For Distance Or Displacement Measurement Patents (Class 356/482)
  • Patent number: 11876338
    Abstract: A device for combining at least two input laser beams having different spectral components. At least one pre-compensation unit for the at least two input laser beams has a diffractive optical unit which expands the input laser beam into an intermediate beam bundle in which the spectral components are spatially arranged so as to be adjacent to one another with increasing wavelength. A combination unit has at least a first diffractive optical element and a second diffractive optical element, the combination unit being aligned with the pre-compensation unit in such a way that the first diffractive optical element converts an intermediate beam bundle into a convergent beam bundle having a beam waist, the beam waist lying on the second diffractive element, and the second diffractive optical element being designed in this way that all incident spectral components are diffracted in a common radiation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Ludewigt
  • Patent number: 11841223
    Abstract: An optical system can include a mirror that reflects incoming light to a sensor for detection. The position and/or orientation of the mirror can be controlled to reflect incoming light from different locations and/or directions. Position and/or orientation of the mirror may be tracked and/or detected by an optical position sensor. The position sensor can transmit a beam to a reflector on the mirror, and the reflected beam can be received by the position sensor. Characteristics of the reflected beam can be measured to determine the position and/or orientation of the mirror. For example, the beam can be used for interferometric and/or intensity measurements, which can then be correlated with a position and/or orientation of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Brian James Howley, Michael L Tartaglia, Anthony C. Kowalczyk, Patrick Eliott Perkins, Alain Charles Carrier, Paul J. Suni, Bruce G. Tiemann, David Carl Sadighi
  • Patent number: 11793462
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining properties of a tissue or tissues imaged by optical coherence tomography (OCT). In one embodiment the backscatter and attenuation of the OCT optical beam is measured and based on these measurements and indicium such as color is assigned for each portion of the image corresponding to the specific value of the backscatter and attenuation for that portion. The image is then displayed with the indicia and a user can then determine the tissue characteristics. In an alternative embodiment the tissue characteristics is classified automatically by a program given the combination of backscatter and attenuation values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: LightLab Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Schmitt, Chenyang Xu
  • Patent number: 11579264
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor, including a transmitting unit for transmitting a plurality of optical signals in each case to a plurality of segments of an object, and a receiving unit that includes a first multichannel analog-digital converter device, including: an analog-digital converter unit; a plurality of signal processing channels, the signal processing channels of the plurality of signal processing channels in each case including: a detection antenna for receiving optical signals; and a modulator for generating an individual signal encoding. Signals of the plurality of signal processing channels, with individual signal encoding, are transmittable together to the analog-digital converter unit, are converted, and may be associated once again with the corresponding signal processing channels due to the individual signal encoding via algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Aquino Maier, Matthias Wichmann, Oliver Kern
  • Patent number: 11531090
    Abstract: The LIDAR chip includes a utility waveguide that guides an outgoing LIDAR signal to a facet through which the outgoing LIDAR signal exits from the chip. The chip also includes a control branch that removes a portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal from the utility waveguide. The control branch includes a control light sensor that receives a light signal that includes light from the removed portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal. The chip also includes a data branch that removes a second portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal from the utility waveguide. The data branch includes a light-combining component that combines a reference light signal that includes light from the second portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal with a comparative light signal that includes light that was reflected off an object located off of the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SiLC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dazeng Feng, Bradley Jonathan Luff, Mehdi Asghari
  • Patent number: 11490804
    Abstract: An Optical Coherence Tomography receiver may include prisms, polarizing beam splitters, reflectors, lenses, and a photodetector array arranged in a compact package. Sample and reference beams are combined into an interference beam and split in two. The two resulting interference beams are then split into two polarization sates each. The optical path lengths for both pairs of interference beams with the same polarization state are equal or nearly equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad K Al-Qaisi, Tomas Sedlacek, Joseph T. Traynor, Antonije M. Radojevic, Todd Schernig, Sahar Hosseinzadeh Kassani
  • Patent number: 11493325
    Abstract: Translations of an object in a plurality of different spatial directions are measured using a plurality of interferometers to detect interference with light that has been reflected from a diffusively reflective surface, preferably using diffuse reflection from the same planar surface to measure in each of the different spatial directions. At least the interferometers that measure translation in directions that are not perpendicular to the surface each comprises a single mode fiber and a collimator configured to transmit the outgoing light to the object successively through the single mode fiber and the collimator, and to collect reflection into the single mode fiber with the collimator both along a same beam direction. It has been found that, when reflection of a beam with a beam direction at an oblique angle to a diffusively reflective surface is used, the interference resulting from translation of the object is due substantially only to translation in the beam direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Lun Kai Cheng, Arno Willem Frederik Volker, Peter Martijn Toet
  • Patent number: 11487014
    Abstract: An integrated device includes a laser ranging module, a dual-branched fiber bundle, a beam splitter, and an image receiving module. The laser ranging module includes a light source, an optical receiver and a computing unit. The fiber bundle is disposed between the laser ranging module and the beam splitter. A target reflects a measuring beam emitted by the light source to form a reflected beam. The beam splitter splits the reflected beam into a first reflected beam and a second reflected beam. The first reflected beam is transmitted to the optical receiver through the fiber bundle to generate a measurement signal. The computing unit receives the measurement signal to calculate a distance between the target and the fiber bundle. The image receiving module is disposed on the optical path of the second reflected beam to receive the second reflected beam and displays the image of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: NATIONAL APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Tai-Shan Liao, Long-Jeng Lee, Shih-Jie Chou, Chun-Jen Weng
  • Patent number: 11452448
    Abstract: A system for determination of intraocular pressure includes: an intraocular pressure sensor; a light source illuminating the sensor with one or more wavelengths of light; and a detector that measures emitted light from the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate member, a spacer member, and a flexible membrane, which define a sealed cavity. The flexible membrane moves in response to intraocular pressure changes. A device for measuring intraocular pressure includes: the sensor; an anchoring member attached to the sensor for immobilizing the sensor in an eye; and a protective member attached to the anchoring member and covering the sensor to prevent contact between the flexible membrane and the eye. A method for determination of intraocular pressure includes: placing the sensor in an eye; illuminating, with a light source, the sensor with one or more wavelengths of light; and detecting, with a detector, a resultant light that contains information about intraocular pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, IOPTIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Todd Hastings, E. Britt Brockman, Ingrid L. St. Omer, John C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11162781
    Abstract: An interferometry system includes a plurality of coherent light sources that each generate a beam of coherent light. Separate waveguide pathways are optically associated with each coherent light source. Each separate waveguide pathway has an endpoint configured to emit at least a portion of the beam of coherent light from the associated light source. A plurality of photodetectors is optically associated with waveguide pathways. In some cases, a retroreflector receives the light emitted from the endpoints, modulates the received light, and directs the modulated light back to the endpoints. The modulated light and a portion of the coherent light reflected from the endpoint of the waveguide pathway receiving the modulated light is directed a photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: Clayton C. Williams
  • Patent number: 11150497
    Abstract: A composite substrate for an electro-optic element is disclosed. The composite substrate includes: an electro-optic crystal substrate having an electro-optic effect; a low-refractive-index layer being in contact with the electro-optic crystal substrate and having a lower refractive index than the electro-optical crystal substrate; and a support substrate bonded to the low-refractive-index layer at least via a bonding layer. A plurality of interfaces located between the low-refractive-index layer and the support substrate includes at least one rough interface having a roughness that is larger than a roughness of an interface between the electro-optic crystal substrate and the low-refractive-index layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yudai Uno, Tomoyoshi Tai, Jungo Kondo
  • Patent number: 11009341
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for determining a distance between at least two points are disclosed and described, wherein interferometry technology is utilized to determine such distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: Clayton C. Williams
  • Patent number: 10989671
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for position and orientation measurement using a camera system having an optical boresight centerline. Methods may include: receiving at an aperture a collimated input beam; splitting the input beam at a first surface including a beam splitter into a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam; receiving at a first sensor the first sub-beam; receiving at a second sensor the second sub-beam; and determining one or more offsets of the input beam from the centerline based on data received from the first sensor and the second sensor. Methods may include: determining a location and irradiance of the first sub-beam of the input beam received by the first sensor; and determining a location and irradiance of the second sub-beam of the input beam received by the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Jerald A. Hull
  • Patent number: 10788304
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of measuring a path length using a handheld electronic device comprising an acceleration sensor. The method comprises: sensing an acceleration of the handheld electronic device while the handheld electronic device is translated over the path, thereby obtaining an acceleration plot of the handheld device; and calculating the path length from the acceleration plot using an integration procedure. In some cases projection of a distance over a required measured path is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: My Size Israel 2014 Ltd.
    Inventors: Michal Miriam Radai, Meni Menashe Itzhak
  • Patent number: 10746613
    Abstract: A high-precision fiber Bragg grating dislocation sensor, including a fiber Bragg grating, a loose tube, a tension spring, a sliding rod, a positioning piece, a sheath, a stainless steel tube, a transmission rod and a fastener. The sliding rod, the tension spring, the positioning piece, the fiber Bragg grating and the sheath are connected in series, and are provided in the precision stainless steel tube successively. The mechanism of the dislocation sensor is that an elastic force, converted from the local uneven settlement of the settlement joint, is applied on the bare fiber Bragg grating, so that the bare fiber Bragg grating suffers an axial stress and a strain is generated by itself, and the central wavelength of the fiber Bragg grating is further changed, allowing for the monitoring of settlement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventors: Li Sun, Chunwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10718915
    Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit including a beam launching waveguide, a local oscillator waveguide, a target interferometer, and a reference interferometer all integrated on a chip. The beam launching waveguide transmits target electromagnetic radiation off the chip and receives a retroreflection of the target electromagnetic radiation from a target off the chip. The target interferometer interferes the retroreflection with a local oscillator field transmitted from the local oscillator waveguide so as to form a target interference signal. The reference interferometer interferes a portion of the target electromagnetic radiation that does not leave the chip with the local oscillator field transmitted from the local oscillator waveguide to form a reference interference signal. The difference between the reference interference signal and the target interference signal is used to measure a distance to the target from the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Feng Zhao
  • Patent number: 10665012
    Abstract: A method uses a two-dimensional (2D) camera in two different positions to provide first and second 2D images having three common cardinal points. It further uses a three-dimensional (3D) measuring device to measure two 3D coordinates. The first and second 2D images and the two 3D coordinates are combined to obtain a scaled 3D image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventor: Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 10589508
    Abstract: A method of forming a build in a powder bed includes emitting a plurality of laser beams from selected vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) of at least one VCSEL array onto the powder bed, the selected VCSELs of the at least one VCSEL array corresponding to a pattern of a layer of the build; and simultaneously melting powder in the powder bed corresponding to the pattern of the layer of the build.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin George Harding, Victor Petrovich Ostroverkhov, Jason Harris Karp
  • Patent number: 10571245
    Abstract: A grating measuring device includes: a light source module (300) for generating two light beams having different frequencies, one of which serves as a measuring beam and the other as a reference beam; a grating (200); and a grating measuring probe (100) including a dual-frequency light reception module, a vertical measurement module, a vertical detection module and a reference detection module. The dual-frequency light reception module is configured to receive the measuring and reference beams, and the vertical measurement module is adapted to project the measuring beam onto the grating (200), collect a zeroth-order diffracted beam resulting from double diffraction occurring at the grating, and feed the zeroth-order diffracted beam to the vertical detection module. The zeroth-order diffracted beam interferes with the reference beam in the vertical detection module, resulting in a vertical interference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: SHANGHAI MICRO ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT (GROUP) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ping Wu, Zhiping Zhang
  • Patent number: 10473452
    Abstract: A phase-resolved heterodyne shearing interferometer has been developed for high-rate, whole field observations of transient surface motion. The sensor utilizes polarization multiplexing and multiple carrier frequencies to separate each segment of a shearing Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Post-processing routines have been developed to recombine the segments by extracting the scattered object phase from Doppler shifted intermediate carrier frequencies, providing quantitative relative phase changes and information to create variable shear, phase resolved shearographic fringe patterns without temporal or spatial phase shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: James D. Perea, Bradley W. Libbey
  • Patent number: 10162041
    Abstract: When measurement is conducted using a measurement system utilizing a tracking-type laser interferometer, laser light is emitted at a retroreflector, the tracking-type laser interferometer is placed in a tracking state, and a displacement body is displaced to a desired point and a combination of position data of the displacement body at a single desired location and rotation position data of a biaxial rotation mechanism from the tracking-type laser interferometer is stored. When a received light determiner determines that there is an abnormality in an amount of light, the positions of the displacement body and the biaxial rotation mechanism are maintained, and the displacement body and biaxial rotation mechanism are displaced to the respective stored, predetermined positions. When the abnormality in the amount of received light is eliminated after displacement, the tracking-type laser interferometer is placed in the tracking state and measurement is restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoyuki Taketomi
  • Patent number: 10119816
    Abstract: Laser radar systems include a pentaprism configured to scan a measurement beam with respect to a target surface. A focusing optical assembly includes a corner cube that is used to adjust measurement beam focus. Target distance is estimated based on heterodyne frequencies between a return beam and a local oscillator beam. The local oscillator beam is configured to propagate to and from the focusing optical assembly before mixing with the return beam. In some examples, heterodyne frequencies are calibrated with respect to target distance using a Fabry-Perot interferometer having mirrors fixed to a lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nikon Metrology NV
    Inventors: Anthony R. Slotwinski, Mina A. Rezk
  • Patent number: 10101224
    Abstract: A force detector and method for using the same includes a lens. A cantilever is below the movable lens. A laser above the movable lens emits a beam of light through the movable lens, such that light reflects from the lens and the cantilever. A camera is configured to capture images produced by the light reflected from the lens and the light reflected from the cantilever. A processor is configured to determine a force between the movable lens and the cantilever based on a change in phase of the interference rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arthur W. Ellis, Richard A. Haight, James B. Hannon, Rudolf M. Tromp
  • Patent number: 10021379
    Abstract: A 3D coordinate measuring system includes a six-DOF unit having a unit frame of reference and including a structure, a retroreflector, a triangulation scanner, and an augmented reality (AR) color camera. The retroreflector, scanner and AR camera are attached to the structure. The scanner includes a first camera configured to form a first image of the pattern of light projected onto the object by a projector. The first camera and projector configured to cooperate to determine first 3D coordinates of a point on the object in the unit frame of reference, the determination based at least in part on the projected pattern of light and the first image. The system also includes a coordinate measuring device having a device frame of reference and configured to measure a pose of the retroreflector in the device frame of reference, the measured pose including measurements of six degrees-of-freedom of the retroreflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 10012734
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a system for determining a motion of an object includes a laser system configured to generate range and velocity measurements of a plurality of points on the object and a processor. The processor is configured to determine, from the range and velocity measurements of the plurality of points on the object, a rotation of the object. In some aspects, the processor is also configured to determine, from the range and velocity measurements of the plurality of points on the object and the rotation of the object, a distance moved by the object between a first time and a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: DSCG Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Sebastian, Kendall Belsley
  • Patent number: 9864062
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser tracker for determining a position and/or orientation of an auxiliary measurement object, comprising a base which defines a vertical axis, a pivotal support, and a rotatable pivoting unit with at least two optical assemblies and an image detecting unit. The optical assemblies can be moved along an optical axis of the pivoting unit, and a magnification factor is defined by a positioning of the optical assembly. The tracker further has a radiation source for emitting a laser beam, a distance measuring unit, an angle measuring functionality, and a control and processing unit with an object imaging functionality, wherein the optical assemblies are positioned relative to the auxiliary measurement object dependent on a triggered measurement such that an image is provided for the auxiliary measurement object on the image detecting unit with a particular image scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Burkhard Böckem
  • Patent number: 9644944
    Abstract: The polishing amount of an optical fiber component can be measured directly, accurately and easily in a real-time mode during polishing, regardless of the polishing amount of a ferrule. Provided is a method for measuring the polishing amount of an optical fiber component while performing polishing, the method including: branching an inspection light among a reference optical path having a variable optical path length, an optical fiber component being measured, and a comparison optical path, and determining a polishing amount of the optical fiber component by a change amount of a difference Lc between a reference optical path length when return light of the reference optical path interferes with return light of the optical fiber component being measured and a reference optical path length when the return light of the reference optical path interferes with return light of the comparison optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihide Saitoh, Yasunori Senno
  • Patent number: 9645311
    Abstract: An optical component includes a component body, and at least one angled-facet waveguide formed in the component body, wherein the angled-facet waveguide is substantially mirror-symmetrical in shape relative to a line at or near the center of the angled-facet waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Russell A. Budd, Daniel M. Kuchta, Benjamin Giles Lee, Laurent Schares, Clint Lee Schow
  • Patent number: 9631922
