US4667098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-track optical shaft position and timing cylinder
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1985-03-29
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Granted: 1987-05-19
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Expires: 2005-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A shaft position, direction and timing assembly for a stepper motor in an ectrically controlled printing system operating in an environment subjected to relatively strong vibrational and shock levels is disclosed. A cylindrical coding member having one or more photo-optical coding tracks located adjacent one edge is mounted on the stepper motor shaft by being held in position by an inner support cylinder and an outer retaining collar. These three elements are commonly fastened to the stepper motor shaft by a pair of mutually opposing set screws. Photo emitter and receptor elements contained in a bifurcated subassembly are located at the edge of the cylindrical coding so as to oppose a coding pattern formed on the coding tracks for generating an electrical signal in response to the coding pattern acting to pass or interrupt light energy transmitted from the emitter to the receptor elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Seth L. Everett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/347
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Optical encoder apparatus for sensing predetermined parameters relating to the rotation of a shaft, comprising: a cylindrical support member mounted on said shaft; a coding member having a first and second portion, said first portion including at least one coding track having a predetermined coding pattern of surface areas which selectively pass and block light energy and projecting axially beyond one end of said cylindrical support member, and said second portion being positioned around and supported by the outer surface of said cylindrical support member; retaining means for holding said coding member in place on said cylindrical support member; and at least one photo emitter element and at least one photo sensor element respectively located on either side of said coding track for directing light energy toward said coding track and sensing the light energy passing therethrough for generating an electrical signal which is thereby able to provide information as to shaft position and direction as well as timing information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
Optical encoder apparatus for sensing predetermined parameters relating to the rotation of a shaft, comprising: a cylindrical support member mounted on said shaft; a coding member having a first and second portion, said first portion including at least one coding track having a predetermined coding pattern of surface areas which selectively pass and block light energy and projecting axially beyond one end of said cylindrical support member, and said second portion being positioned around and supported by the outer surface of said cylindrical support member; retaining means for holding said coding member in place on said cylindrical support member; and at least one photo emitter element and at least one photo sensor element respectively located on either side of said coding track for directing light energy toward said coding track and sensing the light energy passing therethrough for generating an electrical signal which is thereby able to provide information as to shaft position and direction as well as timing information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said shaft comprises the shaft of a drive motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said drive motor comprises a stepper motor for controlling the position of electrically controlled print means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said print means comprises a carriage mounted print head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 and additionally including means for fastening said cylindrical support member to said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said support member comprises a substantially solid cylindrical body having a central axial bore therethrough for being mounted on said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 6 wherein said coding member comprises a flexible member wrapped around the outer surface of said support member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 6 wherein said coding pattern comprises a set of said surface areas which are oriented substantially parallel with said shaft and having a predetermined length for compensating for any axial translation of said shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 6 and additionally including a pair of mutually opposing fastening elements transversely through said coding member, said retaining means, and said cylindrical support member for commonly fastening said coding member, said retaining means, and cylindrical support member together on said shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said at least one coding track is positioned toward said stepper motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 10 wherein said at least one coding track includes two coding tracks.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1 and additionally including a support frame, and wherein said stepper motor and said at least one photo emitter element and said at least one photo electric sensor element are fixedly attached to said support frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 12 and wherein said at least one photo emitter element and said at least one photo electric sensor element are contained in a bifurcated housing having first and second end portions located on either side of said first portion including said coding track.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 13 wherein said at least one emitter element is located in said first end portion and said sensor element is located in said second end portion.
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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) | 1990-05-18 | 1990-11-17 | 1991-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-18 | 1994-11-17 | 1995-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-18 | 1998-11-17 | 1999-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |