Linear and angular retroreflecting interferometric alignment target

Patent · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:874152

Maxey, L Curtis ^[1]

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1. Powell, TN

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring both the linear displacement and angular displacement of an object using a linear interferometer system and an optical target comprising a lens, a reflective surface and a retroreflector. The lens, reflecting surface and retroreflector are specifically aligned and fixed in optical connection with one another, creating a single optical target which moves as a unit that provides multi-axis displacement information for the object with which it is associated. This displacement information is useful in many applications including machine tool control systems and laser tracker systems, among others.

• Research Organization: LOCKHEED MARTIN ENERGY RES COR
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)
• Patent Number(s): US 6327038
• OSTI ID: 874152
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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aligned
alignment
angular
angular displacement
apparatus
applications
associated
comprising
connection
control
creating
displacement
fixed
including
information
interferometer
interferometric
laser
lens
linear
linear displacement
machine
measuring
method
moves
multi-axis
optical
provides
reflecting
reflecting surface
reflective
retroreflecting
retroreflector
single
single optical
specifically
surface
systems
target
tool
tracker
unit
useful