The measurement carriage (40, fig 3) is configured to run on a track comprising a pair of C-beams, for example an overhead production line conveyor. The carriage is coupled to a laser apparatus 90 comprising a laser emitter 92 and receiver 92. The laser emitter scans a separation between the C-beams. The laser receiver senses laser light reflected from the C-beams, and outputs a signal indicative of the separation measured. The carriage may comprise a main body and at least one running wheel to run on an interior surface of the c-beams. At least one running wheel may be a measurement wheel moveably mounted to the main body. A moveable mount biases the measurement wheel away from the interior surface of the c-beam with respect to the main body such that its movement on the moveable mount follows variation in distance between opposed interior surfaces as the carriage moves along the track. The carriage further comprises a strain or load sensor to monitor movement of the measurement wheel on the biased moveable mount, and to output a data signal indicative of distance between the respective opposed interior surfaces. The invention detects wear of c-beam tracks due to erosion or excessive forces.
Measurement apparatuses and systems including measurment apparatuses
2018-08-08
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Measurement carriages and systems including measurment carriages
Europäisches Patentamt | 2018
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