US5221960A — Opto-electronic detector apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 149 words

In a yarn detector apparatus of a yarn storage and feeder device for yarn which is moved transversely to its longitudinal direction through a detection field and whose presence in the detection field is intended to be detected, including a light source and a light-sensitive receiver surface which is associated with at least one photovoltaic cell generating a working signal when the yarn passes the detection field, and an optical system positioned between the light source and the receiver surface, the improvement comprising wherein said optical system includes imaging optics having a depth of focus at the side of a detection field to define a predetermined depth of the detection field, and having a field of vision which is restricted at least in width which approximately corresponds to the width of the yarn, and wherein said receiver surface is located within the sharp focus depth of said imaging optics.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 149 words

In a yarn detector apparatus of a yarn storage and feeder device for yarn which is moved transversely to its longitudinal direction through a detection field and whose presence in the detection field is intended to be detected, including a light source and a light-sensitive receiver surface which is associated with at least one photovoltaic cell generating a working signal when the yarn passes the detection field, and an optical system positioned between the light source and the receiver surface, the improvement comprising wherein said optical system includes imaging optics having a depth of focus at the side of a detection field to define a predetermined depth of the detection field, and having a field of vision which is restricted at least in width which approximately corresponds to the width of the yarn, and wherein said receiver surface is located within the sharp focus depth of said imaging optics.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprises a digital image converter for the sharp image on the receiver surface.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the width of the detection field is a predetermined degree greater than the width of the yarn.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the width of the receiver surface is a predetermined degree greater than the width of the image of the yarn.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 48 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiver surface is associated to a plurality of photovoltaic cells or light-sensitive elements arranged in a CCD detector arrangement to act as an image converter matrix, and connected to a control circuit for the sequential scanning of the matrix.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 53 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, including an image converter which includes the receiver surface, wherein the image converter has at least one photoelectric point element, and wherein the dimension of the photoelectric point element as viewed transversely to the yarn corresponds approximately to the dimension of the image in this direction.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image converter comprises a linear or two-dimensional matrix of photoelectric point elements adapted to be scanned either individually or sequentially.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the matrix has a greater dimension in the scanning direction than the image.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 29 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control circuit of the image converter includes a limiter component selectively operable to deactivate at least individual photoelectric point elements.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 56 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, including an image converter which includes the receiver surface, wherein the image converter permits the position of an imaging boundary on said receiver surface to be determined from the image, and an additional working signal representative of the position of the image on the receiver surface to be generated.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 51 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, including an image converter which includes the receiver surface, wherein the image converter permits displacements of the imaging boundaries over the receiver surface to be detected by sequential scanning, and to be converted into working signals representative of the respective speed of such displacement.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 19 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging optics comprises an objective preferably including a collective lens.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said objective has at least one diaphragm or stop aperture disposed therein.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the objective includes a lens combination composed of a plurality of lenses inclusive of at least one collective lens.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the collective lens is a plano-convex, a biconvex or a meniscus lens.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the objective is adjustable for varying the depth of focus, the boundaries of the detection field and/or the imaging size.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 15 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging optics contains a reflector component.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 39 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging optics includes at least one stop aperture in the path of the light beam, the diameter of the stop aperture being smaller than the width of the detection field.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 23 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a diaphragm is adjustable or replaceable by another diaphragm having an aperture of different size.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 22 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection field is in the form of a part of an annular gap.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 47 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the part of the annular gap is provided between a storage surface and an outer ring of a yarn measuring component of the yarn storage and feeder device, and that the yarn detector apparatus is disposed in said ring.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 45 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein for monitoring the yarn store provided on a storage surface of the yarn storage and feeder device the yarn detector apparatus is mounted on the device and is directed onto the storage surface from an outside location.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 63 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein yarn detector apparatus is mounted on the yarn storage and feeder device at a stationary position relative to the rotatable winding element with which the yarn storage and feeder device is equipped, and is directed onto the yarn leaving the outlet of the winding element, or onto the first yarn winding on the storage surface.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 38 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a coherent light source, for emitting a light beam through the detection field and onto the receiver surface to directly form the image on the receiver surface.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 41 words

Yarn detector apparatus according to claim 1, wherein on the side of the yarn, the focus of the objective, or of the collective lens, respectively, is located between the objective and the detection field, and at most in said detection field.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 155 words

In a yarn storage and feeder device which includes an optoelectronic yarn detector apparatus for yarn which is moved transversely to its longitudinal direction through a detection field and whose presence in the detection field is intended to be detected, said opto-electronic yarn detector including a light source and a light-sensitive receiver surface which is associated with at least one photovoltaic cell generating a working signal when the yarn passes the detection field, and an optical system positioned between the light source and the receiver surface, the improvement comprising wherein the optical system includes imaging optics having a depth of focus at the side of the detection field to define a predetermined depth of the detection field, and having a field of vision which is restricted at least in width which approximately corresponds to the width of the yarn, and wherein the receiver surface is located within the sharp focus depth of the imaging optics.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 155 words

In a yarn storage and feeder device which includes an optoelectronic yarn detector apparatus for yarn which is moved transversely to its longitudinal direction through a detection field and whose presence in the detection field is intended to be detected, said opto-electronic yarn detector including a light source and a light-sensitive receiver surface which is associated with at least one photovoltaic cell generating a working signal when the yarn passes the detection field, and an optical system positioned between the light source and the receiver surface, the improvement comprising wherein the optical system includes imaging optics having a depth of focus at the side of the detection field to define a predetermined depth of the detection field, and having a field of vision which is restricted at least in width which approximately corresponds to the width of the yarn, and wherein the receiver surface is located within the sharp focus depth of the imaging optics.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-06-21	1996-12-21	1997-06-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-06-21	2000-12-21	2001-06-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-06-21	2004-12-21	2005-06-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Opto-electronic detector apparatus

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