Method and apparatus for determining a position of a liquid jet through the modification of an orientation

Abstract

A method for determining a spatial position of a liquid jet, in particular of a liquid jet for optically guiding a laser beam, comprises the steps: providing a collision object having a measuring point for interacting with the liquid jet, detecting a state of the liquid jet in a first configuration between collision object and liquid jet, changing the configuration so that the state of the liquid jet changes, detecting the configuration change between the first and second configuration.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method for determining a position of a liquid jet, wherein the position is defined by at least one of the following features:
 (i) a position of a reference point of the liquid jet and   (ii) a directional vector associated with the liquid jet,   comprising the steps:   a. providing a collision object having a measuring point for interacting with the liquid jet,   b. detecting a state of the liquid jet in a first spatial configuration of the collision object relative to the liquid jet,   c. performing at least one configuration change by changing from the first spatial configuration to a second spatial configuration of the collision object relative to the liquid jet, wherein said configuration change results in a change of the state of the liquid jet due to a change of an interaction of the measuring point and the liquid jet,   d. detecting a spatial difference between the first and second configuration for determining the position of the liquid jet.   
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that the collision object has at least two measuring points for interacting with the liquid jet, wherein said measuring points are provided in different elevation planes, and in that at least two configuration changes are carried out. 
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that said configuration change is performed in a direction exclusively transverse to a lengthwise axis of the liquid jet. 
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , characterized in that, in order to determine the position of a midpoint or a diameter of the liquid jet, the collision object is at first brought into interaction with the first measuring point on a first side of the liquid jet, and then it is brought into interaction with the second measuring point on a second side of the liquid jet. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , characterized in that for determining the directional vector of the liquid jet, the first and second spatial configurations are associated with different axial levels of the collision object relative to the liquid jet. 
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that, in order to determine the state of the liquid jet, a measurement light of a desired frequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum is coupled into the liquid jet and at least one of the following effects is detected:
 (a) a back scattering of the measurement light or   (b) a reflection of the measurement light in the liquid jet or   (c) an extraction of the measurement light from the liquid jet is detected   
     
     
         25 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that the liquid jet in one of said spatial configurations impinges on a reference surface, which is offset with respect to the measuring point of the collision object along the lengthwise axis of the liquid jet. 
     
     
         26 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , characterized in that the reference surface reflects the measurement light upon impingement of the liquid jet in an unperturbed state so that the measurement light becomes or remains coupled into the liquid jet. 
     
     
         27 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that the collision object comprises means designed for determining states of the liquid jet. 
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , characterized in that the collision object is designed for determining extracted or decoupled measuring light from the liquid jet. 
     
     
         29 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that the state of the liquid jet is repeatedly detected at regular time intervals. 
     
     
         30 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that the collision object is firmly connected to a workpiece clamping device of a processing machine providing a liquid jet-guided laser. 
     
     
         31 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that the measuring point of the collision object comprises at least one sharp edge. 
     
     
         32 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that the collision object comprises a recess providing a free passage for the liquid jet and in that the liquid jet in at least one of the spatial configurations the liquid jet is led through said recess in the collision object. 
     
     
         33 . A collision object for determining a position of a liquid jet, wherein the position is defined by at least one of the following features:
 a position of a reference point of the liquid jet and   (ii) a directional vector associated with the liquid jet,   characterized by   a) a sharp edge defining a measuring point for interacting with the liquid jet and   b) a reference plate having a reflection surface for reflecting measuring light guided by the liquid jet,   c) wherein said reference plate is arranged jet direction of the liquid jet behind a measuring plane of the collision object.   
     
     
         34 . A collision object as claimed in  claim 33 , characterized by means for detecting the state of the liquid jet. 
     
     
         35 . A collision object as claimed in  claim 34 , characterized in that the means for detecting the state of the liquid jet detect measuring light leaving the liquid jet. 
     
     
         36 . A device for determining a position of a liquid jet, wherein the position is defined by at least one of the following features:
 (i) a position of a reference point of the liquid jet and   (ii) a directional vector associated with the liquid jet,   comprising   a) a collision object having a measuring point for interacting with the liquid jet,   b) a displacement device for performing at least one configuration change by changing from a first spatial configuration to a second spatial configuration of the collision object relative to the liquid jet,   c) a device for detecting a first and a second state of the liquid jet in a first and a second spatial configuration respectively, wherein said configuration change results in a change of the state of the liquid jet due to a change of an interaction of the measuring point and the liquid jet.   
     
     
         37 . A device as claimed in  claim 36 , characterized by
 a) a device having a nozzle for generating a liquid jet, and   b) a laser beam coupling unit for coupling a laser beam into the liquid jet.   
     
     
         38 . The device as claimed in  claim 36 , characterized in that the measuring point of the collision object has at least one sharp edge for interaction with the liquid jet. 
     
     
         39 . The device as claimed in  claim 36 , characterized by an optical unit for coupling measurement light into the liquid jet, so that the measurement light beam is guided through the liquid jet in the manner of a waveguide, and so that the state of the liquid jet can be determined. 
     
     
         40 . The device as claimed in  claim 36 , characterized in that the collision object has a plate-like or frame-like part. 
     
     
         41 . The device as claimed in  claim 36 , characterized by a reflective surface in rigid spatial position with respect to the collision object, said reflective surface being able to couple at least a portion of the measurement light beam backward into the liquid jet.