US4307516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Directional two-axis differential optical inclinometer
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1980-02-07
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Granted: 1981-12-29
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Expires: 2000-02-07
Abstract
Abstract A directional two-axis differential optical inclinometer which includes lt sources and optical detectors in two different systems for determining angle change in a test table and the direction of change from the horizontal plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifford G. Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/18; G01C9/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A directional two-axis differential optical inclinometer comprising a container having an opaque liquid therein partially filling said container, a light source for emitting collimated light toward a reflective surface of said opaque liquid and a quadrant detector mounted on said container and detecting light reflected from said reflective surface, said quadrant detector having outputs that are fed to a dual indicator, said container also having two pairs of optical detectors with one pair of said detectors being mounted perpendicular to the other pair of detectors and each pair of detectors being oppositely facing and parallel to each other with the liquid partially covering said each pair of detectors, a diffused light source mounted on said container and providing light to exposed surfaces of said two pairs of optical detectors that are above the level of opaque liquid, and each of said detectors of said two pairs of detectors having an output that is connected to said dual indicator where a differential readout is produced which is indicative of tilt of said incinometer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A directional two-axis differential optical inclinometer comprising a container having an opaque liquid therein partially filling said container, a light source for emitting collimated light toward a reflective surface of said opaque liquid and a quadrant detector mounted on said container and detecting light reflected from said reflective surface, said quadrant detector having outputs that are fed to a dual indicator, said container also having two pairs of optical detectors with one pair of said detectors being mounted perpendicular to the other pair of detectors and each pair of detectors being oppositely facing and parallel to each other with the liquid partially covering said each pair of detectors, a diffused light source mounted on said container and providing light to exposed surfaces of said two pairs of optical detectors that are above the level of opaque liquid, and each of said detectors of said two pairs of detectors having an output that is connected to said dual indicator where a differential readout is produced which is indicative of tilt of said incinometer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A directional two-axis differential optical inclinometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said collimated light source is a laser light source and said quadrant detector is a silicon or gallium arsenide detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A directional two-axis differential optical inclinometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said opaque liquid is mercury.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A directional two-axis differential optical inclinometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said diffused light source is a laser source and said two pairs of optical detectors are silicon or gallium arsenide detectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A directional two-axis differential optical inclinometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said collimated light source is a laser light source, said quadrant detector is a silicon or gallium arsenide detector, said diffused light source is a laser source and said two pairs of optical detectors are silicon or gallium arsenide detectors.
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) | 1984-12-28 | 1985-06-29 | 1985-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-28 | 1989-06-29 | 1989-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-28 | 1993-06-29 | 1993-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |