Patent US3742486A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3742486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Analog to digital converter
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-02-03
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-02-03
Abstract
Abstract Structure for and method of converting an analog shaft position into a digital read out. The structure comprises a wheel including a rim in the form of a cylinder concentrically secured to the shaft for rotation therewith having a plurality of axially extending alternate transparent and opaque areas positioned angularly about the drum rim extending parallel to the shaft, a light source positioned on one side of the rim of the drum in angularly spaced relation to a digital sensor which is also positioned adjacent the rim of the drum on the same side of the drum as the light source, and a fiber optic bundle having the individual fibers thereof reversed at the ends thereof with respect to a single direction of rotation of the drum positioned on the other side of the drum with one end opposite the light source and the other end opposite the digital sensor. The method includes rotating the shaft to rotate the wheel and thus pass the alternate translucent and opaque areas past the light source to provide bits of information in the fiber optic bundle which are transferred through the rotating wheel rim at the light source and are again transferred through the rotating wheel rim in reverse order at the digital sensor whereby the number of digital bits sensed by the sensor in a single revolution of the shaft is doubled with respect to that which would be sensed if the individual fibers in the fiber optic bundle were not reversed.
Inventors
- 👤 C Skidmore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:30
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/06; H03M1/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
An analog to digital converter comprising a rotatable shaft, the rotated position of which represents an analog value with respect to an initial position thereof which it is desired to convert to a corresponding digital value, a wheel having a rim in the form of a hollow cylinder extending axially parallel to and concentric with the shaft which wheel is secured to the shaft for rotation therewith and which rim includes a plurality of angularly spaced transparent and opaque lines thereon parallel with each other and parallel with the axis of rotation of the shaft, a stationary light source on one side of the rim at a first point adjacent the rim, a digital sensor array positioned at a second point adjacent the rim which is angularly spaced from the first point for receiving light patterns passed through the rim and providing a digital signal in accordance therewith and stationary means for passing light from the light source passing through the rim at the first point back to and through the rim at the second point and into the sensor array including an optic fiber bundle, one end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the first point and the other end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the second point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
An analog to digital converter comprising a rotatable shaft, the rotated position of which represents an analog value with respect to an initial position thereof which it is desired to convert to a corresponding digital value, a wheel having a rim in the form of a hollow cylinder extending axially parallel to and concentric with the shaft which wheel is secured to the shaft for rotation therewith and which rim includes a plurality of angularly spaced transparent and opaque lines thereon parallel with each other and parallel with the axis of rotation of the shaft, a stationary light source on one side of the rim at a first point adjacent the rim, a digital sensor array positioned at a second point adjacent the rim which is angularly spaced from the first point for receiving light patterns passed through the rim and providing a digital signal in accordance therewith and stationary means for passing light from the light source passing through the rim at the first point back to and through the rim at the second point and into the sensor array including an optic fiber bundle, one end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the first point and the other end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the second point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ends of the fibers in the optic fiber bundle at the opposite ends thereof are in reverse order at the second point with respect to a single direction of rotation of the cylinder and the order of the fibers at the first point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source and sensor array are positioned radially outwardly of the rim of the wheel and the optic fiber bundle is positioned radially inwardly of the rim.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source and sensor array are positioned radially inwardly of the rim of the wheel and the optic fiber bundle is positioned radially outwardly of the rim.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
306 words
An analog to digital converter comprising a rotatable shaft, the rotated position of which represents an analog value with respect to an initial position thereof which it is desired to convert to a corresponding digital value, a wheel having a rim in the form of a hollow cylinder extending axially parallel to and concentric with the shaft which wheel is secured to the shaft for rotation therewith and which rim includes a plurality of angularly spaced transparent and opaque lines thereon parallel with each other and parallel with the axis of rotation of the shaft, a stationary light source on one side of the rim at a first point adjacent the rim, a digital sensor array positioned at a second point adjacent the rim which is angularly spaced from the first point for receiving light patterns passed through the rim and providing a digital signal in accordance therewith and an optic fiber bundle one end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the first point and the other end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the second point for passing light from the light source passing through the rim at the first point back to and through the rim at the second point and into the sensor array, the ends of the fibers in the optic fiber bundle at the opposite ends of the optic fiber bundle being in reverse order at the second pOint with respect to a single direction of rotation of the cylinder and the order of the ends of the fibers in the optic fiber bundle at the first point wherein the light source and sensor array are positioned radially outwardly of the rim of the wheel and the optic fiber bundle is positioned radially inwardly of the rim.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
