Optical Bore Measurement in Aircraft Drilling for Rivet Precision

The patent replaces the capacitive measuring system with an optical measuring system that uses a laser beam to scan the bore inner surface. The optical system includes a laser source, optical scanner, and detector that work together to measure bore geometry parameters with high precision. This substitution of mechanical/electrical measurement with optical measurement resolves the contradiction by achieving higher measurement precision while maintaining acceptable device complexity through the use of non-contact optical fields.

The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of optical scanners and laser beams that mediate between the measuring device and the bore surface. The optical fields act as intermediaries to transfer measurement information from the bore geometry to the detector without direct physical contact, thereby achieving high measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of direct capacitive sensing arrangements.

The patent employs dynamic optical scanning where the laser beam is swept across the bore inner surface using optical scanners. The measurement system transitions from static fixed portions to dynamic scanning that can adapt to any measurement position and configuration. The optical beam can be directed to any location within the bore by controlling the optical scanners, providing unlimited adaptability without requiring physical reconfiguration of the measuring probe structure.

The optical measuring system serves multiple measurement functions through a single unified device. The same laser source and optical scanner can measure various bore geometry parameters including diameter, roundness, ovality, and surface profile by simply changing the scanning pattern and detector positioning. This multi-functionality achieves high adaptability while avoiding the need for multiple specialized probes or complex reconfigurable structures.

The patent implements continuous optical scanning where the laser beam continuously sweeps across the bore inner surface without interruption. The optical scanners operate at high frequencies to maintain continuous measurement data acquisition, ensuring that high in-plane resolution is achieved through dense sampling while minimizing idle time between measurements. This continuous action maintains high measurement precision while optimizing the measurement cycle time.

The patent uses periodic scanning patterns where the optical beam systematically traverses the bore surface in repeated cycles. The scanning frequency and pattern are optimized to capture sufficient measurement points for high in-plane resolution while maintaining an efficient rhythm that minimizes total measurement time. The periodic nature of the scanning allows for predictable cycle times while achieving the required measurement precision through adequate sampling density.