Apparatus for scanning a beam generated from a fixed location comprising first and second channels rotatable in opposite directions

摘要

A scanner and a method, for scanning a beam along a path employing a housing 320 that defines a first cylindrical cavity 322, is claimed. A ring gear 330 is disposed within the cylindrical cavity and affixed to the housing. A beam 312 is generated from a fixed location relative to the housing. A drive disk 340 is disposed within the first cylindrical cavity. The drive disk defines a second cylindrical cavity 348 and has a first axis of rotation 315. The drive disk defines a first channel in communication with the beam. The first channel 346 has a first proximal end pivotally rotatable about an axis adjacent the fixed location. A scan disk is disposed within the second cylindrical cavity and has a second axis of rotation offset from the first axis of rotation. The scan disk defines a second channel 366. The second channel has a second proximal end in communication with the first distal opening 354. A spur gear 332, affixed to the scan disk, engages the ring gear so that the drive disk rotates in the first direction. The spur gear is displaced along the ring gear 330, thus causing the scan disk to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction causing the second distal end to reciprocate. The beam is coupled through the first channel and the second channel and out of the second distal opening toward the path, thereby causing the beam to scan along the path as the second distal end reciprocates.