306 words
An analog to digital converter comprising a rotatable shaft, the rotated position of which represents an analog value with respect to an initial position thereof which it is desired to convert to a corresponding digital value, a wheel having a rim in the form of a hollow cylinder extending axially parallel to and concentric with the shaft which wheel is secured to the shaft for rotation therewith and which rim includes a plurality of angularly spaced transparent and opaque lines thereon parallel with each other and parallel with the axis of rotation of the shaft, a stationary light source on one side of the rim at a first point adjacent the rim, a digital sensor array positioned at a second point adjacent the rim which is angularly spaced from the first point for receiving light patterns passed through the rim and providing a digital signal in accordance therewith and an optic fiber bundle one end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the first point and the other end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the second point for passing light from the light source passing through the rim at the first point back to and through the rim at the second point and into the sensor array, the ends of the fibers in the optic fiber bundle at the opposite ends of the optic fiber bundle being in reverse order at the second pOint with respect to a single direction of rotation of the cylinder and the order of the ends of the fibers in the optic fiber bundle at the first point wherein the light source and sensor array are positioned radially outwardly of the rim of the wheel and the optic fiber bundle is positioned radially inwardly of the rim.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
306 words
An analog to digital converter comprising a rotatable shaft, the rotated position of which represents an analog value with respect to an initial position thereof which it is desired to convert to a corresponding digital value, a wheel having a rim in the form of a hollow cylinder extending axially parallel to and concentric with the shaft which wheel is secured to the shaft for rotation therewith and which rim includes a plurality of angularly spaced transparent and opaque lines thereon parallel with each other and parallel with the axis of rotation of the shaft, a stationary light source on one side of the rim at a first point adjacent the rim, a digital sensor array positioned at a second point adjacent the rim which is angularly spaced from the first point for receiving light patterns passed through the rim and providing a digital signal in accordance therewith and an optic fiber bundle one end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the first point and the other end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the second point for passing light from the light source passing through the rim at the first point back to and through the rim at the second point and into the sensor array, the ends of the fibers in the optic fiber bundle at the opposite ends of the optic fiber bundle being in reverse order at the second point with respect to a single direction of rotation of the cylinder and the order of the ends of the fibers in the optic fiber bundle at the first point wherein the light source and sensor array are positioned radially inwardly of the rim of the wheel and the optic fiber bundle is positioned radially outwardly of the rim.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
306 words
An analog to digital converter comprising a rotatable shaft, the rotated position of which represents an analog value with respect to an initial position thereof which it is desired to convert to a corresponding digital value, a wheel having a rim in the form of a hollow cylinder extending axially parallel to and concentric with the shaft which wheel is secured to the shaft for rotation therewith and which rim includes a plurality of angularly spaced transparent and opaque lines thereon parallel with each other and parallel with the axis of rotation of the shaft, a stationary light source on one side of the rim at a first point adjacent the rim, a digital sensor array positioned at a second point adjacent the rim which is angularly spaced from the first point for receiving light patterns passed through the rim and providing a digital signal in accordance therewith and an optic fiber bundle one end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the first point and the other end of which extends radially of and is positioned immediately adjacent the cylinder at the second point for passing light from the light source passing through the rim at the first point back to and through the rim at the second point and into the sensor array, the ends of the fibers in the optic fiber bundle at the opposite ends of the optic fiber bundle being in reverse order at the second point with respect to a single direction of rotation of the cylinder and the order of the ends of the fibers in the optic fiber bundle at the first point wherein the light source and sensor array are positioned radially inwardly of the rim of the wheel and the optic fiber bundle is positioned radially outwardly of the rim.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |