Patent ID: 8164761
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: F01D,G01B

Abstract:
1. A method for ascertaining a gap between a stationary member and at least one translating member of a machine comprising the steps of: i. associating at least a reference beam and a signal beam of electromagnetic radiation to the stationary member and proximate to each other, wherein one of the two beams either converges or diverges at a rate which is different than that of the other beam; ii. projecting the reference beam and the signal beam across a gap between the stationary member and the at least one translating member toward the at least one translating member; iii. receiving a reference and signal pulse reflected by the at least one translating member when it intersects the reference and signal beam, respectively; iv. ascertaining one or more features from the reflected reference pulse and the reflected signal pulse; and v. determining a width of the gap using at least one of the features in step (iv).