Rotational position sensor
US3941332A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 1974 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B15/43
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A rotational position sensor is disclosed in which the beam from a light emitting diode mounted on a rotatable element is directed onto a pair of adjacent photocells. The portion of the beam falling upon each of the photocells determines the photocell output signal. The output signals are combined to form a signal which varies generally linearly with the rotational position of the element upon which the light emitting diode is mounted. The photocells are disposed in relatively close relation to one another, and the light emitting diode is disposed relatively close to each of the photocells and a short distance from the axis of rotation of the element. By use of appropriate masks the size of the beam from the light emitting diode can be varied so as to provide linear response over varying angular ranges of movement of the rotatable element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.