GB2114770A - Telemetry device - Google Patents
Telemetry device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2114770A GB2114770A GB08234196A GB8234196A GB2114770A GB 2114770 A GB2114770 A GB 2114770A GB 08234196 A GB08234196 A GB 08234196A GB 8234196 A GB8234196 A GB 8234196A GB 2114770 A GB2114770 A GB 2114770A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- arm
- emitter
- casing
- radiation
- measuring
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C3/00—Measuring distances in line of sight; Optical rangefinders
- G01C3/10—Measuring distances in line of sight; Optical rangefinders using a parallactic triangle with variable angles and a base of fixed length in the observation station, e.g. in the instrument
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C3/00—Measuring distances in line of sight; Optical rangefinders
- G01C3/02—Details
- G01C3/06—Use of electric means to obtain final indication
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Optical Radar Systems And Details Thereof (AREA)
- Measurement Of Optical Distance (AREA)
- Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
Abstract
A telemetry device for measuring the distance of an object comprises a telescopic arm (2) having at one end a first emitter (3) and at the other end a second emitter (9). The two emitters (2, 9) transmit beams (6 and 10) towards an object T and means (15, 16, 18) are provided for adjusting and measuring the angular position of the second emitter (9). The distance of the object T is read from the display 18 when the beams (6 and 10) are seen to intersect at the object. The two beams may originate from a single laser beam, which is split in a beam splitter 5 (Fig. 2, not shown). <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Telemetry device for measuring the distance of an object by direct intersection of coherent light beams
This invention relates to telemetry devices and has as its subject matter a telemetry device, characterised in that it comprises: a casing having a straight arm; a first coherent light emitter disposed at one end of the arm and adapted to transmit a first radiation beam perpendicuiar to the arm towards an object whose distance from the casing it is required to measure; a second coherent light emitter disposed at the other end of the arm and angularly orientable relatively to the arm and adapted to transmit a second radiation beam towards the object; and means for measuring the angular position of the second emitter relatively to the arm in the state in which the first beam and the second beam intersect at the object.
The invention can therefore provide a rugged, functional and low-cost telemetry device which is very convenient and effective to use in cases such as, for instance, measurement of distances at the site of a road accident or the like.
In cases of this kind distances are usually measured by means of measuring tapes which are particularly time-consuming when a large number of measurements have to be made and which may be difficult or dangerous to use, for instance, when measurements have to be carried out on a road carrying heavy traffic. The device according to the invention not only makes it possible to carry out a large number of measurements rapidly but also enables the actual measurement operations to be carried out in convenient and safe conditions, there being no need for the measurer to have access to the objects of whose position it is required to determine.
Use of the device according to the invention is also very advantageous as compared with optical, radar or laser beam telemetry devices such as are used for military purposes. Such devices are normaily very expensive, may be very bulky and are often unselective at short distances; in the particular case of radar appliances they can often detect the position just of metal articles and nothing else.
The advantages provided by the invention will become apparent from the purely exemplary and non-limitative description given hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention, shown in use for measuring the distance of an object;
Figure 2 is a plan view, with parts broken away, ofthe device shown in Figure 1, and
Figure 3 is a view in block schematic form of one of the elements shown in Figure 2.
Referring to Figure 1, an oblong casing 1 has a straight tubular arm 2 near one of its corners.
The arm 2 is telescopically extensible from a retracted position (not shown), in which the arm 2 is received substantially completely in the casing 1, so that the device is very compact and readily
transportable, into an operative position which is
shown in Figure 1 and in which the arm 2 projects
out of the casing 1.
Disposed in the casing 1 is a laser source 3,
preferably a HeNe laser which emits coherent
radiation in the visible range (approximately
632.8 nm).
The laser source 3 is energized by a power pack 4 and has at its output a beam splitter 5 which is disposed at one end of the tubular arm 2.
The splitter 5 sub-divides the radiation from the laser 3 into a first beam 6, which issues from the casing 1 through an aperture 7 perpendicularly to the arm 2, and an auxiliary beam 8, which is propagated in the arm 2 towards a metal mirror 9 disposed at the other end of the arm 2.
