Inventors:
Edmond Vinarub - Cheshire CT
Bernard J. Dolan - Winchester MA
Ralph Grabowski - Andover MA
Phillip Carvey - Bedford MA
Tamas Hetenyi - Concord MA
Randal Chinnock - North Reading MA
Kurt Zwirner - Melrose MA
Assignee:
Dolan-Jenner Industries, Inc. - Woburn MA
International Classification:
G01B 1102
Abstract:
A target is viewed by means of a coherent fiber optic bundle comprising a two dimensional array of fibers. A one dimensional linear light detector array, fixed relative to the coherent fiber optic bundle, receives an image of the target and detects light through only a slice of the image to provide dimensional information with respect to the edges of the target. A polyfurcated bundle may view different linear dimensions of the target and allow for the use of the single linear array to detect the multiple dimensions. Electronics provide for detection of target edges by means of a curve fitting technique, computation of dimensions and control of light source intensity and exposure time. Illumination is by a noncoherent light source and a collimator positioned behind the target or by a fiber optic bundle and a light guide plate positioned to illuminate the target from the front. An air purge of the distal optics is provided from a frustoconical annulus formed between two members and from pressurized gas introduced between the annulus and the optics.