3816results about "Angles/taper measurements" patented technology

The present invention provides tools and methods designed to aid in the placement of facet joint prosthesis at virtually all spinal levels. One aspect of the present invention is a measurement tool for installing a cephalad facet joint prosthesis including a fixation measurement element and a support arm element. This measurement tool assists in the selection and / or configuration of a cephalad facet joint prosthesis for implantation in a patient. Another aspect is a measurement tool for installing a caudal facet joint prosthesis including a stem element and a trial caudal bearing surface element. This measurement tool assists in the selection and / or configuration of a caudal facet joint prosthesis for implantation in a patient. Yet another aspect is a measurement tool holder including a measurement surface connected to a holder element. This tool holder assists in determining the measurements obtained with the caudal facet joint prosthesis measurement tool.

The invention relates to a connection device associated with an arm of an articulated three-dimensional measuring appliance, the device comprising a moving assembly and a fixed assembly, together with connection means for providing an electrical link between said two assemblies. In accordance with the invention, the moving assembly comprises first and second adjacent components on a common axis, the first component being constrained to rotate with the jointed end of the arm and being connected to the second component by a coupling system having successive dogs so that said second component is entrained in rotation only after said first component has turned through significantly more than one revolution in the same direction, and the connection means comprise facing contact members carried respectively by the fixed assembly and by the second component, arranged to provide a continuous electrical link in normal operation and a link that is restricted to a short angular range of rotation once the second component is entrained in rotation by the first component.

An apparatus for determining the position and / or alignment of objects such as motor vehicle wheels, and including targets for attachment to the objects, a pair of optical sensing means such as television cameras for viewing the targets, an electronic processing means connected to the optical sensing means for processing data relating to images of the targets to determine position and / or alignment information, and a display means for displaying the position and / or alignment information. The optical sensing means view a target located on each object and form an image of each target. Electronic signals corresponding to each of the images are transferred to the electronic processing means which correlates the image signals of each of the targets with the true shape of each target. In so doing, the processing means relates the geometric characteristics and positional interrelationships of certain known elements of the target with the geometric characteristics and positional interrelationships of corresponding elements in the viewed images and calculates the position and / or alignment of the objects to which the targets are attached.

A device and method for measuring deviations in shape of a generally cylindrical workpiece is disclosed. The device enables measurement of a number of shape-defining parameters while the workpiece is positioned in a machine tool, so that the workpiece does not have to be removed from the machine tool in order for the measurements to be taken. A steadying rest, for use on machine tools to hold a workpiece, especially one having a longitudinal central axis that is rotationally unsymmetrical or unstable with respect to the machining tool, in position to enable measurement of the shape defining parameters and shape deviations while the workpiece is mounted on the machine tool, is also disclosed.

An instrument for establishing orientation of a pelvic prosthesis comprises a tri-pod having an angularly adjustable guide rod on it. The tips of the legs define a plane, and the guide rod is set by the surgeon to a defined orientation with respect to this plane on the basis of preoperative studies. In use, two of the legs of the instrument are positioned by the surgeon at defined anatomical locations on the pelvis (e.g., a point in the region of the posterior / inferior acetabulum and a point on the anterior superior iliac spine). The third leg then lands on the pelvis at a point determined by the position of the first two points, as well as by the separations between the third leg and the other two legs. The separations are adjustable, but are preferably fixed percentages of the separation between the first and second legs. The position of the guide rod then defines with respect to the actual pelvis the direction for insertion of a prosthesis.

A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system configured with at least one cameras for acquiring images of the wheels of a vehicle, and an associated light projectors configured to project a pattern image onto the surfaces of vehicle components such as vehicle wheel assemblies. Images of the projected patterns acquired by the camera, are processed by the vehicle wheel alignment system to facilitate a determination of the relative orientation and position of the surfaces such as wheel assemblies in three dimensional space, from which vehicle parameters such as wheel alignment measurements can be subsequently determined.

A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm includes joint assemblies which include at least one read head together with one or more (preferably five) sensors (preferably proximity sensors) in communication with a periodic pattern of a measurable characteristic, the pattern and read heads being positioned within the joint so as to be rotatable with respect to each other.

An instrument for establishing orientation of a pelvic prosthesis comprises a tri-pod having an angularly adjustable guide rod on it. The tips of the legs define a plane, and the guide rod is set by the surgeon to a defined orientation with respect to this plane on the basis of preoperative studies. In use, two of the legs of the instrument are positioned by the surgeon at defined anatomical locations on the pelvis (e.g., a point in the region of the posterior / inferior acetabulum and a point on the anterior superior iliac spine). The third leg then lands on the pelvis at a point determined by the position of the first two points, as well as by the separations between the third leg and the other two legs. The separations are adjustable, but are preferably fixed percentages of the separation between the first and second legs. The position of the guide rod then defines with respect to the actual pelvis the direction for insertion of a prosthesis.