The mirror 9 is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the plane identified by the first beam 6 and the arm 2.
The mirror 9, which is at a distance b from the beam splitter 5 in Figure 1, produces by deflection of the auxiliary beam 8 a second coherent light beam 10 which issues from the arm 2 through an aperture 11, forming angle B, indicated in Figure 1, with the axis of the arm 2.
The angle B can be varied by rotation of the mirror 9.
As shown in Figure 2, the mirror 9 can be rotated by means of a d.c. motor 1 2 connected to the mirror 9 through a transmission comprising reduction gearing 13 and a worm 1 3a meshing with peripheral toothing of a disc rigidly secured to the mirror 9.
The motor 12, which is connected by means (not shown) to a supply battery 14, can be run to either end by the operation of two buttons 1 5, 16 disposed on the top surface of the casing 1.
Battery 14 also provides the power for the laser 3 and of the other electrical facilities of the telemetry device.
When the device is positioned as shown in
Figure 1, with the casing 1 oriented so that the first beam 6 strikes an object T, for instance, the side of a vehicle, at a distance dfrom the casing, by operation of the buttons 1 5, 1 6 and observation of the light traces produced by the beams 6 and 10 on the object T, the mirror 9 can
be oriented into a position in which the second beam 10 intersects the first beam 6 at the object
T.
Consequently, the distance dcan be expressed in accordance with basic trigonometric formulae
as d = b.tg B.
Since the distance d between the splitter 5 and the mirror 9 is known and calibrated, a signal indicating?the distance d can be produced by means of a potentiometric detector 1 7 which is rigidly secured to the shaft carrying the worm 1 3a and which is therefore sensitive to the angular position of the mirror 9.
The detector 17 can be such, for instance, that is resistance varies in proportion to the tangent of the angle B between the second beam 10 and the arm 2. A detector having this kind of variation can be embodied as a wire or metal layer device or as a device of the kind in which the deposit of resistive material is produced by means of a technology similar to that used for logarithmic and anti-logarithmic potentiometers.
The detector output signal goes to a display unit 18 disposed on the top surface of the casing
1; the display unit 1 8 has, for instance, measurement scales enabling direct determination of the distance din dependence upon the signal level.
Preferably, and as shown in Figure 3, the detector 1 7 is linear. The detector output signal then goes to a processing circuit 1 9 comprising an amplifier 20 and an analog-digital converter associated with a time base oscillator 22.
The signal thus converted is supplied to arithmetical circuit 23 (trigonometric chip), of a kind conventional in minicomputers, which is adapted to prepare from the digitalized signal a data item corresponding to the product of the distance b by the tangent of the angle B in accordance with the trigonometric relation hereinbefore recalled.
This item, which corresponds to the value of distance d, is supplied to the display unit 1 8 which is of the light segment type.
Very advantageously, the function of the processing unit 1 9 can be taken over at least to some extent by a microprocessor which also makes it possible, if so required, to perform further processing operations on the data relating to the measured distances d.
Conveniently, the device according to the invention can have an optical unit (not shown) for observing coincidence between the light traces produced by the two beams 6, 10 on an object T far away from the device, in order to ensure accurate intersection of the two beams.
For long-range use any spread of the beams 6,
10 can be compensated for by the use of collimators.
The effects of this invention also of course cover the models achieving similar useful effects by means of the same innovative concept, such as devices in which the mirror 9 is rotated manually or in which the mirror 9 is replaced by another laser source, and devices in which the arm 2 has disconnectable eiements making it possible to increase the distance b serving as measurement base.
Claims (8)
1. A telemetry device comprising a casing having a substantially straight arm; a first coherent light emitter disposed at one end of the arm and adapted to transmit a first radiation beam perpendicular to the arm towards an object whose distance from the casing it is required to measure; a second coherent light emitter disposed at the other end of the arm and angularly orientable relatively to the arm and adapted to transmit a second radiation beam towards the object; and means for measuring the angular position of the second emitter relatively to the arm in the state in which the first beam and the second beam intersect at the object.
