Inclination detection methods and apparatus
US7388658B2 · kind B2 · utility
48Cited by
6References
32Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C2009/066
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for detecting inclination employ a point source of light from which light is emitted through a lens toward a reflective surface of a liquid contained in a vessel. Light reflected from the surface passes through the lens to form a defocused image of the point source on a two-dimensional array of detector elements. Data acquired from the array represents intensity of the light incident on each of the detector elements. A center of gravity representing inclination of the vessel is determined from the data.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.