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Optical encoder of the reflective type

  • US 3,983,391 A
  • Filed: 05/21/1975
  • Issued: 09/28/1976
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1975
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Encoder apparatus comprising:

  • A. a code member, said code member having code track means thereon, said code track means comprising a pattern of alternating radiation transmissive and radiation opaque areas; and

    ,B. monitoring means for monitoring relative movement of said code member, said monitoring means comprising;

    a. source means supported on one side of said code member for directing radiation to said code track means;

    b. detector means responsive to radiation from said source means, said detector means including at least first and second detector means for generating first and second signals, respectively, proportional to the radiation impinging thereon;

    c. reflector means supported on the opposite side of said code member from said source means for receiving radiation passing through said code track means from said source means and for reflecting at least a portion of said received radiation back through said code track means to said first and second detector means whereby said first and second detector means will each be impinged by radiation modulated by said code track means as a function of the relative movement of said code member and will generate signals indicative of said relative movement of said code member, said reflector means including an aspheric reflecting surface for directing radiation to said first detector means out of phase with respect to radiation directed to said second detector means; and

    ,d. processing means coupled to said first and second detector means for processing said first and second signals.

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