Patent ID: 8605146

Claim:
An apparatus for optically inspecting an at least partially reflecting surface of an object, the apparatus comprising: first and second transverse carriers defining respective substantially circular segment-shaped cutouts; said first and second transverse carriers being arranged at a longitudinal distance (D) from each other and said longitudinal distance defining a longitudinal direction; a plurality of longitudinal members configured to hold said first and second transverse carriers at said longitudinal distance (D); said longitudinal members being arranged at a defined radial distance to said circular segment-shaped cutouts; a translucent diffusing screen which is held in said circular segment-shaped cutouts by said transverse carriers to form a tunnel-shaped inspection space; a multiplicity of light sources arranged outside of said tunnel-shaped inspection space between said longitudinal members and said diffusing screen; said light sources being configured to be controlled individually or in small groups to generate variable light-dark patterns on said diffusing screen; wherein said longitudinal members and said diffusing screen form a substantially closed enclosure for providing a cooling air flow past said light sources; a workpiece receptacle configured for accommodating the object in said tunnel-shaped inspection space; at least one camera which is directed into the tunnel-shaped inspection space; and, an evaluation and control unit configured to control said light sources and said camera to generate different ones of said light-dark patterns on said diffusing screen and to record and evaluate a plurality of images of said object in dependence on said light-dark patterns.