US4240066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cylindrical encoder for use with fiber optics
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1979-06-14
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Granted: 1980-12-16
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Expires: 1999-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic encoding device capable of long term reliable operation in hostile environments is disclosed. Various construction details which contribute to a compact device with high mechanical reliability are discussed. An encoder formed to a cylindrical geometry including a correspondingly shaped code plate is shown in detail. The code plate has a multiplicity of apertures arranged in rows to produce an encoded position signal of the type suitable for use in digital intelligence processing equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas G. Lenox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:18
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/22; H03M1/24; H03M1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
In a fiber optic encoding device of the type having a transmitting head including a plurality of light ways and a receiving head including a plurality of light ways corresponding to the light ways of the transmitting head and of the type having a code plate disposed between the transmitting and receiving heads for encoding a position signal, the improvement which comprises: a code plate formed to a cylindrical geometry and which effects encoding by being translated between the transmitting head and the receiving head; and transmitting and receiving heads oriented for transmission of an encoding signal radially across the cylindrical code plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a fiber optic encoding device of the type having a transmitting head including a plurality of light ways and a receiving head including a plurality of light ways corresponding to the light ways of the transmitting head and of the type having a code plate disposed between the transmitting and receiving heads for encoding a position signal, the improvement which comprises: a code plate formed to a cylindrical geometry and which effects encoding by being translated between the transmitting head and the receiving head; and transmitting and receiving heads oriented for transmission of an encoding signal radially across the cylindrical code plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said code plate is slideable over said transmitting head and wherein each of said light ways of the transmitting head is oriented so as to be capable of directing a column of light radially outwardly from the transmitting head toward the code plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said code plate is slideable within said receiving head and wherein each of said light ways of the receiving head is oriented so as to be capable of receiving the radially directed column of light from one of said light ways of the transmitting head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
183 words
A position encoding device of the fiber optic type, comprising: a cylindrical transmitting head including a bundle of optic fibers extending into the interior of the head and splaying radially outwardly from the interior of the head to form a plurality of discrete light ways which are circumferentially spaced from one another and are oriented so as to be capable of directing columns of light radially outwardly from the transmitting head; a cylindrical receiving head spaced radially from said transmitting head leaving an annular gap therebetween, the receiving head having a plurality of light ways spaced circumferentially in correspondence to said transmitting ways and oriented so as to be capable of receiving said radially directed columns of light from the transmitting head; and a cylindrical code plate which is slideable in a translating motion in the gap between said transmitting and receiving heads wherein the code plate has a plurality of aperture rows in correspondence to the light ways for enabling selected transmission of the light columns across the gap in response to the longitudinal position of the code plate within the gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
A position encoding device of the fiber optic type, comprising: a cylindrical transmitting head including a bundle of optic fibers extending into the interior of the head and splaying radially outwardly from the interior of the head to form a plurality of discrete light ways which are circumferentially spaced from one another and are oriented so as to be capable of directing columns of light radially outwardly from the transmitting head; a cylindrical receiving head spaced radially from said transmitting head leaving an annular gap therebetween, the receiving head having a plurality of light ways spaced circumferentially in correspondence to said transmitting ways and oriented so as to be capable of receiving said radially directed columns of light from the transmitting head; and a cylindrical code plate which is slideable in a translating motion in the gap between said transmitting and receiving heads wherein the code plate has a plurality of aperture rows in correspondence to the light ways for enabling selected transmission of the light columns across the gap in response to the longitudinal position of the code plate within the gap.
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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) | 1983-12-16 | 1984-06-16 | 1984-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-16 | 1988-06-16 | 1988-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-16 | 1992-06-16 | 1992-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |