Abstract: An apparatus for turning the external circumference of an optical lens mount, a collimator is optically aligned with the turning axis (y-y). A fixture is mounted on the apparatus to accommodate the lens assembly. The fixture provides a translatory adjustment motion transverse to the axis (y-y) and a pivot motion about a universal joint. Electromechanical adjustment actuators operatively engage the fixture to move the optical axis of the lens assembly into alignment with the axis (y-y). An electronic deviation control system converts the light output of the collimator into an axis deviation signal which is encoded according to the rotary position of the lens assembly to generate translatory and pivot motion adjustment signals which control the action of the adjustment actuators.

Abstract: Linear Hall effect magnetic sensor elements (52, 54) are used in a complementary fashion in a position sensor (50). The oppositely signed signal voltages of the sensor elements are amplified and fed into a microprocessor circuit (66). Deviations from the linearity can be compensated by lookup tables. Temperature changes can be measured and included into the compensation process.

Abstract: A curvature measuring device (10) for measuring the curvature of an object (14) without contacting object (14) includes a moveable frame (20) and a reflector (28) for reflecting light incident thereupon. A reflector (28) is connected and rotatable with respect to moveable frame (20). An electro-optical device (42) is connected and moveable with respect to moveable frame (20). Electrooptical device (42) includes a light transceiver (52) for transmitting an incident beam of light (54) onto reflector (28) and for receiving a reflected beam of light (56) reflected by reflector (28). Electro-optical device (42) generates a focus signal related to a degree that reflected beam of light (56 ) is received by electro-optical device (42). A controller (90) calculates the curvature of object (14 ) by adjusting a position of moveable frame (20), an angular position of reflector (28), and focus position of electro-optical device (42).

Abstract: An optical fiber quadrant detector (10) includes a sensor head (22) wherein each quadrant (A, B, C, D) thereof includes a plurality of light transmitting optical fibers (26) and a plurality of light receiving optical fibers (20). The light transmitting optical fibers (26) are equally distributed among the quadrants (A, B, C, D) as are the light receiving optical fibers (20). Hence, the outputs of the lights receiving optical fibers (20) are indicative of the alignment of a workpiece to the sensor head (22).

Abstract: A non-contact measurement apparatus (10) includes a bifurcated bundle of optical fibers (12), a first arm (14) of which is adapted to receive light from a light source (24) and direct the light toward a surface (32) to be measured and a second arm (16) of which is adapted to convey light from the surface (32) to a light detector (26) such that the light intensity received by the detector (26) is indicative of the position of the surface (32).

Abstract: A position sensor includes a linear scale (14) that is translated along a translation axis of linear motion between at least two optical radiation source/receiver pairs (10/16 and 12/18). The optical transmissivity (or the optical reflectance) varies from a low value to high value going within a first region (14a) from a first end of the scale to a second end, and within a second region (14b) from a high value to a low value going from the first end to the second end. The outputs of the optical receivers (CH1, CH2) indicate a unique position along the linear scale, which is then correlated by a processor (26) with a unique position or displacement along the translation axis.

Abstract: A quadrant detector arrangement (10) includes a quadrant detector (12) having a photosensitive surface (28) and a plurality of light channels (14) extending therethrough. Light from a light source (16) is collimated by a collimating optical element (18) and projected through the light channels (14) toward a workpiece (36) such that light reflected from the workpiece (36) impinges upon the photosensitive surface (28).