Reflective apparatus and method for optically sensing relative torque employing Moirè fringes
US6817528B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01L3/12
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods analyze the performance of a mechanical system having two identical rotating members therein. Light is directed from two identical light sources to intercept encoded portions of the rotating members. A portion of the light is reflected from the encoded portions of each rotating member. The reflected portion of the light can be then detected to recover performance data maintained therein, wherein the performance data contains performance characteristics of the mechanical system. A reflected portion of the light can be detected to recover performance data. The light sources can be configured as Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSEL). The encoded portions of rotating members thereof can include a bar code. Images from a first encoded surface may interact with an image from a second encoded surface after the light beams are reflected off the first and second rotating surfaces to produce Moirè fringes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.