US3573478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical sector switch apparatus for indicating degree of angular movement between two movable surfaces
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1969-02-24
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Granted: 1971-04-06
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Expires: 1989-02-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for indicating the degree of angular movement between two relatively moveable surfaces is provided and is comprised of an infrared radiation emitter and an infrared radiation sensor, both mounted to one of the moveable surfaces, and a reflective surface of predetermined extent mounted to the other moveable surface. Both emitter and sensor are solid state devices. The emitter and sensor are placed such that their geometrical axes approximately coincide at the reflector surface to reflect the emitted radiation back toward the sensor to activate indicating circuitry associated with the sensor to indicate the position of the moveable surfaces with respect to each other. When the reflector is not positioned such that it receives radiation from the emitter, the indicating circuitry will not be activated.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth J Stempler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An optical sector switch apparatus for automatically providing an on/off signal over a predetermined angular range between relatively moveable surfaces comprising: an emitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation, a sensor for receiving said radiation, and a reflector, said emitter and sensor being positioned at fixed predetermined angles relative to each other and to a reference line normal to the reflector, said fixed predetermined angles being greater than 0* and less than approximately 80*, said emitter and sensor being positioned so that emitted radiation from said emitter is received by said sensor over said predetermined angular range, a means for interrupting the reception of radiation by said sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An optical sector switch apparatus for automatically providing an on/off signal over a predetermined angular range between relatively moveable surfaces comprising: an emitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation, a sensor for receiving said radiation, and a reflector, said emitter and sensor being positioned at fixed predetermined angles relative to each other and to a reference line normal to the reflector, said fixed predetermined angles being greater than 0* and less than approximately 80*, said emitter and sensor being positioned so that emitted radiation from said emitter is received by said sensor over said predetermined angular range, a means for interrupting the reception of radiation by said sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
An optical sector switch apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said emitter and sensor are both mounted to the same surface, said emitter and sensor each having an axis, said axes forming an intersection in front of said devices; said reflector having a reflective surface to reflect said radiation, said reflector being mounted to the other said moveable surface; means for varying the distance between the emitter and sensor combination and said reflector such that said axes intersect approximately at said reflective surface whereby when said reflector is reflecting radiation, said sensor is activated and when said reflector is not reflecting radiation, said sensor remains inactivated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical sector switch apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said emitter and sensor are mounted in a housing, said housing being mounted to one of said surfaces, wherein said means for varying the distance between said emitter and sensor combination and said reflector comprises a plurality of shims inserted between said housing and the surface to which the housing is mounted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical sector switch apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said emitter is a gallium arsenide semiconductor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical sector switch apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said sensor is a silicon semiconductor device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical sector switch apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic radiation is in the infrared frequency spectrum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical sector switch apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said predetermined angles are 30*.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical sector switch apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said emitter has maximum radiation output in the 0.88 to 0.94 angstrom wavelength range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
An optical sector switch comprising an emitter, a sensor, and a reflector, said emitter and sensor being mounted in a housing and at predetermined angles to each other and to a reference line in said housing normal to said reflector said housing being mounted to a first surface, said reflector having a reflecting surface and being mounted to a second surface, said first and second surfaces being relatively moveable to each other, said emitter and sensor both having axes which intersect each other at predetermined point in front of said housing, said sensor being electrically connected to an indicating circuit external of said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
An optical sector switch comprising an emitter, a sensor, and a reflector, said emitter and sensor being mounted in a housing and at predetermined angles to each other and to a reference line in said housing normal to said reflector said housing being mounted to a first surface, said reflector having a reflecting surface and being mounted to a second surface, said first and second surfaces being relatively moveable to each other, said emitter and sensor both having axes which intersect each other at predetermined point in front of said housing, said sensor being electrically connected to an indicating circuit external of said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3161777A
Cited
US3413480A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-05 | 1974-10-05 | 1975-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-05 | 1978-10-05 | 1979-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-05 | 1982-10-05 | 1983-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |