US3854823A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Measuring and counting systems
Assignee: Cranfield Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1972-03-03
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1992-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A digital displacement sensing device for sensing the relative displacement of two parts of a mechanism comprises a linear scale having digital indicators, a reading head which can traverse along the scale and means for selectively adjusting the angle between the centre line of the scale the direction of relative displacement of said parts for adjusting the amount of said relative displacement which corresponds to the distance between two adjacent ones of said digital indicators.
Inventors
- 👤 J Loxham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/36; G01D5/38; B; B24; B24B; B24B49/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A mechanism having two relatively movable parts and a digital displacement sensing device for detecting the relative linear motion of the two parts of the mechanism, the device including: a first member which comprises a linear scale carried by one of said parts and having a plurality of digital indicators; a second member which comprises a scale reading element mounted on the other of said two parts so that said scale reading head can traverse relative to the linear scale; and means for selectively adjusting the angle between the length direction of said linear scale and the intended direction of the relative motion of said two parts of a mechanism, whereby the extent of the relative motion in said direction and corresponding to the distance between two of said digital indicators of said scale can be adjusted finely.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A mechanism having two relatively movable parts and a digital displacement sensing device for detecting the relative linear motion of the two parts of the mechanism, the device including: a first member which comprises a linear scale carried by one of said parts and having a plurality of digital indicators; a second member which comprises a scale reading element mounted on the other of said two parts so that said scale reading head can traverse relative to the linear scale; and means for selectively adjusting the angle between the length direction of said linear scale and the intended direction of the relative motion of said two parts of a mechanism, whereby the extent of the relative motion in said direction and corresponding to the distance between two of said digital indicators of said scale can be adjusted finely.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, and comprising means enabling said head and scale to effect relative motion along a path at said angle to said length direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 2, and comprising respective mounting means for said scale and said head, each of said mounting means having means for rotating and holding the associated scale and head for adjusting said angle without changing the relative angular position of said scale and said reading head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, and having means enabling said reading head and scale to effect relative motion in said length direction as said parts of the mechanism effect relative movement in said intended direction at an angle to said length direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 4, and comprising guide means for guiding one of said head and saId scale for movement relative to the other of said scale and head in the direction of said length direction, biasing means acting between said scale and head in one direction of said length direction and actuating means for slidably acting on said one of said head and scale in said intended direction of movement to achieve said relative movement in the opposite direction of said length direction whilst permitting sliding movement between said one of said scale and head and said actuating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reading head includes a scale and light sensing means for detecting Moire fringes set up by said scales.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein said adjusting means are effective to adjust said angle without changing the relative angular position of said scales.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, and including an electronic control system connected to receive signals from said reading head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said angle is adjustable over a range of at least 0* to 15*.
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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |