Abstract: A method for measuring the range to multiple points on a surface by projecting a line of light onto the surface, imaging said line of light onto a photodetector, computing the centroid of said line of light, computing quality factors for each computed centroid and encoding the quality factors as one or more bits in the centroid value, transmitting said centroid value to a data receiver, and computing the range to the surface for each point corresponding to each centroid value.

Abstract: A laser line generator having a laser diode, or other laser source, emits a laser which is passed through an aspherical lens to create a two-dimensional fan-shaped light sheet. This light sheet is reflected off a flat mirror to expand the width of the light sheet without increasing the size required by the optical path. The light sheet is then reflected by parabolic mirror to create a straight, planar light sheet.

Abstract: A large profile, high speed laser micrometer is formed from a light source unit comprised of a plurality of emitter modules that combine to emit a laser sheet and a detector array comprised of a plurality of detector modules. The laser micrometer also includes a data processing unit. Each of the emitter modules is aligned with a corresponding detector module such that an object passing between the light source unit and the detector array can be measured to an accuracy of at least 4/100ths of an inch.

Abstract: A method for measuring the range to multiple points on a surface by projecting a line of light onto the surface, imaging said line of light onto an XY photodetector array at an oblique angle, reading out the array one line at a time, computing the centroid of said line of light on each Y line across X columns as each line is read out of the array in onboard FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or similar real time logic, computing quality factors for each computed centroid and encoding this as one or more bits in the centroid value, transmitting said tagged centroid to a local or remote data receiver, and computing the range to the surface for each point corresponding to each centroid using a previous calibration step.

Abstract: A large profile, high speed laser micrometer is formed from a light source unit comprised of a plurality of emitter modules that combine to emit a laser sheet and a detector array comprised of a plurality of detector modules. The laser micrometer also includes a data processing unit. Each of the emitter modules is aligned with a corresponding detector module such that an object passing between the light source unit and the detector array can be measured to an accuracy of at least 4/100ths of an inch.

Abstract: A three-dimensional coordinate measuring system which includes first and second towers, first and second viewing devices mounted on the first and second towers, respectively, and a pair of targets mounted on each of the first and second towers a known distance apart. A tilt sensor is mounted on each of the first and second towers to measure the angle of each of the first and second towers with vertical and a host computer is coupled to each of the viewing devices and is programmed to perform photogrammetric algorithms so as to compute the coordinates of unknown points.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting perforations in sheet material with a laser which includes a laser and servo motor controlled rotatable mirrors for focussing and directing a laser beam from the laser onto the sheet material so as to cut a perforation therein. An arm mounts the mirrors for movement of the beam from one perforating position to another. The laser is also shut off when moving from one perforation position to another. A perforation pattern is thus produced over a selected portion of the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for projecting a laser beam at an angle to an axis and sweeping the laser beam around the axis around a conical surface having a selected slope is described. The apparatus may be used to aid in the alignment of structures having conical surfaces. The apparatus projects a laser beam along an axis onto a rotating deflection assembly. The deflection assembly contains two mirrors which are optically equivalent to the reflective faces of a pentaprism. Consequently, the angle of the deflected beam is relatively insensitive to vibrations of the deflection assembly. The angle of the deflected beam may be varied by tilting the two mirrors. The alignment of the mirrors is maintained as the mirrors are tilted by a linkage which includes a roller mounted to one of the mirrors which rides on a cam surface coupled to the other mirror. The adjustable mirror-alignment linkage may be used in other optical equipment.

Abstract: An image transferring device which consists of a light source transmitter for transmitting a collimated light beam, a light reflector positioned to intercept the collimated light beam, a motor for rotating the light reflector, a film positioned at the focal point of the light reflected from the mirror; an imaging lens mounted so as to rotate with the mirror and to focus the light beam onto film, and a motor and lead screw for advancing the mirror in a direction along its axis of rotation so that the light beam traverses an image portion of the film.