2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the arm is telescopic.
3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the first emitter comprises a laser source having associated with its output a beam splitter which sub-divides the radiation from the laser source to produce the first beam and an auxiliary beam; and the second emitter comprises an orientable mirror which reflects the auxiliary beam.
4. A device according to Claim 3 characterised in that the arm is tubular and the auxiliary beam is propagated therein.
5. A device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the measuring means comprise a potentiometric detector whose resistance varies in proportion to the tangent of the angle between the second beam and the arm.
6. A device.a'ccording to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the measuring means comprise a potentiometric detector and a processing circuit connected thereto to produce a signal indicating the tangent of the angle between the second radiation beam and the arm.
7. A device according to Claim 6 characterised in that the processing circuit comprises a microprocessor.
8. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT2374581U IT8123745V0 (en) | 1981-12-11 | 1981-12-11 | TELEMETRIC EQUIPMENT FOR MEASURING THE DISTANCE FROM AN OBJECT THROUGH DIRECT INTERSECTION OF COHERENT LIGHT RADIATION BEAMS. |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB2114770A true GB2114770A (en) | 1983-08-24 |
GB2114770B GB2114770B (en) | 1985-07-24 |
Family
ID=11209625
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB08234196A Expired GB2114770B (en) | 1981-12-11 | 1982-12-01 | Telemetry device |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
JP (1) | JPS58138012U (en) |
DE (1) | DE8234635U1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES518080A0 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2518254A3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2114770B (en) |
IT (1) | IT8123745V0 (en) |
Cited By (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2175778A (en) * | 1985-05-18 | 1986-12-03 | British Aerospace | Radiographic apparatus |
GB2187570A (en) * | 1986-03-06 | 1987-09-09 | Rabone Chesterman Ltd | Apparatus for measuring distance |
EP0246018A2 (en) * | 1986-05-05 | 1987-11-19 | Afgen (Proprietary) Limited | Distance measuring method and means |
GB2191599A (en) * | 1986-06-06 | 1987-12-16 | Roger Bennison | Apparatus for measuring distances and angles |
US6988331B2 (en) | 2002-03-04 | 2006-01-24 | Larry Holmberg | Range finder |
US7647922B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2010-01-19 | Larry Holmberg | Adaptor for device mount |
US7661221B2 (en) | 2006-01-06 | 2010-02-16 | Larry Holmberg | Device mount |
US7739822B1 (en) | 2007-01-09 | 2010-06-22 | Larry Holmberg | Method and device for mounting an accessory to a firearm |
US7780363B1 (en) | 2008-01-17 | 2010-08-24 | Larry Holmberg | Device for mounting imaging equipment to a bow and method of recording a hunt |
US7880793B2 (en) | 1999-03-08 | 2011-02-01 | Larry Holmberg | Camera with mounting rail |
US7886733B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2011-02-15 | Larry Holmberg | Method of mounting an autonomous electronic device on to a crossbow |
US7891131B2 (en) | 2007-01-05 | 2011-02-22 | Larry Holmberg | Device mount system for a weapon |
US7926220B2 (en) | 2006-10-17 | 2011-04-19 | Larry Holmberg | Stabilizing device mount and method |
US7982858B2 (en) | 2002-03-04 | 2011-07-19 | Larry Holmberg | Range finder |
US8024884B2 (en) | 2009-06-16 | 2011-09-27 | Larry Holmberg | Electronic device mount system for weapons |
CN102288155A (en) * | 2011-07-20 | 2011-12-21 | 徐州工业职业技术学院 | Distance measuring device and distance measuring method |
US8156680B2 (en) | 2002-03-04 | 2012-04-17 | Larry Holmberg | Device mounting system for a weapon |
US8161674B2 (en) | 2009-06-16 | 2012-04-24 | Larry Holmberg | Electronic device mount system with strap |
US8240077B2 (en) | 2002-03-04 | 2012-08-14 | Larry Holmberg | Range finder for weapons |
US8656625B2 (en) | 2010-12-29 | 2014-02-25 | Larry Holmberg | Accessory mount |
US8656624B2 (en) | 2010-12-29 | 2014-02-25 | Larry Holmberg | Universal device mount |
CN109984767A (en) * | 2019-02-20 | 2019-07-09 | 深圳市创谷科技发展有限公司 | X-ray machine and laser locating apparatus for X-ray machine |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2618564B1 (en) * | 1987-07-24 | 1989-11-10 | Neyrpic | LASER RADIATION PROJECTOR AND REMOTE MEASURING DEVICE COMPRISING AT LEAST TWO OF THESE PROJECTORS |
DE102008001628A1 (en) * | 2008-05-07 | 2009-11-19 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Marking device and method for transferring a distance to an object |
-
1981
- 1981-12-11 IT IT2374581U patent/IT8123745V0/en unknown
-
1982
- 1982-12-01 GB GB08234196A patent/GB2114770B/en not_active Expired
- 1982-12-09 DE DE19828234635 patent/DE8234635U1/en not_active Expired
- 1982-12-10 FR FR8220792A patent/FR2518254A3/en active Granted
- 1982-12-10 JP JP18708782U patent/JPS58138012U/en active Pending
- 1982-12-10 ES ES518080A patent/ES518080A0/en active Granted
Cited By (37)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2175778A (en) * | 1985-05-18 | 1986-12-03 | British Aerospace | Radiographic apparatus |
GB2175778B (en) * | 1985-05-18 | 1989-07-05 | British Aerospace | Radiographic apparatus |
GB2187570A (en) * | 1986-03-06 | 1987-09-09 | Rabone Chesterman Ltd | Apparatus for measuring distance |
EP0246018A2 (en) * | 1986-05-05 | 1987-11-19 | Afgen (Proprietary) Limited | Distance measuring method and means |
EP0246018A3 (en) * | 1986-05-05 | 1989-04-26 | Afgen (Proprietary) Limited | Distance measuring method and means |
AU602142B2 (en) * | 1986-05-05 | 1990-10-04 | Afgen (Proprietary) Limited | Distance measuring method and means |
GB2191599A (en) * | 1986-06-06 | 1987-12-16 | Roger Bennison | Apparatus for measuring distances and angles |
US9143663B2 (en) | 1999-03-08 | 2015-09-22 | Larry Holmberg | Camera for mounting |
US7965337B2 (en) | 1999-03-08 | 2011-06-21 | Larry Holmberg | System for mounting camera on bow |
US8059196B2 (en) | 1999-03-08 | 2011-11-15 | Larry Holmberg | Camera for mounting |
US8045038B2 (en) | 1999-03-08 | 2011-10-25 | Larry Holmberg | Video camera with mount |
US9521300B2 (en) | 1999-03-08 | 2016-12-13 | Larry Holmberg | Camera for mounting |
US8035735B2 (en) | 1999-03-08 | 2011-10-11 | Larry Holmberg | Camera with weather cover |
US7880793B2 (en) | 1999-03-08 | 2011-02-01 | Larry Holmberg | Camera with mounting rail |
US8717496B2 (en) | 1999-03-08 | 2014-05-06 | Larry Holmberg | Rail mount |
US8717497B2 (en) | 1999-03-08 | 2014-05-06 | Larry Holmberg | Camera for mounting |
US8156680B2 (en) | 2002-03-04 | 2012-04-17 | Larry Holmberg | Device mounting system for a weapon |
US8656629B2 (en) | 2002-03-04 | 2014-02-25 | Larry Holmberg | Range finder for weapons |
US7982858B2 (en) | 2002-03-04 | 2011-07-19 | Larry Holmberg | Range finder |
US8240077B2 (en) | 2002-03-04 | 2012-08-14 | Larry Holmberg | Range finder for weapons |
US7100321B2 (en) | 2002-03-04 | 2006-09-05 | Larry Holmberg | Range finder |
US6988331B2 (en) | 2002-03-04 | 2006-01-24 | Larry Holmberg | Range finder |
US7661221B2 (en) | 2006-01-06 | 2010-02-16 | Larry Holmberg | Device mount |
US8046950B2 (en) | 2006-01-06 | 2011-11-01 | Larry Holmberg | Method of attaching device to weapon |
US7647922B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2010-01-19 | Larry Holmberg | Adaptor for device mount |
US8065994B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2011-11-29 | Larry Holmberg | Adaptor for device mount |
US7886733B2 (en) | 2006-06-30 | 2011-02-15 | Larry Holmberg | Method of mounting an autonomous electronic device on to a crossbow |
US7926220B2 (en) | 2006-10-17 | 2011-04-19 | Larry Holmberg | Stabilizing device mount and method |
US7891131B2 (en) | 2007-01-05 | 2011-02-22 | Larry Holmberg | Device mount system for a weapon |
US7739822B1 (en) | 2007-01-09 | 2010-06-22 | Larry Holmberg | Method and device for mounting an accessory to a firearm |
US7780363B1 (en) | 2008-01-17 | 2010-08-24 | Larry Holmberg | Device for mounting imaging equipment to a bow and method of recording a hunt |
US8161674B2 (en) | 2009-06-16 | 2012-04-24 | Larry Holmberg | Electronic device mount system with strap |
US8024884B2 (en) | 2009-06-16 | 2011-09-27 | Larry Holmberg | Electronic device mount system for weapons |
US8656625B2 (en) | 2010-12-29 | 2014-02-25 | Larry Holmberg | Accessory mount |
US8656624B2 (en) | 2010-12-29 | 2014-02-25 | Larry Holmberg | Universal device mount |
CN102288155A (en) * | 2011-07-20 | 2011-12-21 | 徐州工业职业技术学院 | Distance measuring device and distance measuring method |
CN109984767A (en) * | 2019-02-20 | 2019-07-09 | 深圳市创谷科技发展有限公司 | X-ray machine and laser locating apparatus for X-ray machine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IT8123745V0 (en) | 1981-12-11 |
ES8401794A1 (en) | 1984-01-01 |
ES518080A0 (en) | 1984-01-01 |
FR2518254A3 (en) | 1983-06-17 |
DE8234635U1 (en) | 1983-12-01 |
FR2518254B3 (en) | 1983-12-02 |
GB2114770B (en) | 1985-07-24 |
JPS58138012U (en) | 1983-09-17 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
GB2114770A (en) | Telemetry device | |
US4691446A (en) | Three-dimensional position measuring apparatus | |
US4103427A (en) | Electronic digital micrometer | |
US3430243A (en) | Method of and apparatus for determining the distance and/or angles between objects with the aid of radiant energy | |
CA1156827A (en) | Surface roughness gauge and method | |
JPH09503583A (en) | Laser sensor capable of measuring distance, velocity and acceleration | |
US4969744A (en) | Optical angle-measuring device | |
US4781455A (en) | Method for measuring optical strain and apparatus therefor | |
Armstrong et al. | An autocollimator based on the laser head of a compact disc player | |
WO1997025588A1 (en) | Device for determining the dimensions of three-dimensional objects | |
US4097751A (en) | Retroreflectance measuring apparatus | |
US4053985A (en) | Mechanical protractor | |
US3659946A (en) | Automated light scattering photometer | |
EP0065517B1 (en) | Surface roughness gauge | |
CA2043020A1 (en) | Device for and method of measurement of an angle of incidence of a luminous beam | |
JP2945467B2 (en) | Machine height measuring device | |
EP0415405B1 (en) | Device for obtaining distance information from an object by instantaneously illuminating the object by a light beam | |
US4702008A (en) | Zero setting device in surveying instrument | |
JPH0548405B2 (en) | ||
Halliwell | Measurement of specimen tilt and beam tilt in the Bond method | |
BE1002681A6 (en) | Detection element and devices that apply such an element | |
EP0068638B1 (en) | Protractors | |
US3131306A (en) | Process for gaging dimensions by means of radiations | |
Sorenson et al. | Instrumentation for measuring visibility-limiting characteristics of sea water | |
CN207407853U (en) | Laser aiming rangefinder |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |