US3862415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Opto-electronic object detector using semiconductor light source
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-10-31
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1992-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A semiconductor light source and a photo-responsive device are positioned on a single header member with an optical barrier member between them. Light emitted by a semiconductor light source is reflected from an object in the path of propagation of the light and a portion of the reflected light is detected by the photosensitive device. Direct illumination of the photosensitive device by the semiconductor light source is prevented by the optical barrier member between them. A single simplified optical system may be used to both direct the light from the semiconductor light source toward the object to be detected and to collect light reflected from the object and focus it onto the photosensitive device.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr John D Harnden
- 👤 William P Kornrumpf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/08; G06M1/10; G06M1/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An active opto-electronic transducer comprising: a base member; an optical barrier member having first and second sides, said barrier member being disposed on said base member and generally perpendicular thereto; a semiconductor light source disposed adjacent said first side of said optical barrier member; a photo-responsive device disposed adjacent said second side of said optical barrier member; first and second support means for supporting respectively said semiconductor light source and said photo-responsive device in spaced apart relation to said base member, said second support means sUpporting said photoresponsive device at a greater distance from said base member than the distance from said base member at which said semiconductor light source is supported by said first support means; and means for receiving an electrical output from said photoresponsive device, said electrical output being in a first state when said photo-responsive device is illuminated and in a second state when said photo-responsive device is not illuminated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
An active opto-electronic transducer comprising: a base member; an optical barrier member having first and second sides, said barrier member being disposed on said base member and generally perpendicular thereto; a semiconductor light source disposed adjacent said first side of said optical barrier member; a photo-responsive device disposed adjacent said second side of said optical barrier member; first and second support means for supporting respectively said semiconductor light source and said photo-responsive device in spaced apart relation to said base member, said second support means sUpporting said photoresponsive device at a greater distance from said base member than the distance from said base member at which said semiconductor light source is supported by said first support means; and means for receiving an electrical output from said photoresponsive device, said electrical output being in a first state when said photo-responsive device is illuminated and in a second state when said photo-responsive device is not illuminated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An optical transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said optical barrier member is cylindrical in shape; said semiconductor light source is disposed interiorly said optical barrier member; and said photo-responsive device is annular in shape and is coaxially disposed exteriorly said optical barrier member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical transducer claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member and said optical barrier member are formed as a unitary structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said semiconductor light source and said photo-responsive device are so selected that the spectral distribution of energy emitted by said semiconductor light source generally coincides with the spectral response characteristic of said photo-responsive device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transducer of claim 4 wherein said semiconductor light source is a gallium arsenide light-emitting diode and said photo-responsive device is a silicon phototransistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second support means comprise electrically insulating thermally conductive material disposed respectively on said base member adjacent said first and second sides of said optical barrier member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transducer of claim 6 wherein said electrically insulating thermally conductive material is selected from the group consisting of beryllium oxide, boron nitride, and alumina.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The transducer of claim 1 further including: unitary optical focusing means for directing light from said semiconductor light source toward a location at which an object to be detected is expected and for focusing light reflected from said object onto said photoresponsive device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transducer of claim 8 further including: an anti-reflective coating applied to said unitary optical focusing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The transducer of claim 8 wherein: said first support means supports said semiconductor light source at a focal point of said unitary optical focusing means; and said second support means supports said photoresponsive device at a position other than a focal point of said unitary optical focusing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer of claim 8 wherein said first and second support means comprise electrically insulating thermally conductive material.
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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) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |