US 11,747,126 B1
Ultra-light and ultra-accurate portable coordinate measurement machine with reduced profile swivel joints
Allen Sajedi, Orlando, FL (US)
Assigned to SA08700334, Grand Cayman (KY)
Filed by SA08700334, Grand Cayman (KY)
Filed on May 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/750,038.
Int. Cl. G01B 5/008 (2006.01)
CPC G01B 5/008 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coordinate measurement machine (CMM) comprising:
a manually-positionable articulated arm having first and second ends, the articulated arm including a plurality of arm segments and a plurality of rotary joints including swivel joints and hinge joints, the first end including a connector configured to connect to a measurement probe and the second end including a base for mounting the CMM to a mounting surface;
wherein at least one of the swivel joints of the plurality of rotary joints includes:
first and second bearings;
a shaft that is at least six inches long and that engages an inner race of the first bearing and an inner race of the second bearing, the shaft configured to rotate about an axis of rotation of the first bearing and the second bearing;
a housing that engages an outer race of the first bearing;
at least one transducer configured to output an angle signal corresponding to an angle of rotation of the shaft relative to the housing about the axis of rotation, the at least one transducer disposed adjacent one of the two ends of the shaft not between the first and second bearings; and
a matched inner and outer tubular spacer set including an outer tubular spacer disposed abutting the outer race of the first bearing and an outer race of the second bearing, and an inner tubular spacer disposed abutting the inner race of the first bearing and the inner race of the second bearing, a majority of an outer surface of the outer tubular spacer being exposed as to represent an outermost layer of the at least one of the swivel joints.