Patent ID: 6147746
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
An optical measuring device for measuring the range, azimuth and elevation of a distant measuring point comprising:a support mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation in a particular direction of rotation;four separate sources of fan beams supported in a plane perpendicular to said axis by said support, said sources being equidistantly spaced from said axis, said sources traveling in a circular path when said support is rotated and being equidistantly spaced along said path, said sources defining two pairs of sources with each pair being disposed at diametrically spaced points along said path, one pair of said sources emitting fan beams tangentially to said circular path and in the same direction as said direction of rotation, the other pair of said sources emitting fan beams tangentially to said circular path and in a direction opposite to said direction of rotation, the fan beams of each pair of sources lying in planes perpendicular to one another;a receiver adapted to receive reflections of said fan beams produced when said beams impinge on a reflector at a distant measuring point, said receiver adapted to produce signals corresponding to said reflections; andcounter and evaluation means for evaluating said signals to return the range, azimuth, and elevation of said distant measuring point.