Optical displacement sensor and method for sensing linear displacements in a shock absorber
US5371598A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 7, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/347
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device and method for sensing linear displacements between a first member (101) and a second member (102) on a same axis (108). The second member (102) substantially encompasses the first member (101). To sense the linear displacements, an optical code pattern (103) is placed on the first member (101) and an encircling optical sensor (104) is placed on the second member (102). The encircling optical sensor (104) includes light transmitting (106) and receiving (107) paths that transmit and receive light to/from the optical code pattern (103). The light received from the optical code pattern (103) is sent to a displacement calculation device (105) that determines the linear displacement of the first member (101) with respect to the second member (102). Using this technique, linear displacements of the first member (101) with respect to the second member (102) can be accurately measured in high temperature environments without adversely affecting electrical components associated with the displacement calculation device (105).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.