METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING ORANGE PEEL AND TEXTURE IN PAINTED SURFACES

摘要

2114133 9302349 PCTABS00019 Orange peel or texture of a painted surface (10) is measured by scanning a light beam (14) across the surface and receiving the reflected beam on an area detector (38) generating a signal having a first component varying with surface slope variations in the painted surface and a second component due to scan rate. Apparatus is provided for orienting the light beam (14) relative to the painted surface (10) so as to be reflected therefrom to the detector area without re-reflection from the painted surface; and a converging lens (24) converges the light beam (14) on the area detector (38). A portable, surface contacting embodiment uses a plurality of projecting feet (74) for orientation to the painted surface (10) and relies on the converging lens (24) for convergence. In a non-contact embodiment, variations in orientation and curvature of the surface are detected by the second component of the signal and compensated for in closed loop control of a mirror (22) and the converging lens (24) to dynamically converge the beam (14) on the area detector (38).