Optical position transducer
US4333009A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 1979 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03M1/26
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical position transducer comprising a coupler responsive to an input light pulse for providing a plurality of light pulses and a movable element movable along a path and having light transmitting regions and light obstructing regions. A first set of light pulse conductors conducts the light pulses, respectively, to a first set of locations closely adjacent the movable element with each of the light pulses being transmitted by the associated light pulse conductor to a different one of such locations. The light pulses are transmitted or obstructed by the movable element to provide a signal representative of the position of the movable element. A second set of light pulse conductors is positioned to conduct the light pulses transmitted by the movable element to a second location. At least some of the light pulses are delayed different lengths of time so that the light pulses from the second set of light pulse conductors can be transmitted as a light pulse train on a single light conductor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.