US3947682A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for measuring angular displacement
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1974-12-10
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Granted: 1976-03-30
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Expires: 1994-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for measuring angular displacement of an object in which an alternating potential source is applied to the electrodes of a light source, such as a gaseous discharge light, resulting in alternating illuminations in the medium, e.g., gas, about the respective electrodes, which are detected by photodetector means. The light source and the photodetector means are mounted such that the distances between the photodetector and the respective electrodes vary proportionately with any rotation of the object whose angular displacement is being monitored. The output signals from the photodetector means are separated and compared and, in response thereto, a signal is generated indicative of the angular displacement of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence D. Mumme
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for measuring angular displacement of an object comprising: light source means including a first electrode means and a second electrode means with a medium therebetween and in which, in response to a potential source applied across said first and second electrode means, an illumination occurs in the medium about whichever of the first or second electrode means is coupled to the more negative polarity of the potential source, means for alternating the polarity of the potential source applied across said first and second electrode means, photodetecting means for detecting the alternating illuminations about said first and second electrode means and generating output signals relative to the distance between the photodetecting means and said first electrode means and between the photodetecting means and said second electrode means, means for mounting said light source means and said photodetecting means such that the distances between the photodetecting means and said first electrode means and between the photodetecting means and said second electrode means vary relative to the angular displacement of the object in a manner such that for any variation in distance between the photodetecting means and the first electrode means, there is a related variation in the distance between the photodetecting means and the second electrode means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for measuring angular displacement of an object comprising: light source means including a first electrode means and a second electrode means with a medium therebetween and in which, in response to a potential source applied across said first and second electrode means, an illumination occurs in the medium about whichever of the first or second electrode means is coupled to the more negative polarity of the potential source, means for alternating the polarity of the potential source applied across said first and second electrode means, photodetecting means for detecting the alternating illuminations about said first and second electrode means and generating output signals relative to the distance between the photodetecting means and said first electrode means and between the photodetecting means and said second electrode means, means for mounting said light source means and said photodetecting means such that the distances between the photodetecting means and said first electrode means and between the photodetecting means and said second electrode means vary relative to the angular displacement of the object in a manner such that for any variation in distance between the photodetecting means and the first electrode means, there is a related variation in the distance between the photodetecting means and the second electrode means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein means are provided for separating said signals generated by said photodetecting means in response to the illuminations about said first electrode means from the signals generated in response to the illuminations about said second electrode means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further including means for comparing said separated signals responsive to said illuminations about said first and second electrode means and generating therefrom an output indicative of the angular displacement of the object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source means consists of a gaseous discharge light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source means consists of a neon lamp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the photodetecting means consists of a phototransistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
232 words
Apparatus for measuring angular displacement of an object comprising: light source means including a first electrode means and a second electrode means with a medium therebetween and in which, in response to a potential source applied across said first and second electrode means, an illumination occurs in the medium about whichever of the first or second electrode means is coupled to the more negative polarity of the potential source, means for alternating the polarity of said potential source applied across said first and second electrode means, first detecting means for detecting the illuminations about said first electrode means and generating output signals relative to the distance between the first photodetecting means and the first electrode means, second photodetecting means for detecting the illuminations about said second electrode means and generating output signals relative to the distance between the second photodetecting means and the second electrode means, means for mounting said light source means and said first and second photodetecting means such that distances between the first photodetecting means and said first electrode means and between the second photodetecting means and said second electrode means vary relative to the angular displacement of the object in a manner such that for any variation in the distance between the first photodetecting means and the first electrode means, there is a related variation in the distance between the second photodetecting means and the second electrode means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
232 words
Apparatus for measuring angular displacement of an object comprising: light source means including a first electrode means and a second electrode means with a medium therebetween and in which, in response to a potential source applied across said first and second electrode means, an illumination occurs in the medium about whichever of the first or second electrode means is coupled to the more negative polarity of the potential source, means for alternating the polarity of said potential source applied across said first and second electrode means, first detecting means for detecting the illuminations about said first electrode means and generating output signals relative to the distance between the first photodetecting means and the first electrode means, second photodetecting means for detecting the illuminations about said second electrode means and generating output signals relative to the distance between the second photodetecting means and the second electrode means, means for mounting said light source means and said first and second photodetecting means such that distances between the first photodetecting means and said first electrode means and between the second photodetecting means and said second electrode means vary relative to the angular displacement of the object in a manner such that for any variation in the distance between the first photodetecting means and the first electrode means, there is a related variation in the distance between the second photodetecting means and the second electrode means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further including means for comparing the signals generated by said first photodetecting means with the signals generated by said second photodetecting means and producing therefrom an output indicative of the angular displacement of the object.
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) | 1979-03-30 | 1979-09-29 | 1980-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-30 | 1983-09-29 | 1984-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-30 | 1987-09-29 | 1988-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |