Method and apparatus for making absolute range measurements

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 6456383
SERIAL NO

09705847

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Abstract

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This invention relates to a method and apparatus for making absolute distance or ranging measurements using Fresnel diffraction. The invention employs a source of electromagnetic radiation having a known wavelength or wavelength distribution, which sends a beam of electromagnetic radiation through a screen at least partially opaque at the wavelength. The screen has an aperture sized so as to produce a Fresnel diffraction pattern. A portion of the beam travels through the aperture to a detector spaced some distance from the screen. The detector detects the central intensity of the beam as well as a set of intensities displaced from a center of the aperture. The distance from the source to the target can then be calculated based upon the known wavelength, aperture radius, and beam intensity.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
TENNESSEE RESEARCH CORPORATION UNIVERSITY OF THE1534 WHITE AVENUE STE 403 KNOXVILLE TN 37996

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Allison, Stephen W Knoxville, TN 14 125
Cates, Michael R Oak Ridge, TN 14 138
Earl, Dennis D Knoxville, TN 5 90
Sanders, Alvin J Knoxville, TN 4 8

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