Laser Tracker Fiber-Optic Coupler Achromatic Launch Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser trackers using multiple wavelengths face challenges in aligning and collimating beams, leading to increased complexity, cost, and reduced accuracy due to the need for multiple light sources and beam splitters, as well as larger beam sizes that can result in beam clipping and loss.
Innovation Solution
A coordinate measurement device that uses a single light source emitting two different wavelengths, combined using a fiber-optic coupler and an achromatic optical element to ensure mutual alignment and collimation, with motors and angle measuring devices to direct and measure the beams, allowing for precise three-dimensional coordinate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources and beam splitters are used to achieve multiple wavelengths, then the laser tracker can perform distance measurement and tracking functions, but the device complexity increases and alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources emitting different wavelengths into a single optical fiber using a fiber-optic coupler. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate beam paths and multiple beam splitters, reducing device complexity while maintaining multi-wavelength functionality for both distance measurement and tracking operations
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources and beam splitters are used to achieve multiple wavelengths, then the laser tracker can perform distance measurement and tracking functions, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple light sources into a single fiber-optic output, the patent eliminates the need for multiple beam splitters and complex optical assemblies. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs while preserving the ability to perform both interferometric distance measurement and angular tracking with different wavelengths
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional alignment methods are used for multiple wavelengths, then the laser tracker can operate with multiple wavelengths, but the alignment precision is insufficient and measurement accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fiber-optic coupler as an intermediary device that passively combines multiple wavelengths with inherent mode matching. This intermediary ensures precise alignment of different wavelengths through the fiber coupling process, eliminating the need for complex active alignment mechanisms and achieving high measurement accuracy for both distance and angular measurements
4Adaptability or versatility
If larger beam sizes are used to accommodate multiple wavelengths, then the laser tracker can transmit multiple wavelengths, but beam clipping occurs and beam loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional free-space optical transmission with fiber-optic transmission. This substitution confines the light within the fiber core, eliminating beam divergence and clipping issues associated with larger beam sizes in free space. The fiber-optic system efficiently transmits multiple wavelengths with minimal loss while maintaining compact beam dimensions
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 solution simplifies the device, reduces costs, and enhances accuracy by ensuring precise alignment and collimation of multiple wavelengths, improving the overall performance of the laser tracker.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber-optic coupler that includes at least a first port, a second port, and a third port, the first port configured to accept a first portion of the first light, the second port configured to accept a second portion of the second light, the third port configured to transmit a third light, the third light including a portion of the first portion and a portion of the second portion
Implementation Method 2
the optical system including an achromatic optical element configured to collimate the first beam at the first wavelength and the second wavelength
Implementation Method 3
A common type of retroreflector target is the spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR), which comprises a cube-corner retroreflector embedded within a metal sphere
Implementation Method 4
The distance is measured with a distance-measuring device such as an absolute distance meter or an interferometer
Data Source
AI summary
A coordinate measurement device sends a first beam of light having first and second wavelengths to a target point. The device includes a fiber-optic coupler that combines the first and second wavelengths and launches them through an achromatic optical element to produce collimated and aligned light. The device also includes first and second motors, first and second angle measuring devices, a distance meter, and a processor that determines 3D coordinates of the target point based on the measured distance and two angles.