Laser Interferometry for Small Moving Objects
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser interferometry systems face challenges in accurately measuring moving objects with small cross-sectional areas, those that rapidly change position, and objects that cannot be guided, due to limited reflective areas and positional fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
The system enhances measurement accuracy by rotating the laser beam orientation, expanding the laser beam along one or more axes, and minimizing the convergence angle to increase the effective measurement area and depth of field, allowing for more reliable velocity calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional laser interferometry is used with a fixed beam orientation and standard convergence angle, then the system structure is simple, but the effective measurement area is limited and measurement reliability is poor for small cross-sectional objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the laser beam orientation adjustable and rotatable. The system allows dynamic adjustment of the beam profile orientation angle and uses a rotatable laser beam to scan across the object surface, transforming a static measurement system into a dynamic one that can adapt to different object positions and orientations, thereby improving measurement reliability for small cross-sectional objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements Parameter changes by modifying the laser beam parameters including orientation angle, convergence angle, and beam profile shape. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the effective measurement area and depth of field to match the specific characteristics of small cross-sectional objects, improving measurement reliability without requiring a completely different system architecture.
2Reliability
If the laser beam orientation is fixed and convergence angle is standard, then the system is easy to operate, but the depth of field is limited and cannot accommodate objects that rapidly change position
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows operators to adjust the convergence angle and beam orientation parameters to optimize the depth of field for different measurement scenarios. This parameter adjustability enables the system to accommodate objects that rapidly change position while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive controls and automated optimization routines.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable laser beam and adjustable beam profile provide dynamic adaptability, allowing the system to track and measure objects that rapidly change position. The dynamic adjustment capabilities maintain measurement reliability without significantly complicating operation, as the system can automatically adapt to changing object positions.
3Area of stationary object
If a standard laser beam profile is used, then the system structure is simple, but the effective measurement area is insufficient for objects with small cross-sectional area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Another dimension principle by transforming the circular beam profile into an elliptical profile through cylindrical lenses. This dimensional transformation expands the beam area in one dimension while maintaining control in the other, effectively increasing the measurement area for small cross-sectional objects without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses cylindrical lenses to modify the beam profile parameters, creating an elliptical profile with expanded dimensions. This parameter change in the beam geometry increases the effective measurement area while keeping the optical system relatively simple through the use of standard optical components.
4Length of stationary object
If the convergence angle is large, then the system is compact, but the depth of field is reduced and measurement accuracy decreases for objects with positional fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows adjustment of the convergence angle as a variable parameter, enabling optimization of the depth of field for specific measurement requirements. By making the convergence angle adjustable rather than fixed, the system can achieve larger depth of field when needed while maintaining the option for more compact configurations when appropriate, balancing measurement accuracy with system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables more accurate and reliable measurements of moving objects by increasing the effective measurement area and depth of field, improving velocity monitoring and process control, even for objects with small cross-sectional areas or those that change position rapidly.
Implementation Method 1
laser emitter configured to emit a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a beam splitter configured to split the emitted laser beam into a first split beam directed towards a deflector and a second split beam
Implementation Method 3
a deflector configured to deflect the first split beam to intersect with the second split beam
Implementation Method 4
Laser interferometry uses two laser beams that converge at a surface of a moving object, forming an intersecting area. The moving object reflects light within the intersected area
Implementation Method 5
The moving object reflects light within the intersected area (or depth of field). This reflected light is detected by a light detector, and, using a Doppler effect, can determine a velocity and/or length of the moving object
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for using laser interferometry to measure moving objects. Systems provided include laser interferometry systems comprising: a laser emitter configured to emit a laser beam; a beam splitter configured to split the emitted laser beam into a first split beam directed towards a deflector and a second split beam, wherein the first split beam comprises a first beam diameter and a second beam diameter, the first beam diameter being greater than the second beam diameter, and the second split beam comprises a third beam diameter and a fourth beam diameter, the third split beam diameter being greater than the fourth beam diameter; and a deflector configured to deflect the first split beam to intersect with the first split beam, wherein the first beam diameter and the third beam diameter are parallel.