Method and apparatus for making absolute range measurements
Abstract
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for making absolute distance or ranging measurements using Fresnel diffraction. The invention employs a source of electromagnetic radiation having a known wavelength or wavelength distribution, which sends a beam of electromagnetic radiation through an object which causes it to be split (hereinafter referred to as a "beamsplitter"), and then to a target. The beam is reflected from the target onto a screen containing an aperture spaced a known distance from the beamsplitter. The aperture is sized so as to produce a Fresnel diffraction pattern. A portion of the beam travels through the aperture to a detector, spaced a known distance from the screen. The detector detects the central intensity of the beam. The distance from the object which causes the beam to be split to the target can then be calculated based upon the known wavelength, aperture radius, beam intensity, and distance from the detector to the screen. Several apparatus embodiments are disclosed for practicing the method embodiments of the present invention.
- Inventors:
-
- Knoxville, TN
- Oak Ridge, TN
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 872349
- Patent Number(s):
- 5914785
- Assignee:
- University of Tennesee Research Corporation (Knoxville, TN); Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation (Oak Ridge, TN)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01B - MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01S - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-96OR22464
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- method; apparatus; absolute; range; measurements; relates; distance; ranging; fresnel; diffraction; employs; source; electromagnetic; radiation; wavelength; distribution; sends; beam; causes; split; hereinafter; referred; beamsplitter; target; reflected; screen; containing; aperture; spaced; sized; produce; pattern; portion; travels; detector; detects; central; intensity; calculated; based; radius; embodiments; disclosed; practicing; beam intensity; electromagnetic radiation; detector detects; diffraction pattern; calculated based; beam travels; /356/
Citation Formats
Allison, Stephen W, Cates, Michael R, Key, William S, Sanders, Alvin J, and Earl, Dennis D. Method and apparatus for making absolute range measurements. United States: N. p., 1999.
Web.
Allison, Stephen W, Cates, Michael R, Key, William S, Sanders, Alvin J, & Earl, Dennis D. Method and apparatus for making absolute range measurements. United States.
Allison, Stephen W, Cates, Michael R, Key, William S, Sanders, Alvin J, and Earl, Dennis D. Fri .
"Method and apparatus for making absolute range measurements". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/872349.
@article{osti_872349,
title = {Method and apparatus for making absolute range measurements},
author = {Allison, Stephen W and Cates, Michael R and Key, William S and Sanders, Alvin J and Earl, Dennis D},
abstractNote = {This invention relates to a method and apparatus for making absolute distance or ranging measurements using Fresnel diffraction. The invention employs a source of electromagnetic radiation having a known wavelength or wavelength distribution, which sends a beam of electromagnetic radiation through an object which causes it to be split (hereinafter referred to as a "beamsplitter"), and then to a target. The beam is reflected from the target onto a screen containing an aperture spaced a known distance from the beamsplitter. The aperture is sized so as to produce a Fresnel diffraction pattern. A portion of the beam travels through the aperture to a detector, spaced a known distance from the screen. The detector detects the central intensity of the beam. The distance from the object which causes the beam to be split to the target can then be calculated based upon the known wavelength, aperture radius, beam intensity, and distance from the detector to the screen. Several apparatus embodiments are disclosed for practicing the method embodiments of the present invention.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1999},
month = {1}
}