Optical position gauge

Claim 2

Apparatus for measuring direction, extent, and rate of linear displacement of a body subjected to shock forces, comprising: a housing adapted to be connected to a rigid structure; piston means received in the housing and adapted for linear displacement therein; said piston means including a portion outside the housing connectable with the body whereby shock forces on the body causes the piston to be linearly displaced in the housing; said piston means having a surface including a plurality of bands having alternating high and low light reflectivity; means carried by the housing for illuminating linearly spaced apart spots on the piston surface including the bands; means detecting information from band reflected light; and, means converting light information to electrical signals; whereby, when the piston is displaced, the bands are caused to translate past the illumination for reflecting light information.

Claim 3

The invention according to claim 1 wherein the illuminating means includes a pair of optical fibers having ends terminating adjacent the bands for optical communication therewith.

Claim 4

The invention according to claim 2 wherein the optical fiber ends are linearly spaced apart.

Claim 5

The invention according to claim 3 wherein the linear spacing of the optical fiber ends is a distance which is not a multiple of the distance between corresponding locations on successive bands of like reflectivity.

Claim 6

The invention according to claim 1 wherein the bands are annularly disposed about the piston.

Claim 7

The invention according to claim 1 wherein the bands are defined by a series of linearly spaced-apart annular grooves and lands therebetween.

Claim 8

The invention according to claim 5 wherein the bands are formed by spaced apart grooves formed in the piston surface.

Claim 9

The invention according to claim 7 wherein the grooves have lower light reflectivity than lands between the grooves.

Claim 10

The invention according to claim 1 wherein the optical fiber ends emit an illuminating spot on the piston surface of a size substantially smaller than the width of any band.

Claim 11

Apparatus for measuring direction, extent and rate of linear displacement of a body subjected to an underwater shock by an explosion, comprising: a housing; piston means carried by the housing and having a portion extending therefrom; said housing adapted to be secured in a fixed position; said piston extension connectable to the body for linear displacement therewith whenever the body is subjected to the explosive shock; said piston having a surface including a plurality of annular bands of alternating high and low light reflectivity; light sources; a pair of optical fibers in communication with the light sources and terminating in linearly spaced apart ends for illuminating spots on the piston surface whereby emitted light is reflected by the bands back into respective optical fibers and carried to respective detectors; and, means converting optical information received by the detectors to electrical signals; whereby displacement of the piston is indicated by light reflecting from the bands as they translate past the optical fibers illuminating spots.

Claim 12

Apparatus for measuring direction, extent and rate of linear displacement of a body subjected to an underwater shock by an explosion, comprising: a housing; piston means carried by the housing and having a portion extending therefrom; said housing adapted to be secured in a fixed position; said piston extension connectable to the body for linear displacement therewith whenever the body is subjected to the explosive shock; said piston having a surface including a plurality of annular bands of alternating high and low light reflectivity; light sources; a pair of optical fibers in communication with the light sources and terminating in linearly spaced apart ends for illuminating spots on the piston surface whereby emitted light is reflected by the bands back into respective optical fibers and carried to respective detectors; and, means converting optical information received by the detectors to electrical signals; whereby displacement of the piston is indicated by light reflecting from the bands as they translate past the optical fibers illuminating spots.

Claim 13

The invention according to claim 10 wherein the piston bands are annularly disposed about the piston;

Claim 14

The invention according to claim 11 wherein the bands are of equal linear width.

Claim 15

The invention according to claim 12 wherein the bands are formed by annular grooves with annular land therebetween.

Claim 16

The invention according to claim 13 wherein the lands are more optically reflective than the grooves.

Claim 17

The invention according to claim 12 wherein the optical fiber ends are linearly spaced apart a distance which is not a multiple of the distance between corresponding locations on successive bands of high reflectivity.