US3770971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotating shaft encoder
Assignee: Superior Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-05-24
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1992-05-24
Abstract
Abstract An encoder for producing an electrical output for each incremental rotational movement of a motor or other shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 J Somerset
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:29
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/22; H03M1/24; H03M1/28; H03M1/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An encoder for producing an electrical pulse for each increment of movement of a rotating shaft comprising a hub having a disk provided with an aperture for each increment of movement a pulse is to be produced, said hub having means for mounting it on the shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary frame; a semiconductor optical assembly comprising a light source mounted on a support and a light responsive semiconductor element mounted on another support with said source being positioned opposite to said element but spaced by a gap therebetween, a mask having a slit positioned between the source and element and means securing the supports and mask together to form the unitary assembly; and means mounting the assembly on the frame with each aperture of the disk being positionable in the gap, said mounting means being releasible to enable mechanical shifting of the assembly on the frame to facilitate centering of the aperture and the slit at a selected rotative position on the shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An encoder for producing an electrical pulse for each increment of movement of a rotating shaft comprising a hub having a disk provided with an aperture for each increment of movement a pulse is to be produced, said hub having means for mounting it on the shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary frame; a semiconductor optical assembly comprising a light source mounted on a support and a light responsive semiconductor element mounted on another support with said source being positioned opposite to said element but spaced by a gap therebetween, a mask having a slit positioned between the source and element and means securing the supports and mask together to form the unitary assembly; and means mounting the assembly on the frame with each aperture of the disk being positionable in the gap, said mounting means being releasible to enable mechanical shifting of the assembly on the frame to facilitate centering of the aperture and the slit at a selected rotative position on the shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 in which there is a second optical assembly having a light source mounted on a support and a light responsive semiconductor element mounted on another support with said source being positioned opposite to said element but spaced by a gap therebetween, a mask having a slit positioned between the source and element and means securing the supports and mask together to form the second unitary assembly; means mounting the second assembly on the frame with each aperture of the disk being positionable in the gap, said mounting means being releasible to enable shifting of the second assembly on the frame relative to the position of the first assembly and in which each said mounting means is independent of the other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 in which both assemblies are identical in construction and in which each element is a photo transistor and each source is a light emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the means securing the supports and mask together includes means for effectuating alignment thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 in which the aligning means includes corresponding holes formed in the supports and mask and pins passing through the holes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the mounting means includes just one securing device passing through a hole formed in the assembly and the shifting is a pivotal movement of the assembly about the securing device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 in which there are a plurality of apertures, one for each increment of movement in a revolution, in which there is a rest position between each increment and in which the assembly is mechanically adjusted to produce a signaling change in the electrical pulse substantially half way between two rest positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 in which there is a second semiconductor optical assembly identical to the first, means for mounting the assembly on the frame with the apertures positionable in its gap and in which the mounting means in releasable to enable relative mechanical shifting of the second assembly relative to the first to cause a distinctive change in each electrical pulse of the second assembly to be produced 90* out of phase with the pulses produced by the first assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as defined in cLaim 8 in which an electrical pulse includes a distinctive change from one voltage level to another and in which there are adjustable means in each assembly for setting the duration that a pulse is at one voltage level and at the other voltage level.
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) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |