US4092072A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical sensors
Assignee: Allard Way Holdings Ltd
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Filing: 1976-08-02
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Granted: 1978-05-30
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Expires: 1996-08-02
Abstract
Abstract An angular position sensor having a housing with an aperture in the form of two mutually inclined slits. Behind the aperture is a linear array of light sensitive elements which intercepts laminar light beams developed by the slits from light from a small light source. The positions of interception of the light on the array constitute a measure of the angular position of the light source in elevation and azimuth.
Inventors
- 👤 Stafford Malcolm Ellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/26; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/783; G01S3/784
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A sensor for use in apparatus for determining angular position, the sensor comprising a linear array of discrete light sensitive elements producing discrete outputs and a light obstructing member having two mutually inclined edges, said light obstructing member being positioned with respect to said linear array of light sensitive elements so as to produce a shadow on said linear array as a result of partial obstruction of light from a small light source, said shadow simultaneously having two boundary regions, corresponing to the two mutually inclined edges of said light obstructing member, whose positions depend on the angular position of the light source with respect to the sensor in two orthogonal axes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A sensor for use in apparatus for determining angular position, the sensor comprising a linear array of discrete light sensitive elements producing discrete outputs and a light obstructing member having two mutually inclined edges, said light obstructing member being positioned with respect to said linear array of light sensitive elements so as to produce a shadow on said linear array as a result of partial obstruction of light from a small light source, said shadow simultaneously having two boundary regions, corresponing to the two mutually inclined edges of said light obstructing member, whose positions depend on the angular position of the light source with respect to the sensor in two orthogonal axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
A sensor for use in apparatus for determining angular position, the sensor having a housing, an aperture in the form of two mutually inclined slits, and a linear array of discrete light-sensitive elements producing discrete outputs; wherein the aperture is formed in the housing and is operative simultaneously to develop two laminar light beams in response to light from a small light source, the linear array of light-sensitive elements is contained within the housing, is spaced from said mutually inclined slits, and so orientated that said laminar light beams developed by the aperture impinge on the array at positions dependent on the angular position of the light source with respect to the sensor in two orthogonal axes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
A sensor for use in apparatus for determining angular position, the sensor having a housing, an aperture in the form of two mutually inclined slits, and a linear array of discrete light-sensitive elements producing discrete outputs; wherein the aperture is formed in the housing and is operative simultaneously to develop two laminar light beams in response to light from a small light source, the linear array of light-sensitive elements is contained within the housing, is spaced from said mutually inclined slits, and so orientated that said laminar light beams developed by the aperture impinge on the array at positions dependent on the angular position of the light source with respect to the sensor in two orthogonal axes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sensor according to claim 2, wherein said mutually inclined slits are rectilinear, lie in common plane, and are intersected at substantially equal angles in the plane of the slits by a plane containing said linear array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sensor according to claim 3 wherein said linear array is rectilinear and parallel to the plane of the slits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor according to claim 3 wherein said mutually inclined slits are in a V-shaped configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sensor according to claim 3 wherein said slits are mutually inclined at an angle of substantially 53°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sensor according to claim 3 wherein said light sensitive elements are charge-coupled devices.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3717413A
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GB1410322A
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US3827807A
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US3951550A
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US3989384A
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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) | 1981-05-29 | 1981-11-28 | 1982-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-29 | 1985-11-28 | 1986-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-29 | 1989-11-28 | 1990-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |