Laser receiver 2

[tradesman2]

Hello, new to the forum. I will not claim to be an engineer but just a very curious tradesman. I have been working with all kinds of lasers and receivers for over 35 years and have had the opportunity to work with a myriad of laser receivers. The one I have attached intrigues me very much. The glass tube that is the receiver of the laser light is what I would like to learn more about. I have been searching forever and have wound up here hoping for insight from people a lot smarter than me. This receiver is capable of readings within 0.050". I would be very appreciative of any help or leads to point me in the right direction of learning more about this receiver.

Than you...... Scott

 

[VEBill]

http://www.apache-laser.de/EN/PDF/Manual_Storm.pdf

Manual says it's a patented Supercell technology.

Just need to find the patent next.

 

[VEBill]

Patent 6,133,991

Seems like the one.

You can use the Assignee Name (Apache Technologies) to help find any other related patents. Google inassignee:"Apache Technologies, Inc."

 

[itsmoked]

Looks like a standard line sensor which is probably a Hamamatsu sensor with a glass cylinder with opaque partitioning to assist with digitizing the beam reception.

Example:Example of Hamamatsu offerings

What's your interest?

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[tradesman2]

Thank you very much for the replies. The patent search had entered my mind but I didn't feel that I had enough info to do a quality search. That patent site can be overwhelming sometimes.

I have always had an interest in receivers because they play a big role in my field and I am always tasked with trying to fix them or getting them fixed. This one at hand has a broken outer case. I just spend a lot of time thinking of the mechanics and the logic behind them to make them work. I feel there is always a better mousetrap out there and I have been thinking about a different receiver for years and have not quite figured out how to bring it to fruition. Some leaders in this field have come close to my thoughts but have still missed the mark. Through the decades that I have worked with them I have seen where human error plays a big role in incorrect readings. I put in super flat floors and highly accurate readings are a must.

Thanks.......Scott

 

[VEBill]

Google indexes patents.

https://patents.google.com

They even make some fields into the associated search. For example, the Assignee is typically a link to searching for other patents with the same Assignee.

The real issue is that patents are written to be deliberately obtuse.

The USPTO search isn't too bad either.

 

[itsmoked]

That's how better mouse traps are brought to market! It's especially useful if you use them, as you do, when developing new products. Good luck.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com