Patent ID: 7932484
Filing Date: 2011-04-26
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A laser transmitter, comprising: a transmitter housing; a generally flat, circuit board stator; a rotor defining a central opening; a bearing, supporting said rotor for rotation about a rotation axis that is generally perpendicular to said generally flat, circuit board stator, and that is aligned with the center of said central opening; a laser source, mounted on said stator, for providing a beam of laser light directed outward from said circuit board stator in alignment with said rotation axis; a pentaprism assembly mounted on said rotor for rotation therewith, said pentaprism assembly receiving said beam of laser light through said central opening and redirecting at least a portion of said laser light outward in a direction normal to said rotation axis; a gimbal support for supporting said stator within said transmitter housing; a gimbal motor arrangement for orienting said gimbal support; and a plurality of pairs of light sources and light sensors for sensing the proximity of said circuit board stator with respect to the interior of said transmitter housing.