US3555285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coded arrangement of photocells mounted on rigid body to determine position thereof
Assignee: Bunker Ramo Corp
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Filing: 1966-04-29
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1986-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A system capable of precisely determining the instantaneous geometrical relationship between two or more elements of a large substantially rigid structure, which elements may nevertheless exhibit small amounts of movement relative to one another. The geometrical relationship is determined by focusing light from a source fixed to one of the elements on an encoding sensor also fixed to one of the elements to thus generate digitally encoded signals representative of the position of the light incident on the sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Irving
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/28; G01D5/30; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/125; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/22; H03M1/24; H03M1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
In combination with a substantially rigid structure including at least to portions capable of exhibiting translational or rotational movement relative to each other, a system for measuring and quantitatively indicating the positions of said portions relative to one another, said system comprising: sensor means responsive to a light image incident thereon for providing digitally encoded signAls representing the position of said light image relative to said sensor means, said sensor means comprising a plurality of light-sensitive elements arranged in rows and columns, each column of said lightsensitive elements containing elements in a unique combination of rows; means fixedly mounting said sensor means on one of said portions; and source means fixedly mounted on one of said portions for imaging a line of light of said sensor means extending substantially parallel to said columns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
In combination with a substantially rigid structure including at least to portions capable of exhibiting translational or rotational movement relative to each other, a system for measuring and quantitatively indicating the positions of said portions relative to one another, said system comprising: sensor means responsive to a light image incident thereon for providing digitally encoded signAls representing the position of said light image relative to said sensor means, said sensor means comprising a plurality of light-sensitive elements arranged in rows and columns, each column of said lightsensitive elements containing elements in a unique combination of rows; means fixedly mounting said sensor means on one of said portions; and source means fixedly mounted on one of said portions for imaging a line of light of said sensor means extending substantially parallel to said columns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus suitable for use with a substantially rigid structure including at least two portions capable of exhibiting translational or rotational movement relative to each other for measuring the amount of such movement, said apparatus comprising: a sensor means adapted to fixedly mounted on one of said portions and responsive to a radiant energy image incident thereon for providing digitally encoded signals representing the position of incidence of said radiant energy image on said sensor means, said sensor means including a plurality of radiant energy detectors arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel rows; and a source means adapted to be fixedly mounted on one of said portions for imaging a sharply defined line of energy on said sensor means extending across said rows substantially perpendicular thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus suitable for use with a substantially rigid structure including at least two portions capable of exhibiting translational or rotational movement relative to each other for measuring the amount of such movement, said apparatus comprising: a sensor means adapted to fixedly mounted on one of said portions and responsive to a radiant energy image incident thereon for providing digitally encoded signals representing the position of incidence of said radiant energy image on said sensor means, said sensor means including a plurality of radiant energy detectors arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel rows; and a source means adapted to be fixedly mounted on one of said portions for imaging a sharply defined line of energy on said sensor means extending across said rows substantially perpendicular thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of radiant energy detectors are disposed so that said line image intersects a unique set of detectors for each of several different positions extending along said rows.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein all of said radiant detectors common to a single row are connected in common; and wherein said detectors are arranged in accordance with a Gray code whereby the number of said detectors intersected by said line image will differ by only one between any two successive positions extending along said rows.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said source means and said sensor means are both adapted to be fixedly mounted on one of said two portions; and including a reflector means adapted to be fixedly mounted on the other of said two portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said reflector means comprises a spherical mirror.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said reflector means comprises a planar mirror.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as defined by claim 1 including means for electrically interconnecting all of the light sensitive elements in a single row.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as defined by claim 1 wherein said sensor and source means are both mounted on a first of said portions; and reflector means mounted on a second of said portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as defined by claim 1 wherein said sensor and source means are respectively mounted on different ones of said portions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |