Optical transducer
First Claim
1. An optical transducer comprising an optical transmitter, an optical receiver and an encoder plate disposed therebetween, said encoder plate having light transmissive portions therein for establishing an optical signal from light provided by said transmitter and passing said signal to said receiver, said signal being indicative of the position of said encoder plate with respect to said transmitter and receiver, said optical transducer being characterized bya housing accommodating and providing a mount for said transmitter, receiver and encoder plate, said housing further accommodating an optical fluid having an index of refraction similar to those of said transmitter, receiver and light transmissive portions of said encoder plate, said optical fluid being flowable between said encoder plate and said transmitter and receiver for minimization of refraction of light transmitted to and from said encoder plate, for absorbing mechanical shock and vibration and for lubrication of movement of said encoder plate within said housing.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved optical transducer includes optical transmitter and receiver heads and an encoder plate movable therebetween on channel-shaped tracks integral in part with an inner housing. The encoder plate, and optical heads are disposed in an optical fluid which minimizes light refraction between those optical components, cushions against shock and vibratory loading, and lubricates the encoder plate tracks. The transducer includes an input shaft connected to the encoder plate by means of a coupling which isolates the encoder plate from misalignments of the input shaft and eliminates free-play in the connection between the encoder plate and input shaft, thereby eliminating backlash in the reciprocation of the encoder plate for improved transducer accuracy.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An optical transducer comprising an optical transmitter, an optical receiver and an encoder plate disposed therebetween, said encoder plate having light transmissive portions therein for establishing an optical signal from light provided by said transmitter and passing said signal to said receiver, said signal being indicative of the position of said encoder plate with respect to said transmitter and receiver, said optical transducer being characterized by
a housing accommodating and providing a mount for said transmitter, receiver and encoder plate, said housing further accommodating an optical fluid having an index of refraction similar to those of said transmitter, receiver and light transmissive portions of said encoder plate, said optical fluid being flowable between said encoder plate and said transmitter and receiver for minimization of refraction of light transmitted to and from said encoder plate, for absorbing mechanical shock and vibration and for lubrication of movement of said encoder plate within said housing.
- 6. An optical transducer comprising an optical transmitter an optical receiver and an encoder plate disposed therebetween, said encoder plate establishing an optical signal from light provided by said transmitter, and passing said signal to said receiver, said signal being indicative of the position of said encoder plate with respect to said transmitter and receiver, said encoder plate being connected to, and operated by movement of an input member, said optical transducer being characterized by said connection of said encoder plate to said input member being made through a coupling accommodating rotation and pivoting of said input member for isolating said rotation and pivoting from said encoder plate.
- 11. An optical transducer comprising an optical transmitter, an optical receiver and an encoder plate disposed therebetween, said encoder plate establishing an optical signal from light provided by said transmitter, and passing said signal to said receiver, said signal being indicative of the position of said encoder plate with respect to said transmitter and receiver, said optical transducer being characterized by a housing receiving said encoder plate and said transmitter and receiver therewithin, said housing comprising a pair of opposed, interconnected housing members, each including a pair of parallel edge portions, said edge portions defining in part a track supporting said encoder plate for movement thereof within said housing parallel to said housing member edge portions.
Specification