An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to a second camera of the machine vision measuring system. Second and third calibration targets are mounted in a fixed relationship to one another and viewable by the first camera and by the third camera. A data processor is programmed to compute calibration of the first camera and the second camera, based on a position of the second calibration target relative to the third calibration target and a position of the first camera with respect to the third camera. The apparatus and method provide a way to continuously measure the positions of the cameras used in the measuring system to calibrate the system.

An apparatus and a method for aligning a vertical shaft or multiple axially coupled vertical shafts in a hydroelectric turbine generator or a similar vertical-shaft system, and for providing precise plumb inclination alignment of a vertical rotating shaft. Precision inclinometers attached to the vertical shaft measure plumb inclination. Proximity probe displacement devices mounted externally of the vertical shaft measure radial movement, throw, or run out at various shaft elevations as the shaft is rotated relative to a fixed point. Data acquisition devices and communication devices accumulate and transmit alignment data to a micro-computer which receives and processes such data. Methods of defining shaft plumb inclination in a static single rotational position and defining plumb inclination of the virtual centerline of a shaft's rotational throw position. A method of swinging, tilting, or adjusting a vertical shaft to a corrected or different plumb position relative to the earth's gravity.

The novel miniaturized inclinometer for angle measurement with accurate measurement indicator is designed to monitor the angular motion of limbs. The device contains at least one inclinometer with signal conditioning electronics, including a microprocessor, placed within a miniature housing. A number of different sensors can be used and positioned in their housings so that their outputs vary as a function of their angle with respect to the gravity sector. The microprocessor controls a multiplexer, which controls the activities of the sensors; performs analog to digital conversions and measures the output curves from the sensor pairs to perform a conversion which results in a three hundred and sixty degree range with respect to gravity. Calibration data is stored in a read only memory and the microprocessor corrects variables to ensure accuracy and measures the difference in angle between the pairs of sensors.

A method for improving the measurement accuracy of a portable coordinate measurement machine which comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments is presented. This method includes sensing deformation of a portion of the articulated arm when the arm is placed under a load, this deformation causing an error in the measurement made by the CMM, and correcting such error in response to the sensed deformation.

The arrangement for contactless determination of an angular position of a rotatable element, such as a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, which includes a magnet arranged to rotate with the rotatable element; a magnetic field sensor stationary in relation to the rotatable element and including a first sensor element (IC1) and a second sensor element (IC2), wherein the first sensor element generates a first output signal linearly dependent on an angle between the magnetic field and the magnetic field sensor according to a magnetoresistive effect, whereby the first output signal has respective values between 0° and 180° that repeat between 180° and 360°, and the second sensor element generates a second output signal having a high value between 0° and 180° and a low value between 180° and 360° according to a Hall effect; and an evaluation circuit (A) for analyzing output signals of both sensor elements to determine the angular position of the rotatable element between 0° and 360°. The evaluating circuit finds that the absolute angular position is either of two angular orientations spaced 180° from each other only from the signal from the first sensor element and selects one of them as the absolute angular position according to the second output signal.

In one embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole with three recessed cavities for attachment to a hosel-bending tool. In another embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole that includes one predetermined contact area proximal to the toe edge of the sole. In another embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole in which pads of material are incorporated that may be milled to vary the relief of the sole and to modify mass characteristics of the club head. Yet another embodiment presents a golf club head having a body with a cavity to receive a cartridge that has a constant density and weight.

To facilitate the use of a crane, an angle feedback information on a rope angle (θ) of the crane is received, the angle feedback information being measured by means of a sensor at or adjacent to a trolley; and the angle feedback information is corrected by compensating an error caused by a speed change, and processed to provide movement instructions or other control information relating to the crane on the basis of real-time corrected angle information.

In one embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole with three recessed cavities for attachment to a hosel-bending tool. In another embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole that includes one predetermined contact area proximal to the toe edge of the sole. In another embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole in which pads of material are incorporated that may be milled to vary the relief of the sole and to modify mass characteristics of the club head. Yet another embodiment presents a golf club head having a body with a cavity to receive a cartridge that has a constant density and weight.

A leveling spacer for laying wall tiles, paving tiles and the like with the interposition of gaps, which comprisesa base with spacing protrusions for the abutment of the edges of corresponding tiles so as to define the width of the gaps,a threaded stem, which is fixed at right angles to the base in at least one easily breakable point,a knob for clamping and removing the threaded stem, which comprises a female threaded portion adapted to be screwed to the threaded stem.

A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system configured with at least one cameras for acquiring images of the wheels of a vehicle, and an associated light projectors configured to project a pattern image onto the surfaces of vehicle components such as vehicle wheel assemblies. Images of the projected patterns acquired by the camera, are processed by the vehicle wheel alignment system to facilitate a determination of the relative orientation and position of the surfaces such as wheel assemblies in three dimensional space, from which vehicle parameters such as wheel alignment measurements can be subsequently determined.

