method of the invention, the crop spraying aircraft carries a rotating laser beam transmitter and receiver, and the transmitted beam is reflected from a plurality of reflectors located on the ground at known positions relative to each other to provide successive reflections of the transmitted laser beam from which the angular positions of the aircraft relative to the reflectors may be continuously determined. After an initial pass over the field to establish the spray path, the position of the aircraft may be continuously computed by a microprocessor and an error signal generated during each subsequent pass to indicate to the aircraft operator whether the aircraft should be steered more to the right or left to stay on the desired spraying path.
摘要:
A laser beam projection device includes a laser plasma tube assembly having a laser plasma tube and a generally cylindrical casing surrounding the tube. The plasma tube is positioned within the casing such that the beam produced by the tube is aligned with the casing and emerges from the casing through a circular opening at one end thereof. A support frame is provided for mounting the laser plasma tube assembly and also for mounting one or more optical elements in precise alignment with respect to the beam produced by the tube assembly. The frame includes an annular member for engaging the circular opening in the casing in order to align the casing with respect to the frame. The frame further defines a pair of non-parallel alignment surfaces, spaced from the annular member, to contact the outer surface of the casing near the end thereof opposite the circular opening. The casing defines an inner beveled surface surrounding the opening through which the beam emerges. The annular member defines an outer, generally tapered surface which engages the inner beveled surface of the casing and holds the casing in alignment with the support frame.
摘要:
A laser beam alignment system includes a transmitter which establishes a laser reference plane by continuously rotating a horizontal laser beam about the transmitter. A remotely located receiver senses the elevation of the laser reference plane and reflects a portion of the laser energy back to the transmitter where the reflected energy is employed to produce a signal indicative of the range of the receiver and its location with respect to a reference axis. The position of the receiver is thus established in three dimensions.
摘要:
An arrangement for use in a laser beam projection device for controlling the orientation of a support frame upon which a laser beam source is mounted includes a base frame, a support frame, and a pivot for mounting the support frame on the base frame. A level arm is pivotally supported at one point by the support frame and carries a level vial which provides an electrical indication of the orientation of the level arm. A positioning arrangement engages the support frame and the level arm and adjusts their relative position. The positioning arrangement includes a threaded shaft having a first threaded portion engaging the support frame and a nut engaging a second threaded portion of the shaft. The nut contacts the level arm. By rotating the nut, the relative position of the level arm and the support frame are adjusted. Differing thread pitches for the two threaded portions are provided and rotation of the threaded shaft while holding the nut stationary thus allows very fine adjustments to be made in relative positions between the parts, thus facilitating calibration. A flexible cable extending from the nut to a knob mounted on the base frame and a spline attached to the end of the cable and received within an appropriately shaped opening on the knob permit the nut to be rotated for appropriate setting without hindering movement of the support frame or the level arm.
摘要:
In a backhoe of the type having an outreach boom horizontally pivotally mounted relative to a vehicle, a downreach boom horizontally pivotally mounted to the free end of the outreach boom, and a digging bucket horizontally pivotally mounted to the free end of the downreach boom, apparatus is provided for respectively generating signals proportional to the angle between the outreach boom and the horizontal, the angle between the outreach boom and the downreach boom, and the angle between the downreach boom and a line drawn to the digging teeth of the bucket. Such signals are combined according to a trigonometric equation to provide a continuous signal and visual indication proportional to the depth of the digging teeth of the bucket relative to the horizontal pivotal mounting axis of the outreach boom on the vehicle. In accordance with a modification, the absolute elevation of the digging teeth of the backhoe bucket is determined and indicated by measuring the absolute elevation of the pivotal mounting axis of the outreach boom relative to a reference plane defined by a rotating laser beam.
摘要:
Apparatus for controlling the elevation of the working tool of an earthworking machine, or the pavement distributor head of a mobile road-paving machine, in predetermined relationship to a fixed horizontal plane, as set by a laser beam which is periodically swept across the working area, such apparatus comprising a tape-dispensing device carried by the machine and arranged to intermittently advance the tape past a tape reader; the tape carrying two sets of indicia, one set indicating whenever a change in the height of the tool is required at a particular point in the travel of the machine, and the second set of indicia indicating the distance between such points, there being a ground-engaging wheel measuring the travel of the machine and connected to the tape-dispensing device to advance the tape to the next set of indicia whenever the machine arrives at the next one of said predetermined points.
摘要:
The invention relates to a digging bucket for a backhoe or similar excavating machine, wherein the effective forward digging edge of the bucket may selectively comprise a transverse row of digging teeth for use in the primary phases of an excavation or a blade-type edge used for smoothing the bottom of the excavation. The backhoe bucket structure permitting this instantaneous choice by the operator comprises a conventional bucket having digging teeth secured thereto to the forward edge of the bottom but the medial portion of the bottom of the bucket is movably mounted relative to the remainder of the bucket so that the forward edge of the movable bottom portion can be dropped to a position below the digging teeth to function as a smoothing blade.
摘要:
The cutting depth of an endless chain type trencher is normally determined by the angle of the frame carrying the endless chain relative to the horizontal. In accordance with this invention, the angular position of the digging frame, hence the depth of the trench is controlled by the angular relationship of a trailing shoe carried by the digging frame relative to the digging frame. The trailing shoe has an elongated horizontal bottom surface that normally rides along the bottom of the formed trench. An upstanding mast is secured to the shoe at a point forwardly of the bottom surface and means on the top of the mast are utilized to indicate and control the depth of the trench.