Patent ID: 8243280
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: G01B,G01N

Abstract:
1. A laser ultrasonic measurement system, comprising: a first and a second laser source configured to generate a first and a second laser beam, respectively; a robot configured to support and control the movement of at least a section of a moveable mechanical link to transmit the first laser beam to an object, the robot comprising a first movable arm section connected to a second movable arm section; a first movable mechanical link having a first end and a second end arranged to optically transmit the first laser beam from the first laser source to the second end of said first movable mechanical link, the first moveable mechanical link formed by a plurality of rigid sections interconnected by one or more rotating joints each containing a plurality of mirrors, the first movable arm section for the robot supporting the movement of the first movable mechanical link; an intermediate rotating joint containing a plurality of mirrors mechanically attached to the robot and optically connected to the second end of the first movable mechanical link and to a first end of a second movable mechanical link; the second movable mechanical link having a first end and a second end arranged to transmit the first laser beam from said intermediate rotating joint to the second end of the second movable mechanical link, the second movable mechanical link formed by a plurality of rigid sections interconnected by one or more rotating joints each containing a plurality of mirrors, said second movable arm section supporting the movement of said second movable mechanical link; an optical scanner proximate to the second end of said second movable mechanical link, an optical path for transmitting said second laser to said optical scanner; the optical scanner configured to direct the first and second laser beams onto the object; and an interferometer optically coupled to the optical scanner; the interferometer configured to receive reflected light from the object and in response generate an electrical signal.