    Abstract: A method for measuring a distance includes modulating the light beam at a first frequency, receiving a second beam by the optical detector to produce a first electrical signal having the first frequency and a first phase; modulating the light beam at a second frequency different than the first frequency; receiving the second beam by the optical detector to produce a second electrical signal having the second frequency and a second. After these steps, the retroreflector is moved while modulating the light beam continuously at the second frequency; and a first distance to the retroreflector is determined based at least in part on a the first and second frequencies and phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, Lawrence B. Brown, James K. West, D. Scott Ackerson
  • Patent number: 9366531
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring device includes a carrier that automatically rotates about two axes and can be directed toward a measuring aid. The following are arranged on the carrier so as to be able to move together: a device for optically measuring the distance to the measuring aid; a first light source for emitting a target beam that is visible as a first target point when reflected on the measuring aid; a detection unit for determining a fine position of the first target point on a first position detection sensor; a second light source, the light of which is visible as a second target point when reflected on the measuring aid; a rough target detection unit for determining a rough position of the second target point on a second position detection sensor. A control device directs the carrier toward the measuring aid according to the fine and rough positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Burkhard Böckem, Simon Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9162404
    Abstract: An optical device includes an optical grating coupler and a plurality of optical waveguides coupled thereto. The optical grating coupler is formed along a planar surface of a substrate, and includes a pattern formed by ridges concentrically located on the surface about a center thereon. Each adjacent pair of ridges is separated by a groove. Each waveguide of the plurality of waveguides is oriented about radially with respect to the center, and has a first end that terminates near an outermost one of the ridges. The first ends are about uniformly spaced along the outermost one of the ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Christopher Doerr
  • Patent number: 9080847
    Abstract: An extrinsic optical fiber device for measuring a physical parameter, includes: a light source, of central wavelength ?, an optical fiber projecting, a unit for detecting an interferometric signal, the interferometric signal including the information about the physical parameter to be determined, elements for modulating a signal emitted by the light source, elements for calculating the physical parameter on the basis of the interferometric signal measured by the detection unit. The modulated signal from the light source includes an alternating component including a double frequency modulation generated by the modulation elements. The main application of this device is the measurement of the displacement of a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL POLYTECHNIQUE DE TOULOUSE
    Inventors: Michel Cattoen, Han Cheng Seat
  • Patent number: 9052273
    Abstract: A method and installation for inspecting a butt weld of transverse ends of metal strips held together between first and second jaws along the ends, include leaving an interstice between the jaws for passage of a first transmission channel of incident waves generating ultrasound waves on one surface of the first strip and enabling passage of a second transmission channel of waves emerging from the surface of the second strip. The incident waves of the first channel are generated using laser pulses in an operating state implementing a third channel of waves generated on the surface of the first strip, passing through the weld, and emerging in the second channel. Weld inspection characteristics are identified by analyzing the operating state related to the pulses and a measurement of a signature of a vibration state of the surface of the second strip upon emergence of the waves in the second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Primetals Technologies France SAS
    Inventor: Marc Michaut
  • Publication number: 20150131106
    Abstract: A method and system described for sensing a displacement by receiving and propagating a laser light signal with an etched waveguide that is configured to enable an evanescent optical field above the waveguide surface. A movable perturber can be positioned so the perturber interacts with the evanescent optical field above the waveguide surface. An optical phase shift can be induced in the waveguide when the movable perturber is displaced in the evanescent optical field, and the optical phase shift can be measured with an optical readout circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marcel W. Pruessner, Todd H. Stievater, William S. Rabinovich
  • Publication number: 20150103356
    Abstract: A compact, balanced, up to three degrees of freedom measuring interferometer which enables fiber delivery of an optical source without periodic nonlinearity, an interferometer system, and method for using an interferometer to measure up to three degrees of freedom is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicants: DELFT UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Ellis, Josephus Wilhelmus Spronck
  • Publication number: 20150098090
    Abstract: A position-measuring device for detecting the position of two objects movable relative to each other, includes a measuring standard that is joined to one of the two objects, as well as a scanning system for scanning the measuring standard, the scanning system being joined to the other of the two objects. The scanning system permits a simultaneous determination of position along a first lateral shift direction and along a vertical shift direction of the objects. To that end, on the part of the scanning system, two scanning beam paths are formed, in which a group of phase-shifted signals is able to be generated in each case at the output end from interfering partial beams of rays. In addition, via the scanning system, at least a third scanning beam path is formed, by which it is possible to determine position along a second lateral shift direction of the objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holzapfel, Jörg Drescher, Robert Kellner, Markus Meissner
  • Publication number: 20150085297
    Abstract: A position detection system is able to detect the three dimensional position of at least one target (10). Each target (10) is configured to act as a retro-reflector for light incident from any direction. At least one light emitter illuminates the at least one target (10) and at least one detector (24) is provided for detecting and taking measurements of light retro-reflected from a target (10). There is also provided a processor for processing measurements taken by each detector (24) to determine the three dimensional position of the at least one target (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Edward Benjamin Hughes, Matthew Stuart Warden, Daniel Walton Veal
  • Publication number: 20150077759
    Abstract: An optical probe system has a light source fiber-delivered and the detector fiber-coupled for analyzing carrier fringes using a line sensor to measure displacement and tilt. Simultaneous surface metrology to measure both the front and back surface of the same optic, is enabled provided the two surfaces are substantially parallel to within the measurement range. Alternatively, the front surface can be measured and then subsequently the back surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Ellis, Christopher Roll, Andrew Keene, Michael A. Echter
  • Publication number: 20150077758
    Abstract: A distance measuring device includes a light source emitting light, and an integrated electro-optic modulator arranged such that the emitted light passes through an optical waveguide of the electro-optic modulator in a first direction before being emitted from the distance measuring device, and after being reflected from a target passes through the electro-optic modulator in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction. The forward electro-optic response of a modulating region of the electro-optic modulator is the same as the backward electro-optic response, and a center of gravity of the modulation is independent of modulation frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Luthi, Burkhard Bockem
  • Publication number: 20150070709
    Abstract: An electro-optic modulator includes a waveguide of a nonlinear optical material and an electrode line for generating an electrical field in a modulating region of the waveguide when a voltage is applied to the electrode line, thereby modulating light passing through the waveguide. Therein, the forward electro-optic response of the modulating region is the same as the backward electro-optic response; and the electro-optic response has a band-pass or a low-pass characteristic. A distance measuring device includes a light source emitting light, and such an electro-optic modulator arranged such that the emitted light passes through the electro-optic modulator in a first direction before being emitted from the distance measuring device, and after being reflected from a target passes through the electro-optic modulator in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Henri Porte, Alexandre Mottet, Thomas Luthi, Burkhard Bockem
  • Patent number: 8976365
    Abstract: A material sensing apparatus comprises an excitation source configured to induce waves in a workpiece, and an optical waveguide interferometer configured to sense the induced waves in the workpiece. The optical waveguide interferometer comprises a probe segment having a probe segment end, and an adjustable coupler configured to permit setting a gap between the probe segment end and the workpiece. A controller is coupled to the adjustable coupler and configured to set the gap between the probe segment end and the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Montgomery, Randy L. Carmean, Charles Franklin Middleton, IV, James G. Tonti
  • Publication number: 20150055138
    Abstract: A measurement device (120) includes a light director and a spatial light modulator (130). The light director is disposed to direct light to the spatial light modulator (130) and the spatial light modulator (130) is disposed to receive light from the light director and to modulate it to form an intensity pattern. An optical element is disposed to receive light which formed the intensity pattern and is arranged to magnify the intensity pattern into a measurement space. A detector (142) is disposed to detect light reflected from the measurement space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Edward Benjamin Hughes, Matthew Stuart Warden
  • Patent number: 8958075
    Abstract: Swing-style demodulation device for measuring displacement information, including (1) a broadband light source, (2) an optical circulator, (3) GRIN lens, (4) a fixed mirror on an object under test, (5) a collimating device, (6) a rotating mirror, (7) f-? lens, (8) a polarizer, (9) a narrow strip shaped birefringent wedge, (10) a polarization analyzer, and (11) a signal acquisition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Tianjin University
    Inventors: Tiegen Liu, Junfeng Jiang, Jinde Yin, Kun Liu, Shaohua Wang
  • Patent number: 8948613
    Abstract: In part, aspects of the invention relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for intensity and/or pattern line noise reduction in a data collection system such as an optical coherence tomography system that uses an electromagnetic radiation source and interferometric principles. In one embodiment, the noise is intensity noise or line pattern noise and the source is a laser such as a swept laser. One or more attenuators responsive to one or more control signals can be used in conjunction with an analog or digital feedback network in one embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Lightlab Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Schmitt, Victor Grinberg
