Circumferential laser crawler

摘要

An automated motorized assembly may be utilized to move a laser reflector on inside or outside surfaces, along edges of barrel shape structures. The laser reflector may be used to reflect laser signals back to a laser tracker metrology system locked in on the laser reflector. The laser tracker may follow the laser reflector as it moves along an edge of a barrel shape structure, acquiring circumferential data. The laser reflector may be moved to different positions to enable obtaining different circumferential rows of data. The automated motorized assembly may comprise a movement component that ensures consistent, continued, and/or tight movement along the traversed edge. The movement component may comprise a plurality of wheels and/or rollers, and one or more motors for driving at least some of the wheels and/or rollers. The automated motorized assembly may be controlled by user input, which may be communicated wirelessly.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
an automated motorized device operable to run along a curvilinear shaped edge of a structure to acquire circumferential coordinate data, the automated motorized device comprising:
a movement component operable to move the automated motorized device along the curvilinear shaped edge of the structure, the movement component comprising a first roller mechanism and a second roller mechanism;a clamping structure operable to movably secure the automated motorized device about the curvilinear shaped edge, the clamping structure comprising a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, and an intermediate support coupled between the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm, wherein the first clamping arm operably supports the first roller mechanism in contact with a first side of the structure and the second clamping arm operably supports the second roller mechanism in contact with a second side of the structure, wherein the second side is opposite the first side, wherein the intermediate support engages the curvilinear shaped edge of the structure, the curvilinear shaped edge extending between the first side and second side of the structure; anda reflector that is operable to reflect signals back to a source of the signals.