Abstract: An apparatus for a variable depth triangulation ranging system, the ranging system including means for emitting a light beam, means for focusing an emitted light beam on an object, and lens means for imaging reflected light onto an input end of said apparatus. The present apparatus includes an optical fiber bundle, the bundle including an input end and an output end, the bundle input end being disposed so as to intercept transmissions from said lens means, means for scanning, in a time-based manner, the bundle output end, the scanning means being configured to generate a time-based signal indicative of a light signals present at the bundle ouput end, and means for calculating system geometry and range from the time-based signal.

Abstract: A laser materials processing apparatus including means for optically monitoring the processing and generating a processing signal representative of the processing, means for interpreting the processing signal and generating an interpreted output, and means for controlling the materials processing based upon the interpreted output and by generating a control signal applied to a laser materials processing component.

Abstract: A variable depth triangulation ranging system is reconfigurable in real time in the sense that any two of the three performance measures, standoff distance, depth of field, and range resolution at a point within the depth of field, are selected by the user and the system geometrically reconfigures itself to provide the requested performance. The system is composed of a light beam emitting component such as a laser, a linear photodetector, and an imaging lens component. Any of these components has a fixed location and the other two are movable and positioned so that the Scheimpflug condition to guarantee blur-free imaging of reflected target returns is satisfied; the laser beam, a plane axis through the imaging lens component, and an image line through the photodetector all intersect at a common point. A scanner assembly is added to scan the laser beam along a line and over an area.

Abstract: Apparatus for laser processing, such as drilling of a workpiece, optionally has an optical fiber and output coupler for applying laser light to machine a workpiece and cause it to vibrate. An acoustic sensor is mounted on the workpiece, and a determining means, such as a computer, determines when the vibrations change, such as when they cease. The information can be used to change the laser pulse power and duration and the relative distance of the laser focal plane on the workpiece. A method of laser processing a workpiece causes vibrations in the workpiece by applying laser light to it, monitors the vibrations, and determines when they change.

Abstract: A pressure deformable body of a transducer is formed with a plurality of passage holes through which paths are established for a signal medium conducted thereto through a rigid base on which the body is mounted. Portions of the body material when loaded bulge into the passage holes causing constriction thereof to vary the intensity of the signal medium transmitted. The passage holes are spaced in an array arranged to distribute hole constriction in a load-pattern reproducing manner.