Encoder for altimeters

Claim 1

Encoder means adapted to be connected to an altimeter of the type having a rotary shaft output comprising, a rotatably mounted coded disc having code markings on a plurality of circular tracks, means connected to couple said coded disc to the output of said altimeter, and means to read a code on said disc comprising a plurality of fiber optic cables, the input ends of said cables being located on one side of said disc and spaced so that each cable is adapted to read code markings on one of said circular tracks, a light source on the other side of said disc, and a plurality of photo-sensors, each photo-sensor being located to read the output of one of said filter optic cables, said coupling means comprising means to adjust the motion of said disc to the full range rotation of the altimeter output shaft, said adjusting means comprises an encoder drive arm mounted on the altimeter output shaft, an adjustment member pivotally mounted on the altimeter frame, an encoder drive pin rotatably mounted on said adjustment member, said drive pin being in drivable contact with said encoder drive arm, said encoder drive pin being connected to rotate said disc.