  • Publication number: 20150022820
    Abstract: A measuring device for the high-precision optical determination of distance or position includes a light source, at least one optical functional element in the form of a plane mirror or a measuring standard, and a detector system. At least two sub-beams are generated, of which at least one impinges on the functional element at least three times before the sub-beams propagate, interferingly superposed, in the direction of the detector system, via which at least one phase-encoded measuring signal is able to be generated from the superposed sub-beams. Between the impingements on the optical functional element, the sub-beam passes through at least two imaging elements, the imaging elements having imaging factors such that no location and directional shear of the interfering sub-beams results in the event the optical functional element tilts out of its setpoint position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Holzapfel
  • Patent number: 8910528
    Abstract: A vortex flowmeter having a optical fiber channel in the device wall, a first sealing element extending into the fiber channel with a contact surface for the optical fiber and at least a second sealing element with a contact surface for the optical fiber, wherein second sealing element being guided in a guide in the device wall. In a sealed state of the fiber fiber channel, the second sealing element is pressed against the contact surface of the first sealing element by a positioning means with the optical fiber located between the contact surfaces of the sealing elements and enclosed thereby, and in this manner, the fiber channel is closed by the first sealing element, the second sealing element and the optical fiber guided between the first sealing element and the second sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wilhelm Lübbers
  • Patent number: 8904879
    Abstract: A vortex flowmeter having a measuring tube through which a medium can flow, a bluff body in the measuring tube and a pressure sensor in the effective range of the bluff body. The pressure sensor has a deflectable measuring diaphragm for determining the pressure in the medium neighboring the measuring diaphragm, at least one optical fiber being arranged on and/or in the measuring diaphragm for detecting the deflection of the measuring diaphragm. The optical fiber is at least partially effectively connected to the measuring diaphragm along its length so that a deflection of the measuring diaphragm caused by the medium pressure leads to an extension and/or compression of the optical fiber. The pressure sensor has a pocket that can be deflected by the pressure of the medium and which surrounds the measuring diaphragm and optical fiber to protect them from the medium. The measuring diaphragm is deflected with the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Neville C. Fernandes, Henrik Krisch, Markus Lau, Sylvain Tournillon
  • Publication number: 20140355001
    Abstract: A sensor compares frames of pixels representing a speckle pattern caused by interference of light through an optical fiber to detect magnitudes of deflection of the fiber. A coherent light source illuminates the optical fiber. An image sensor captures the speckle pattern and frames of pixels produced by the image sensor are processed to determine deflection. A baseline frame is generated from frames previously received. Each frame is compared to the baseline frame to determine the cumulative amount of deflection on the fiber. To compensate for drift and large-scale movements of the optical fiber, the baseline frame is updated as frames are received. The processed output from comparing to the baseline frame has larger amplitude signals than from comparing to adjacent frames due to larger deflections over time since the baseline frame. Signal-to-Noise ratio is improved, and the processed output better matches a plot of the actual total deflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Stratus Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles J. Kring
  • Patent number: 8891566
    Abstract: A system and method for controllably chirping electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source includes an optical cavity arrangement. The optical cavity arrangement enables electromagnetic radiation to be produced with a substantially linear chirp rate and a configurable period. By selectively injecting electromagnetic radiation into the optical cavity, the electromagnetic radiation may be produced with a single resonant mode that is frequency shifted at the substantially linear chirp rate. Producing the electromagnetic radiation with a single resonant mode may increase the coherence length of the electromagnetic radiation, which may be advantageous when the electromagnetic radiation is implemented in various applications. For example, the electromagnetic radiation produced by the optical cavity arrangement may enhance a range, speed, accuracy, and/or other aspects of a laser radar system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Digital Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Kendall L. Belsley
  • Patent number: 8842289
    Abstract: A biological sensing apparatus comprises an excitation source configured to induce waves in a biological target, and an optical waveguide interferometer configured to sense the induced waves in the biological target. The optical waveguide interferometer comprises a probe segment having a probe segment end, and an adjustable coupler configured to permit setting a gap between the probe segment end and the biological target. A controller is coupled to the adjustable coupler and configured to set the gap between the probe segment end and the biological target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Montgomery, Randy L. Carmean, Charles Franklin Middleton, IV, James G. Tonti