Actuator apparatus with light actuated position sensor and secure position verification
US12416513B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2024 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2044 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V8/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An actuator apparatus includes an actuator rod with an interior cavity and a set of rod holes. Each rod hole of the set of rod holes extends through the actuator rod to the cavity where the set of rod holes are positioned along a line. The actuator apparatus includes a light assembly positioned to light the cavity. The actuator apparatus includes an actuator block with an opening sized to conform to an outer surface of the actuator rod and a light sensor positioned in the actuator block to sense light coming through a rod hole aligned with the light sensor. The actuator apparatus includes a verification module with a light modulator that modulates light of the light assembly to transmit a position signal, and a verification circuit that transmits a verification signal in response to the light sensor receiving the position signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.