SBIR Phase I: Non-Contact Mini-Micrometer for Use in Difficult-to-Access Areas

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目建议开发一种用于远程视觉检测(RVI)应用的非接触式立体微型测微仪(SMM)。拟议的设备将被用作一个补充工具，可以通过传统内窥镜的仪器通道提供，以提供难以接近的内腔的定量3D评估。SMM将利用传统的三角立体测量技术，但与众所周知的用两个相同的光学系统产生立体图像的方法不同，SMM中的立体对将通过MEMS配置中的单个物镜和倾斜的光学透明板引入。该方法将允许减小设备的外径，简化测量算法，并将显著降低成本。SMM的主要应用将是在各种工业系统中对难以接近的空腔进行远程可视定量评估。主要用途将用于对飞机、航天器、运输、电力生产和重型机械进行非破坏性评估，以及所有需要内窥镜RVI质量保证和/或定期维护的领域。第二个广泛的应用领域是制造业，需要对中间产品和最终产品进行在线定量评估，但用传统的光学测微计无法接触到要检查的区域。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project proposes the development of a Non-Contact Stereo Mini-Micrometer (SMM) for remote visual inspection (RVI) applications. The proposed device will be used as a complementary tool that can be delivered through the instrument channel of conventional endoscopes to provide quantitative 3D evaluations of difficult-to-access internal cavities. The SMM will utilize a traditional triangulation stereo-measurement technique, but unlike the well-known method that produces stereo-images with two identical optical systems, the stereo-pair in SMM will be introduced via a single objective lens and a tilting, optically transparent plate in a MEMS configuration. The proposed approach will allow the outside diameter of the device to be downsized, will simplify the measurement algorithm, and will dramatically reduce the cost.The major applications of the SMM will be in the remote visual quantitative evaluation of difficult-to-access cavities in a variety of industrial systems. The primary uses will be in the non-destructive evaluation of aircraft, spacecraft, transportation, electrical power production, and heavy machinery, and in all areas where endoscopic RVI quality assurance and/or scheduled maintenance is required. The second broad area of application is in manufacturing, where intermediate and end product quantitative on-line evaluations are required, but the areas to be inspected are not accessible with traditional optical micrometers.