Wide angle bistatic scanning optical ranging sensor

摘要

A sensor for determining a profile of an object surface relative to a reference plane includes a radiation source, a collector, a processor, first and second reflectors and at least one reflective element comprising third and fourth reflectors secured in mutual angular relation. The radiation source projects a launch beam for impingement onto the object surface. The collector detects at least a portion of a return beam reflected by the object surface. The processor determines the profile of the object surface at a point of impingement of the launch beam onto the object surface from at least one characteristic of the at least a portion of the return beam.

主权项

1. A sensor for determining a profile of an object surface relative to a reference plane, comprising:
a radiation source for projecting a launch beam for impingement onto the object surface; a collector for detecting at least a portion of a return beam reflected by the object surface; a processor for determining the profile of the object surface at a point of impingement of the launch beam onto the object surface from at least one characteristic of the at least a portion of the return beam; a first reflector having first and second planar reflecting surfaces, the first reflecting surface for reflecting the launch beam along a first path, the second reflecting surface for reflecting the return beam along a second path, the first reflector being rotatable about a first axis substantially parallel to the reference plane, for controlling impingement of the launch beam on the object surface along a second axis substantially parallel to the reference plane and normal to the first axis; a second reflector having a planar reflecting surface for reflecting the launch beam onto the object surface and for reflecting the return beam arriving from the object surface, the second reflector being rotatable about the second axis for controlling impingement of the launch beam on the object surface along the first axis; at least one reflective element having third and fourth reflectors secured in mutual angular relation, the at least one reflective element disposed so as to be impinged upon by the launch beam between the first and second reflectors, the third reflector having a planar reflecting surface for receiving the launch beam after it is reflected off the first reflecting surface of the first reflector and reflecting it onto the fourth reflector, and the fourth reflector having a planar reflecting surface for reflecting the launch beam onto the reflecting surface of the second reflector for reflection onto the object surface.