Multi-fiber cylinder position sensor using time-of-flight technique
US6769349B2 · kind B2 · utility
8Cited by
4References
25Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/88
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A hydraulic actuator is disclosed having a cylinder with a piston that is moved by hydraulic fluid. A light guide in one end of the cylinder directs a laser beam into the cylinder, and off the piston where the beam is reflected. The beam then exits the cylinder through at least two light guides connected to two corresponding optical fibers. Each of the optical fibers are joined together into one fiber that carries the reflected beam of light to a photo-diode located remote from the cylinder. A control circuit measures the time of flight of the laser beam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.