A machine vision system is configured to facilitate placement of a vehicle service apparatus relative to an associated vehicle. The machine vision system is configured to utilize images of optical targets received from one or more cameras to guide the placement of the vehicle service apparatus relative to the associated vehicle.

A tool (10) and method for measuring endplay between an axle shaft (36) and an axle hub (34) of an axle assembly. A mounting plate (22) is fastened to the hub, and one end of a through-rod (16) whose ends protrude from opposite ends of a housing (14) of a fluid-operated device (12) is fastened to the axle shaft by applying an external force to the other end of the through-rod while fluid is not operating the fluid-operated device. With the mounting adapter and the through-rod secured as described, fluid is delivered to the fluid-operated device to move the through-rod relative to the housing, and the resulting relative movement between the through-rod and the housing is measured by a measuring device (48).

In a machine vision system utilizing computer processing of image data, an imaging module incorporates the image sensor as well as pre-processing circuitry, for example, for performing a background subtraction and / or a gradient calculation. The pre-processing circuitry may also compress the image information. The host computer receives the pre-processed image data and performs all other calculations necessary to complete the machine vision application, for example, to determine one or more wheel alignment parameters of a subject vehicle. In a disclosed example useful for wheel alignment, the module also includes illumination elements, and the module circuitry provides associated camera control. The background subtraction, gradient calculation and associated compression require simpler, less expensive circuitry than for typical image pre-processing boards. Yet, the pre-processing at the imaging module substantially reduces the processing burden on the host computer when compared to machine vision implementations using direct streaming of image data to the host computer.

An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to a second camera of the machine vision measuring system. Second and third calibration targets are mounted in a fixed relationship to one another and viewable by the first camera and by the third camera. A data processor is programmed to compute calibration of the first camera and the second camera, based on a position of the second calibration target relative to the third calibration target and based on a position of the first camera with respect to the third camera. The apparatus and method provide a way to continuously measure the positions of two or more cameras used in the measuring system, and to use such measurements to calibrate the system. If the cameras move with respect to each other, their respective positions are calculated and used in subsequent measurements. The apparatus and method enable a machine vision measuring system to be used without field calibration at the time of installation.

An intake manifold (2) of comburent air is presented for an internal combustion engine (1) provided with a recirculating conduit (60) of exhaust gases. The intake manifold (2) includes a first inlet mouth (213) of the comburent air, a second inlet mouth (214) in communication with the recirculating conduit (60) of the exhaust gases, and a plurality of outlet mouths (201), having a wall (7) positioned in front of each of the outlet mouths (201) and configured for dividing the internal volume of the intake manifold (2) into two chambers (215, 204), the first chamber (215) being placed in communication with the first inlet mouth (213) and the second inlet mouth (214) and the second chamber (204) being placed in communication with the outlet mouths (201), the wall (7) defining an opening (70) adapted for placing the first chamber (215) and the second chamber (204) in communication.

To provide an auto light system which allows the driver to confirm the head light beam direction and range easily and to switch the light state easily in the auto light system for controlling the head light beam direction and range. The auto light system comprises a light control means 4 for controlling the light 6 of the vehicle, a manual light operating means 8 for operating manually the light 6, said manual light operating means 8 operated in response to the output signal from the light control means 4, and a display means 7 for displaying the control state of the light 6 controlled by the light control means 4.

A square that includes two rigid, channeled members having an interior and an exterior, with the two members being joined at a ninety-degree angle to form a one-piece L-shaped tool having an elbow and a notch disposed on an exterior corner opposite the elbow. The invention also features a bubble level attached to the exterior of each member and a releasable adhesive member disposed upon the interior of each member, such as magnets, tapes, or adhesive plastic materials. Methods for pipe-fitting and for holding pipes or joints in place with the invention are also provided.

A device for easy positioning, leveling, marking and hanging of all types of pictures, sconces, decorative shelves, mirrors, and other devices to be mounted on a support surface. It has elongated vertical and horizontal support members attached together, each preferably with resilient legs. The vertical support has a handle at one end, a surface rest at its other end, and a rotatable sliding level. Sliding hook clips are positioned along the horizontal support, each having a front hook for holding an item to be hung while positioning and marking with an opposed marking implement take place. One or more hook clips can be used simultaneously. Flexing or compression of legs, soft pads, vertical support member, and / or horizontal support member reduces the wall stand-off distance of the device and causes the aligned marking implements to contact and mark the wall exactly where the held item should be permanently mounted.

The invention provides a handheld electronic gauge that is configured to obtain measurement data for an object, such as a wheel, rail, axle, or the like. The gauge includes one or more position sensors that automatically determine when the gauge is in a measurement position. The invention also provides a handheld computing device that can automatically determine when a gauge is in the measurement position and automatically obtain measurement data using the gauge. As a result, the invention provides a solution for measuring an object, such as a railway wheel, that is portable and capable of repeatedly providing various desired measurements, irrespective of the operator.