US4056722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shaft position sensor
Assignee: Dictaphone Corp
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Filing: 1976-09-29
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Granted: 1977-11-01
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Expires: 1996-09-29
Abstract
Abstract Shaft position sensing apparatus includes a group of generally parallel vanes extending generally longitudinally of the shaft axis, means for mounting the vanes in that relationship and attaching them to the shaft for rotation with the shaft, a light source providing a beam of light directed transversely of the shaft axis against the vanes, and a light sensor aligned with the light beam and positioned on the opposite side of the shaft axis from the light source for receiving varying amounts of light dependent upon the angular position of the shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Earnest Joseph Ray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
Shaft position sensing apparatus comprising a group of generally parallel vanes with each said vane extending in a direction generally longitudinally of said shaft axis and said group arranged in a pattern extending transversely of said shaft axis; vane mounting means for maintaining said group of vanes in said relationships with one another and with said shaft, said vane mounting means being attached to said shaft for rotation with said shaft; a light surce positioned on one side of said shaft and having a beam of light directed transversely of said shaft axis against said vanes at a point adjacent said shaft axis; and a light sensor aligned with said light beam and positioned on the opposite side of said shaft axis from said light source for receiving light from said light beam, whereby light received by the sensor is passed between the vanes such that the amount of light received by the sensor varies with the angle between the light beam and the vanes such that the angular position of the shaft may be determined by the relative amount of light received by the sensor and indicated by the sensor output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
Shaft position sensing apparatus comprising a group of generally parallel vanes with each said vane extending in a direction generally longitudinally of said shaft axis and said group arranged in a pattern extending transversely of said shaft axis; vane mounting means for maintaining said group of vanes in said relationships with one another and with said shaft, said vane mounting means being attached to said shaft for rotation with said shaft; a light surce positioned on one side of said shaft and having a beam of light directed transversely of said shaft axis against said vanes at a point adjacent said shaft axis; and a light sensor aligned with said light beam and positioned on the opposite side of said shaft axis from said light source for receiving light from said light beam, whereby light received by the sensor is passed between the vanes such that the amount of light received by the sensor varies with the angle between the light beam and the vanes such that the angular position of the shaft may be determined by the relative amount of light received by the sensor and indicated by the sensor output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Shaft position sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vanes are opaque, whereby the light received by the light sensor is that light which passes between the vanes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Shaft position sensing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said vanes are positioned and dimensioned such that, when said shaft is in at least one said angular position, said vanes block all light from passing to said sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Shaft position sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vanes are positioned at an acute angle with respect to said vane mounting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Shaft position sensing apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said acute angle is about 45°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Shaft position sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vane mounting means comprises a transparent plate member to which said vanes are joined.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Shaft position sensing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said group of vanes is imbedded within said transparent plate member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
166 words
Shaft position sensing apparatus comprising a transparent plate member extending parallel to and aligned with said shaft and attached to said shaft for rotation therewith; a plurality of generally parallel opaque vanes imbedded in said plate member and extending generally longitudinally of said shaft; a light source positioned on one side of said transparent plate member and having a beam of light directed toward said plate member at a point adjacent said shaft axis; and a light sensor positioned on the opposite side of said plate member from said light source for and aligned with said light beam receiving light from said light beam, whereby light received by the sensor from the light source must be passed through the plate member and between the vanes such that the amount of light received by the sensor varies with the angle between the light beam and the vanes such that angular position of the shaft may be determined by the relative amount of light received by the sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
Shaft position sensing apparatus comprising a transparent plate member extending parallel to and aligned with said shaft and attached to said shaft for rotation therewith; a plurality of generally parallel opaque vanes imbedded in said plate member and extending generally longitudinally of said shaft; a light source positioned on one side of said transparent plate member and having a beam of light directed toward said plate member at a point adjacent said shaft axis; and a light sensor positioned on the opposite side of said plate member from said light source for and aligned with said light beam receiving light from said light beam, whereby light received by the sensor from the light source must be passed through the plate member and between the vanes such that the amount of light received by the sensor varies with the angle between the light beam and the vanes such that angular position of the shaft may be determined by the relative amount of light received by the sensor.
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) | 1980-10-31 | 1981-05-02 | 1981-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-31 | 1985-05-02 | 1985-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-31 | 1989-05-02 | 1989-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |